Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-12-10

~ 'SSWES " W.
up differences for permanent sterling re-
suits. and showing how the wisdom Of our
sires has not and will not be falsified in the
experience OF their sons, and how these
lately conflicting departments, instead Of
being the cause OF hopeless dissension, have
been the means of bringing into peace, d.
verse interests and opinions, thereby secu-
ring uniform and sure justice. This has
been the case more than once in the history
OF TINS republic. feel in my heart that it
VII! De the case now in this trouble of Vir-
ginia. -le'''a7i f' 3''a Ut y ~
1t might have been well could the depart
ments have agreed upon the course to be
pursued, to ensure a final and Just conclu :
sion OF this troublesome subject. That, it
seems, could not be ard because it co Id
not be, should we despair and pronounce
legislation futile, and demand some other
arena and champions upon and by which to
decide It: think not; especially as the
arena will be no broader, and the champion
no more powerful than those who have the
matter now in hand. %.
90 not believe that there is any. In,
GoRDIAN KNOT -,
which cannot be cut, or any problem SO in-
tricate that it cannot be solved by calm and
quiet legislation. However much the differ
ent views may seem to conflict between the
different departments, or between members
OF the same department, will not surrender
my faith In the wisdom with which the GOV :
eminent has been framed, and which l be-
ileye is equal to the solution OF any problem
thatls likely to arise in our States expert
ence indeed, will go further, and assert,
that is not more likely to be solved rightly
by reason OF the diverse views resulting
from the various sources from which the
Judgment is enlightened, each gathering
knowledge and wisdom from different stand
responsibility. -,
These are the lessons which are taught by
the history OF governments like ours on this
continent and beyond the sea, and which are
the outgrOwth of many experiments and
many failures. | think the rise, progress and
present status OF this State-de5t question Is
another evidence Of its truth.
It presents a very different aspect from
what it did twelve months ago. Men were
angry then, and attributed difficulties to the
SUBJECT which really sprang from their own
erroneous or uncertain views or misappre-
henslons OF the views OF others, The Gen
eral Assembly met after heated canvass.
and the subject went before them in a cha
otto form, and weeks and months were spent
IN discussing points that were under broader
llght regarded aud treated as irrelevant or
false. 'Ht -
Upon the General Assembly fell the duty
OF investigation in all its bearings, and dill
gently and energetically it did its work. /
believe it took in and covered the whole
ned, ana lett nothing, as far as lay in. its
power, undecided. And though the main
question remain unsettled with the creditor.
IL would De mistake to say that nothing
was accomplished. The arena was cleared
OF lrrelevancies and the subject stripped of
matters which had caused bitter controversy.
and but one single issue left with which
any subsequent legislative body would have
to deal. l.'i's'
lt Will be easily recalled what these mat
tiers were. and how much trouble and contro-
versy they caused on the hastings and in
the halls of legislation.
1t was decided that -'-
THE DEBT WAS JUST.
and that the State ought to pay it and no
douot was LETT In the conclusion that it was
founded in considerations that demanded
its recognition. Its assumption by the Fed
eral government, upon the ground of our
being conquered province, was not insisted
on, and am sure never will be, especially
when the correlative is admitted as equally
true-if we be conquered province our
property Is nlnrtgaged for the payment OF
the debt. The resumption of our sovereignty
and our recognition by the Federal Govern
ment disposed OF that point, and the Lesis-
lature SO treated it.
The back, including the war interest, was
also fully discussed and acted on, and de-
cided according to law and Justice. and as it
nad Deen several times before, decided by
previous Legislature. w
But, probably most important, the amount
OF the State debt was thoroughly inyesti-
gated and strictly ascertained, no longer to
De an element of inaccurate representation
or wlltul Misrepresentation. Nothing caused
more trouble than these Misrepresentation
or inaccuracies. The ignorant, though hon
est and patriotic, citizen, was struck dumb
and felt poweriess when it looked noun
tain-high right in the path of the States
growth and prosperity, and utterly hopeless
OF removal by any strength she had or was
likely In the future to acquire. The amount,
happily, was ascertained, fixed, and clearly
closing the door upon
the charge Of any wilfnl or attempted re-
of the principal Of the debt.
This was important work, but it did not
embrace everything the General Assembly
did. 1t passed bills of retrenchment and
reform, which became and are now laws
1t used freely, and perhaps to the drawing
Of blood, the pruning knife, and spared no
Department. OF the Government, thus show
lug an earnest desire to come to some ef-
fective conclusion, and reducing expendi-
lures to merely living rates, apply the sur
plus to its just obligations under the Consti-
tuition. ss -At-,l T71T@l''7
The first finance bill that passed both
houses OF the General Assembly failed to
become law, because, on constitutional
1t did not receive the approval
OF the Executive. And the public free