The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1879-10-17
COME LET US REASON TOGETHER

We are on the eve of a great po-
Htical contest i'll our country. And it
is wise and even obligatory on every
man, to be able to give reason for
the faith that is in him, when called
upon to cast his ballot. The great
question that we as American citizens,
will be called upon to decide, in the
Presidential election of next year is,
shall the faith and credit of the ma
tion be sustained. Second, shall our
government be turned over into the
hands of those who fought to destroy
it so recently. The first PROPOSE
tien is enc that appeals to the honor,
patriotism and loyalty of every true
citizen. By every consideration each
citizen is under obligation 10 sustain,
and uphold the government in re
deeming every debt and pledge made
by it. In short, we cannot, must
not wave in our devotion to The prin-
eiples of common honesty. Every
debt must be paid, every obligation
Cancelled. But while we believe all
this, we are called upon to exercise
our best jud gment and discretion in
selecting the policy, measures and
men that we support in the impend-
ing National contest. We must not
recklessly and carelessly discharge
this all important duty. Self interest
alone would dictate safe and pru-
dent course. But certainly, patriot
ism, intelligence and regard for JUS
tice will lead us to adopt course,
and confde our interests, as nation
to those whose past record is free
from suspicion of disloyalty and dis
honesty Then it is safe to presume
that as we would not commit our
ewn personal affairs into the hands
of those we know are disreputable.
dishonest and incapable. So we
would not commit the grave blunder
of confding our National affairs to
those we know to be disloyal repudi-
ators of State Indebtedness.
Many suppose that all the talk about
the Solid South is of no Importance,
whatever, TO US. That it is all the
work of the politician, etc. But let's
see, the Southern press and all the
writers of note, and politicians Of
prominence south of Mason and Dix.
en's line are using every endeavor to
keep their people well under their con-
troll IN order to make the South unit,
in the Presidential election. And
they do not hesitate whenever they
deem it necessary to adopt the shot
gun policy as means to that end.
The South ale not only solid in re.
gard to the policy of keeping the
negro from voting, (unless he vote
the straight democratic ticket,) but
they are almost entirely solid on the
proposition of repudiating State in
debtedness.
Creditors of the States lately in
rebellion have lost about 1922, 900, 900
exclusive of municipal obligations
which added would swell the sum to
$3oo,OOO,O 900. The State of North
Carolina alone, has repudiated over
$44,OOO.OOO of its State Indebtedness
and that too under the sanction Of
Democratic Legislatures and Demo
cratic Governor. The present U. S.
Senator OF that State while its Gov
ernor discussed tie State debt in the
following words, in his Message of
January, 1879. 1.-THE debt, which
will be seen by the Treasurers report,
amounts to sl6,96o,o45 principal,
and $1O,l6O,1S2 interest. This is
known as the recognized debt as
can be distinguished from the special
tax bonds. What shall be done
with it is question that deserves
your best attention. 1t is out of the
question for US to attempt to pay it
at Its face value. Indeed, I do not
conceive that there is any moral OBJ
legation on us to do so, nor do our
creditors expect it of US. Quite one
half of our property upon which our
bonds were based was wantonly de-
stroyed by consent of a large major
ity of those who held them, and no
court of conscience upon earth would
permit creditor to destroy one-half
of his security and claim full pay
ment out of the remainder" If men
Ike Gov. Vance in hisannual message
can talk and advise reputation, what
can we expect of the democracy
who hang onto the skirts of the par
tyto which he belongs. Are we ready
to trust National affairs in suchlandss
This question each voter must an
swer for himself.
Returns from Ohio election of last