The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-12-11
Possibilities and Dangers.

consideration with the contending factions
at Richmond, it is quite prob sble, after the
guillotine has been satiated, the Re-adlus-
tiers will feel called upon to offer bill OF
readjustment in order TO maintain their con-
sistency. We have no idea.tbat any scheme
or plan they may formulate will receive the
sanction of the Governor, nor can they com.
mand two-thIrds OF the Legislature to enact
into law any vetoed legislation returned to
them. 1t is possible such conflict may in
tensify the antagonism that now exists be-
tween the forces, and precipitate ado urn
ment, in order to prevent any modification
Of what may be proposed, and defeat all
efforts at new combinations. The danger OF
this condition of things is greater than at
first glance might be anticipated. The first
consideration of an adverse character will
be the effect it will have on the funding OF
the debt under the McCulloch Bill. Ii there
is TO be a contest, holders of six per cent.
bonds will conclude that it is better to make
a fight over the six per cent. security than
three per cent. security, as they would have
margin of three per cent. for expenses
and delays and consequently they will hold
what they have.
The appeal will then be made to the peo-
pie upon the premise that the popular Will
has again been thwarted by the one-man pre-
rogative, and the agitation continued, to the
great harm of all the interests of the State,
for rwo wears to come. When that time
shall have expired, full ticket for all the
elective State officers, from Governor down,
including the Legislature, will be presented
on either side. Resentments and passion
NAV be so much inflamed, that new ana
dangerous, but plausible phase may be given
to the issue. While there is no disposition
now to repudiate the debt, or evade its pay
ment within the capacity of the present
revenues, persistent agitation OF the ques-
ton may lead to the inquiry, whether or
not the present Virginia is responsible for
any of the obligations contracted by the old
Virginia. It may be urged that the State,
as now constitute ], owes Nottingham the
conoueror's sword cut 10 twain the relation
of the debt and the people, and new au-
tonomy has sprung into existence out OF the
conquered province. The arbitrary dismem-
berment of the Com monwealth, and the
erection of separate political power out OF
territory the property of Virginia, it may
be argued, sustains the theory that the Vir-
pinia that made the debt is a thing OF the
past, and that the power that conquered her
is liable for the obligations she had as
sumed.
While there could be nothing more absurd
In law or in the light of the Constitution OF
the country, it is possible to educate a ma
jority of the people up to the acceptance OF
such theory; and reaching tnat point a
wild sweep of passion might land into the
Executive Chair an the Legislative Halls,
authorities sympathizing with this revolu.
tionary view. Then might follow call for
Constitutional Convention, and. funda-
mental provision recognizing the righteous
ness of such claim.
| We mention these things as possibilities.
Revolutions never go backwards, but unless
guided by prudence and wisdom generally
sweep on into excuses that bear down all
the safeguards of society and government.
Taking them merely as possibilities, does
not the situation address itself to the states
men of the Commonwealth, if such we have,
as full of peril? ! o our mind, it appeals
strongly to all conservative minds to guard
all appro ,ches to result so direful, and to
the exercise of every precaution and every
suggestion Of wisdom, which can arrest the
progress and influence of such disastrous
tendency.
It will not, therefore, do for faction to
fight faction because they hold to different
organizations and different shades of opin.
ion as to the precise terms UPON wbicha set
Element should be made. Let them meet
each other as Virginians. animated by CON-
mon purpose to save the Commonwealth
from the abyss that is gaping before her,and
rising to the Importance OF the emergency
address themselves to the formulation of a
common basis of agreement.
That we have not overdrawn the posi-
bilities of the future, we have only to refer
to the reckless and insane outgivings of the
mouth pieces of the caucus dynasty. Real
izing the sting of the rebuke the people
have administered to them because of the
despotism they have practiced, and learning
nothing from the upheaval which has shat
tered the machinery through which the tyr
amy has been effected, they now proclaim
a purpose to organize sswhite mans par.
ty," and consequently to make war upon
the laws and Constitution Of the coun.
try, that they N ~ trample upon the rights
and liberties Of the colored race. No possible
extreme to which the Re-adjusters might be
finally driven, as to the debt issue, could
more forcibly argue the utter absence of all
concern for Virginia, and the welfare of heI
people, than this mischievous and wicked
appeal to passion and prejudice. With
such desperate alternative as this, it lilly
becomes the leaders in it to arraign the mo.
tives and denounce the methods of the op.
posing faction, let their policy lead to what
ever extreme it might.
Is it not time for thoughtful men to con
suit together, and animated by sense o.
duty to the State and country, endeavor to
formulate basis of action that will rescue
the Commonwealth from these possible dan
gers, land give to the world the assurance thai
Virginia means to be true to public faith, ant
true to the constitution and laws of the ma
ton?
It is a period, land field for craftsmanship
and he who shall measure up to the demands
of the occasion, and be instrumental ir
guiding the ship Of State safely through the
breakers which hedge her about, will deserve
and receive the earnest thanks and graft.
tude of the people.
Agricultural Depression in Europe.
Col. Peyton has just received letter
under date OF the 23rd of Nov. 1879 from 8
friend in England-a gentleman OF the high.
est character and intelligence, in which he
remarks in regard to the rent trouble which
exist those as well as in Ireland. ssTroubles
are hanging over us. The farmers, large
and influential body of men, are many OF
them bankrupts or throwing up their farms
49, %1L r