The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-08-21

rHURsDAY........... AUGUST 81. 1879
The Debt Question and Party Relation s.
Convinced, i'll our mind, that the bill
passed by the last Legislature, embraces the
basis ola settlement of the debt question just
alike to the State and her creditors we have
heretofore and shall continue to urge its
acceptance by the people. 1t contains the
general idea upon which we discussed this
issue before the bill was adopted, and salts
fed that it formulates into law the amount
the State equitably owes and ought to pay,
we believe it to be high public duty to ac-
cept and carry out its provisions. 1t is,
however, a misfortune to the Com mon
wealth, that a partizan commit tee of the
dominant political organization in Virginia,
should seek to lower the dignity of the in
terests involved by comforting them into a
caucus measure, inasmuch as it is matter
affecting all the people alike and equally ap-
pealing to their sense of right and justice.
Partizan necessities and embarrassments
cannot be urged as legitimate excuse for
any such perversion OF a great and vital
State issue, and especially so, when the
record of those who have usurped such au-
thority is considered. 1t is not. however,
In any partizan sense, or with reference to
any party advantage that we support the
bill in question. 1t is solely as Virginians,
anxious to have removed every impeachment
to her material advancement, and to dis
pose Of a ranking, harmful dissension, upon
an equitable and just basis. We believe,
with this source of disturbance and conten-
ton removed, and the obligations of the
State brought within the control of the re-
venues as now annuallypaid by the people,
and the fact demonstrated to the world that
the credit of the Commonwealth is to be
maintained untarnished, new era of pros
perity and new dispensation Of business
activity will visit us. Apart, however, from
any prospective stimulus to industrial en-
deavors, and independent of any expected
activities in material development, but pure
ly as question of intrinsic right, address
ing itself to the conscience and appealing
to that sense of honor presumed to form a
part the moral organism of every man, we
believe the bill of settlement ought to be
accepted as final, because it comprehends
the elements of right in itself.
These views we entertain as citizens OF
Virginia, earnestly laboring for her well
fare, and anxious to aid in removing all
hindrances to her advancement to that po-
sition of material and political power and
influence, the traditions, the. history, and
the natural advantages of the Common
wealth entitle her.
AS Republicans, sympathizing and heart
lily in accord with the policy of that party
which places national honor and credit
above all other questions Or interests, and
regards no sacrifice too great, mo deprivation
too onerous, no difficulties too formidable,
not to be encountered, grappled with and
overcome, to maintain the integrity of the
government, we could offer no excuse and
devise no argument, consistent with this
political association, to justify antagonism
to an adjustment of State complications,
eomprehending so nearly the elements of
exact and even-handed justice. The Re-
publican party, as national organization,
has accomplished wonders fol-. the Ameri-
can people, in making paramount to all
other considerations, the maintenance of
national pledges and national credit, and
the adjustment OF the monetary relations
and policy of the government to the re-
quirements of healthy and legitimate bust
ness demands. Its stern, heroic aggressive
ness in dealing with these vital interests
stopping not to consider party harmony or
to reconcile sporadic discussions, but going
steadily forward to those grand consumma-
tions, represented in the act of Resump-
ton and Notwithstanding currency of
equal value everywhere within the broad
limits of the Union-has won for it the ap-
proval and sympathy of even those who have
not had political affiliation with it. The
same principle ofpublic faith which has dis
tinguished it in its relation to national af-
fairs, applies with equal directness and
force to State relations. No Republican,
who respects his party and is controlled in
his poll tical Identification by conviction OF
right. can afford to tamper with State
credit, or affiliate with any organiza-
ton that looks no higher than pass
Ing personal advantages. Virginia wants
rest and quiet, but there must be a
solid basis for them to repose upon-a basis
to build upon, that will stand the test Of
time and improve as the ages go on. This
she cannot get outside of recognition and
discharge of her honest debt, and no Or
ganization or faction, can be anything more
In disregard of the obligations of public
faith.
We write from our own standpoint, land OF
the truth as we understand it. We do not
arraign the motives of those who honestly
differ with us as to the merits of the debt
bill. Our object is to draw the attention
OF Republicans to enc paramount, impor-
tant fact, and that is, that nothing is to be
gained by af1fliating with either wing of
the Conservative party merely in the hope
Of widening the breach between them
Whatever action is taken by Republicans
should be the result of conviction, and if
they believe, as we do, that the debt bill is
gust within itself, then that consideration
should influence them and determine their
votes. All must admit that it is vitality i'm
portant that this vexed question should be
disposed OF, and when that is effected upon
grounds of justice and right and the popu-
lar mind brought to a calm, it requires no
prophet to foretel1 the early disruption of
the Conservative party of Virginia. Intel
agent, rejecting men from all parts of the
State already admit that the organization
has outlived its usefulness, and that the
snterests of the State clearly demand re-
cast Of parties, with other lines of demarc-
alton than race preiudices. The Republi-
can party of the nation presents as its car
dinal tenets the maintenance of public
faith, honest currency and the fostering