Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-10-21
Page boasts of having had no jail

Page boasts of having had no jail
birds for months.
The Gazette says that Mr.. Thomas
Garrett, citizen of Rockbridge resid-
ing at Buffalo Forge, concluded to emf
CRATE and settle in Missouri. Getting
all his personal effects together. he sold
them, realizing about $780,. About two
weeks ago he started, and letter to his
brother in the county day or too ago,
informed him, that his pocket had been
picked at Quincy. Illinois, leaving him
without cent, in strange city. with
a wife and two children.
The Fincastle "Herald" states that
there is not an idle mechanic in that
town, and presents hopeful view of
the Cuisines boom that is setting in
over the land!
The fly is damaging the wheat in
Shenandoah county.
The Great Leader of his Race, Frederick
Douglass, Comes Out for the McCullOeh
Bill.
WASHINGTON, D. c., Oct. Is, 1879.
Colonel James d. Brady and j. II. Yam
Auke'a, Esq.
Gentlemen,-Ih have received the petit
ton presented by you this morning,
numerously signed by the colored citi
zens of Petersburg favorable to the rati-
ficatiod, at the election to be held in
November next, of the recent act of the
General Assembly of Virginia known as
the McCulloch bill, extending to me a
most cordial and pressing invitation to
visit that city and address them on their
duty in the present crisis.
I exceedingly regret my inability to
accept the invitation, for it would give
me great pleasure to address the people
of Petersburg in favor of the payment of
the just debts and obligations of the
State, and against readjustment, or re-
pudiation, but I have other engage
ments, and cannot possibly accept.
| I am against reputation in every
form, and / most earnestly advise my
people not to give support, countenance,
or encouragement to Re- adjusters or Re-
pudiators.
The public schools of the State, upon
which our people are so much DEEPEN
dent, are only safe and can only prosper
under the care and direction and in the
keeping of these citizens who favor the
payment of every dollar of Virginia's
Just debt.
The history, the policy, and the prin-
ciples of the Republican party are OPP
posed to reputation. The reputation
or readiustment of just debts and Obliga-
lions by the Democrats Of the South is
looked upon with indignation and hor-
ror by the Republican party of the coun-
try, and merits and receives the severest
condemnation from all parties at the
North.
The plea made by demagogues that
you-colored people-were slaves at the
time the debt of Virginia was contract
ed, and had nothing to do with it, and
therefore should not be called upon to
burden yourself and your children, for
generations to come, with the payment
thereof" is not only specious but a
dangerous one. By parity of reasoning
it may be argued that you had nothing
to do with obtaining your freedom
therefore you should not enjoy its bless
ings.
The agitation of this question, after its
settlement by the General Assembly OF
the State with the creditors, is, in my
judgment, extremely injurious to every
material interest of all her people. and
has IA tendency to prevent immigration
and the Introduction of capital within
her borders.
In view of the fact that the Conven-
ton, composed almost exclusively of
Republicans, which framed the Consti-
tuition of the State, recognized the valid
~E ftn 6nhf nf riv1In
strikes me that no Republican can con.
sistently ally himself with the present
agftators or vote for Re adjusters or Re
pudiators.
Very truly yours,
[Signed1 FREDERICK DOUGLASS.
|
THE DEBT QUESTION AND THE COL
ORED PEOPLE OF LYNCHBURG.-Fri-
day night week large and enthusiast
tic meeting of the colored voters OF
Lynchburg met in warehouse in that
place for the purpose of holding mass
meeting. at which the debt question
would be discussed. Speeches were
made by Rev. w. B. Derrick aud w.
c. Roane, of Richmond, and George M.
Arnold, of Lynchburg. After the
speeches the following res olutions were
enthusiastically adopted
ResOLUed, by the colore1 citizens of
Lynchburg, in Mass Meeting assem-
bled.-
l. That we return our thanks to
Messrs. Roane and Derrick for the able
and instructive addresses which they
have delivered.
2, That we endorse the noble senti-
ments that they have spoken, and
pledge ourselves to vote for no man who
will favor reputation of the State debt
believing that if reputation common
ces in the State, it will be attempted
against the national debt, which is the
price paid for our freedom.
8. That the McCulIoch settlement OF
the State debt ought to be accepted as
final and we will support no man who
opposes it.
4. That as we labored in slavery tc
make Virginia rich, we will now labor
in freedom to make her honorable.
THE BITTLE MEMORIAL CEREMO.
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