The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-02-15

The Debt Question.

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The people or Virginia are aroused 10 2
manner We never saw equailcd before.
Their excitement Is upon the debt cues s-
sion. They write 10 US In the most esr lle
and hopeful spirit. They express them en-,
selves warmly. They impiore GIL men O
wisdom and influence TO use their best ex'
ert,ons and their most urgent appeals In pc
half OF settlement Of the State debt and
the removal OF The question from the poli1i
On, arena. IL has been prolific OF disturb
: ance and apprehension. It has keptmen IN
doubt and Impaired The energies OF The
people. 1t has become hateful to every
body and useful to no one but office.hunt
ers. who trusted to the excitement producer
by it more than to any merits OF their oWf
FOR their election to some office.
1t is no wonder that all good people arr
worn out by theabominable agitation whicf
has tended to blunt the public scnsibilitses
and diminish The public Discrimination FOL
concessions to matters OF questionable mo-
rality and to State delinquency. AS time
passes men learn to look with less horror
yuon public faithlessness and private deiin'
ouency. The wise and good see it, and TIE
more sober md rejecting of our people are
panied to behold the steady growth OF the
indifference to things that would twenty
wears since have shocked the minds OF oil
men. 4i 4.
Now, this deterioration has been going On
long enough. The people bave halted and
revolted, and are now determined TO make
n stand. We see it all over Virginia. The
period is opportune and the occasion 1T
ting, All see that we can now arrange
orr public debt with the creditor and put
it in the train OF easy settlement without
increasing the burthens OF the people
without increasing taxation-and they all
say. .SETTLE THE DEBT AND GIVE
Us REST"
This comes from every quarter Of the
State, while in the Legislature the temper
is admirable. The Legislators are as anxious
10 end agitation aud restore industry to Its
neace and thrift US are the people them
selves. Agitation has sicknDed Vcry5ody.
All see how wide the contrast between dis
turbance, uncertainty, and apprehension on
one hand, and quiet, confidence, and order
on the other. The former has become nn-
endurable, and the latter is now the object
OF hope and invocation, OF desire and love.
Oh, give these blessings to us, say all, and
we who know the tenor CT the life we have
had will know how to appreciate and cher
Ish the state OF things that will come from
the settlement Of the public debt and rest to
the people.
In the Legislature men who have been
supposed to be impracticable have shown
their public devotion and become undis-
,guised and open advocates OF the settlement
upon the terms offered by the bondhoders
with the amendments which have been
adopted at the request OF the legislators.
We feel gratified at hearing OF number
OF such worthy patriots, who come from
the Southwest and the Valley, and who have
with frankness and firmness worthy OF
them ranged themselves with the men who
have cut loose from all opinions and infiu-
ences at variance with their views OF public
duty, and have determined to give Virginia
peace and the people new hope and energy.
Honor TO these men. We have their names,
but we have not their authority to promu!-
gate them. They will be known at the
proper time; and IL ever men did OBSERVE
WELL OF THEIR COUNTRY" these men do.
Mr.. SPEAKER ALLEN, we are sure, will
lead the party OF true Virginians who think
the Commonwealth above the desires and
ambitions OF men. This party, loyal and
true TO Virginia, are reconstructing the old
motto OF the fathers and clearing it OF all
DETACHMENT, and bringing it out as distinct
" as though just from the chisel Of OLD
MORTALITY. This old motto, EVERYTHING
FOR THE COMMONWEALTH, NOTHING FOR
MEN" will in few days shine from the
Capitol with its pristine brlliancy. How
grand it would appear to the fathers OF the
State if they could be permitted to revisit
scenes of their heroic lives and observe
this sign, that will show that their children
have fought the good fight and kept the
faith
We repeat, the people are aroused. They
think OF nothing but peace-the settlement
OF the State debt; the resurrection of the
public credit and restoration OF confidence
peaceful industry and hope and faith in the
future. They all look to the Capitol, and
appeal most anXiously to their representa-
tives to grant them the boon they seek more
earnestly than they have ever done for any
other-the boon of peace and rest from agi-
tation.
Shall the public representatives refuse to
give it to them? 1t would be a refusal that
would carry despair to the people, and
would bring back upon the representatives
q wrath which they would never cease tC