The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-04-03
The Settlement.

Inc passage of the Debt Bill by the Leg
stature and the signature OF the Governor.
winch has been attached to it, makes it a
Jaw, SO far as the action OF the State is
concerned. We have elsewhere referred tn
It's provisions and the resources to meet IT'S
demands. We have deemed this proper to
AID our readers in arriving at proper con-
cluslon as to its merits. The estimates ad-
duced, are not claimed to be precisely accu-
rate, but they approximate as nearly AZ can
be, the amount OF revenue levied for and
paid by the people, aud the demands upon
It. Neither the resources nor the EXPENSES
are SO lar incorrect as to mislead apy one.
They present q substantial UNDERSTANDING
OF the situation, and give satisfactory in.
sight into the solution of the debt difficulty.
IL is not our purpose hereafter to discuss
this subject, unless compelled to do so in
self'defence. At all times it has been an
irksome task, and We have encountered it
from sense OF duty, rather than from
disposition to undergo the labor its djscns.
sion involved, We earnestly hope there
will be no necessity for any further debate
OF the question, but that the people will ad-
dress themselves to its favorable considera-
ton, and accept the recent legislation as a
finality. Agitation heretofore was necessa-
ry as means OF drawing attention to the
condition OF the State, her resources and
responsibilities, and exposing the utter ruin
that awaited the people and her creditors.
unless an equitable REIMBURSEMENT was eff.
fected. That object has been attained. or
at least compromise basis has been reach
ed, IN proposition coming from the credi
tors, accepted by the Legislature, and now
addressed to the approval of the people
Now let the same energy, activity and de-
termination be brought into use to give ef-
feet to the conditions of the Sc Element.
which nave been employed in bringing it
about, and all imaginary difficulties con-
1ured up by the faint hearted or DESIGNING
Will disappear. The settlement is fair one
III Is a generous proposition from the
creditors or their representatives, cons ider-
ing the legal guards which surround them.
and commends itself to the prompt assent
OF the people. who, we know, have been
wearied and tortured by the constant agita
ton which has been inflicted upon Them
The State wants peace and quiet. With the
debt question settled, and the thoughts of
the people directed into legitimate business
channels. Virginia has great future before
her. She bias the undeveloped wealth of an
empire. Nature has been lavish in her be-
stowments OF soil, character, water power,
and mineral resources. Her territory is
the natural highway for intercourse and
commerce between the sections-a CONT
mental thoreughfare, linking the Pacific
with the Chesapeake and the Gulf with the
Potomac, by iron bands, and exposing her
imperial possessions to the inspection of the
active. moving world. Let our own energy
and industry and application to legitimate
pursuits, supplement these great natural ad-
vantages, and thus offer such attractions as
will draw capital and enterprise from every
direction, and make the old Commonwea lth
what nature intended she should bean en-
pire within herself.