Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1879-03-11
publican government, the usurper of our

publican government, the usurper Of on
soyereignty--thc hated coupon.
Sovereignty is jewel for which ON
fathers fought seven years and to regain
which we have fought seven more
Unfortunately 1t was surrendered in 49,
II and we are now appealed to to ratify
the wrong by which 1t was wrested
from us.
have never yielded to the idea tina,
even the people themselves could alien
ate State sovereignty, from these II l.
speaking and unvoting thousands who
do not participate in the surrender. OF
all the prime powers Of sovereignty the
right to levy, collect and disburse freely
taxes, is so overshadowing in its pro-
portions that like Aaron's rod it swal-
lows up all the rest. Sir, no power low
err than the people or subordinate to
them can rightfully and legitimately al
ienate or dispose of it.
The demand for its surrender should
have been resented as an affront to our
Bill of Rights. Our creditors having
witnessed the escape of our wealth sought
possession of the State itself and became
the possessors of the prime function of
taxation.
Experience has endorsed the theory Of
our fathers, that divided sovereignty is
fatal to Government. Nothing is now
more apparent than that a joint admin
istration of sovereignty by the State and
the creditor is an impossihility. A SOW
reign State and a sovereign credi or are
incompatibilities. They cannot dwell
together in unity. TO attempt to crys-
talllze in top nciplcs Il Is invasion of our
original contract is the political absurdi-
ty of the age. 1t has closed our public
schools and driven the Lunatics of the
State from our Asylums. 1t has left the
State itself tossing Oh the reefs of APP
preaching ruin.
In this dilemma deny the right of this
General Assembly to repeat the expert
ment of tampering with sovereign pow
err, without submitting it to the people
for their action.
This bill is the work Of the Funding
Associations and the General Assembly
both acting for large constituencies
The Associations are acting for the bond
holders and the General Assembly ia
! acting for the people. If this bill passes,
, 1t will be submitted to the Bondholders
for their ratification, and I claim II
should be submitted to the people for
theirs! The rejection by either should
be fatal to it. The Bondholder must
pass on it, and this much must be ac-
corded to the people.
1t is claimed by the opponents to this
amendment that the people are in favor
of the Bill. If this be true, they will
endorse 1t at the polls, and then you will
have your carte blanche to go forth MS
high ambassadors and execute the popu-
lar will. No mortal power can then
shake the new bond. The power of the
agitator will cease when the people order
peace. Submission to the people, If It
shall result in ratification, will pass
your bonds in the markets where the
English consol is the standard OF the
world, If the people endorse It, the
new coupon will flee from the manipu-
lation Of brokers and will make It's SEMI
annual advent at the treasury as ofold. II
the people fail TO endorse this bill, you
dare not defy them. I speak, sir, from
my place in this Hall, in behalf of the
absent people of Virginia, and IN their
name protest against your exercise Of
their sovereign power.
We have no right TO endorse and
adopt this coupon in defiance OF the pco-
pie. We have no power to bind their
will or to put on them chains which even
We cannot relieve them Of afterwards. -
call, at least, upon the Rcadjusters ~
this House to remember they are the adj
vocatcs and defenders Of popular SOW
erelgnty. To the man who dare defy the
people, enter their solemn caveat. -
They wrenched Magma Chdrtd from John
and beheaded Charles. Thrice have
they broken the proud dynasty Of Ma
polcon. They broke the power and
crumblcd the crown of Caesar. They
evolved the French revolution aud
erected the guilotine In the name of lost
sovereignty. They threw tho tea In Bos-
toh Harbor and baptiscd Bunker Hill In
patriotic blood. They fired Fort Stump
ter, tore apart the abutments of the
American Union and tumble,l its arches
in. Beware of the people They are the
sole possessors Of the divine right of
Kings and the Jewel of ultimate SOW
ereignty. Remember their seven year
war against the net Of 1871, and be here
and now assured that, If you put on
them again the yoke Of this coupon,
they will hang mill-stones about your
nccks and bury you in the sea Of OBJ
livion.
Put Them on Record.