The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1879-03-27
The Meeting Monday.

full synopsis of the speeches delivered in the
Court House on Monday last, on the public
debt question, by Senators Brooke and Phle-
gar, OF Fauquier and Montgomery counties,
respectively, and S. Brown Allen, Esq, of
this county. The Senators came by invita-
tion and were accompanied by Senator Koin-
er, to speak in support Of the object of the
call Of the meeting-the'- endorsement Of the
proposition for the settlement of the debt
question, known as the McCulloch bill. 1t
was expected that Senator Paul would also
be here to represent the opposition to that
proposition, but. for some cause, he did not
appear. Mr.. Allen expressed his dissent
from the bill, because of the coupon feature
and for the further reason that he appre-
bended an increase OF taxation to meet the
demands under it,. All of the speeches were
able and interesting, and in support of re-
adjustment, but differing as to the precise
method of reaching the desired end. The
meeting was organized by calling an origi-
nal re.adjuster ito the chair-Thornton Berss
ry, Esq.-who presided over the first read
justers' meeting ever held in this county, land
the selection of another strong re-aujuster as
chairman of the committee on resolutions
John Fl. Crawford, Esq. Both Messrs.
Brooke and Phlegar were elected as re- adj
justers, and their speeches, as is also the bill
they were advocating, were in the strict line
of thought and action of the re-adjusters of
Augusta county as first formulated. Mr..
Phlegar's remarks were opened with state
ment of the equity of the debt question, al
most identical with the arguments and facts
we have time and again adduced through
these columns, and in everything that was
said and done the policy and purpose Of the
original re-adiusters were substantially sus-
tanned. To all intents and purposes, the
meeting and its object and result were
simply a vndication of the position and rea-
sons of the re-adiusters, and aimed at the
consummation of the ends for which they
commended.
Why it was that every re-adiuster in the
county, present, did not give hearty en-
dersement to the action of the meeting, we
cannot, with good reasons, explain. Those
who, when the movement for a settlement
of the debt controversy upon the basis of
equity and justice to the creditors and the
State, and upon the general idea of the Nc
Culloch bill, denounced it as reputation,
and contended for the old Funding bill as it
stood, were loudest in their applause of the
very policy they had opposed, and heralded
as a great achievement for the State the
passage by the Legislature of the bill which
embraces substantially all that the re-adjus-
tiers had ever contended for, except the cou-
pom feature, which is more of an abstract
sentiment than a practical substance.
We make these references merely in vim
dication of the re-adjusters of Augusta coun-
ty who first inaugurated the discussion of
the debt question with view to an equitable
adjustment. 1t is no occasion for the con-
sideration of Epersonal views or precedence
or the recognition of personal service and
labors. The people throughout the State,
should rejoice that at least the Legislature
and Executive authorities Of the Common
wealth have agreed upon a basis of settle
ment which is within the capacity Of the
State to meet, and while the VIRGINIAN
has taken an active part in the discussion
which attended the initiation and considera-
ton of the terms agreed upon, and has had
its own theory and statements of the case
fally endorsed and sustained, we are per-
fectIy willing to meet with those who OPP
posed what we thought best, and join hands
with all parties to the controversy in one
supreme effort to lift Virginia out of the diff
ticulties and depression which surround her,
and place the old State on the highway to
prosperity. I'VE would not envy the amhi-
ton of any man, who, because his pre-con-
ceived notions have not been fully met,
would seek to interpose distractions to the
success of the settlement proposed in the
bill, which is, or will soon be, law, and
for selfish purposes endeavOr to keep up an
agitation which has already tested tee pa
thence, disturbed the peace and distracted
the business Of the people to deplorable
extent. We can afford to allow loose rein
10 the contemplate penny-a-liaers who aim
no higher than the questionable notoriety
their identity with the popular prejudice and
current may assure them, and to leave to
the impartial judgment of right thinking
and fair minded men verdict upon our own
course and the arguments and facts the VIR-
GILMAN has adduced.
While we heard but brief part of the |
speeches of the Senators and none of Mr.. |
Aliens, what we did hear met with our en- |
tire approval, and found hearty response
from majority of the intelligent audience. |
Both of the Senators spoke with calmness, |
fairness and sense, showing perfect ia |
miliarity with the subject under considera
ton and sincere desire to impart informa-
ton and lead to rational conclusions, There
was nothing impetuous or infiammatory,
but facts and figures were plainly given and |
earnestly enforced, addressing the reason of
those present and appealing to their sense
of right and justice.
Mr.. Allen was brought to the front by the
continued calls of large number of the au-
dience, and in very impressive manner,
gave his views of the question at issue. He
is young man of fine intelligence, earnest
COutlcbtOuS anu IcSoluIt puTpose, anu Willie
we differ with him as to the best policy to be
now pursued, we are sure Virginia has no
more devoted citizen, or one more jealous
of her reputation, and that he will not be of
those who will throw any factious obstacle
ia the way fthe operation of the legislation
which Is about to be consummated.
->
THE VIRGINIA SENAToRs.-The Wash
ngton correspondent of the State says: 'sAs
will be seen by the full report of Senate
committees appointed, Senator Withers is
chairman of the Committee on Pensions,
second on Appropriations, and has a place
IN the Committe on District of Columbia.
The pressure of other duties will, guess,
ompel him to ask to be excused from SER
ice on the last named committee.
Senator Johnston looks the worst for his a.
eeent illness. bat his good constitution bore
up under it, and he is again in place. He ,
chairman of the Committee or Manufac-
lres, second on Foreign Relations, second
n Transportation Routes to the Seaboard, il