The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-08-04
Colonel william, Lambs Grand speech
in tho Democratic state con.
venttou OF 1877.
HOW HE DEFENDED vlRerNrA's HONOR.

place
| At 2:20 p. NJ. Judge Lowell again called
the Convention to order, and stated that the
arrangement of'seats had been done by lot
that the very best arrangements possible had
been made, and he hoped that the members
would be satisfied with what had been done,
He then stated that Colonel Lamb had been
chosen by the State Committee as the tem'
porary chairman OF the Convention. Again
putting the question, Colonel Lamb was
almost unanimously elected temporary
chairman.
COLONEL LAMBS ADDRESS.
Gentlemen OF the Convention, Il return
YOU my sincere thanks for your conhrma'
ton of nv nomination as temporary chair
man. trust you will assist me In pre-.
serving order, for without YOUR assistance
it will be impossible to pursue our delbera'
tons. We must not forget that we are
members OF ore great party, and that we
all have one common object In yiew-the
safety, honor and welfare OF our noble old
State. 1t should be source OF congratula-
ton with us that we have so many dsiin-
guished men worthy OF the honor OF being
Governor OF the Old Dominion, and that
upon whomsoeyer the choice may fall we
shall have a standard.bearer OF whom the
patriotic people OF our State may Justly feel
proud. There is one question, however.
that must be uppermOst IN our minds to-
day, one that rises superior to all personal
ambition-I mean the preservation OF the
credit OF the Commonwealth OF Virginia.
I(Applause.]
Throughout Christendom the right Of
Governments to burden with debt the pre-
sent and future generations for the public
good has been conceded and sustained With
such unanimlty as has made the pCcuniary
obligations OF States come TO be regarded
the safest securities and the best invest
menis. [Applanse.]
IL is q distinguishing characteristic OF the
most civilized peoples that they have ever
striyen to keep inyiolste the public faith.
| Foreign invasion. domestic strife, plague,
pestiIence, and famine have not excused, in
the ewes OF mankind, the broken promises
ard bad faith Of nation 10 its creditors.
Nevertheless, when the State OF Virginia
emerged from the late civil war, her terri
tory invaded, her people despOiled, her fair
proportions torn in twain, her sovereignty
denied, and she, the eldest OF the sister
hood OF States, remanded to Il territorial
condition, partitioned info military dis
trict, with an officer OF the Federal army
|
her Legislature, when that portion known
as the present State OF Virginia, after hui
initiating conditions were eXlcted, was re-
habiIltated with State sovereignty, then was
the supreme moment when, If her people
had been wise, they would have surren-
dered all available assets, aud. allowing a
fair compensation for the public buildings
retained, appealed to her creditors and 10
the judgment OF mankind to relieve her
from all further responsibility for the debts
OF the former State of Virginia. But the
representatives OF the people, fresh from
their constituents, thought otherwise. After
viewing the situation with the lights before
them, they apportioned one third OF the
debt TO that portion OF the old Common
wealth erected into the State OF West Vir-
GINA, and making a new bond foI the other
two thirds of the debt, endorsed it with the
name Of Virginia. thus plightng her un.
stained honor TO its payment; ald we, her
sons, would be recreant TO her past renowD,
her present struggles, and her future hopes
if we 20 back on that bond.
MIR. WISE INTERRUPTS THE SPEAKER.
Mr.. John 8. Wise: "Mr Chairman. /
want to know il this question is open for
discu,sionI [Cheers and applause.l
crticise The speech OF your chairman.
[Cheers and applause.]
INCREASED TAXATION TO PAY THE STATE DEBT.
Colonel Lamb. continuing his remarks,
said he was in favor Of increased taxation
to pay the public debt as it now exists,
though IL make us groan. Applause, min
gIed with Kisses.
Mr.. Wise (vehementlO: / can promise
YOU absolute silence il you VIII promise not
TO abuse this occasion TO discuss this ques-
ton. [Applause.]
MORE INTERRUPTIONS.
Colonel Lamb was continuing his remarks, |
when Mr.. Cameron interrupted him, and. |
addressing the Convention, said it was far
from his intention 10 interfere with the pro-
ceedings OF the Convention, but he desired
10 ask the body TO remain quiet and hear
Colonel Lambs remarks. He was sure that
The demonstration in the house was not in
ended rs any personal discOurtesy or disre-
,pect to him, and he hoped he'd he allowed
o proceed in manner becoming to himself
md the Convention. [Applause.] But
here should not be premature discussion
II question 10 be decided by the COnyen.
ion. Applause
Colonel Lamb shall omit some of the a.,
emarks | intended TO make for the sake OF
)eace. ,
Mr.. John s. Wise said he thought the !
Convention had heard enough Of the tenn l
,orary charman's speech, and moved that [,
he Convention proceed to business. ,
Turning to Mr.. Wise, Colonel Lamb said,
cferring TO Mr.. Wise's father:
In bis grand campaign OF 1865 Henry A. =
Wise, the Gamaiel at whose feet | learned !,
ny lessons in civil and religious liberty, u
peaking OF the inyiolabllty OF the public ;,
iirb, said:
Though direst necessity may come !.
ONE what wil-at all hazards the public y
redit OF the State OF Virginia shall be pre-
1rved. Private bOnor is precious, but as a
lfinitely higher than an individual is the :,
tate, so infinitely higher than private honor
the honor OF the State. Reproach Nir- ~
inia who will-reproach her whoever is 30 :,
man can say her honor has yet -
cen stained. II il be necessary to tax you
defend her honor | shall commend taxa !
on, although il makes Us groan." - -
The nOblest sentiment that knightly Yir- "
nian ever proclaimed throughout his long .,
nd brilliant career. IL
1t was our boast, Virginians, when the -.
te war was ended aud we came home :,
me had no home TO come to, many bereft il
all means OF support save their OWN
rOng arms-tbat il all else was gone honor
manned. III we are led astray by the de-
siye hopes OF prosperity which we are
Id Will come from forcing our creditors la
accept less than we owe them, repuda- bl
on will come as sure as night follows day III
I'd when Reputation comes State pride a
I'd public honor yanish-thOse priceless d'
Il.