Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1880-08-03

PATRIOTISM BEFORE PARrY-EyERY-
THING FOR TIE CAUSE AND OOUA-
TRY-sOUND AND sTATESMAN-LIKE
SPEECH OF MR.. MOTTER.
To the Democratic Readjusters of the
State Of Virginia:
The Democratic Readjuster CluL :
the city of Alexandria, being actu
bv a desire to aid in the election of Ian
cock and English, and being Gtiil IL, al
to the grand old Democratic party anu
Its principles, have caused the folio wing
address to be printed as showing the Oh
jects and purposes of their organization;
and they put it forth to the people of the
State of Virginia, who are Readjusters,
and yet Democrats, as containing the
reason why all, who are not Republi
cans, should support the Democratic
Electors named by the Convention
which met in Richmond in May, as well
as all regularly nominated Congressman
in preference to those nominated by the
Malone Convention on July 7th.
The following is the speech of j. G.
Motter, chairman of the Delegates from
Alexandria to the Richmond Conven
ton of July 7th, 1880. We ipdorse the
speech as our address 10 the Democratic
Readjusters of Virginia.
[ stand here to- day, Mr.. President,
yielding to no man in all this assembly
in point of devotion to the great princi
pies of Readjusterism, An original be-
lever in the necessity of settling the
State debt upon basis consistent with
the honor and best interests of our grand
old Commonwealth, have, from the
year 1870, talked and worked to that
end. I am ready now to fight and to
work to adjust the State debt upon a
basis acceptable to the people of the
Common W. alth, so that the fostering
hand of the State may no longer be
withdrawn from her educational institu-
tons. But, sir, I was a Democrat be-
fore the word Readjuster found a place
in the political history Of the State, be-
fore the necessity Of REIMBURSEMENT
sprung up from the disastrous results of
the war; and to-day no man loves the
principles or the name of Democracy
more than do I. I see it to-day as l
have seen it during all my life the great
bulwark of the oppressed and down trod-
den; the staunch supporter OF civil lib-
erty, of Constitutional Government, of
a return to the happy, prosperous gov
eminent of the fathers of pure and wise
administration of public affairs; and,
lastly, of government by the people
and for the people,"
And now, sir, if with united party
in this Commonwealth we can aid in
securing to ourselves and our children's
children all these blessings-if we can
aid in crushing out the party whose sole
stock in trade is abuse of our dearly low
ed South If by our vote we can place in
the White House for the first time in 20
wears a Democrat-one who was our
great enemy in war, our greatest friend
to peace-I ask why, as reasonable men,
why we should divide that vote. and by
so doing give this State to our arch ene-
my, the Republican party?
What have the principles of readjust~
ment to do with National politics? Do
you propose to undertake the gigantic
scheme of readjnsting the National debt
of forming party that shall sway this
Nation based upon the sole principle of
settling the debt of the State of Virgin
ia? If this be your idea, Mr.. Chairman,
l tell you you do not read Alright the
signs of the. times; you mistake the
sentiments of the Virginia people
While willing to readjust her debt, the
white people of this State do not propose
to abandon their priceless heritage, the
Democratic party. They do not propose
to destroy the Democratic party that
they may build up another upon its
ruins. They have witnessed for fifteen
years the party of hate and of corrup-
ton. confronted by the Great Demo.
cratic party, and now that the current
is turning they do not propose to aban
don it, Shall we by our action here to-
day, do aught that will injure this great
cause? God forbid For looking across
our borders, see in every direction the