Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1880-12-08


liar with disaster, because 1t has dared
to act for US justly aud speak OF US
kindly.
Nor has It's devotion 10 our rights ex-
pired in sentiment Search the statntc'
book of the Union for the past fifteen
wears and not one act Of justice to the
South or her interests will be found
which was not placed there by the votes
OF northern Democrats; nor one act OF
perfldy or oppression which was not
passed despite their passionate protest,
and their resolute, sometimes almost
rev pulmonary, opposition.
Nor has the might of this party de
parted. A political organization which
after twenty years oFsuch repeated re-
verses as have befallen the Democratic
party of this Union can so nearly grasp
the prize OF the presidency that the
change of 1900 votes in the eleven
hundred thousand ballots cast New
York would alone have secured it. has
a hold upon the people, and a root IN
the very heart of our system which no
storm can break, no assault sever. II
it is ever 10 be destroyed the blow will
not come from Virginia-must not.
Another and the most important
question springing from our late victory
remains: What shall we do with it ? A
year ago the Conservative party was
apparently hopeessly rent IN twain.
To-day it is practically united. Con-
fronting it and all parties in Virginia is
a question OF gravity, difficulty, and OF
constantly augmenting proporlions-lhe
public debt. Let Republican GOver
nor and a Republican Legislature sit in
this Capitol, and the debt question will
Don be s.ttled. The multiplication Of
taxes TO the verge OF conliscalion has
alwa,s been ordered by Republican
Legis atures in the South, whatever
scheme of corruption or punder requir'
ed it. To tax property out OF existence
for the purpose Of paying the State debt
would be the summit Of patriotism ccm-
pared with the tax legislation which
defiles the history of Republican rule in
South Carolina and Louisiana. And
vet this is the alternative Of COnserva-
tive unity in Virginia IN 1881.
Already the question has been dis
cussed in every form and fiom every
side. Plans OF adjustment wilhou
oumber have been prepared for public
consideration. and no new light saw
what may be thrown By the assess
ment now in progress, and by pending
irallon in the Federal courts can pos
sibly illumine the subject. There IS al
earnest and universal desire fora speed,
and final and iair settlement by nine
teen-twentielhs of the people-we he
lieve by all who do not hope to thrive
on the agitation. 1t would be O mos
unjust aspeslion on the Conservative
people of Virginia to suppose that the
are wanting either in the will or power
to resolve this, as well as every othel
Difficult Y. which the exisencies of their
now political relations have forced upor
,hem. 1t would be fatal blow 10 ever.
iuteres. Of the Stale if the solution
should fall into the hands of our adver
saries.
Within The Office of this committed
lies no further duty or privilege regard
ing this great measure Of public polio
,han the expression Of our ardent hope
tn at the best wisdom Of our people o
wha ever position heretofore on th'
public debt, may be honestly directe
to its settlement; and an abiding iait
that such an effort must succeed. lie
US approach it with due regardior hon
estly-entertained opinions. however ad
verso to our own, and with the resolut
purpose TO do our utmost to be just
and an honest adjustment will be reach
ed, and the disgraceful spectre OF repu
dalon forever banished from Virginia
Upon the platform Of such settle
ment .he true people of the Common
wealth will stand IN 'Sl a. they hav'
stood this year for Hancock, aud ou
successors will have the happiness
congratulating the people on victor
more decided and important than tha
which eyokes our present. iellcllalionS
and to have contributed to which, how
ever humbly, is the amplest compensa
lion for our labors. A. NJ. KELLEY
Chairman OF the State Executive Com
nittee.
Richmond Va. Nov. 27. 1880.