National Republican., 1881-11-04
VIRGINIA'S CAUSE.
THE READJusTERs AND BouRBoNs.
Public Debts OF Different Countries-What the Re.
adjustcrs Favor.-Party Excitement-What
General Lee Thought OF Malone
Free Ballot the True Test.



PETERSBURG, VA, Oct. 29.-An exami-
nation of the statistics will disclose remarkably
rapid growth Of the public debts of different coun
tries during the last half century Indeed, so
late as the last thirty years no country save Eng
land enjoyed the luxury of great national debt,
while at present these debts are almost universal
In a republic the representatives who vote for
heavy taxes TO raise large amounts of frevcnuc ex-
ccpt in cases of actual necessity. soon find them
selves relcgated to the shades Of private life. But
they have learned how to raise revenue without
incurrng such personal risks by the simple process
of securing loans the burdens OF which, not being
Immediately felt. are generally overlooked by the
people. The enormous debts created by many ofour
Legislatures could never have been incurred In any
other way. II the members were held TO more
strict accountability as would be imposed
IL they voted for extraordinary increase OF direct
taxcs-it would doubtless put stop to the scaling
process OF which we hear 80 much. If those who
subscribe TO the doctrine that
"PUBLIC DEBT Is PUBLIC BLESSING"
could spend brief season In this State during the
present campaign and witness the acrimonious
| discussions, the personal abuse, the extravagant
use OF epihets from the lie crcumstantial to the
lie direct" 10 say nothing of the vast numbers C)
slain on "thc field Of honor" they would probably
be induced to modify their opinions somewhat
The debt here was incurred by Old Virginia, and
the benefits arising therefrom have been enjoyed
by Virginia and West Virginia, and every prnci-
pie equity requires that they shall discharge the
obligation and II professions amount 10 anything
no one proposes 10 do otherwise. The two parties
agreed to the just share Of the debt assigned
TO West Virginia. the rate OF interest and the rates
| OF taxation.
THE READJUsTERs, REPEILtNG THE CHARGE
OF population, claim that they only propose to
eliminate what is called the capitalized interest
and assert that the payment OF interest pending
the war would have been giving aid and comfort
to the enemy, in so far as these bonds held by
| Northern men, Rnd was alike forbidden by the
principles of International law and sound public
| policy The only other question involved in the
canvass is that in respect of the captaton tax
prerequisite 10 tho exercise of the right Of suffrage.
| On this question the Democratic Conservative
platform is strangely on-committal, and in an
elaborate and eloquent speech delivered here
| few nights since by Major Daniel he
OMITTED ANY ALLUsIos To THE SUBJECT.
The Readjusters favor repeal OF the law, being
in contravention Of thespirit Of the Fourth Amend
ment in that 1t imposes unusual restrictions upon
| the right TO vote. II the Legislature may impose
a tax OF 81 for any purpose, the non payment of
which works Acknowledgement It can so increase
the rate of taxation as to virtually disranchise all
poor people How any genuine Democrats can in
dorse q measure which would make Jefferson
squirm In his grave is most marvellous. II the tax
were greatly increased II would, whether so in
| tended or not, prevent large numbers of colored
| people from voting. II should be remembered that
1t was not the amount of the tax on tea that pro-
duced the unpleasantness " between this country
and Great Britain. The motto Of General Han
cock, adopted by General Mahone-"a full vote,
free ballot, and fair count us sentiment that no
| true Democrat can oppose.
| PARTY EXCITEMENT Is so RIFE
| that no sentiment appears TO arouse SO much en-
| thusiasm as liberal use Of eplthets, That this
| should be so is most wonderful TO those who are
| familiar with the generous impulses OF the good
| people of Virginia. The courteous and gentle
manly discussions inaugurated by the joint de-
bates of Major Daniel and Colonel Cameron have
| given place In some instances TO harangues from
their followers not very complimentary TO the In.
telligence OF their audiences aud sometimes con-
tanning, like Gratianos talk, an infinite deal OF
| nothing" II is amusing TO note the anathemas
| heaped upon Senator Davis on account OF his re-
| cent votes by those who thought him n marvel
| ously proper man" when voting the other way at
the last session Of the Senate. He claims to have
occupied the most thoroughly independent posi-
ton OF any Senator ever elected to the senate but
before repeating that assertion he would do well
TO examine the records of debates in tho Legisla-
ture ut the time
SENATOR MAHoNE WAS ELECTED.
| By the-way, notice some papers are alluding to
the Senator'S courage which recalls the fact that
he commanded at the surrender nearly three
fourths of all the Confederate troops present on
that occasion, and have been told by gentle
man at whose house General Ice made his head
quarters that upon being asked TO name his sue.
cessor in case of accident to himself he promptly
named Gordon or Mahone." Personally do not
know the Senator, nor, indeed, any OF the candi-
dates OF either sde but think this substitution OF
mud throwing for argument Is not conducive TO a
correct solution of any question. / am not un'
mindful OF the fact that II is much easier to preach
than to practice liberation. Indeed, when re-
fleet that some years ago honestly believed, as
Judge Black does now, in the divine origin o
slavery, and entertained sort of LOFTY contemp
for those who doubted that inspiring doctrine,
am amazed at the creduity of the human mind
when warped by evil environment'
PROGRESS.