Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1881-01-11

purer, more honest, aud stronger than
the people?
why was the Readjuster party FORM
edF Was 1t not because the people were
resolved to accomplish wholesale ref
ormation in the administration Of public
affairs? Was it not to arrest the course
of trifling which had been pursued with
the debt question and the further use of
experiments conceived and prosecuted
In the interests Of place-seekers and
brokers? Was 1t not because they had
come to realize by past experience that
vague pledges made by candidates for
office were Of no avail? That distinct
platform of principles and candidates
committed to their support were neees-
essary to their support were necessary
to prevent their representatives from
shifting and turning, after election, so
as to make their pledges amount 30 moth
ingi
Was it not these ''Something-Not
ing" pledges, given by candidates in the
early stages of this question, that neces-
ton, the 0rmation of
the party OF the people?
Is 1t not true that all which has been
accomplished in the direction of your
views has been through the agency of
your organization and the power of your
party? Preceding its formation a ma
jority of Readjusters were returned to
the Legislature, but when they came to
be tossed 1t was found that, unbound by
platforms, their views as to the method
and measure of REIMBURSEMENT varied,
from the REIMBURSEMENT of Funderism to
absolute reputation, and that their ut
ter lack Of harmony and cooperation
and hesitating leadership resulted in
an inglorious failure and rout, on which
swiftly followed the arbitrary and def
ant enactment Of the McCulloch con-
tract.
This condition of things was remedied
by the prompt formation of the party of
the people, and the election of maiori-
ty of both branches of the General As
sembly upon declared platform of well
defined views. IL was then for the first
time since the reconstruction of the State
that the people had their will impressed
upon its legislation.
1t was by this measure and this party,
be ii remembered, that the ruinous meth
DDS, arbitrary exactions, unjust and in
tOlerable burdens and wicked wrongs of
the McCullOch scheme of confisCation
and plumber was arrested-ere the State
had been wrecked, her sovereignty over
thrown, her honor and the education of
her children coniided to the tender care
and keeping of Shylocks, and their peo-
pie and their pOsterity forever enslaved
under the form Of au irrepealable con-
tract, which Funderism with an AFRO
ganCe and insolence unknown to this
Commonwealth-alien and domestic-to
impose and place beyond the considera-
ton and reach of the people.
Thus, and thus alone, was advance
made to the point of definite scheme
for the settlement of the debt-the re-
establishment Of the public crcdit-and
In the direction of the administration of
State affairs which for so many long and
weary years had been obviously and sad
| ly needed.
Your Representatives perfected and
passed through both branches of the Gen
eral Assembly bill for the re-adjnst-
ment Of the Public debt (the Riddleberg-
err bill, to become the law not until II
had been fully considered and ratified
| by the people. II was believed TO com
prehend the full measure of Virginia s
just and equitable indebtedness to the
bondholder, and to impose the largest
rate of interest which could be paid out
Of her revenues derived from the exist
ing rate Of taxation; the heaviest, 1t Ia
admitted, the industrial interests of the
State can bear. The privilege to you OF
| passing upon this measure Of readjust-
ment was forbidden by the interpostion
| OF the Executive veto sustained by all
Funderlsm. Here, and in consequence
Of the lack Of accord on the part of your
Governor with the leople, upon this
grave aud vital question, nothing more
can be, In the absence OF an oycrruling
majority In the General Assembly, until
you have placed In the Executive man
sion gentlemen in sympathy with the
| burthens Of the people and In accord
with their views. This will be your
privilege. This your right. And need
we say, this your duty ut the general
election In November, 1881.
The like considerations which shall
guide your action In the selection of a
gentleman to MI that exalted station In
the administration Of your State affairs,
should govern you in the General As
sembly, since upon that body will de-
volve the important duty OF choosing for
you a Court of Appeals, whose term OF
Office runs for twelve years, and where
you need not be reminded there has
heretofore stood u barrier to any meas
ure Of read justment which does not
comprehend the obligation of this State
the new State of Virginia-.to pay ev-
cry dollar Of the debt, principal and in
terest, OF old Virginia-full $50 100000.
Until your organization came into
wcr there was n o
agreed plan, no method Of procedure, no
cooperative force to voice the will Of the
people. IL has accomplished all that has
been done, all that can be done until you
have put the coordinate branches Of the
government In accord with your will and
In sympathy with the measure.
We need not remind you OF expert
mcnts. These have been tried to the
confusion of your finances, to the dis
credit of your honest intentions, to the
delrimcnt of every interest In the state,
10 tn5 cost Of the creditor, to the gain Of
the brokers' exclusively
TO abandon derncl policy of read
Iustment nj the moment When II cansb
brought to full frullon-for any vagSe;
equlvocal measure Of Fundcrlsm, whcth-
or upheld by srlf-reputcd Readjusters or
advanced under any other gulae, would
be more than mistake an outrage up
on The people, an lrrcparnble injury TO
the State, and u crime against The chill
drrn. VIII you cntrust The execution
Of your viii will you connde the safety
Of your property, The education of your
children, your liberty aud their freedom
10 friends, true and tricd-or Will you
delegate these 10 strangers-to men whom
you have known to have no one Nord Of