Daily Los Angeles herald., 1881-12-18
Hae Real Dseps of ReDub,ican
Rrostisusso0 In vsrgsniB.

ernor Holiday, Of Virginia, to the
Republican Legisla-
ture now in session at Richmond.
It is a State paper which, in every
word and line, recalls the best days
OF the Republic. 1t chiefly con-
Germs the local Issue on which Ma
hone has just ridden into power,
and is the Indignant expression of
the real sentiment of the people of
Virginia upon that question. 1t
again nails the falsehood, which
has been SO industriously circu-
lated by the Republican press, viz,
that Virginia was not paying any
interest on her debt, anyhow; and,
therefore, that reputation had al.
ready been practically accomplish
ed by the Bourbons; and it fastens
upon the National Republican adj
ministration the full stigma of the
shame of endorsing reputation,
and rendering it possible, in Vir-
ginia. 1t shows that, from July l,
1867, to October l, 1881, Virginia
had paid the cum of $l4, 272, 567. 40,
and is now paying annually more
than 100000. When we remem-
Der that it is only fifteen years
since Virginia emerged from war
In which she had lost more than
$3.50, eco, 900 OF personal property,
had suffered q depreciation of more
than one-half In her real property,
and had buried in her desolated
soil the flower of her manhood, we
defy any honest man to say that
"repudiation has been practically
accomplished by the Bourbons."
Governor Holidays message
closes thus:
All these are subjects with which
party has nothing to do. l have
endeavored, in my discussion OF
them, to rise above its spirit, and
address you as representatives, and
through you all the people of Vir-
ginia. Those of you who have
read or heard my utterances DUR
ing my whole official term will
bear witness that not one word OF
bitterness or elimination has been
written or spoken by me, nor in
any public deliverance has even
the name of either or any party
dropped from my tongue or pen.
From the high and responsible
office I hold I have always written
end spoken to Virginians for Vir-
ginia; and, ignoring party, have
thought only of her honor and
welfare.
1t has been alleged that the Fed
eral Government has not been
moved by this principle in its
dealings with us. Il has been
charged-the facts will pass into
history and will show-tbat this
great government has invaded the
limits of our State, and by power,
patronage and money, has con-
trolled it's affairs. II this be true,
it will at once be admitted that a
departure has been made, without
precedent In our annals, threaten.
ing q disruption of the fundamen.
tai principles OF our system of gov
eminent and that a fatal blow has
been struck at the liberties Of the
people.
Virginia has been accused of at
tempting the mean crime of repu-
diatisn. 1t has been charged-the
facts here, too, have gone into his
tory and will show-thai the Fed
eral government, or the party di-
recting its destinies, has used its
patronage, power and money TO
hurry her along that rugged ard
disreputable way. II this be true,
then If there be any stigma, it has
been taken from our Common.
wealth and fastened ppon our Re-
public and will be with difficulty,
II ever, erased. The transfer will
not hide 1t. It will not die, but
will bloom out, sooner or later, in
: GnspeakabIe disasters. Represent
alive governments like ours are
based 10 consent and good faith;
that faith once broken the slow
and deadly poison penetrates into
every department of the govern
mental, social aud domestic being.
III there be any property especially
sacred under such q government,
it lie q public bond. 1t has the i'm
press of the states or the Repub-
lies seal, aud its solemn promise
to perform. When broken, the
virus of the breach goes like Da.
maecus blade to the seat of life.
Parties cannot save either the
State or the Republic guilty of
that great crime as we'll as folly.
II an uprising of the people does
not call halt, and restore the gov
eminent to its ancient ways, then,
ls the steady march begun along
that road where all Republics
hitherto have met their fate, its
days are numbered, and the Em-
pire is almost in sight.
Whatever other people, parties
or States may say or do, let us
trust that those who now or NAV |
hereafter have the custody of Vir-
glnla's affairs will stand fast to the |
work and traditions of the fathers.
AZ they were the founders of this |
grand system Of government, that |
has brought to us and the world
such countless blessings, 80, should
IL elsewhere drift or be driven from
it, moorings In the hands Of faith
lees, ignorant and forgetful men,
may their descendants here hold
nrmly to Its principles, tin the
storm be overpRst, and keep them
70 the day when sober second
Thought shall demand their resto-
ration
Show US = Republican, who Is
not absolutely blinded by his par
tizAn prejudice, who can read that
arraignment Of bis party without