The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1881-09-08

u0 people VI V tTSlDlds ueledItu through
the instrumentalty of the Republican par
ty. aud compelled to bear the dishOnorable
stigma of reputation, will no longer feel
themselves bound to defend the debt OF the
National Government. The demoraliZa-
ton of our people will become universal.
and their policy as ultra as the most pro-
nounced and fanatcal Greenbacker could
desire, while the whole south, now conser-
vative i'm its financial sentiments, will join
with the West in its widest schemes for re-
pudating the National debt, whether by
sowing the land knee-deep with green
backs, or by the principle of Virginia re-
adjustment"
The above is from our respected and able
contemporary, the Lynchburg Vwginian.-
To onr mind it is an idle and foolish indul-
gence and will have very little weight in
forming public sentiment. 1t is not for
gotten that during the darkest and most
doubtful period of the legislation Of Con-
gress on the finance question. the people Of
Virginia, voicing their sentiments through
the Democratic representation in Congress,
voted to destroy the credit of tile govern
ment in opposing the Resumption act. The
country survived that. Not one of the
Democratic members of Congress from
Virginia, who was not opposed to the Ma
tional Banks. and in favor of State Banks.
The country survived that. And it is very
likely it will survive the idle threats and af-
fected wrongs OF the same class of men at
this time. 1t is very poor tribute to the
intelligence and patriotism of the country
to presume for moment that the very life
OF the government of the United States
may be destroyed, because failure of the
Democratic party may be counted in a
State contest. If this faction had demon
strated its purpose. to make sacrifices to
preserve State credit, then there would
have been some reas on in the cutlery. But
when it now stands upon platform which
declares against any saerifice-even the
least-to meet the just and honest obliga-
tions of the State, the warning is ill-timed.
Not only does it so stand now, but it stood
so four years ago and has stood there since
1871, when the fact was demonstrated that
without sacrifices, reputation would work
out as a logical result of the policy of
this very party.
When and where did the Democratic
party OF Virginia ever ''defcnd the debt of
the National Government ?" 1t was not in
the votes of the Democratic members of
Congress from this State. against the Re-
sumption act. 1t was not in the declara-
ton of the Democratic candidate for Gov
ernor and every Democratic Congressman.
in favor Of abolishing the national banks.
1T was not in the demand for paying off the
national debt in greenbacks, made by some
OF the representative men of the party
in this State, while in Congress and else-
where. 1t was not in the vote of eyerT
Democratic member of Congress for the
per cent funding bill, wherein was VIOLA
ton OF public faith and the contract rights
of the national banks.
So far as the debt of the national govern
ment is concerned. the Republican party
will take care Of that. If the Democratic
party of Virginia. as matter of spite.
chooses TO butt itselfagainst that wall it will
have its pain for its trouble. Had its acts
in the past been in conform ity with its ex-
travagant professions now about the sancti-
ty of contracts and the duty to meet honest
obligations there would be no debt compli-
cations in Virginia.
1t is not unreasonable to suppose that be-
fore the Democratic party of the nation
gets the power to interfere with the nation
Al debt, there will be very little of it to dis
turb them. Last month it was reduced
sl4,Q0Q.Q0o; the Month before $40. 0OO, 600
and at this rate it will not be a very huge
bulk when the Democratic party, twenty
wears hence, may stand chance of getting
into power, Fhe Virg,miaa's implied
threats excite more OF ridieule than serious
thought, and especially coming from par
ty that has the record the Virginia Democ-
racy has upon the debt question in State
and nation.