Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1881-02-22

NO. %.
domination of ignOrace and corruption
in the Southern States. It is REPU
DIATION! Already it rears its horrit
crest in many of the Southern States
Even Virginia, whose name in former
days was the synonym Of honor an(
integrity, has not escaped the foul con-
tagi0n. One of the earliest acts of hel
first legislature after the war, before ne
gro suffrage had been imposed on her
and when the true people of Virginia
were allowed to speak in her behalf
was, by unanimous vote. to denOunce
reputation, to acknowledge the validi-
ty of her public debt, and to declare to
the world her purpose to pay 1t.
In few years negro suffrage was in
corporated into her constitution. Negro
votes became an important factor in
her State politics; and negro delegates
were elected to her legislative halls, and
white men, elected by negro votes and
rejecting negro sentiments, took seats
by their side. And what has been the
result? Our State has been rent by dis
sentiOn and strife in regard to the State
debt. Reputation, disguised under the
name of REIMBURSEMENT" has been
made the paramount issue in our State
politics. The right is boldly claimed to
set aside an the obligations of public
faith, and to pay such portions and re-
pudiate such portions of the public debt
as the legislature may deem proper !;
and that, in the event that the creditors
shall decline to receive the pittance that
may be doled out to them, they will be
allowed to receive nothing!
By combination of the faction which
holds these dogmas with the Republican
voters, majorities were chosen to both
Houses Of our General Assembly,
pledged to give legislative sanction to
these monstrous ideas. A bill to give
effect to this system of "Readjustment"
was accordingly passed through both
Houses, which blotted out twelve mill
lions of the debt which all acknowledged
to have been just in its origin, and
greatly impaired the security for the
payment of the residue. The veto of
the Governor alone defeated for the time
this iniquitous attempt. But the con-
test is not ended. Vigorous prepara-
tiOns are being made to renew it In the
elections to be held in November, 1881,
when the unholy alliance of Repudia-
tors and negro Republicans. hopes not
only to retain control of the Legislature,
but also to "readjust" the executive and
judicial departments of the government,
by electing Governor and Judges of
the Supreme Court of the State, pledged
to carry into effect their purposes.
Thus far, this doctrine of liquidation
or Readiustment has been confined to
the debts of the States. But as the
leader of the "Readjuster" party has
been elected to the Senate of the United
States, and two Of its most prominent
members have been chosen to the House
of Representatives, it remains to be
seen whether they may not deem it
to their ''principles!"
This cloud of reputation may now
be mo bigger than a mans hand" but
If it be not swept away by storm of
popular indignation, who can venture
to affirm that it will not, within the
present decade, overspread the whole
political armament
This, then, is the present condition of
the Southern States. They cannot sur
render the control of their domestic af-
fairs to the ignorance, destitutiOn and
corruption of the negroes and of those
who mislead them. Nor can they dis
honor the State and themselves by be-
coming the allies of Repudiators, who
do all in their power to strengthen their
hands. AS long as these dangers con-
front US, and the Republican party of
the North persists in giving aid and
comfort to our enemies, by keeping in
offices of honor and emolument men
who use their official power and patron
age to uphold those who are warning
upon us, we must remain "solid."
You ask, then, is there no remedy for
this evil?
1 have no hesitation in saying that
there are means by which the influence
of the causes which have led to those
unhappy results may be materially mod
flied.
The "Freedmen's Bureau" with all
its annOyances, has, fortunately, passed
away.
The popular phrensy in regard to
civil rights, has, under the influence OF
the "sober second thought" subsidized.
These two great causes of irritation
have, therefore, to great extent, been
removed.
The principal sources Of dissension
that remain are those that result, direct
ly or indirectly, from the premature in
PRODUCTION of negro suffrage. This has
now been embodied in our fundamental
law. The people of the South are not
unwise enough to expect or desire any
change in the provisions of the Consti-
tuition of the United States in regard to
it. They know that it is fixed and IT.
revocable. But it is in the power of the
Government of the United States so to
shape its administration as to disarm il
of much of its capacity for mischief
and I think the South has right TO ask
that its legitimate powers shall be SC
exercised as best to promote the peace
and good order of society.
| Among the most effectual means o.
contributing to this end I would men,
ton the following:
/. Let the Federal Government for.
bear as much as possible from inter
medGling with the domestic affairs o
the several States. This is field out.
side of the jurisdiction Of the Nationa
Government, and any intrusion into i
by Federal authority cannot be regarded
otherwise than as the usurpation o
power not delegated by the Constitution
and, therefore, calculated to engende
jealousy and distrust.
2. To this end, let the Federal Gov
eminent, in the selection of officers K
fill positions of public trust in the South
ern States, be careful to choose men o
ability, integrity and fairness, who will
possess the confidence of men of al
races and color, and whose counsels ant
example will tend to promote good feel
ing between the races-instead of ap-
pointing unscrupulous demagogues
whose only claim is partisan. service
and whose only qualification for oftic'
is capacity for political intrigues ant
power to manipulate negro votes.
8. Let the incoming administration
''set its face like flint" against repudia
ton, in all its forms and shapes. Let
proclaim to the world that the .repudia
ton of public or private obligations
Incompatible with the vital principles :
} the Republican party; that public fait
tional safety, because they afford tn
heat securitV in time of war Of rSlsln