Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1881-03-19
The Question Of tbs Debt and tho Will
of the People.

10 inc GATOR Of the Alexandra Gazette:
What shall be done abou! Virgnias deb! ?
is question which is DOW exercising the men
tai faculties Of some OF cur Wisost and most eX-
petiot cad sia:eEmeu.
That something ought to b, dono all ageo,
but what? That is the question.
Tho Fsuquitr plan has b,eo given to the
county, and is move 10 the right dirtc.ioD.
Right so far as it has for its OH cot reunion of
the two wings of tic conservative party against
its cid foo. though about to b. marshaied I'M.
der another pame, aud lad by different leaders.
If | understand Alright their scheme | have
DOW tho resolutions by me it is too near kin to
tho Barbour bill of II to be acceptable 10 q
large number of conservative voters
Would tho opponents of torcible readiusmeut
lind comfortable seats on such q platform?
fancy not.
Lct mo ask, Is ii necessary for tho party 10
onderso aty OF tho numerous plans proposed
for tho settlement of til vexatious question DO
foro thoTlI OF tho p,oplo is known On the sub
jact ? The party has in the past adopted two
bills for tho settlement If tho debt, each Of
which OF the first subsequent election for memr
bers Of the General Assembly has been repudi-
atcd by tho people Of the State Shall we
learn nothing from experience
Should not our leaders now BIO satisfied, that
90 settlement Of this debt question (which has
beoome political question Gao be final or e.
ftciVo without tho approval Of the people ?
Aud, consequently, 10 my judgment, it will BIO
rashncss to place tho party sRain 10 posi-
bio sntfg 'nsm 10 the popular will on this ques
ton.
l an aware that it will be said, IF tho par
ty, for ius,aoce, adopts tho Fauquier plan, and
we carry tho elections. will not tho people have
endorsed the scheme p | answer VS. but,
suppose, upon this question of tho debt, about
which thcro is suoh diffsrsrc, Of opinion among
conservatives, VIC loso tho elections, what be-.
comes If the conservative party then ?
Can the party stapd another defeat on the
debt question? Shall we risk cur very cxisa
teLc, Oh thai emo issue ? Has not tho couser-
vativo ship oihtr freight aboard equally as val
liable as tno debt? Is it oil, with the lives
and fortunes OF it's gallant crew, to 30 possibly
sacrificed to this freight slime, however preci.
Gus it cay beP For ono, say co. Recogniz
log tho fundamental principle of democracy
tho foundation stone 10 its political structure,
viz: the peoples will-lev our leaders allow tho
people to settle this matter for themselves by O
direct vote upon any plan of settlement which
may hereafter be proposed. By 80 doing they
will eliminate this question from politics, and
be abe, | think. to eXtlicate the party from it's
present difficulties.
l propose then that the convention, when it
meets 10 August next, shall! endorse neither tho
Fauquier nor any other plan OF settlement of
the debt before it sfall hav, baen ratified by
tho people.
That said convention shall pledge the party,
IT rolnvcssed with power, to reoonveno the c:ed
ltors of the State; that its now Governor and
Legislature, if elected, shall do all 10 their pJw
er to induc, cur creditors to agroe to some
c,mprcnise Just and honorable to State and
creditors alike. and such compromise, wien
formulated and agreed upon, shall be submit
ted to the people Of this State f, their ralifcs-
tlou or rtjeotion.
| ask, Could not all conservative democrats
stand together upon such platform ? Could
not high debt payer and low debt payer. forci
bio readiuster and reGosabe roadjusttr lie down
together under the protection OF such 90 E ,is
Yes, let the Conservative party be reunited :?
Lot tho opponents OF radicalism jon hands,
burylug all past differences about tho debt uu.
der the popular will Let tho party moyo TO
tho battle field of 81, touching elbows as thew
d d 10 80; animated with but ono purpose, and
who can doubt tie results of the Contest in
which wo are about to engage.
A FAIRFAX FARMER.