The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1881-08-13

PLAIN TRUTHS ABOUT VIRGINIA
POLITICS.

The .nl, satisfaction to be 30; out ot
an impartial contemplation OF Virginia
politics is the fact that the divided Dem
oclacv have been forced by the gallant
fight of the Republicans. in past Years.
and hy the PROCESS u public opinion. t.
acknowledges the SacredneSS aud equaiitl
of human rights, Undoubtedly there is
lno,e or less hypocrisy both in the senti
mental generali1icS Of the BonrhnnS AMI
ia the aggressive attitude of the Malone
.epndiatorS. hnt that hypocrisy is the
homage paid IL ii public sentiment III
Virginia that must be courted aud won
by any party that waits to achieve >ur-
cess.
AS to the rival crcedS of the divided
Democrats on the debt question there
is this to he said. The Malone faction
are more honestly dishonest than the
Buul bous. The former openly avow that
they mean tn repn,iiate oHe-thirl Of the
debt. They doubtless think they are two
thirds honest. at least many ot them
is care anvtlin. about the que>t ion ri
honesty at ali. and these. probably. are
not very numerous
On the other hand the Bourhon> talk
as fairly about the moralitic> ri iull debt
pawn. as though they were SO man,
Joseph Surfaces. Not that we believe
that the majority of the high toned gen
tlemeu who constituted the Richmond
Convention are consciously uSinceIc or
dis ;ngenucus Undoubtedly they are
high min,ed men, with the usual num-
Der Of exceptions To be expected i'll any
lar,r convention. but they ito not tackle
the debt question with tlat practical
earnestuess which would best attest both
Intelligence and sincerity. lf'thcV had
been courageous enough 10 insist on any
rate Of taxation sufficient t, pay the i'll
tcrest on the whole ui the debt and 10
gradually form d sinking fund, they
might have shown themselves poor poll
ticianS but they would have been bold
and wise Statcsmer.
10 talk about tnn:ln" the debt Of \ il
.inla at 5 per cent. Is simply non>cns il.
The United States has not reached that
height of credit. and here is Virginia di-
vide, on a question of reputation Al d
talking about 3per cent. To add to the
absurdity of such Il position. the Hour-
hons notify the world. intending TIE
money lenders, tha, they will MOI, il they
r.itr> ,ii': stair. lr'tSet't tu any incrgas.,
j., t:,t. rat. ..r taxation
:>ac., pco..r ..%..s- :: .,'>,'t DE-. to isa,,'
"aIi even htt:,.,!.t. Rag ts %! -..r, tcc il.
;r,.rtln" tie cn"> CREATIVE gentlemen ol
tn@In'. that ms shameless trjtltiatinn-
ISM i, 30 more harmful than their rr~uIn-
lions i'll favor al paving ,he debt and
against til. taxation thai is necessary fur
the purpose. \ tank dema.",,ue has
the advantage III Il popular contest with
men al character and pn>it!on who have
not the courage OF their opinions ana
wiinSe lame and hating ionir really
amounts 10 tie same Thing a. his unv,,i-
niShed appeals t" lie lower it, >tinctS of
the masses.
Ii there was able aud luru- headed
leader ship among the Republicans OF Nir-
ginia the present situation wonld afford
them noble opportunity. Not. perhaps
to win the present election, which is not
ui such vast Importance, citht l. locally or
nationally But To show to the lntell-
gent, honest, progressive and sensible
men i'll Virginia. that Repuhlicani>m
there. Is i'll the nation. means not only
the preservation al ali the precious re
suhs of the wal. but the maintenance OF
the public credit, by the nation. by the
States and 10y municipalities. On this
high ground the Republicans of Tonnes
see have been strong, influential and
honored. They hold the balance of
power. y Republican is Governor of the
State. Republicanism there does not
fellowship with repndiatorS OF whatever
degree of dishonesty. 1t is growing
steadily in the esteem OF even the better
classes of Democrats and is sure to win
supremacy. with honor.
The Republicans of Nir@ mia can follow
no better example.