Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-01-17

powers that be, st present, in his state
have been wrongfully charged with being
repudiationists, but that, on the contrary,
it was intended to pay every dollar OF
debt justly due by that commonwealth.
This all sounds very nicely, but I'M
fortunately for the Readiuster party, it
contains some members Of prominence
who have not the tact TO conceal their
designs behind the mask Of works, but
who speak out rashly and boldly. For
instance, there is Mr. William G. Elan,
editor of the Richmond Whig-long the
avowed champion of the Readjusters-
and who, for his yeoman services in be
half of the reputation cause, has just
been elected Readjuster Secretary of
State. In a recent issue of his paper he
speaks as follows on the subject of debt
paying by State:
whatever Virginia shall declare to
be her debt will be her debt; and any
mode she chooses to pay it in will be
the only legal mode. There are no laws.
nor constitutions. nor judicial decisions
(wOrthy of attentiOn) to the contrary,
notwithstanding the windy pratiDgs of
case LAWYERS and street corner statesmen.
And such declaration and mode she
may repeal or alter at her own sovereign
will and pleasure, and there is nowhere
lodged any power to modest her or make
her afraid in so doing This is the only
true theory and practice of government
and no State can accept any other with
out degradation to the status of a mere
corporation"
This is plain language, which cannot
possibly be misunderstood, and which
Governor Cameron cannot explain away
1t declares as the doctrine of the Malone
Arthur Republican Readjuster party of
Virginia that State may, in the exer-
else of her sovereign power, contract
debts to any extent she pleases, and then
if she does not see fit to pay them, she
has perfect right to declare what she
will pay, and what mode she will adopt
to return even what she is willing to allow
her creditors. Mr.. Cameron may say
this is not reputation, but only Read
justerism, yet the world will agree that
it is simply a distinction without diff
ference.
This doctrine is simply monstrous. 1t
may be in accordance with Readjuster
ideas of justice and State sovereignty,
but it is certainly contrary to the plain
est teachings of morality and honesty,
Yet it is the party holding such views,
and boldly asserting them to the world
through one of their highest officials,
and in the columns of their recog-
nized official organ, that the Presi-
dent of the United States helped 10 power
with all the influence of the Federal ad-
ministration. 1t may well be asked
how do the Northern holders of Vir-
GINA securities approve of this summary
method of disposing Of them and their
claims How do they like the idea of
being first induced to lend their money
to Virginia, and then being quietly told
that they may whistle for its return, and
that they should be thankful for what
ever the State may see fit to give them
back? Yet they are estopped from COM
planning, for it is their party. their adj
ministration and their section which are
mainly responsible for their losses.
Fortunately, however, notwithstand-
41,o offOrto Of tho Io1ovoI oI
tration to make such policy as this, to
a certain extent, national in is character,
and much as it is endorsed = the gen
eral government, it came succeed.
Virginia will yet reap a sad experience
from the unfortunate condition to which
she has been brought, through the sci.
fish ambition of politicians, aided by
Republican money and Federal influence.
In time to come. should she become en-
barrassed and need to raise money for
any purpose, she Will find capitalists
even among those who are friends Of
Malone and favored the success
Of his reputation movement last
fail Exceedingly backward in coming
to her relief, and such will be the expe-
rience of every State in the Union which
attempts 10 pervert its sovereignty into
the means of evading its just obliga.
tons. Motives of public policy,
if not principles of common
honesty, therefore, will bring
the Malone reputation movement in
Virginia into general disrepute, and Mr..
Arthur will yet probably regret that, to
gain a temporary partisan triumph, he
ever consented to besmirch his admins
tration at the outset by making an
alliance with outspoken reputation.