The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-10-05
Bourbon Consistency.

That there are strange feats of somer-
sanlting occurring all the time in political
gymnastics we are well aware. 1t is found
in all parties, but we confess we were not
prepared for such public exhibition of
contradictions as that displayed by the
Bourbon organs and Bourbon speakers in
their endorsement, by implication, at least,
OF an alleged sentiment of Elk Senator Blaine
on the debt question of Virginia, in the
proposition that the Federal government
should assume the payment of Virginia IS
portion or large share of it. Our read
ers will remember; all people will remem-
Der with what contempt any such PROPOSE
ton has been treated by the Bourbons
heretofore. 1t was ridiculous. They ar
gued that it was in oppos ition to all FEEDER.
al and State law that the Federal Gov
ernm, ut must pay Federal debts that the
States should pay their debts; that Virginia
being the contracting party with her cred
itors, must settle with them and that the
Underwood Constitut ion contained a sol
emn agreement to that effect.
They looked upon it in higher light,
too, because of its defiance of all State
powers and virtual acceptance of the prin-
pie that Capitalization had become fixed
fact, arguing in this connecticn that if the
general government should pay Virgina's
debt. she could witt equal pIopriety be
called on to pay the debts of every state in
the Union, and to tax directly. in order tc
do so, every citizen for that purpose.
There was much of good sense in al
this, though the funding bill of 1871 was
by no means a co-ollary from the reason.
ing.
Defeat thou gil has brought about com
plete reaction in the Bourbon conscience
They can now turn their backs on the in
famed manIestOes of the Lowell Commit
tee on this question. and sacrifice the be-
quilting appeals OF the Koiner Committed
in its attempt for pacification with Gen
Malone and the 9th of July supporters OF
the Presidential question.
They are out of Office and would fan re
turn to power. Bourbon policies have me
with no encouragement from the people,
they are willing to surrender them ant
take others which will meet with the PEG
pies support, always provided they shall
be chosen the instruments to carry them in
to execution.
We find now that they make or preten,
to make no fight against the suffrage amend
mens; they esteemed it great iniquity Blu
a few months ago,
They are careless now whether one cen
OF the public debt OF Virg mia is ever paid
They claimed to pay every cent with com
pound interest at the jump, and made the
funding bill to meet that sum. If the,
cannot be the disbursers they do not care i
cent is disbursed.
They denounce interferen ceby Presden
Arthur In Virginia politics, as an act 0
Executive usurpation, yet they are willing
to accept the complete guardianship of tn
Federal Government of the financial dest
ny of the State.
They denounced Massey as the chiefest G
| political sinners, repudiator and fraud
They preach him now as saint and hir
crucified by the Readjust ers.
They preach high tariff through Georg
D. Wise, a reasonable tariff through O'Fe1
rail-, revenue tariff through Tucker TIL
cornerstone of all Democratic ideas was tb
l
opposition to public Improvements by tn
Federal Government in all but nationa
schemes. They cursed loud and deep be
cause Arthur vetoed the River and Harbo
Bill, indicative of this old catholic Demo
cratic doctrine.
How political trumps change when fin
gered by Bourbon hands Massey, a repu
diator, in high feather and groomed as
candidate at large in Bourbon livery
Dawson, colored Straightout Republican
a marvellous proper man. and now Blaine
Who comes nert? Is it Ben. Butler. or i
he Bourbon
We invite attention to these statements
In order that the consistency of Bourbon
ism may be seen. They can be read an,
even agreed to without reference to thu
readers partizan utilization in the presen
campaign. though they even curse Mahon
and all his acts black and blue.