The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-09-28
Mr.. Bla,ne'a Chicaeo Interview.

We give below the result of an interview said to
have been held between Ex-secretary Of State,
James g. Blaine, and reporter of the Chicago Trt-
bune on the lsth In which that distinguished gen.
tleman defines his position, not only as to the Lib
eral movement in Virginia, but on the debt ques-
ton it relates to this State. We have elsewhere
commented on these extraordinary expressions.
The dispatch from Chicago, dated September IS,
says:
The Chicago Tribune will print tomorrow an In
terview, occupying three columns, with Mr.. Blaine,
the first part OF which 10 devoted to consideration
OF his c1vilservice record and the New York Post
personal attacks upon him Mr.. Blaine also spoke
at some length of the Keadjuster movement In Viz
ginia He said that ne was in entire sy with
the Straightout Republican party IN that State,
and that he had always been opposed to Republi-
can coalition with Malone.
81 think it was great blunder" said Mr.. Blaine,
"to unite the Republican party with the head)ust-
The Republican party has been always de-
voted to UNFOLDING the public faith, and this fact
contributed powerfully to the victory of 1880 To
turn right around and join the reputation wing Oh
the Virginia Democracy seemed to me the last de-
gree OF Jolly for the Republicans Let us give the
devil his due The Bourbon Democracy passed
the McCulloch Bill after full consultation with the
creditors, and with their consent. Mr. Mahone.s
party declines to confer with the creditors, and de-
clare that the debtors will fix the amount they Will
pay. The very moment this ground is taken 1t Is
reputation.
'If the creditor is to be excluded from the consld.
Grafton even conference, and the debtor himself
assumes the right to fix the limit Of Its liability,
then the principle of Reputation is established
and subsequent details are left to the within and
In 1881 did advise, so far 1t was nay business,
that the Republicans should adhere to their own
theories Of reputation. In that way good men OF
all parties would have been drawn to us.
Show was the Garfield Cabinet on the que6tlon!
"Divided," said Mr. Blaine; 'divided about as
evenly seven men can divide on any question,
and therefore no positive or effective thing was done
t,,f ha Qr n a
of July removed It from considerations.
"Well, do you think Virginia should be expected
NO." said Mr.. Blaine. 81 do not, and her cred,
itors do not pectit. The creditors are Wiling W
makea generous adjustment put they 40 no. wan a
allowance thrown to them as a bone woo!o pe
thrown to a starving dog. That Is about whas NIX
Malone proposes, as understand 1t.
SWELL why do you think Virginia should not De
expected to pay the whole debt as other states nave
done?"
0Principally because she was torn and disnnem
bered by the war;" responded Mr.. Blaine, land hel
ability to pay was very greatly impaired NO otnel
No other State was mutilated as she was. Wes
Virginia, that was torn from her in the violence
lost forever 70 the old state. No equal area in this
| country is so rich in natural resources as wes
| Virginia. The people desire the new State ant
should have it, put the loss to the old state ID Ver
"What do you think VIII be the end OF it all?" In
81 do not Know" said Mr.. Blaine, ''but shoui'
be glad to see the General Government aid virginia
In some practicable way In settling her dept. Mnel
| we were at war With Mexico and d1smempereo ne
| territory we made hog allowance OF many mil
lions Of dollars, and think We could anord 10 o.
equally lust and generous to of our own State
| that we dismembered for our own advantage.
tsDo you think West Virginia ought to pay ashar
| Of the debt?''
"Under all the circumstances do not. NOR q
believe that there State In the Union situate'
as West Virginia Is that would assume any poruol
| of the Virginia debt. You must remember that "
did not erect the State Of West Virginia to u
inhabitan ts. We did 1t as war measure Tor Tn
benefit of the whole Union, and the State OF V1rgln
bore the costly sacrifice alone. 1t is not In my ude
ment, fair right that Virginia alone should D.
made the victim for the sins OF the dead ConIeo
eracy.