Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-09-20
Blaine On niahonei:m

|
| Mr. Blaine has been interviewed hv re-
porter for the Chicago TriJ~ar With ref
erence to Virginia he said:
1T is due to lrankness that / should cN-
press my entire sympathy with the straight
republican movement in that State" Won
are opposed, then, to the Malone move
ment?" ''Ies, and always have been. |
think 1t was great political hunder 10
unite the republican party with the read
.iusters. The republican party has been al
ways devoted to unfolding the public faith
and this fact contributed powerfully to the
victory Of 1850. 10 turn right round and
join the reputation wing Of the Virginia
democracy seemed to me the last degree of
folly for the republicans What would
you have advised in 1881, when the split
came in the Virginia democracy ?" II would
have advised, and did advise IL; far rs il
was my business. that the republicans
should adhere TO their own standard and
not become complicated with any theories
OF reputation. In that way good men of
all parties would have been drawn 10 u;. :"
Glow was the Garfield cabinet on the uucs-
tion?" quericd the reporter. "Dividcd,'
said Mr.. Blaine ':iividcd about rs even
~ as seven men can divide on any ,lucs-
ton, and therefore no positive or effective
campaign, and the tragedy of.July 2rcmbved
it from consideration why fu you think
Virginia should not pay the whole debt as
other States have done?' ''Principally be-
cause she was torn and dismcmbered by the
war and her ability to pay was very greatly
impaired. No other State in the Con-
federacy suffered rs Virginia. no other State
was mutilated rs she was West Virginia.
that was torn from herin the violence olwar,
as a war measure, IN empire Of wealth LOST
forever to the old State. No equal area in
this country is so rich in natllr.! resources
as West Virginia. The people desire the
new State, and should have it. but the loss;
to the old State is very great
What do You think will be the eul after Ill ?"
Il do not Know. said Mr.. Blaine '.bu should
be glad to See the general government aid Virginia
in some practicable way in settling her debt When
We were at war with Mexico and dsmemberc,l her
territory we made her M allowance of many mil.
lions of dollars and think We could afford to be
equally just ami generous To one of own States
that we dismembered for own advantage,
Would that not strike the country rs move PROMO
sition: 1t might, but its novelty would not i'm,
peach its Justice" said Mr. Blaine Another CON
sideratiou would weigh powerfully with me. and
that Is the fact Of Erginia's cession Of all tI,.
Northwest Territory for the Commonwealth
nearly hundred years ago. have thou.ht r.
THIS matter great deal since the debt agitation
began IN the State last year: haze asked myself
why Virginia alone ofall the Confederate St,.cs
should suffer dcspoilmcnt and dislnemln.r,urnt
when that which would bring lasting relief and
prosperity to Virginia would be the verirs: trilic
for the general government to conccdc.'
do you think West Virginia ought to par =
share of the dcbt:" Under all circumsta1c:s 7
do not nor do l believe there is a Stata in tba
Union, situated as West Virginia is. thai wonId
assume any portion of the Virginia debt Ynu
must remember that We did not erect the State Of
West Virginia to oblige its inhabitants. We did
i as war measure, for the benefit OF the whole
Union, and the State of Virginia bore the cosby
sacrifice alone 1t is not, in ms judgment; C,ir or
right that Virginia alone should be made The VIC
tim for the sins Of the dead Confederacy.''