Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-09-26
The Views Of Hon. James G. Blaine.
HIS OPPOSITION no MAHONE1SM-THE
GENERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD AID
VIRGINIA TO PAY HER DEBT.

On Thursday last, the Chicago zssb-
sne published lengthy interview with
Blaine, of which the following is an
extract, which will be read with much
interest, and which will stiffen the spi-
nal column of the Straightout Republi-
cans in this State:
ON THE SUBJECT OF MAHoNEIsM
Mr.. Blaine expressed himself more
freely and forcibly than he has hitherto
done in any public utterance. He
said II have not seen a Virginian for
months, nor have I written a word to
the State. At the same time it is due
to frankness that should express my
entire sympathy with the straight Re.
publican movement in that State"
"You are opposed, then, to the Ma
hone movement ?"
Eyes, and I always have been.
think it was
A GREAT POLITICAL BLUNDER
to unite the Republican party with the
Readjusters. The Republican party
has been always devoted to UNFOLDING
the public faith, and this fact contrib
uted powerfully to the victory of 1880.
To turn right round and join the repu-
diation wing of the Virginia Democracy
seemed to me the last degree of folly for
the Republicans.
| II would have advised, and did advise
so far as it was my business, that the
Republicans should all hold to their
own standard, and not become compli
Gated with any theories of reputation.
In that way good men of all parties
would have been drawn to u.s."
"How was the Garfield Cabinet on
the question ?" queried the reporter:
divided, said Mr.. Blaine. divided
about as evenly as seven men can be
divided on the question, and therefore
no positive or effective thing was done
in the early stage of the campaign, and
the tragedy of July I'd removed it from
consideration"
Il vIRGINIA's OBLIGATIONS.
"Why do you think Virginia should
as other States have done?"
"Principally because she was torn
and dismembered by the war, and her
ability to pay was very greatly inn
paired. No other State of the Confed-
eracy suffered as Virginia did. No
other State was mutilated as she was.
West Virginia, which was torn from
her in the violence of war as a war
measure, is an empire of wealth lost
forev er to the old State. No equal area
in this country is so rich in natural re-
sources as West Virginia. Its 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 end
of it all ?"
II do not know" said Mr.. Blaine,
"but should be glad TO see
THE GENERAL GOVERNMENT AID vIR-
GINA
, in some practical way in settling her
debt. When we were at war with Mex
leo and dismembered her territory we
made her an allowance of many mill
lions of dollars, and think we could
} afford to be equally just and generous
!, to one of our own States that we dis
membeFed for our own advantage"
would that not strike the country as
novel propositions"
"rt might, but its novelty would not
impair its JUSTICE" said Mr.. Blaine.
"Another consideration would weigh
powerfully with me, and that is the
fact of Virginia's cession. of all the
northwest territory for the common
veal nearly hundred years ago.
have thought of this matter great deal
since the debt agitation began in Vir-
ginia last year. I have asked myself
why Virginia alone of all the COnfed.
crate States should be made to suffer
despoilment and dismemberment. That
which would bring lasting relief and
!. PROSPERITY 70 VIRGINIA
} would be the veriest trif1e for the Cen
, eral Government to concede."
'.Do you think West Virginia ought
to pay sAare of the debt 2"
"Under all the circumstances I do
not, nor do believe there is State in
the Union situated as West Virginia is
that would assume any portion of the
Virginia debt. You must remember
that we did not erect the State of West
Virginia to oblige its inhabitants. We
; did it as war measure for the benefit
of the whole Union, and the State of
Virginia bore the costly sacrifice alone.
It is not, in my judgment, fair or right
that Virginia alone should be made the
victim for the sins of the dead Confed-
eracy."
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