National Republican., 1882-09-29
BLAINE AND VIRGINIA,
His Recent Talk ia chicago Relative
the state Dcbt.

BLAINE AND VIRGINIA.
His Recent Talk ia chicago Relative 10
the state Dcbt.
Following is SO much of Mr.. Blaine's recent in
terview in the Chicago Tribune relates TO the
political situation in Virginia. We have already
expressed our views concerning it,
II you are not fnligued with this long talk
Mr.. Blaine, there is one question would like to
ask, and that is whether you are interfering in
any way, as is so frequently charged, in the con-
test now going on in VirglniaT'
am not" replied Mr.. Blaine. ~ have not
seen a ,Virginian for months, nor have written
word TO the state. At the same time 1t is due TO
frankness that should express my entire SYM
that State"
"You are opposed then 10 the Malone move
ment7"
"Yes, and always have been. think It was q
great political blunder 10 unite the Republican
party with the Readjusters. The Republican party
has been always devoted TO upholding the public
faith, and this fact contributed powerfully TO the
victory of 1880. TO turn right round and join the
reputation wing Of tho Virginia Democracy
seemed to me the last degree of folly for the Re-
"But tho Malone men deny that they are repu-
diationists ind declare that they Will pay the Vir
ginia creditors more in the end than the bourbon
Democracy"
But" said Mr. Blaine 1--WE were not response
BILE for the Bourbon Democracy. Let u.s. however,
give the devil his due. The Bourbon Democracy
passed the McCulloch bill after full consultation
Mahone's party declines TO confer with the credi-
tors, and declares that the debtors will fix the
amount they will pny. The very moment this
ground Is taken II is ropudintion. If tho creditor
Is to be excluded from consideration or even con.
ference and the debtor himself assumes the right
TO fix the limit of his liability, then the principle
OF reputation is established and subsequent de-
tails are left to the whim aud caprice Of the
debtor"
WHAT Nh. BLAINE WOULD HAVE ADVISED.
"What would you have advised in 1881, when
the split came i'll the Virginia Democracy"
81 would have advised, aud did advise SO far as
| it,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 oil parties would have been
=" How was the Garfield Cabinet on the ques-
| tion," queried our reporter.
Divided" said Mr.. Blaine; divided about as
evenly as seven men can divide on any question,
and therefore no positive or effective thing was
tragedy of July removed 1t from consideration"
"Well. do you think Virginia should be ex-
pectedm IL to pay the debt IN fun, principal and in
No." said Mr.. Blaine; " do not, and her cred
itors do not expect ii. The creditors are willing
to make generous adjustment, but they don't
have an allowance thrown TO them a bone
would be thrown to n starving dog. That Is about
what Mr.. Malone proposes as / understand it,"
"Well, why do you think Virginia should not
be expected to pay the whole debt as other States
" Principally because she was torn and dismem-
bered by the war;" said MIR. Blaine, "and her
ability TO pay was very greatly impaired. No
did. No other State was mutilated as she was
West Virginia, that was torn from her in the vio-
lence of war rs war-measure, is an empire Of
wealth lost forever to the old State. No equal
area in this country is so rich in natural resources
as West Virginia. The people desire the new
State and should have it. but the loss to tie old
State is very great"
A PROPOSED SETTLEMENT OF THE DEBT
What do you think will be the end of 1T all ~
inquired the reporter.
be glad to see The general government aid Vir-
ginia in some practicable way in settling her debt.
When we We're at war with Mexico aud dismem-
bered her territory, we made her an allowance of
many millions of dollars, and think we could
afford to be equally just and generous to one of
our own States that We dismembered for our own
advantage"
Would not that strike the country as novel
proposition?" asked our reporter.
its nsee m said Mr. R BSne I Xnothep p' conlider tme.g
alton would weigh powerfully with me. and that
is the fact of Virginas cession of all the north
west territory for the common veal nearly hun.
drtd years ago. have thought of this matter a
great deal since the debt agitation began in Yir-
ginia alone of all the confederate States should be
made to suffer despoilment and ACKNOWLEDGMENT.
That which would bring lasting relief and pros
periy to Virginia would be the veriest trife for
| the general government to concede."
Have you ever talked this over with Virgin
| iansY' said our reporter.
Never" said Mr.. Blaine. g." l do not think ever
| referred to 1t TO any one. The subject is a very
important one, and have merely thrown it out
all its bearings but believe it would prove wise,
| just and beuefcent in all its effects"
"Do you think West Virginia ought to pay O
| share OF the debit"
| Under all the circumstances do not nor do l
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 oblge
its inhabitants; We did 4 as a war measure, for
Virginia bore the the costly sacrifice alone 1t is
| not, in my judgment, fair or right that Virginia
alone should be made the victim for the sins of
the dead confederacy."