Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1883-04-04
REPUTATION IN VIRGINIA.

To the editor of the r. T. Evening Post
SIR: AS one of your most regular and ap-
preciative readers, and as one in warm sym
patby with many of the opinions of the En-
ening Post, beg leave to enter respectful
protest against some implications conveyed
in recent editorial entitled "Repudiatiou
as Duty" You say there is great excite
nent In Virginia over the news that the
creditors Of the State propose to carry on
the fight over the bonds notwithstanding
the recent decision of the Supreme Court
and add that lit is evident the community
has come TO regard the cheating of its cred
itors as a solemn duty" etc, etc. After
speaking with just contempt Of the "salvos
OF artillery" with which the decision of the
Court was received by the Read listers in
Richmond, you proceed TO comment upon
the recently published views of Governor
Cameron as "a perfect illustration of the
Southern way of looking at the subject, land
criticlse that functionary in q manner at
once just and severe.
To this latter criticism, certainly, take
no exception, and should take none had 1t
| been ten times as bitter. What I do object
TO, and what nine-tenths Of the respectable
people of the State agree with me In indig-
nant protest against, is the habitual ignor-
| ing by the Republican press Of the North
and even by journal OF such standing as
yours, OF the fact that reputation in Vir-
gnia is distinctly Republican act. and that
without Republican aid and comfort from
without it would have never been consum-
mated. Holiday became Governor January
l, 1878, by democratic votes, and during his
| four years administration waged gallant
aud ceaseless fight, as you we'll know, for
the honor ofthe State and the proper dis.
charge of all its obligations In 1879 the
readjusters with the assistance of the repub-
licans-the coalition being not yet com
| plete-elected Malone TO the United
States Senate and passed measures of
reputation, every one of which was vetoed
10y the Democratic Governor. When the
Legislature adjourned, not one of these
measures consequently had become law. In
! 1881 the contest was renewed, the coalition
between Readjusters and Republicans was
completed, the full and enthusiastic support
oil the Administration at Washington was
given to it, and thus. and thus alone, the
Reputation policy triumphed in Virginia.
Cameron was elected Governor by vote
Of which at least three fourths was cast hy
negroes, the remainder being white Repu6-
icans and disallected or otfice-seeIing
Democrats, and Riddleberger got to the
Senate. Then, and not till then, the Rid.
| dleberger bill, the coupon killers and other
rascaly devices TO defrand the creditors of
the Stale prevailed That they ever did so
! is distinctly and solely due TO the powerful
cooperation and influence Of the Federal
! Administration.
| In view of these facts is it strange that hon.
est Virginians should object TO your saying
that the community in this State regards
cheating its creditors as duty; or that we
should resent your citing the utterances Of a
Republican Governor who is scornluly
repudiated by urbest people as an example
of the Southern way" Of looking ut the
payment Of honest debtsP 1t is perfect
illustration of the way the supporters in
this State Of the present Administration at
Washington regard it but not of anybody
else's way. Disguise it as you may, this is
certain Left to herself, even with her heavy
negro vote to contend against, Virginia
never did repudiate and never would have
repndiated her just obligations. But the
powerful aid given to the Regulators by a
Republican President and Republican
Supreme Court has overpowered her, and
the deed is done
And Mr.. Chester A. Arthur, Of New York
city, is more than any living man the doer
OF IL. L. NJ. B.
ALEXANDRIA, Va, March q, 1889.