New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-11-27
g Camp Prosit, Nov, 5, 1888.
VIRGINIA DEMOCRATS AND vIRGINIA's
DEBT.

THE PARTY's EXCUSE FOR CHANGE OF BASE
To me Editor or The tribune.
SIR. I have been a subscriber to and a regu-
lar reader OF TuE TRIBUNE for several years The ability
with which 1t conducted has always challenged my ad
mlration and have often regretted that where there
was so much OF real ability there should be- n seems
10 me- 40 mich Of prejudice against the South, and such
ueigten determination not understand the South
ern problem"-if may the expression. II expert
ence had not Taught that 1.-THE unexpected II that
which is always happening" should have been greatly
surprised at the following paragraph IN the Topics OF
the Week" contained In your Weekly Issue Of hoVoin-
Der Il:
Are oil Democratic promises male 70 be sroksni Herr
is more evidence going To hOw that they are Before lhe
resent eeoiOns the BOutbOns In virginia could hardly
The repndisiion views Of the Beadjuster.. II
senator Malone aud his friends wero de
good fah toward her CREDITOR The Readuser defeat
l. not yet week old but the Borbons are already nrg
nc that they certainly cannot be expected 10 act In o
position financial poty twice approved ny the voters
Of the state.
The article starts out with charging bad filth upon the
Democrats OF Virginia aud says " before the recent
elections" etc. You surely cannot bc unmndiu Of the
fac, that the last declaration from the party before the
recent elections made by the convention which
scmbled in Lynchnr July 1888, and unless they are
arguing" differently nov nom what they declared
then certainly they not guilty Of bad faith 10 fer rs
the recent elections" are concerned The Convention
and accepted as final the settlement OF the debt Of Viz
nia IA fxed by the Riddloberger bill. This l. exactly
what they are arguing" nowno more and no less And
this 4. the same bill that two years ago. when
WA. passed by a Readjustor Legislature telccicd
Nv 10000 Readjuster Republicans and 10000 Re
aduster Democn and approved by the Republican press
of the whole country-incuding THE TKIBUSE-anda
Republican President SAY approved because the Re
publican press-includng THE TKIBuNE-was constantly
speaking words OF encouragement to the Readusters,
and never a word OF sympathy 70 the Debtpayng Demo
Gratis and Republican President gave into the hands Of
william Mahone the leader OF the Resduser party
means by which the power Of that party might be
strengthened ia this State the entire Federal patronage
OF this state Just absolutely as give to
another a knife.
Bui should be said that there other questions
besides the that issues my reply that there
had been debt readust there could OF have
Then why 4 II that measure highly approved when
Il adopted the keynote and cornerstone OF po
ltical party, should become "a stone Of stumbling and
Of offence As II Is accepted by another pot
ical party. The Republicans IN this state aud those ont
OF IT, made II impossible for Virginia act In good
faith toward her creditors and there has been re
cent declaration by the Boqrbons "as youar pleased
For four years the South struggled hTOicaly against
principles which she honestly thought wrong and
UNJUST But Northern Democrats and Northern Republic
cans Joined hands against u.s. lille Europe not only spoke
words announcement 90 the North bul gave her
forced TO yield "tO overwhelming numbers and
those principles which ahc poured out blood and treasure
TO oppose and has pledged herself oppose those
principles again. The Northern Democrats have accepted
In good faith the pledge thus made and have
Joined hands with the South TO advance those
principles which viii bring the greatest good tO
the greatest number view the subject.
The Debt paying Democrats OF Virginia for four years
struggled not less manfully against which I'm
their Of hearts they thought wrong UNJUST
bat Rcaduster Republicans and Readluster Democrats
Joined hands against them, while Republican press,
Republican politicians and a Republican President not
only spoke words OF encouragement and sympathy the
RcadlusteTs, but gave them material aid and assistance.
AT length. BONE down by overwhelming numbers and
resources" the Debtpayng Democrats determined 10
recognize and accept final which they had
opposed four years and this they have done Ia good
faith And that this matter ~ settled the Debtpay
ing Democrats and the Readuster Democrats determined
July join hands again and work together for their
common interests.
And now in conclusion permit say that the spirit
that would prompt the reopenng Of the debt question In
Virginia would with equal proprcty suggest the reopen
ing OF the issues Of 1861. We would be "Ourbons" In
deed II have failed 10 learn from the experience Of
the past four years that the Republicans OF the country
have made Impossible for Virginia To aCt Ina good faith
toward her creditors" II by that expression Is the
payment OF the debt asceTtained 10y the hcCulOch
bill And the man who hasn't learned that the Demo
cratic party OF this state Is done with the debt question
10 far legislation Is concerned must be BOuTbOn" Of
the "BOmbons." "f this Dc treason make the most Of
Hanorer Co., Va, Nov. 20. 1883.