Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-09-04

The National Republican says OF the
Virginia Democrats that they have Gin
dorsed all that the Readjusters have done
in settlement of the State debt, and pledged
themselves against any disturbance of that
settlement" 1t is not true that the Vii
ginia Democrats have Endorsed all or any
thing that the Readjusters have done in
relation to the debt. On the contrary, it is
absolutely, and, we are compelled to be-
lieve, Intentionally false.
The Virginia Democrats have not in
dorsed Reputation, nor have they approved
of elimination They have the same
opinion of this debt settlement now that
| they had two years ago, except that they
are now satisfied that further resistance
would be vain.
They accept the situation, but they have
not Endorsed, they do not approve, and they
never will commend the means employed
to produce that situation.
They see that they have wasted time and
strength in fighting against the inevitable.
They found the Federali Government, "the
whole weight of the Administration, all
the power of the Federal machine and sv-
cry Republican Senator on the side OF Ma
hone and elimination" At first this vast
array of power did not discourage the hon
est, debt-paying Democrats Of the Old Do
minion. Knowing that they had right on
their side, they believed that they could
triumph over wrong. With sublime faith
in the capacity Of just cause to take care
of itself, they fought against Malone and
his legions backed by the Federal Govern
ment-virtually backed by the Federal
Treasury.
For it is known and demonstrate fact
that millions of the public money have
been expended under the direction of Will
| liam Malone TO bolster up his cause and to
put down honesty.
1t is a known and demonstrated fact that
large portion Of this vast outlay has been
corruptly used.
1t is equally well known and can readily
| be demonstrated that most Of the balance
has been wantonly, wastefully trlttercd
away.
There is not in the political history of
this country the record of nobier struggle
| for principle than was made by the Viz
ginia Bourbons. When we consider how
much easier it is to eliminate" than to
nav. how many years of hard work, how
much of pinching economy are avoided by
elimination" when we think of the temp
tation they resisted in their long hard fight,
we are compelled to admire their rugged
|
There was not only the temptation to
throw off heavy load of debt, but the
| Federal Administration and thirty seven
| Republican Senators stood up to put the
seal Of their approval on such unloading
All the truly loyal and the truly good ell
ements of the ''grand old party as repre-
scented in this Capital, were ready to make
affidavit that elimination was synony-
nous with holiness.
There is not a party or faction in any
State in the Union that could have made
Roadway in honest debt-paying against the
influences that sided with Malone.
There is not State debt in this country
that ever will be paid if the Federal Ad-
ADMINISTRATION and the United States Senate
take sides with a faction that declares for
Reputation.
Make selimination'' respectable by the
Endorsement of the Executive department
and majority Of the Senate and it will
sweep any State-for it is so easy to ''elim-
inate," SO hard to pay.
| Throw ''the whole weight of the Admin
istration" against honesty, and in favor of
dishonesty, and we shall have all over the
country, just what has been wrought in
Virginia.
No, the Virginia Democrats do not in
dorse elimination -they accept an &C
complshed and unalterable fact. They
fought their cause to it's legitimate end
fought against such odds as no other party
in any State issue has ever faced But
theyIwill fight no more over that settled
question. Letting the dead past bury its
dead, they turn to the living present and
resolve to make their State fit place OF
residence for honorable men. This they will
do by eliminating" Mahoneism.-Wdsh
iagton Post.