The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1883-09-13
The Coupon Cases.

| ton.
The Coupon Cases.
| Wepublish elsewhere synopsis OF Judge
Bonds decision in the Virginia Coupon
cases. The document in full is long, in
geniously arranged, and the positions as
sumed fortified by an array of authorities.
Judge Bond stops at no half way measures.
hThe decision is sweeping, and if affirmed
by the Supreme Court will be a milestone
around the neck Of Virginia for genera
lions to come. Mr.. Royal, the counsel for
plaintiffs, stoutly maintains that the con-
clusion reached by Judge Bond is the legit-
innate Interpretation of the Supreme
Courts decision in the Greenhow case.
This has been his position since the last
named decision was rendered. In the re-
joicings Of the Coalitionists and depression
Of the Funders over that event, Mr.. Royal
reioiced with those who did rejoice, but
declined to weep with those who Wept.
Indeed, he went so far as to boldly pro-
claim that the decision over which the
| Coalitionists made merry was but the pre-
! lude to the funeral ceremony Of that party.
That it's legitimate effect would be the
death Of the Riddleberger bin and u re-
handing OF the State to the mercy of
stockholders and foreign corporations. =
But Mr.. Royal was laughed at. The party
which looked upon him as its champion in
| the Greenhow case, declined TO accept his
view of the result, and even charged him
with idle yaporing. Mr.. Royal, however,
was not discouraged. His friends with
| drew their moral support. but his employ
ers babe him proceed, and While the fat
| English purse held out hepushed valiantly
forward. lie has SO far succeeded in the
programme marked out as to have i'm
pressed upon the judge OF the U. S. Cir
cult Court the tenableness Of his position,
and drawn forth an endorsement Of his
| view. This re-introduces the case in an
/ other light to the Supreme Court, ana it's
! final adjudication by that tribunal will be
Of the utmost Importance to Virginia.
There are those who contend, and they
are gentlemen whose opinion is no mean
authority on legal questions the is
sues raised by Judge Bond have already
been settled by the Supreme Court that
the decision Of the Circuit Judge is di-
rectly i'll the teeth Of the decision Of the
higher court, and must inevitably be re-
| verSed. The merits Of the case we do not
propose to discuss. Even in advance of
its final determination its effect is destined
to exercise a wide influence on political
affairs in this State. No one will imagine
for moment that the Funders would have
proclaimed their acquiescence in the debt
settlement had Judge Bond S decision,
under consideration. been delivered before
the meeting Of the I4ynchburg Conven-
ton. Had the leaders OF that party be-
lieved that Royal would be successful in
securing this judicial endorsement Of his
position, thereby re-opening the case be-
fore the Supreme Court, they would never
have adopted the first plank Of their plat
form. They would never have given SO
sweeping an approval to the debt settle
ment as it is and constituted themselves
special guardians whose mission it was to
resist any attempt to disturb it. But it is
| too late now to recede. They have en-
dorsed and re-aflirmed all the Readiusters
have done. They have pledged their
honor (?) to stand by the Riddleberger bill,
and it seems rather hard that just after
| the pledge had been forced from them, it
should turn out that after all the Riddle
| berger bill does not finally and forever de-
termine the question at issue. Truly the
fates seem to lash this old party with never
ceasing fury. For two years they pro-
claimed from every hastings that the debt
| settlement would not stand judicial scru-
| tiny that under the crucial test of the
! higher court its fraud and deception would
be laid bare. and the party from. which it
emanated would be buried beneath the
wave of popular indignation. In this
| they were mistaken. The Supreme Court.
| so the world thought, sustained the con
stltutionality OF the measure, and the
legal and political prophets were called
! upon to face astorm Of ridicule. Presently
they somersaulted to the other extreme.
They declared that the settlement was so
complete and indisputable, so fixed and
| unalterable, that no one but a miserable
demagogue would ever call it in question
again, and no earthly power could disturb
it, for they themselves had rolled the stone
to the door Of the sepulchre, and placed
invincihle sentinels there When the Re
adJusters mildly suggested that perhaps
all was not safe yet, they affected to re-
gard the proposition us contemplate sub
terfuge for keeping up political agitation,
and so proclaimed it. And now. alas, lust
as they had gotten well under way in this
line, along comes their former champion.
Mr.. Royal, and the righteous Judge they
formerly swore by, to say that the debt
question is not settled, and the only power
whose settlement win avail viii declare it
void. Thereat funderism bowls again.
They denounce Bond, they denounce Roy
all, they declare them the tools OF Malone.
and rave as if they alone were the oriei-
majors and upholders of the Riddleherper
bill. But all of this sham, and fuss and
furry deceives no one. Every Observing
man knows that they would rejoice at the
prospect Of re-opening the debt question
il they had not so recently irrevocabIy
committed themselves to it. And he
knows, too, that aclien The election Sg ore3.
they will be delighted to have the Su-
preme Court sustain Judge Bond. If in
vested with power, there will be no occa-
sion for the rulings OF Courts. They will
effectually void the settlement by a
failure to sustain it. Their negative sun
port will be just as fatal as the most pro-
nounced judicial determination. They
themselves have been potent Instruments.
in the sympathy they gave, in securing
this decision Of Judge Bond, and now it
returns to sorely plague them They have
sown the dragon teeth and will reap the
iron harvest. They have thrown up their
kite to catch the lightning and the bolt
that descends will bury them beyond res
This decision viii arouse the people to
the danger that threatens them and eff
fectually close the door to power against
chose who would tliie with then interests.
r. f. Barton, Esq. is the Democratic
lomiunn for tba TTnten NJ Il,I,,,s,,4 M :. l ,