National Republican., 1883-06-06

so determined her proposed settlement com putes
interest ha1s nt the rate nominated in the original
pond 70 July ], 1882 when we propose to refund
hcrpnrt Of the debt tn new bonds bearing per
cent interest, and for her share OF the interest 50
aeiermlned as of July l, 1868, augmented py tho
balance OF Interest on her share Of the debt ac-
crued meanwhile and remaining unpaid as Of
that date, all OF which will more fully and clearly
appear by an inspection Of the following accounl;
the same constituting the basis of her proposed
settlement. And say here that 1t remains to the
temeriiy of all selfstyled debt payers IN Virginia
70 assa in any particular either the statements
the methods of the account here submitted and
challenge gentlemen who represent here that po-
iltlcal faction IN Virginia TO the proof OF any
irregularities in that respect; DEFY them to show
wherein IL falls on the uart Of our own state OF
virginia to assume every dollar of her equitable
snare of the Indebtedness Of the old state ;
wherein II fails TO account for every dollar OF
accrued and unpaid interest on her part for her
share OF the debt OF the old state.
In vindicaton of Virginia's action in de-
manding that West Virginia shall pay one
third of the debt of the old state we quote
from the same speech citation Of clear and
unquestioned authorities:
Referring To the principle heretofore announced
as governing the division of public obligations
when the territory on which the same were
founded had been divided 1t may not be inappro.
pirate 10 give the language of eminent authori'
lies upon this subject Our own United States
supreme court, IL Otto, 677 says, referring to the
Virginia debt.
"But as the whole state had created the indebt-
edness for which the bonds were issued. and par
ticipated In the benefits Obtained by the money
raised, 1t was but Just that portion of the IN
deDtedncss should be assumed by that part which
was taken from her (old Virginia) aud made
new state West Virglnia)"
And 1t says:
"Writers on public law speak of the principle
as we'll established that when state is divided
into two or more states, In the adjustment of liza.
bitles between each other the debts of the parent
state shuuldbe ratably apportioned among them"
Also, that Halleck, speaking of q state divided
into two or more districts and independent SOW
"fn that case the obligations which have nc.
crued to the whole before the division are
ratably binding upon the different parts
And this supreme judicial tribunal OF our coun-
try for itself declares that.
This principle the public obligations are TO be
tory is established by the concurrent opinions OF
text writers, the decisions of courts, and the prac
tice of nations"
And, moreover, the supreme court says:
"If a nation be divided into various distinct
societies the obligations which had accrued to the
whole before the, division are " ratably
binding upon the different parts"
Ample opportunity was offered the oppo-
nents of readjustment on the floor Of congress
for discussion of this debt settlement Mr..
Paul challenged it in this emphatic language
From my colleagues from my own state 1 invite
discussion of the attitudes of our respective par
ties with reference to the question of the state
debt. If my position cannot be successfully
challenged, then Virginia demands that they
unite with me here In repelling the ISLANDERS Of
that worthy cause, BECAUSE like their bourbon as
sociates they are interested in covering the cause
of readIustment with all possible obloquy. Like
bourbons everywhere, they hate the liberalism,
the Americanism, that reedIustment symbolizes in
virginia. ~ trs
There were Messrs. Tucker, Cabell, Garri-
son, Dezendorf, and Wise, all socalled Vir-
ginia debt payers, sand not one of them dared
accept the gage of battle or attempt to vindi-
cate the truthfulness of the foul charge of re-
pudiaton so often made by the party of which
they are such faithful and worthy representa-
tivcs. Their silence was significant. 1t ad-
mitted more forcibly than any words they
could have uttered the truthfulness of the al
legations made in defense of readjustment
and the readjuster party.
Mr.. Editor, if l shall succeed to any extent
in directing the attention of those who
assume the Office of censor of Virginia
to careful and honest investigation
of this question on which they pre-
sumo to speak with so much authority, then
thepurpose of this letter shall have been at
tanned. win they do SO and be just? We
shall see. VIRGINIus.