Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-03-27
Mr.. Massey and the Supreme Court
Decision.
For the Richmond Dispatch

L. EUllOT,-l uaN0 GRATEFULLY FAOGCu
the comments of editors and .correspon-
dents upon the recent decision of the
Supreme Court of the United States in
the case of Antoni VS.. Greenhow, ,kpown
as the coupon case. -
While some differences of opinion
seem to exist as to the exact import of
certain parts of this decision, no reason
able doubt, I think, can exist as to its
effect. 1t efectudlly settles the State debt
of VSrqini0 and ends all discussion Of at
or about 1T. va. bassig So I.fav
The debt question is no longer an
issue before the people of Virginia in
any form or shape. Nor can it ever
again be an issue before them in any
proper or legitimate way.
Malone and his followers will doubt
less try to galvanize it into the appear
ance of life and contend that it is. still a
LIVING issue so that they may continue
agitation and thereby deceive and mis-
lead those Readjusters who honestly anG
conscientiously advocated such settle
ment of the State debt as they believed
to be lust and equitable, but who have
no sympathy with Malone Coalition
ism, which is but Stalwart Republican
ism in disguise, and who will abandon
it Just as soon as they become satisfied
that the debt question has been finally
and permanently settled.
These Mahoneites will seize and mag.
mfg every word which may be spoken
or written by. 02y Democrat expressive
of his dissent from the decision rendered
in the coupon case, claim that he utters
the sentiments of all Democrats, and
distort his utterances into the purposes
of the Democratic party to reopen the
question and repeal the laws which have
been enacted for its settlement so soon
as they have control of the State govern
ment. .4s.
Bearing these things in mind, have
been particularly impressedi with two
things which the comments of both
Democratic editors and correspondents
disclose. They are
l. Their very general acquiescence in
the decision of the Supreme Court of the
United States; and
2. The evident feeling of relief mani
tested by Democrats generally, whether
they were Funders or Readjusters, at the
final settlement of this perplexing ques-
ton, and its permanent removal from
the political arena. sal
I do not wish to be understood as even
intilnating that in acquiescing in this de-
cision, or in feeling relief at the settle
ment of this vexatious question, men
have sacrificed or abandoned their hon.
est convictions; nor is it right or reason
able to expect them to dOe0 It's, how
ever, right and reasonable to expect that
since the cause which separated men of
the same political faith and placed them
| in. aItagonism with each other, nolong
er exists, the line of separation shall be
thoroughly obliterated. ~
The terms "Fundern and "Readjust-
err should be among the things of the
paet. Nothing remains to give them
Significance. What is there now to
fund? What to read;Uet? Nothing
whatever. What is there, then, to pre-
vent the most complete union and cor
dialteeoperation of all Democrats Many
who were termed Funders were never
satisfied with the funding bill of 1871, OF
with that which was passed in 1879
They were as much opposed to tax-re-
ceivable coupons-the pocket eXecu-
tionsn and 'cut-WOrms of the Treasury"
AS Readjusters were. But as the Court
OF Appeals of Virginia-her highest ju
dicial tribunGl-decided that the fund
ing bill of 1871 was an iFrepeaIable con-
tract, and that any law which iDterfered
with the receivability of taX-receivabIe
coupons in payment of taxes, debts,
dues, and demands due the State was
unconstitutional, they saw no way OF
escape from this decision determined TO
ecouiesce in it, opposed any interference
with il, and, as a consequence, opposed
any further agitation of or legislation
upon the subject. Hence, when the bills
which were passed at the last session OF
T ;elo fpr hoH pDFe h,,x ~
these questions were relegated to the
Supreme Court of the United States,
the highest judicial tribunal in this
country, they stood pledged to acquiesoe
in and abide by its decision. Their al
s.2oGt every utterance since that decision
was rendered aGqws their honest pur-
pose to stand by and aa0rediy keep this
pledge think ] may therefore, with
entire confidence and without AFRO
gance, assert that EuHder Democrats
aOiU Meier reopen the question or make
another fight gtpon it.
Honest Readjusters. those who were
Readjusters from principle, and not for
spoils, aOiU neUer reopen the question:
Their work as ReaGjUsters has been
completed They have accomplished
their object, and wish no further agita-
ton of any question pertaining to read
iustment or FunGerism.
Heneeforth Democrats will stand
shoulder to shoulder, in one grand army,
without asking or oariug 10 know
whether their present file leaders were
FuDders or Readjusiers
may be asked if flanders and Read
justers who met on so many battle
fields, fought so earnestly, and said SO
many bitter and provoking things OF
each other, can be expected TO forget the
past.
do not ask them to forget. but to re
member. Forgetfuiness has been one OF
the chief sources of our troubles. Men
on each side remember that sbeg had
honest and strong convictions, but forgot
that those who differed from them had
just as honest and strong convictions as
they had. Each remembered that III
had perfect right to form and express
his opinions, but forgot that others had
equal right to form and express Hei,
opinions. Each thoughtit preposterous
that any one should doubt she honesty
or correctness of has convictions: ye
each claimed and exercised the right to
doubt the honesty or correctness of the
convictions of all who did not agree with
him. ttl
This was not very strange or wonder
full The stronger mans convictions
are, and the more honestly he entertains
them, the more intOlerant he is of oppo
sition, and the more ready he is to doubt
the honesty of those who oppose him
He, having no doubt of the correctness
of his own convictions, and knowing
/ that be holds them honestly, finds i
hard to believe that those whose opin
ions are directly opposed TO his can be-
perfectly honest in entertaining and ex
pressing them. -+H#
If, therefore, we desire thorough union
and cordial cooperation os all Democrat:
we must forget all Gauges of formel
estrangement, and, remem beripg oul
common interests, exercise towards al
others that charity we desire them to ex
ercise towards us. Interest, duty, and
patriotism call upon US to unite oul
forces, lock shields, and present an IN
broken front TO our common enemy.
One vital question which we are calleC
uponto settle is: Shall Virginia be fnl
! ed by viea aud ignorance, or by yirtu,