The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-03-22
Mr.. Massey and the Supreme'eo"r'
nnetsfou.
fFor the Richmond Dispatch.l

,,non the recent decision OF the supreme
Court OF the United States in the case Oh
Antoni Us. Grcenhow, known u inc cou'
pom case. .,,,,
While some differences OF opinion seem
to exist az TO the exact import OF csrla ni
parts OF this decision, no reasonable d0uDt,
/ think. can exist ~ 10 it, Greet. ~ q-
fectualIy settles the State debt Of Virginia
and ends all discussion Of IL or about H.
The debt question is no longer an issue
before the people OF Virginia in any form
or shape. Nor can il ever again be IN L.
sue before them in any proper or iegilln'a'e
way. -,
Malone and his followers will doubtless
try TO galvanize IL into the appearance OF
lie and contend that it is still h'ihg
issue so that they may continue us ag'ta-
tlon and thereby deceive and mislead tllOsc
RcAdiusfcrs who honestly and conscleh-
tiouslv advocated such a settlement OF the
State debt ~ they believed TO he Just ana
eolIitallc, but who have no sympathy WIN
Nahone CoaHfiousm. which l. but oiai-
wart Eepubicanism in disguise, ana VINO
will abandon IT Just rs soon a. they become
satisfied that the debt question mas DeeI'
finally and permanently settled.
These NIahnneiteS will seize and magnify
every word which may be spoken or WITH
ten by anu Democrat expressive Of ms us
sent from the decision rendered in the cou-
non case. claim that he uiters the sentiments
of all Democrats. and dstort his utlerances
into tIle purposes Of the Democratic party
ia reopen the question and repell the laws
which have been cuacted for it, settlement
so soon as they lmye control oi the state
government t.o
Rearing these things in mind, have
been particularly impressed WIN TWO
things which the comments OF both Dehlo'
cratic editors and correspondents disclose
They are =,
(. Their very general acquiescence IN
the decision OF the Supreme Court OF the
United States; and
>. The evident feeling OF relief mani
fe,ted by Democrats generally, Whe'her
they were Flinders or RCadiuster>, at the
final settlement Of TIN, perpieXing quest on
and is permanent removal from the pollii-
cal arena.
do moi wish to be understood a even
iniimating that in acquie>cing in TINS de-
cision, or in feeling relief at the settlement
Of tbis yeXatious question, men have s9cfl-
feed or abandoned their honest c0nNic-
tious: nor i it right or reasonable to eN-
meet them to do so. II j., however. ri@ht
and reasonable TO expect That since the
cGvse which separated men Of the same p0-
litical faith and party. and placed them III
anta9Onism with each other, no longer eN-
ISIS. tbe line OF separation shall be thor-
oughly oblitcratcd.
The terms "Fuudcr" and I;e'idlust-
crD should he among the things OF Inc past
Nolbine remains 10 give them signlrcance.
What i there now to fund! What TO Re
adiusty Nothing whatever. What l.
there. then. to prevent the most complete
union and cordial cooperation Of all Dcmo-
cra,sy Many who were termed fundcrs
were never satisfied with the funding Oili Of
1871. or with that which was passed IN
1879. They were rs much opposed to TAX
receivable cOupOnS-the "pOcket eNcCu-
tions - and ct!i-WOrms OF the Treasury -
A. Rex busters were. But ~ The Court OF
Appeals of Virginia--her highest judicial
tTibunal-dccided that the funding Diii OF
1871 wa an irrcpealable contract, and that
any law which intcriered with the recelFa-
b;jitv OF taX-rccciyablc coupons III pay
mcnt OF "taXcs. debts. dues. and demands
dine the State was unconstitutional. they
saw no wav of escape from this decision
determined to acquicsco III II; opposed
auy interference with it, and, a. coHse-.
qucnce. opposed any further agitation OF
or legislation upon the subject. Hence,
whcn the bills which were passed at the
| last session OF the Legislature ior the sell
Element OF these questions were rclegated
to the Suprcme Court OF the United States,
the highest judicial tribunal in this coun-
| fry. they stood pledged TO acquiesce IN
and abide 10y It's decision. Their a'moSl
every uttcrancc since that decision was
rendered shows their honest purpose to
stand by and sacredy keep this pledge. ]
think | may, therefore. with entire conn
dcncc snd without arrogance, assert that
Finder Democrats jcW nerer rC0pen nc
debt question or make another .f9ht rpCR q.
Honest ReddjuStcrs, those who wore Re-
adiusters from principle. ana not Tor
spoils. rW aeUer re0pCn the question. Ihelf
work As RcGdJuStcrS has been completed.
They have accomplished their object, ana
wish no further agitation Ct any question
perfaiuing 10 reidiusimcnt or Fundcrlsu.
Ilenccforth Democrats will stand shout
der TO shoulder. in one grand army, with
out asking or caring 10 know whether
their present iile-lcadcrS were Fundcr' OF
| Rcadiustcrs.
! I may be asked il Fuudcrs and Read
| busters who met Oh 80 many battie-uelds.
fought 50 earnestly. and said 50 many bitter
and provoking things OF each other, can
be expected to forget the past.
| do not ask chem to forget. hut TO re,
member. Iorgc,iulncss has been one OF
the chief sources Of Our troubles. Men on
each side remembered that they had honest
and strong convictions, but forgot thai
! those who differed from them bad lust a.
| honest and strong convictions rs they bad
Each remembered that he had perfect right
TO form and express his opinions. but for
cot that others had equal right 10 form and
| express their opinions. Each thought II
preDosterous tina, any one should doubt tn,
! honesty or correctness Of his convictions
vet each claimed and exercised the right L
! doubt the honesty or correctness OF tE'
convictions Of all who did not agree with
him.
This was not very strange or wonderful
| The stronger mans convictions are and
the more honestly be cntertains them, thc
more intolcrant he IS OF opposition, and th'
more ready he Is to doubt the honesty o
those who oppose him. He, having nc
doubt Of the correctness Of his own con
victions, and knowing that he holds then
honestly, finds II hard TO believe that those
whose opinions are directly opposed to hi'
can be perfectly honest in entertaining an(
expressing them.
IL, therefore, We desire thorough umol
and cordial cooperation Of all Democrat
we must forget all causes Of iormcl
arrangement. and. remembering our com
mon interests, exercise towards all other
that charity We desire them 10 exercise 10
wards Us. Interest. duty, and patriotism
call upon us TO unite orr forces, loci
shields, and present an mbroken front t
our common enemy.
one vital question which we are callc,
upon 10 settle is: Shall Virginia De ruled
by vice and ignorance, or by virtue and In
4 IL.