The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-05-07

We do rot care, at this time, to discuss
the debt question in the light that it is
presented by several Of our Democratic
contemporaries. We presume both parties
will take position in their platforms on the
question and indicate to the public what
they propose to do. 1t will not, however
be inconsistent with this declaration. to
state that this journal does not intend To
enter into any crusade against the courts
OF the creditors. We recognize that the
holders of Virginia securities have rights
as well us the STATE, and that the Courts
could have no other motive than that aris-
ing from duty in passing upon contro-
verted issues affecting the creditors and
the Commonwealth. After dozen years
of controversy and contention, and the
enactment of various measures looking to
al adjustment of the debt difficulties, we
find the State substantially where she was
i'll 1871, after passing through an ordeal of
strife and passion which has evoked infin-
lie harm to our material interests and in
no way contributed to public benefit. We
believe it would be to the interest of the
credi tors to substantially accept the terms
OF the Riddleberger Bill and end the con-
troversy, but we are not prepared to say that
it must be that measure or nothing. That
would present the alternative of outright
repudi alton and with such threat thrown
into the face of the creditors, they would
stand upon the judgment of the Court,
and test the question whether the decree
of the highest judicial tribunal of the
land was simply sounding brass and tink-
ling cymbal." It's no time for fierce de-
nunciation and extreme suggestions not
founded either in public morality or public
policy. The people Of. Virginia want to
do right, and we not do believe they can be
tantalized into the adoption of any meas
ure that would carry on its face the evil
dence of wrong. They are the victims of
incompetent, if not corrupt legislation,
| and with this fact demonstrated, a sense of
justice on the part of those who may be
the innocent bene6ciaries of it, should
influence them to consider the equities of
| the case.
We have the anomalous fact before us
that the political organization which de-
noanced the Riddleberger settlement as
highway robbery and educated the peo-
pie of other States and countries to believe
that the party which enacted it was
combination of 'rogues and swinders. y
is now yociferous in their denunciation of
those who have learned of their counsel
and accepted their judgment No epithet
is too severe for their use in designating
those who appealed to the courts and won
stopping not at the court itself They
seem to be oblivious of the, pastj and the
the part they have played in the debt con-
troversy. and are now only ambitious to be
recognized as the patrons and cham
pions of that which they had so merciless-
lessly arraigned. 1t is device to retain
power regardless of the cost, but the peo-
pie will remember them-the legislation of
1884 which precipitated the present COM
plications and trouble, and be careful to
weigh the eXtravagant protestations which
now are flooded before the country, and
determine what they are worth