New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-04-23
VHAT WILL THEY Dor

For years the B0urO0nS nave Deeh DcIdtihS
the Republican party because it became i'm
plcated in reputation, they said, by welcoming
the assistance of General Malone against
Bourbon Democracy. The Bourbons were alto
gether more regulators than Malone and his
followers, and this was proved, If proof were
needed by tho fact that the second aud worst
of the acts now declared unconstitutional and
void by the Supreme Court. that of March IL,
1884 was passed by Legislature in which the
Bourbon Democrats had n two-thirds majority
in the House, and 25 out of the 40 Senators.
AS between the Bourbons and the Mahoneites,
the Republicans could find no ground for pre-
ferring the former on the debt question, while
on every other matter, and particularly as to
freedom and honesty of elections, General
Malone and his followers were in the right and
aided Republican views with great power.
But now let us see what tho Bourbons and the
Democratic Administration propose to do
about the decision of the Supreme Court. DO
the Bourbons now mean to pay the debt I If so.
they have been completely regenerated within
year. Will the Administration aid and coun-
tenance debt-payers ONLY II so, it will hence
forth refuse to recognize as decent Democrats
or honest men the Bourbons of Virginia, whose
latest repudlating devices have been the
meanest as well as the most dishonest yet
adopted in any State. The decision of the
Supreme Court is challenge to these people,
and they cannot skulk any longer. If the
Bourbons conduct their campaign in Virginia as
honest and straightforward debt-payers, they
will deserve a respect to which they have never
| yet had the slightesC claim. Does anybody i'm
agine that they will Already dispatches an
nounce that they are going 10 resist the pay
ment of the debt by every means in their power.
| They have the Legislature, and count upon the
tacit support, at least. of the Administration at
| Washington. Attorney General Garland, only
| few weeks ago, made the principal argument
| on behalf of reputation by Virginia before the
| Supreme Court Notwithstanding the statement
| i'm The Herald, March ~, that it was doubtful
how he could properly appear for Virginia be-
cause the United States held in the Indian trust
| fund $3.50 900 of the bonds of thai State, and,
| it was believed, a large amount of the coupons
which the State endeavors to repudiate."
Nevertheless, Mr. Garland appeared; argued
| that the United States had no power in the mat
| ter, and could not "appoint receiver Tor the
| State" and turning to Senator Evarts and
other counsel for the creditors he said: You
may get your judgment, but you cannot seize
@Virginias property and sell it at public auc
ton TO pay your debt" The court has given
| the Judgment, and now we shall see whether,
under Mr.. Garland's advice, the Virginia Bour-
bons will defy it.
| President Cleveland cannot be neutral in
| this matter His influence Must be felt, whether
| he desires it or not, either for or against re-
pudiation. If he does nothing and says moth
| ing, the position of his Attorney General will
| eifectuaiy commit the Administration to the
| rabid States rights doctrines of his argument
before the Supreme Court. If, on the other
hand. Mr. Cleveland wishes to pass in New
| York as a defender of public faith and a debt
| payer, he will be obliged to refuse any counte-
nance or consideration to the repudiating BOur-
| bons of Virginia. He cannot straddle this
fence and take sides with his States rights At
| torney General in Virginia, and with Senator
| Evarts in New-Y0rk he cannot honor and re-
ward by Federal Office men who are engaged in
| Virginia in defying the Constitution of the
United States, and resisting the decisions of the
Supreme Court, and at the same time profess
| at the North to be engaged in faithful en-
forcement of the laws. Either those who defy
the authority of the United States are his
enemies, or they are not. He will prove which
they are, f he appoints any of them to office.
| Attorney General Garland, putting into the
mouth of Virginia the insolent question of
| Tweed, what are you going to do about il"
is about as much of State rights defiance and
reputation as one Administration can afford.
|