Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1886-05-28
A PROCLAMATION OF OUTLAWRY.

1t was but yesterday, when with
pomp and pride of chivalry age,
banners were raised, and the fields
OF Virginia were the camping
grounds OF a host who claimed the
divine right Of "the best people" to
have in charge the honor Of the
commonwealth. Whether through
maiorities or minoritieS, whether
by right or by might, the honor of
the state required thata Lee should
be made its governor, and the an
cient order should be restored. 1t
was but yesterday when Fitz. Lee
was applauded in a presidential
procession, and when the solmnl-
ties of nations funeral march
were broken by a cheer as he
passed. The representative of his
party in state and nation he has
compromised it to the last degree.
-Four years ago the Readuster
party proposed new terms OF settle
ment OF the public debt. They pro
posed a reduction of principal ana
interest and IN other respects IN the
funding act of 1871. For reducing
interest the claim was that the state
was unable to pay more. 1t was not
an unusual proposition for a state
to make. 1t was coupled with no
threat, and yet the Readjusters ana
their Republican allies were de-
nounced regulators by Gen. Fitz.
Lee and his Democratic brethren.
4 few short months have passed
and violent attempts have been
squelched by the Supreme Court OF
the United States.
In the impotence of wrath the
governor makes a proclamation
which is long and thin.
1t fills three columns and contains
two sentences.
The first il, ~ invoke the people
to meet in their accustomed man.
ner in all the counties, cities, ana
towns at the earliest convenient
time to give expression TO their
sentiments and purposes, that an
outspoken expression may visit
with its rebuke those who appeal
to the law" The second is a dl.
rect chs rye of bribery, fraud, and
corruption upon honOred citizens
of the state. Whatever the wrong
resulting from the hasty legislation
Of 1871, the legislature was a body
of distinguished men. The acts
were passed by the votes OF men,
many now in their graves, who have
q high and honorable place in his
tory and yet to-day they are pro
claimed as guilty of"fraud, bribery,
and corruptiOn.' They are not
named, no reward is offered for
their arrest, but the damning char
acter of an accusation that Will last
while the archives remain they are
charged with felony.
How fast the spirit of the tyrant
rises. Yesterday it was a crime TO
cast an independent vote ; to-day
it is an offense to enter the courts.
A man held the bond of Virginia
for $4,000. He surrendered one
third in consideration of getting
coupons that should be receivable
for taxes. To-day he offers to pay
his taxes with them and is pro-
claimed an outlaw. We are not
discussing the debt question. We
are listening to a proclamation.
Six months ago a Democratic
convention resolved that the con-
sideration of a decision of the Su-
preme Court had become a question
of state sovereignty! To-day a
Democratic governor says it shall
be submitted to a mob, and to that
mob he appeals in words that have
to them a deep meaning, to bring
all that terrorism it used so efiec-
lively against the public creditors.
National Republican.