Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1886-04-14

nothing to the Government which throws
Its protecting arms around them. The Sc
| curity of person and property afforded them
is due to the contributions and sacrifices of
Others r,st -
| The only answer ever made to sugges-
| tions of this character is that the taxes
| should be increased. Suppose they are, will
gentlemen who now pay with coupons any
the less pay with coupons then? The bur-
dens on them will be but little augmented,
but they will fall heavily on the great body
of the people. Everyone acquainted with
the present condition of the people knows
well that there cannot for years to come
be any substantial Increase of the present
rate of taxation.
There are So, 996, 242 of past due coupons
outstanding and more than $999, 3S7 worth
annually maturing. The idea of such an
increase of taxation as will meet these de-
mands, and at the same time defray all the
necessary expenses of State and county
government, is in the highest degree ex-
travagant and imprscticable.
Much has been said with respect to the
decisions Of the Supreme Court of the
| United States. We in Virginia are not in
clined to detract III the slightest degree
from the respect due to that exalted tribu-
nal; but we cannot forget that the decision
which stripped Virginia of her sovereignty
guaranteed by the eleventh amendment to
the Constitution was made by majority
of one in court of nine judges. One Of
the most eminent of that court did not hes
itate to say, with the concurrence of three
others, including the Chief Justice, that it
was ''the first time since the eleventh
amendment was adopted in which State
had been coerced by judicial proceedings at
the instance of individuals in the general
courts, and in his opinion none of the suits
could be sustained, for the reason that they
are in substance and effect suits against the
State of Virginia.
What is the real ground of ali this exul-
tation at the defeat of Virginia and the tri-
umph of her creditors before the Federal
courts? 1t is based solely upon the idea
that the patriotism of the people is not
proof against the temptation to use coupons
in payment of taxes; that when few so
pay all the rest will be inclined to initiate
their example, and that thus the sons of
Virginia will be the first to render abortive
all her attempts at settlement of the debt
question
To pay our taxes with money is not only
suggestion of patriotism, but dictate of
the soundest public policy and l earnestly
appeal to the people to stand by their State.
denying patriotism which has made Virgin
ia famous in the annals of the past and her
citizens equal to every combination of Cir
cumstances requiring those virtues and ac-
tions whose only aims are to serve well the
mother Commonwealth.
For these reasons invoke the people to
meet in their accustomed manner in all the
counties, cities, and towns of the State at
their earliest convenient time to give en-
phatic expression to their sentiments and
purposes, that an outspoken declaration of
the public sentiment may visit with its re-
buke those who appeal to the law to enforce
the reception of coupons, whose birth and
original imposition upon Virginia was the
result of fraud, bribery, and corruption.
Given under my hand and the lesser seal
of the Commonwealth, at Richmond, this
5th day of April, 1886, and in the 10th
year of the Commonwealth.
FITZHUGH LEE.
By the Governor
FL. ". Flomnoy,
Secretary OF the Commonwealth.