Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-02-07
No Panic. yirgtnians!
|, the Editor of The Dispatch /.

a Federal Cabinet officer.
No Panic. Virginians!
To the Editor of The Dispatch:
The recent decision Of the Supreme
Court of the United States on the cou-
pom cases is not altogether a surprise
TO us. We have long ago warned the
people Of the danger that was imminent
TO the State unless all good citizens
would refrain from rendering cou-
pons in payment of taxes, and
The decision Of this question on
Monday last must now awaken the
keenest anxieties Of every taxpayer.
The strangest part Of this whole mat
ter is the anxiety or willingness Of the
United States court to support the
Malone legislation to reduce and re-
pudiate a large part of Virginia's in
debtedness when Republicanism held
control of this State, and the extraor-
binary efforts that seem to be made to
sustain the Riddleberger bill passed for
that purpose. But now when the
Democratic party legislates in the same
direction, with the same objects in
view, it is all wrong and unconstitu-
tional. Is not this enough to touch the
pride of every true Virginian and
nerve him to duty fully in this emer-
gency> There need be no panic about
this matter. Surely the patriotism OF
our people, that has stood firmly in the
past, in the days that tried mems
souls, when the shock Of war fell
upon our State like very begOm
of destruction, surely such patriotism
is not quenched forever and the memory
of our gallant brave forgotten entirely.
No, no, this cannot be and if we are
correct in this thought then the danger
is not imminent nor desperate, if our
people will only protect themselves IN
this emergency. All the decisions ofthe
United States courts from now until
the crack Of doom will not put one
coupon in the Treasury Of our State II
the people Of Virginia will let them
alone. There is no obligation on them
to buy the coupons. 1t seems to US
there is a most imperative obligation
on each citizen not to buy them at all.
We cannot discuss these obligations
fully now. Our main object Is to re-
iterate the harmlessness Of the coupon,
its innocence and insignifcancc if LETT
in the hands of the bOndhOlderS
and brokers. 1t is only when the tax
payer touches them they show venom.
For this reason let Nirginians shun
them as they would evil.
But a temporary advantage may be
gained, think some. Temporary it will
surely he, for if everybody pay in
coupons the taxes of the State must be
aised as certainly as night follows day.
Where, then, will be the advantage to
anybody? But there are a select few
that insist that they should pay their
taxes in coupons for various good rea-
sons. We would argue with such peo-
pie in kindness, not in malice, to show
them that they should not do anything
to iniure the prosperity of their State
by reOpening this fearful question, as
it may do if they pay taxes in coupons.
We would appeal to them to treat with
regard and respect the opinions OF a
large majority Of their fellow-citizens
who have spoken so often in public as
semblies on this matter, as well as
through the legislative halls of the
State; and if these appeals be not
needed we would appeal to them
through the voice Of equity and fair
play not to take advantage of their
fellow-citizens who are already paying
taxes in money because they feel that
it is their duty to do so to protect the
State against insolvency. The schools
and asylums, and courts, and public in
stitutions OF the State must be pro-
yided for, and the man that pays taxes
in coupons forgets that we have made
no provision for his speculation in the
State S embarrassments-none.
1t does seem a small thing Tor men
to do to force upon the State the depre-
ciated coupon to save twenty or hum
bred dollars, when such men as James
b. Pace. Franklin Stearns, Isaac
Davenport, John p. Branch, JO-eph X.
Anderson, Robert Blankenship, W. l..
Cowardin, A. Y. Cannon. Colonel Bu-
ford, John Il. Cary, and Mr.. Swine
ford two last Insurance agents. and
, many other large taxpayers OF Rich
, mond and other cities are paying their
: thousands into the Treasury in money,
| because they ieel the necessity and OBJ
legation upon them to do so for the
> protection Of their State government.
We know these gentlemen will feel sur,
= prised at seeing their names in print
but their patriotic actions, long since
t known to the writer, who has con-
: yersed with them on the subject, should
r now be told to the public, in our opin'
ion. in order that others may know that
t patriotism ishot forgotten nor the serious
= embanassments Of their State disregard
1 ed. The time may come, and we trustiti:
nigh, when their unselfish deeds may
( mose others to follow their noble eX'
S ample and the time may come wher
e those who turn a deaf ear to country
r now may be remembered regretfully
' by their iellow-citizens when the rol
, shall be called for political prefermen
: hereafter. We make no threats our
4 selves. We urge in kindness and ap
G | peal in friendship to all those who hav'
= used coupons in the past to desist il
the future; and we remind them fra
n ternally that the great farming inter
ests of this State are now paying take
in money, while a few only of the citi
2 zens of the cities are paying in cou
4 pors. Shall this injury to Virginia an
4 injustice to others be longer continued
e CAROLINE.