Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1886-12-20
.COMMUNICATED.
Let RS fix up our Political Fences


Let RS fix up our Political Fences.
His excelency, Virgira's worthy Cover
nor, has recently adnonished US ito look TO
our fences" The gap most DANG erous to
democratic supremacy in Virginia. WINS
made, in our opinion, not by "Ceveland's
mugwumpery," but by the confusion ana
distrust caused by the caaseless coupon can.
nonading. After some OF the earlier daci.
sons of the United States Supreme Court
and after the adoption of the "I,ynchburp
platform" framed, as believed, in perfect
accord with those decisions, the political
outlook was hopeful. The debt question:
was believed by many to be thing of the
past lilusory hopes. We confront to dav
opposers of "the Riddlebesger settlement
Dotn forelg n and domestic, flushed with cou.
pom victories, having trampled under foot
Virginia's laws and declared her off;ca,e
obeyiDg her behests, trcsyassers. This NC,
compIished by the decisions of courts whose
dlcta we must obey. Call it judicial usur
patton" or Rump decision, it is neyerthe-
less ldr. -Four millions Of tax receivable
coupons past due, and about one hundred
and thirty thousand doilars of British poldn
recently levied, to be used in encouraging
the use of these coupons.
Gloomy Christmas for the Virginia farmer
with Vlrg!nia's finances in such precarious
condition, and agricultural products at such
prices that the question was asked at a re
cent mseting of an agricultural club docs
1t pay to raise anythingn? Gloomy forbod
ings and political Nightmares harass us.
when the only barriers we see opposed to
the creditors demands arc touching appeals
to Vlrgina's patriotism, and threats as to
what Virginia will do if they eraspcratc her
people. Appeals. however pathetic, will
not settle States debt and threats have but
little weight III this last quarter of the nine
teenth century. Firginiu's patient yeoman-
ry demand acts not threats. If Virginia
has reserved e1pedients, why are they not
ordered to the front :?
Gov. Lee knows the condition of our fence.
Wlll he take the initiative in repairing it?
Democratic harmony is necessary to demo.
cratic supremacy. Let us eliminate the
vexing question by settling it. There are
two ways proposed to settle it-oue bv
bringing to bear 'thoae powers OF State SOW
ereignty yet untried )" the other by ac
cepting the proposition of the bond-holders.
which, they sag, they will propose Let us
bring these propositions before our Lessla-
ture while it is yet democratic. If the time
for electing a new Legislature finds Virginia
still in this "slough of despond" Gov. Lees
fears will be realized. We stand suuareiy
by the former alternative, and insist that
Virginia can obey the Supreme Courts die
ton and yet control this cut .w0yn Of the
treasury. The tax.receivable coupons must
be received for taxes. Let US do this with
out question, but let Us raise our taxes to
such an amount that after re6utc ia allow.
ed for cash sufficient to reduce actual OUTLAY
to present rates, that it would pay the cou.
pom holders better TO fund in Riddleberger's
than to use them OrtaXes. Name Jan. !, 1855.
after which funding under the Riddleberger
bill shall cease, ard extend rebate 10 bills
when cash is collected by levy and sale.
Repeal all acts heretofore passed con.
tllcting with United States decisions.
| Would it stand the courts? The right to
Tx the rate of taxes is unquestionet,. The
right to offer premium for cash before tax
bills are due seems to be clearly within the
power Of cur Legislature Would the
same power extend to bills after maturity :?
How would they frame case to lug Eir-
gipa into court? There would be no cou.
pom leVies no trespassing. We would in
struct our treasurers to receive coupons at
their face values. Could their holders ask
for more? We disagree on many
points, but cannot we agree in urging upon
our Governor an early session of the Legis
lature, and settle this thing either on our
terms or your terms, or in some way, so
the next battle may not find democrats
lighting democrats, the Alexandria GAZETTE
hrinS into the Richmond Dispatch but may
lind us all 10 line, VIM. L. Royal, Col. Ruff
lilo, Judge Stuart, John M. Johnson, Major
Scott and Mr.. Davies all in loving demo.
cratic embrace, bsking in the benignant
smill of Our Fitz," as he proclaims, "Our
fences are all right" RoBT. II. TYLER.
Hickory Grove, Dec. is.