The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1886-10-28

Yet in the face Of these facts, some of
the democratic papers are trying to delude
the people with the assertion that the
State won great victory" in the trial
of these cases. What insolence and de-
ception!
The following is Mr. Cooper's introduc-
tion to the figures we give above. We
publish it as an act of fairness to Mr..
Cooper. who holds large interests i'll Vir-
ginia bonds, acquired years before the
debt agitation commenced. but who has
been numerically assaulted because he
has come here to look after these interests.
Placed in advance of the paragraphs
above, it completes Mr.. Cooper's defence,
as he gave it to the Dispatch:
"In your issue of this morning you have an
editorial reference to the fact that am here
been startled at the result Of the trials
In the coupon cases which have just been
decided in the United states Circuit Court.
You also add that have no doubt before now
reached the conclusion that there is 10 money
for the bondholders in these suits. AS you
have thus prominently brought me before the
people of Virginia, trust you will allow space
In which to make short statement of the Sit
Il do not belong to the class of virginia's
creditors to which the Dispatch and other
Virginia papers habitCally refer as Shylocks
have never met an English bondholder of
this type, nor do believe that any such exists
The bonds of the State of Virginia which own
were purchased for me years ago on the faith
of Virginia's high credit. with the expectation
that the promises she made when she issued
them would be faithfully fulfilled. If now
submit to the settlement which the author
tiles Of the State demand, the principal of my
property will be reduced one-haf and the an
nual interest nearly three-fourths. whilst the
tax-receivability of the coupons of my bonds.
which is the one thing that makes the latter of
value, Will be taken from me. l appeal to every
right-thinking Virginian. whatever his politi-
way to treat those who have already twice ac-
cepted reduction of their claims and are
willing even now to meet the state fairly and
accept whatever the State can fairly pay. The
argument that a political party in Virginia has
made up its mind for party reasons. not to pay
the States just debt or even to listen to pro-
posals for O. reasonable settlement based ON
her ability to discharge her obligations scarcely
sees the treasury of the State full to overflow
ing, whilst he and his family have to submit to
privation in consequence OF the acts OF those
who few years ago repudiated with horror
the bondholders of their rights.
Now, in respect to the litigation which has
been going on in the courts, you must bear in
mind that this litigation has not been forced
forced on the bondholders by the State. The
State agreed with them, when they surren-
dered one-third of their claims in 1871, that
they should have the privilege Of instituting
at any time some new political party should
fail to accord them. There is surely no appro-
brium to be cast upon me and my fellow bond
in the courts Of rights which the State prom
Used we should have, and which she has forced
us into litigation to secure.