Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-03-09
To The Editors of The SPECTATOR

The approaching Congressional election
requires the people of this district Ia dis
charge most important political duty one
deeply interesting to themselves and their
country 4; duty at all times of the gravest
character, hut in the present state of our pub
Inc affairs demanding the utmost vigilance
and circumspec,ion. The signs OF the times
indicate that great crisis is at hand, nvolv-
ing mol only The happiness, but the safety Of
the nation. A general feeling Of insecurity
prevails, the most anxious forehod,ngs dis
turb many OF our wisest and best citizens,
and the public mind is maniiestly in a state
OF momentous excitement and agitation
Great questions have arisen, not merely of
exPediency and pulley, blu, embracing the
fundamental principles OF our government,
The buiwarks OF constitutional liberty, and
the existence ofthe Union. Ii is not my OBJ
Ject to descant upon this subject, To invests
gate the sources of the evils and dangers TO
which We are exposed, or 10 poin, out the
measures OF redress and preCaution which
the interests and safety Of the people de- e,and.
AL must concur III the opinion, that the ne
cessity Of electing able and faithful represen, :
tatives increases with the importance and DIFF.
hculty OF the business confded to their care
and discretion. Will not the voters Of the
district take this matter into serious ctalside-
ration, and ponder well upon the discharge of
the sacred trust committed to them by the
constitution: Is not this a period al which
they should endeavour to throw aside all par
ty prejudices, and investigate calmly and
carefully the qualifications OF those whs soli-
cit their suffrages?
With the view of inviting the proposed
examination, will say few words in rela
ton 20 the pretensions of Edward Johnston.
Esq. OF Bctetourt, W no has recently been an.
nounced as candidate. This gentleman is
as yet but little known 10 the people of Au-
gusta, with whom circumstances have not
heretofore brought him into either social or
political intercourse. 1t is, therefore, the
more proper that they should be informe d OF
his standing in his own county and elsewhere
with men of worth and intelligence, who have
enjoyed the pleasure Of his acquaintance.
Nj. Johnston is lawyer Of high reputation
and extensive practice in the courts which
he has heen in the habit of attending He
is distinguished as "a lucid, forcibIe and elo-
quent speaker; aud for the promptitude, ar
dour and perseverance with which he dis.
Charges all his professional duties. Tia, he
has vigorous and comprehensive intellect,
well disciplined and improved by study, re-
Election and experience, no one will question
who has witnessed the exertion Of his talents
MUS. "ot, however, IN our estimate OF
his qualifications, lose sight Of that moral
excellence which should always form the ba
sis OF the confidence bestowed by the people
upon their public servants. And here also,
l am happy 10 say, there is no room for diff
terence OF opinion. AS an upright, virtuous
imam, without the slightest stain or bIemisb
In his character, Mr.. Johnston nigh, defy
the malice OF his enemies, il any he has. 1t
is believed, however, that he has none. HIS
amiabis manners, modes! department and
bIameless bfe, inf1ct no wounds upon the
feelings Of others; and give occasion for no
other sentiments than those of kindness and
respect.
In what have said upon this interesting
and important question, am influenced by
no party motive or individual prejudice; but
simply by sense of justice and of duty to
the public. A VOTER.