Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-03-09
To the Editors Of tie Sfaunton Spectator.

10 the Editors Of the !Siaunton Spectator.
have thought that as the Anti. Van Bu-
rem candidate for Congress, Mr.. Johnston.
Is not personally acquainted with MANY OF
the Voters of Augusta, il might he of some
benefit to him, and the cause he supports. 10
say word or two 70 your readers in refer
ence IL him.
MIR. Johnston has resided in Bo;e;ourt
Goun'y lot many years. He is a lawyer of
high standing a, the bar of this, and some of
The counties in the South West. cccunyinp
as prominent position as that attained by
any lawyer In the State OF his age. He is
young; perhaps not older than thirty wears:
Q, ms hablis OF constant, thought pnd rigid
appiIcalion, united Ia a mind of extraordina-
ny native acuteness and vigor, have supplied
The want Of long experience, and given Ia
The decisions OF his judgment the impress and
value OF correct thought Few men possess
as mnch effective eloqucnce as Mr. Johnston.
Ii!s 9'o9ucnce is the promptings Of :. strong
mind appealing 20 the common sense OF bjs
readers, and 10 the feelings and passions
which reason and truth awaken. His is not
that gaudy school-boy iinsei which yapid de-
Chalmers pour into the vcxed ear OF their
hearers, and whic h neither touches the EEL
ihSs nor convInces the judgment: His tnstc
ana Judgment are not SO puerile as 10 prei.r
Inc hiiIliancy of the has! to the destructive
ness OF The fire. have listened 10 but few
men whose speeches so much admire. His
language IS always chaste, ant, his manner
always interesting. He is nervous and i'm
pfessl'e IN h's d.c'ion, never throwing awpy
us Wofos in unmean!ng Pomposity, nor yet
leaving, 10y an ALLEGATION of sen,eni: .vsuess.
his meaning doubtful or obscure. Asauop.
u'ar speaker, lie las 40 superior, or but lew
IN The district. His distinction in great
degree proceeds from the easy and graceful
simplicity OF his style Of oratory, his s;rrirh,.
forward dIrecIness cf argument, and (whst
constitutes his grea!es. cHcc.isncel a sifonG
and masculine common seLSa, " ich finds ia
way at Gree 10 the con viclions of lis hearers
ana winch no InFicacy can pe,plex, and no
sePhisiTy safi'e. Tie advantage Of this
great inenta! quality IS no, sufficiently un-
deis'ood and il is but seldom encountered
we, we see every day men Of ssnius,-persops
who write rhymes, and siTicr together ex
'ravasani hgulcs Of speech, W. ilh a sonorous
sou"d-whose aim seems 10 be TO see how
much tru'h can be ovoi;ictf and nonsense said
IN gwen number Of lines; bal how seldom
Is IL that we meet with ore ,aGn of req! prac>
iicai 'nind-of strong common sense! And
YET these are The only men who c.n safely he
depended on IN any pursuit that requires The
exercise OF Tie better and nob!er faculties of
lie mihd and what science So E,uch De.
mands The emfloymen. of these faculties az
The science OF Legislation
But great as are Edward !ohns.on's ia
iehts-exalted as are his mental Qualifications
for trnst anf honor-tbese are nothing. in
The estimation Of his friends, in comparison
with his moral qualities However much
his trends may admire him,-much more do
they tote him. And no wonder They see
in hin man OF a ig!,. souled and chiyaIric
honor: They see III him 1t man oe he stern
es! integrity and The s..ust incorruutible bcr.
2siy; and WHO is generous in though, and
word and deed whose friendship can be re.
liea "pon IN every trial il can undergo whose
Woi,i' and Kindness ate unsurpassed Nor
10 he wanting 10 the sterncr and rDaniicr traits
OF character. No ore has firne. spirit
no one cooler or more determined courage.
-aye5-'"d the best kind of courage ;Ist
man can have-ihe couragc-againsl all op-
againslal! mpiaiion-agains,
Iudice-agains! nterest-AGAINsT PARTY
no SPEAK TIE Truth AND DO THE
RIGHT! He has the soul Of a freeman, and
no party associations, or hopes or fears, could
degrade him 10 - parlizar. lie toW DO as he
thinks right "uncaring consequences"
This char coal sketch OF lie character OF
Mr. Johnston is drawn for tbs eyes Of a
people, who, The writer has bad an opportu.
My OF Know ing, can appreciate The qualities
which form the stamina Of that gentieman's
mind and heart.
Que word TO them before he quits ,hes.
hurried remarks, The people Of Augusta
are looked TO as the principal supporters of
the Congressional Anti. Van Buren, candi.
date. II Augusta chooses she can elect MIR.
Johnston, in all human probability. IL 10
highly important that she should do this.
The times are growing so :roublous-ibe
dangers TO our political system are croxdjne
around us with such dreadful rapidly add
with such fearful augury, that il is necesss-
~ every good sentinel that Can be ssiocsod.
should he placed in The sentry sc:s This ia
no time tor iissIessnesS--is Is 40 season for