Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1837-04-27
A VIRGINIAN.
For the Staunfon Spectator.
WHO ARE THE TORS,

PROUD oi their intelligence and ancient in
dependence, TO suffer themselves 10 be dic,a,.
ed To 10y any, and will doubtless spurn with
methen indignation any attempt TO interfere
with that perfect freedom OF elections, which
TINS county has heretofore enjoyed in a most
eminent degree
But " no ,Ueuld be DIcrAToRss That is
question in which the people are deeply in
teresied-and " hich il is my purpose 10 con-
sider, not with reference 10 bold charges, and
The empty defamation of interested pulit-
Clans But with reference 10 facts, now
transporting before the eyes of the county
facts which ought to be noted, and which no
doubt piH be noted, by an ohservant people
he county of Augusta hitherto, has held
proud pre- eminence over her sister counties
Of the state, in regard t" all matters touch
ing elections. Here they have been emphat-
icaiiy free, while almost every where else a
system oil electioneering has been carried on
disgraceiul alike 10 the candidate and the
people.-Riding around the county, seeing
and soliciting the voters, trealing-every
thing nut open bribery, enters into the can
vass Of many other countless 10 such a dec rec
that while every independent, voter should
feel Insuited 10 have his vote thus sought af-
Ter, all men who from their high moral char
acler, independent feeling, and business hab>
us, deserve 10 be trusted, are driven from
the contest, 10 make way for noisy declam-
efs, aad heariless demagogues men who
ale wiling To- be the Slaves rather than the
SERVANTS OF The peopIe--in order TO obtain
Office and money who care not a Conner for
The Pu6tc veal, If their pripaie aspirations
may be realized. Nor is this course of So
iiciiali"n OF the voters, generally confined TO
Inc candidates hemseives-1heir friends too,
unite IN the hustle, and The whole county is
up'orn by The rooisas il were, al every spring
election. And what is the plain English of
all this fellow. citizens? Why either. thai the
people are unable Ia make IA proper selection
unless aided by Interested candidates. and
Their often selfish hiends-Or that some aspi
rant 1, seeking office, whuse acts of public
penehCence have not made him sufficiently
notorious, and who seeks 10 become known,
NOT ny acts, but by professions, made under
most questionable circumstances, in the very
same breath, in which favour is asked
Against the very beginning of such an inno-
Walton upon our ancient customs IL becomes
the people to oppose their decided disappro
baton. Bear with the monster but a little
/ while, and IN his most winning form, and
soon lac stalks in hideous deiormity among
you, uncontrolled, and trampling in The dust
your dearest rights
Is not such a course The very essence Of
any man dictates the manner in which he
Shall exercise the proudesi privilege OF Iree-
dom! And ye, fellow-citizens, do not many
oil those who are crying "Slaunton dictatioD"
at The Top oil their voices-attempt TO dictate
TO you The course you shall persue at the COM
ing election! Yes, some OF them, beardless
/ ooys-take by the button hole citizens old
enough TO he their fathers, and wise enoup b
to DE their Mentors, and say TO them in sub
stance-"G Gentlemen, you have been Tools s.
dupes all your liyes-The town OF Slaunton
has been whipping you with scorpions, and
you had not sense enough TO find il out, till
my wisdom detected your wounds, aud point
ell out the hand that inflicted them. NV pug
nose has scented "fhe tainted breeze of die
ta'Ion, and now pray give my friend good
Fat Office, as reward for the discovery
The writer of this, is far lru m Directing 10
free and full discussion among The neopIe, of
public men and public sures.-Such dis.
cussIon fairly conducted is not only proper
out necessary for the preservation Of liberty.
lie does, however, from his soul, abhor the
petty and disgraCeiul eleCtoneering TO which
he has alluded. Riding about sleeping
with voters who were prob ably never cared
for before-taking the vote on muster
grounds TO the tap of the drum, " here one of
The candIdatesis militia endeavour-
ing, ey all means, 10 carry The election, moi
according 10 The merit OF the candidates or
The reason of the voters, but by local feeling
and groundlesS prejudice Encourage these
courtes, and men 81 business, talents and in.
tegrIIy, must soon give way TO demagogues
Have The town candidates or their friends
atten pied such dicfalion? Have they left
lhelr homes Tor distant parts Of The county
avowedIy To see and solicit The people? Have
they raised false issues and endeav OuTed TO
excite local prejudice against their cOmpeti
tors! No. One OF them was engaged in the
public service in Richmond, during the
greater part OF The canvass, and since, has
been generally employ ed in other counties,
IN professional Understanding and moi
without good reason, 10 the magninimity OF
The county, and their knowledge of bis mer-
ITS, he viii not even be here al the election
nor should II be necessary so long as the peo-
pie are free, TOR the Candidate TO be presen:
"n the hustings. Against him, il is under>
stood since he left curious charge has been
made, 10y some Of The consistent, anti dicta-
ton gentry. IL has really been alleged
gdlnst bm as crime, that he sustained and
voted Tor The bill, which humanely gave TO the
poor lnsolVeni, free from the grip of his cred
Itor, bed for his wife, and Starving children
to die upon. Oh dreadful sin objectionable
toy the Shyloc6S Of The land-but which
should erect Tor lis perpetrators temple Of
worship IN the hearts ofall good and humane
men. DO the friends of Col McCue. who
oppose Mr. Stuart on The ground of that vote
intend that hIcCue is hostile TO that law?-II|
they do, and will run him on that ground. be
II SU-ibey have The right But LEI Them &
him ayOw It-aUd let the peotle kno,v who