Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-05-16
THURSDAY, MAY 16, 1899.
TO THE POLLS TO THE POLLS

This day week, the elections for MEM
bers of the State Legislature and Of Con.
gress come on throughout the common
wealth, and every where The finest spi.
rit seems to prevail among the oppo.
nents of Executive misrule. dictation,
and corruption, A signal route Of the
monocrats-as MIR. Jefferson has named
the supporters Of Executive suprema-
cy.'-is confidently expected in Virgil
MIA. Here, in Augusta, however, we
feel 60 strong in ourselves. having so lit
tie OF internal opposition, that we do not
think it incumbent on US TO put forth
our strength. There is no excitement
among us, and but little TO indicate the
approach ofan election. or a proper con-
seriousness OF the high and important du.
ty which we ore called on to discharge
to our country. Although the circum
stances in which we are placed, may
appear to furnish some excuse for this ap.
aihy-our overwhelming Wing strength,
and the fact that in our County and
Senatorial elections we have none but
good Wings in the field -neverthe-
less the case is far otherwise in the mos.
important question which comes before
us-the election Of a member Of Con.
gress. 1t is in the Federal branch of our
Government that the crying abuses, OF
which the whole country complains,
exis:-and il is there the remedy must
be applied. The late representative Of
the district Of which we most unnaturaIly
form part, has hitherto sustained those
abuses, and he now presents himself for
reelection and approval of his course
Are you prepared TO give this sanction
to the principles he has sustained, and
the abuses he has tolerated, We know
you are not. Then why not give them
your indignant rebuke at the polls' If
there were no hope of the election of
MIR. MOORE, this would be the plain
dictate of duty-for by failing to vote
you tacitly acquiesce in those abuses.
Shall we, then, still fold our arms in
seeming Indifference to those high han
ded acts of Executive usurpa:ion and off.
cial prostitution, which have aroused the
Jealousy and alarm Of the whole country
for the safety of popular rights? Can
we consent, for moment, to occupy .
position so doubtful, so degrading, in the
eyes Of our countrvmen We do hope
we shall not be found SO uni ust to our
selves-so recreant to duty. But it is
not altogether hopeless contest which
we are waging in our district. 1t is the
confident opinion Of many persons, well
informed as 10 the state Of the canvass
in the upper counties, tina. Mr.. Moore
can be elected. it Augusta will put forth
her strength. Shall we not, then. fell
1ow>citizens, exert ourselves Where
is the man among us, who, at such cri-
els, would be found delinquent so
poor in spirit that he will not devote one
day to the service of his country We
put it to the conscience of every Wing
20 the county, to say, whether any trihe
can suffice 10 excuse his failure to vote,
under such circumstances. To the
polls, then, to the polls-and if victory
shall be impossible-if we shall not be
able to arrest the downward course OF
our country's fortunes-we, at least, will
have the consolatory reflection that we
have done our duty