Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-09-03
THURSDAY, SEpr'R. 3, 1910.
THE CANVASS.

we understand from gentlemen who were
present that there was quite an animated dis
cussion at New Hope on Wednesday OF last
week. Notice had been given days before
hand, that Mr.. Smith would address the poo-
pie at that time, and there was very full at
tendance of the neighborhood. The three
Democratic orators, Messrs. Smith, Randolph
and Letcher, were all on the ground, and
Messrs. Niche and Stuart on behalf of the
Wings. The discussion was opened by Mr.
Randolph, who made an ingenious defence of
the Administration against the charge of ex-
tfavagance. lie was followed by Mr.. Stuart,
who effectually demolished the premises of
his antagonist, and showed that the results at
tanned by the gentleman's rhetorical arithmc-
tic would not stand the test Of Cocker and
Pike. He proved, by the record, that Mr..
Van Buren, had on hand, when he came into
Office, upwards of twenty-three millions of
do'lars-and that he had not only spent all
that, and all the accruing revenues, but had
run the country in debtsomothing over twelve
millions besides! Mr.. Letcher spoke next.
We understand he made no attempt to extri-
cate his friend from his difficulties, or even to
palliatc his overwhelming discontinue. He
joined issue, however, with Mr.. Stuart. on
some other points. He contendcd, among 9th
or things, that IT was not Democratic doc
trine that Federal officers should abstain from
interference Unpopular elections. Mr.. Stuart
had referred to JefIerson's circular. Mr..
Niche followed, and when he came to that
point, he said he would not pretend to argue
lt-There was high authority on both sides
Thomas Jefferson on the one hand, and John
Letcher on the other-and the people mus,
decide between them. MIR. Smith came next
We are pleased to hear that he said NOTHING
about selling white men for debt, petticoats
aboiitlonlsm, &c. which he had induced in
so freely at the Courthouse. Before he had
got through, Mr.. Moore appeared on the
ground, and was strongly pressed to speak,
At length he consented, remarking that he
was there by accident-that he had not cx-
pected to make speech; but as there was an
odd man in the reel, three on one side and
/ two on the other, he would take hand, and
set to ms partner. Soon after he commenced
Mr.. Smith asked to be excused from remain
ing; stating that he was unwell. Mr.. Moore
urged him to stay, reminding him that he had
excused him the evening before. But it was
to no purpose-go he would, and go he die
and in little while the whole party fol
lowed.
We understand there is an impression a
broad that Mr.. Moore was at New Hope b,
arrangement. Why this should be thought
we cannot conceive. Certainly he had ;
right to be there, if he chose, and there wa
no need of pretext or apology. The truth is
Mr.. Moore left Stanton for Charlottesville,
that morning, but hearing on the way that HI
would fail in his business, he turned
back, and directed his course across the conn
try to Rockingham. We believe the part,
are very much embittcrcd against Mr.. Moore
and especially for his interrogations of Mr.
Smith at the Courthouse, on the subject o
the Government contracts.
IVA very able speech, we learn, wa