Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-11-26
From the National Infeliseneer.
'TRUTH is STRANGER THAN FIG
TIONo

g. |
TlON."
One of the most amusing passages in
"lUoDLiBEr" is the account of the course
pursued by Eliphalet Fox, the organ of the
"Democratic parity" towards the two rival
candidates, Fog and Flag, of the same party,
Tor election to the State Legislature. Fox's
abuse OF Fog, while Flag seemed likely to
succeed-the same editors glowing eulogy
on Fog when elected-and his contemptuous
notice oithc discounted Flag, have been ad-
ra'red by every reader as witty and racy fic-
tons. And so they are. But, said Lord
BYRON, "Truth is stranger than Fiction."-
MIR. Fox, the imaginary Editor Of the Quodli-
bet Whole Hog, is surpassed in the effron-
terry of his tergiversations by some real "flcsh
and bones" Editors. Witness the comments
of MIR. Thomas RIrcHIE OH the Treasury
project, made before and after President VAN
BuREN's orders commanding the faithful to
support it succeeded in forcing it upon the
country.
In the Richmond Enquirer of September S,
1887, Mr.. RlTcHIE SAYS:
ga better soldier than ourselves then lin
lS3i,) gave forth the most serious objections
to the scheme
"The public moneys, from the time of their
receipt to the time of their disbursement, A.
mounting, as they often do, to ten or twelve
millions OF dollars, must remain in the hands
OF individuals appointed by the President,
and removable at his will Us "They OUGHT
(noD to be kept in their pockets, ichesis, or
rauhs, where they can approach it every day,
and use II without the checks or warrants
drawn, countersigned, registered, and record
ed, and passing through many hands, with
out which not a single dollar can now be
touched by any public officer, not even by
the President HIMSELF
"Ihe sub-Treasuries and the specie may
tengH the o6feers Of the Government, but can
not give relief to the community at large"
And in the Richmond Enquirer Of October
20, 1897, Mr.. RITcHIE says:
1--WE have objected to the Sub-Treasury
system, so called, that in the first place it
VIII enlarge the Erecnfipe Po,cer, already too
great for Republic. 2dly. That il contrib
utes to endanger the security of the public
funds. And 3dly. That it is calculated to
produce TWO cURRENCIEs-a BasER one for
the PEOPLE, and BETTER one for the Gov
EMINENT. The more we reflect upon the
matter, the more we read the speeches of the
orators on both sides, the more frnIy are are
satisfied of the strength of these objections
Now let us hear this same Mr.. RIrcHIR
when President Van Buren, had Gas Governor
TrouP, in letter dated May l6, 1910, said
he ough. to have done long BEFORE compelled
his party to carry out the measure 1t will
be seen by the following extract from the
"Crisis'' of July s, 1910, that Mr.. Richie has
not only wheeled found, but calls every body
bad names who will not wheel round with
him.
Hear this "true patriot -
"IHe Sub-7reasury Bill passed-7He People
Sovereign and Independent.
''This important measure, so DEAR TO THE
HEART OF EVERY TRUE PATRIOT; has nor be-
come the law of the land and, whatever diff
ferences OF opinion may have heretofore exis-
ted III regard to 1t when the subject was but
little understood, and the most violent preju-
dices were appealed to by the selfish in order
to delay 1t, noone tcho has any regard fortruh
can nutc say that it has not reccired their as
sent and appreciation. The vote upon the bill
was 1874 to lO7, showing clear majority OF
II in favor of THIS GREAT DEMocRATIc RE-
FORM measure of the Administration: TWAS
presented to the nation in September, 1887
by Mr.. Van Buren,, and has been ever since
matter of constant and incessant discussion
in Congress, the State Legislature, and a
mong the People themselves; and they have
finally decreed, by a large majority, that it
shall be the law of the land. Had those of
the Wing party voted for the bill who sus-
tanned similar measure in 1884, it would
have passed by much larger majority but,
preferring ''hard cider and rum toddy,' to
proper sense of their own consistency and
duty to their country, they baselly rerersedMeir
solcmn judgments, and eniaiied nponMemseire,
an everlasting Disgrace"
On, Eliphalet Fox, Eliphalet Fox, hide
thy diminished head