Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-03-26
MEETING ON MONDAY.

MEETING ON MONDAY.
The meeting of the citizens of Augusta on
Monday, at the Courthouse, although large,
was not as full as we expected-owing, no
doubt, to the fall of rain in the morning, and
the unsettled appearance Of the weather in
the early part of the day. Both the Presiden-
tlal electors Of the district were in attendance,
and addressed the people-but there was no
organization, and no resolutions or other pro-
ceedings adopted. During the speeches the
spacious courtroom was generally crowded
by respectful and attentive AUDIENCE
What may have been the number present is
mere conjecture with us, but we should sup
pose not less than five or six hundred. VIM.
TAYLOR, Esq. the Van Buren, elector, spoke
first, and occupied about two hours and ahalf.
His speech, in the main, was able and inqeni-
Gus, especially that part of it in defence of
the Administration. His attack on the char
acter of Gen. Harrison, however, was pecu-
liarly unfortunate-but no one acquainted
with Mr.. Taylor can suppose that he would
knowingly do the injustice which his remarks
implied to an old soldier and patriot like Har
rison We must conclude, therefore, that not
being very fresh in his readings of the history
of his country, he has suffered himself un-
consciously to be imposed upon, by the in
terested misrepresentation of party press.
We think we shall be able to show also, that
hisdefence of the acts of the present admins
tration has no better support But this we
must reserve for future occasion.
Gen. Baldwin was particularly felicitous,
and engaged his audience for about three
hours. His exordium was designed to bring
the minds Of his hearers to calm and dispas-
slonate consideration of the great questions
under discussion, and to guard then, against
the baneful influence of party spirit. He
then proceeded to state the grounds on which
he gave his support to Gen. Harrison. He
believed him to be pure and disinterested
patriot, and that elected he would admins
ter the Government for the good of the Coun-
try, and not for party. On the other hand
he contended that Mr.. Van Buren, was mere
party man-thathe was the creature of party
that to it he was indebted for all his politi-
| cal honors-and in proof of this he challen-
ged MIR. Taylor TO point to a single act in the
whole course of Mr.. Van Buren's life, which
entitled him &c the homage and gratitude Of
his country that he was the President of
Party, and that to the advancement of its in
terests were prostituted all the honors and offi-
ces and emoluments ofthe Government-that
under such system it was impossible the
republic could prosper--and this he contend
ed was now the mournful experience of the
country. Officers, instead of doing the APP
propriate business of their stations, were en-
gagged in the work of party-and party devo-
ton was made the ground of official prefer
ment Thus improper appointments were
made, as is shown by the fact that out of e.
receivers of public money GO were defaulters;
and system Of favori.iam and dependence,
wholly at war with proper accountability,
was the consequence, as is evidenced from
the long retention in office of many of them
after their defalcations and roguery were
known.
Gen. -. most trlumphantly indicated the
fair fame of General Harrison, and his claims
on the just appreciation of his countrymen,
against the assaults Of Mr.. Taylor. While
speaking of his military character, the eve of
Gen. b. happened to alight on one of our cit
| liens, Mr.. John Wise, who had served with
the old hero under Gen. Wayne, at the battle
ofthe Maumee; and he called on him to say
! ''whether Harrison was true and gallant
soldier1' GAS true as ever was" respond
ed the honest hearted veteran; and the court
house resounded with the loud and hearty
plaudits Of the audience.
In reply to the labored defence of Mr.. Van
Buren's Administration by Mr.. Taylor, he
pointed TO the condition in which (accordinp
10 General Jackson's farewell address,) the
country was found by him On coming into Of
ice--free Of debt, and prosperous beyond
example-dnd then adverted TO its present NJ
ined and bankrupt eondition--with an incress-