Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-03-19
sstas'"fnt spFrtoes = earmrraa aonrrt6ser.

,ken the turf in Chesterfield. Robert f. III
'aylor is the whig candidate in Norfolk bo- =.
ough--and Col. Shanks, conservative, in w
}otetourt. a
1t will be seen from the following admira- u
lie letter. in answer to an invitation address =
ID to him by anumber of his fellow-citizons, i
hat VIM. NJ. Peyton, esq. has consented to t
become candidate for the county of Ro- 4.
anoke II
BIC LICK, ROANOKE, March 6, 1910.
Gentlemen-Yo our letter, which has this
moment been placed in my hands, soliciting
me to become Il candidate for seat III the
next Legislature, has placed my acceptance
upon grounds which leave me no alternative.
However potential may be the personal con-
siderations which incline me to retirement,
would not throw them into the scale at pre- |
sent, when fearful crisis in our public affairs
demands the active eXertions of every friend
of Constitutional liberty.
| 1t is true, that the dormant energies OF the
people should be reused into action, when the
startling scheme of Standing army openly
by the MOST u it4BGiE rGlers-when sovereign
fortuitous party asccndancysWshldSamh 8Iu v
vel and alarming assumption of Legislative
powers by the Executive is promulgated in
MS annual MeSsa9e-when the richest pub
lie domain ever possessed by any nation On
earth Is attempted to be diverted from its le-
gltimate and consecrated object, to subserve
the most corrupt electioneoring purposes;
and when all our great interests-commerciaI
manufacturing and agricultural, are paralysed
by the reckless and vindictive assaults Of the
Government upon the credit and capital of
i the country. 1t must be apparent, to the
most careless observer, that we have reached
the brink oil fearful precipice, beyond which
there is but one step to ruin and destruction.
d have confidence, however, in the recupera-
t tive energy and the redeeming virtue of the
people; and L believe, when they see the
ialrest fabric OF human wisdom and the noblest
:. temple ever consecrated to the RIGHTS of man.
I besieged by Vandals, and threatened with de,
structon, they will rally to its defence, and
: Its lofty dome will again resound with the
plaudits of freemen.
In announcing my Incorporating hostil-
lty to an Administration which have here
tofore sustained, | wish it distinctly under
stood, that L renounce none Of the prin-
/, ctPles which l have supported in common
= with the Republican party of this county;
o but that my great solicitude to preserre those
c principles unimpaired, has made it necessary
that should oppose MIR. Van Buren,, who has
obviously abandoned all our cherished doc
" trlnes, and forfeited his pledge to ssfollow in
S the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor
This, together with the general tendency OF
7 his doctrines to weaken the bonds of society
and good government, have determined me to
give my support to his opponent, Gen. Har-
e rlson, Notwithstanding there may not be an
# entire concurrence Of opinion between us
n upon all questions.
+ shall vote for General Harrison, because
he Is opposed to that "odious Federal concep-
> tion,'' the ub-Treasury-because heis oppos.
n cd to great overshadowing National Banl,
y l-6ecause he has given us, by his vote upon
h the Missouri Restriction and upon the Admis-
sion OF Slavery in Arkansas, higher evidence
than we have ever had from any man north
It oil Mason and DiXOn's line, that he respects
: our feelings and rights upon this delicate and
# vital subject, and that he has the moral cour.
age to stem the tide, and resist the mad
schemes OF NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. he has fill.
t lea many Offices of dignity and responsibility,
e dlsburslng millions of the peoples money,
without abusing his trust, or being suspected
even, in this censorious age, of appropriatino
one cent to his own emolument-jecause the
d purity and ability of his administration, as
: Governor OF the Western Territories, is stamp
] ed with the appreciation of Washington, Jeii.
erson and Madison-because his whole life is
a brilliant example ofpersonal sacrifices, and
Roman devotion to the public interests--6e-
e cause he is opposed 10 stripping the old
States OF their domain to squander it as po-
litcal capital-Jecause he is pledged, if cleo
ted, not to be candidate, under any circum-
stances, for Il second term-6ecauSe his inter-
, rlty is unlmpeached and unimpeachable-6e-
cause he has been withdrawn from public life
Tor the last dozen years, engaged in the quiet
; and peaceful pursuits Of farmer, removed
5 from the influences of party, and not stepped
in the vices and corruptions of the times
and, finally, because in the Councils of his
country, he has given evidence, that he will
: be as wise and prudent in the cabinet as he
has been brave and successful in the field
feel, gentlemen, deeply sensible of this
kind manifestation of your regard, and yield
the more cheerfully to your request, as it
accords with the expressed wishes of many
my fellow citizens in other parts of our
county.
Our obedient servant
w. NJ. PEYTON.
To Messrs. John II. Griffin and others.