Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-03-30
MONDAY IN STAUNTON.

ng the extreme severity of the weather-ihe day
icing one of snow and sleot throughout.
The chief lnducement, no doubt, with most of
'ur country friends for leaving their comfortable
ZONES, on such day, was their desire to hear the
address of our late Representative in
Congress, A. III. II. STUART, esq.-And in this,
we are happy TO say, they were in no sense disap-
pointed, while the entertainment was added to-, by
speeches from other gentlemen, which, probably, |
were not anticipated.
Mr.. FRAZER, one Of our delegates, having Just |
got home during the morning from Richmond and
there being considerable dissatisfaction with his
vote, (and that of his colleague Mr.. Brooke,) up
on the tax bill, he was allowed, in courtesy, first
to address the people. This he did, at consdera-
BILE length, and in frank and manly spirit. He
poets, as he could wish it-yet he clearly saw
that it was the best that could be got-and he was
unwillingto incur the tremendous responsibility Of
leaving the State without adequate means to pre-
serve the public faith and credit, on account of
any merely temporary evils it might infict. Our
time, and the state Of our health this morning,
Will not permit us to attempt sketch Of all he
said on the subject. 1t is proper however, that we
should say, that he defended most of the new fea-
lures Of the bill, upon principle. lie could see no
reason why landholders should be made to
bear the burdens of Government, to the excu-
sion of capitalists whose transactions were in
bonds and stocks. He defended also the increase
upon merchants licenses as making an equitable
distinction between large and small dealers And
In regard to the new subjects Of taxation gener-
ally, (while he dscamed any design to play the
demagogue In the matter,) he stated that they
would be found to affect chiefly the people of our
cities and larger towns, who had not hitherto, for
the most part, contributed to the support of the
Government, according to their ability. He strong
ly condemned the tax upon State bonds, howev-
er' which he considered pro tanio Reputation
and mentioned other objections 10 the bill, some
of which have been removed by amendments of
the Senate, as he had assurances would be- the
case, at the time he voted for it. Mr.. Frazier al
so defended his vote on the subject Of the call of
Convention-saying, very truly, that no had no
evidence that his constituents desired the apita-
ton of the question. They had not petitioned
for it-and so far as he had seen any develop
ment of sentiment among them, it appeared TO be
opposed to the measure. This, he thought. was
one of those questions which belonged peculiarly
10 the People themselves, and ought not to be ORR
glnated by their representatives; and it was on
that principle he had acted.
We have had no opportunity Of ascertaininq
the effect of Mr.. Frazer's speech upon those who
condemned his course-but we know enough of
The people OF Augusta to be satisfied that they
VIII not Tepudiatc representative for an honest
and conscientious discharge of duty, however
much they may think he has erred. We confess,
too, that we look with alarm to the effect of ming
ing up such grave and exciting question as
mat OF taxation with the party contests of the
day. The State is in debt-largely in debt-and
now is her faith and honor to be maintained, but
by imposing increased taxes upon the neople q
ihatm always, in the very nature of things.
be an unwecome and hazardous duty to Rem
resentative and if now, in the pinch, (although
we acknowledge the present bill to be EXCEEDING
~ obJec'ionable,O an impulse is given to public
'eeiing against taxation, on account of nequali-
ties which may be quietly corrected by subse-
quent Legislation, who knows how soon we NAV
be involved in the dire disgrace of Repudiation
which has already overtaken SO many of our sis.
ter States! We beg our fellow citizens calmly
to think of these things. What is the burden or
hardship fany tax BILL (Which is to exis, but for
a single year,) that we would not cheerflily bear.
rather than see our beloved Virginia dishonored
After hlr. Frazier had concluded his address.
CHAPMAN JOHNSON, Jr. Esquire, made few hap-
Ply and appropriate remarks, in reference to the
call made upon him to become candidate for the
Legislature, and announced his determination 10
decline canvass at this time, owing to the pecu-
liar posture of affairs. He referred to the situation
OF our late delegate, upon whose legislative con-
duct the public Judgment was about to be pro-
nounced-and without pretending to know the eff
iect OF his withdrawal upon candidates, or design
ing to favor any Of them, he wished not to embar-
rass the public action on the question. If ever he
should be elected TO the honorable station of a
Of Augusta, he said he wished not
TO owe chat honor to any accidental circumstance.
Or receive it from the hands of less than MAORI
y of the whole number of voters, as mipht be the
;ase, if he were now i candidate His speech
made very favorable impression and we think
not i'm: Tobable may cause him to be thought of
hereafter.
JOHN McCUE, esq. then came forward, and !
'riefly announced himself candidate for the |
'eDatc-promising a declaration Of his political |
cntiments in the next Spectator.
Mr.. STUART next followed. in speech of more
nan two hours, giving, in his usual clear, dis
met, and forcibe manner. very full and satisfac-