Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-11-14
THE CONTEST SETTLED.


THE CONTEST SETTLED!
The die is cast, and contrary TO all calcula.
ton or reasonable expectation of either party
as we believe, JAMES K Polk is elected to
! the next Presidency of tile United States
That we are deeply panied and mortified a,
this result, we will not pretend to disguise
Holding the views and principles we do in
regard to the line Of public policy best calcu
lated to advance the true and Substantial inter
ests of the country, and secure the perpe,uity
OF our free institutions, we should distrust our
own patriotism were it otherwise with US. II
was not the elevation of IlEsRY CLAY as a
man merely which we sought, large as are his
claims upon our gratitude for his distinguish
ed and pre-eminent public services, but the es-
Enlistment of those great principles which
we esteem essential to the prosperity and xlo-
ry of the country. Yet this even is not all
OF our feeling under defeat. How has his e.
lection been frustrated HE whose nomina-
ton was called forby the spontaneous voice OF
nearly majority, il not altogether majority
of the true, unbought electof. of the United
States, how is it that he was not elected Il
IS IN vain to attempt 10 disguise the fact that
his defeat was procured, moi by the superior
personal popularity of his rwal-not upon a.
ny consistent or general principles of public
policy-but by singular enlistment and COM
bination Of all the elements of faction and
destructiveness, however seemingly opposed,
which exist In our country-aided by Fo-
reign vote, which although made TO lake the
Term OF American citizenship, has yet none Of
its true spirit, but has openly banded itself to-
gether, under the names of its former Nation
atty, to control the elections of the country.
but there is still another ingredient in this
cup, so replete, as we conceive, with future Bit
'terness and woe 10 us people. BY whom
has HENRY CLAY been defeated? By JAMES
*. Pti.K, man respectable and worthy tho
he may be in private life,who has yet performed
no single act of public service to commend
him to the warm regards Of his counirvmen
"a man whose name had not even been sug-
gesed for the Office by single meeting of
the people in the Union, and whose nomination.
(as appears from the secret history OF the Bal
timore Convention given by one of lis men,
bers,) was the result of mere game of in
trigue between the different aspirants, or their
friends, for the nomination! BY such means,
and under such circumstances, it is, that the
clearly indicated will of the American 2eople
has been controlIedandt varied by party mana
gers-all the claims of public service been
condemned, all the principles of National poll
icy conIounded aud disregarded, and The cleo
lions OF the people rendered an empty form.
That any good can come out of an election so
made, 70 one can reasonably anticipate.-On
the contrary, we are constrained TO say tina. we
look forward 10 the future with the most fear
ful forebodings. But we have not time to saw
more at present.
We add the reflections Of some other press
es upon this astounding result.
From the National IntcIigcnccrs
he result Of this election in New York was
az unexpected TO the Wings as il was unlocked
LOT ny lilelI dOVeISdTleS. The JOcOfOcO party
had indeed done much TO obtain success by the
mutiiudes Of European emigrants, for whom.
within, few weeks, they obtained the RIGHTS of
citizenship; but this element, great as il was,
would have been insufficient but for the co.opera.
ton Of the Abolitonists Of The western COMMITTEES.
1t was for some time doubtful which side these
fanatics would espouse, and il was only on the
eve of the election that the course which they
had resolved on became known. The following
extract Of letter from New York, written on
Wednesday last, gave us the information only
few hours before its verhcation
notwithstanding appearances favorable to our
cause in the eastern part Of The State, il is
feared that the Abolition vote in the western
counties will defeat Us. Mr.- arrived here
this morning from Albany, and he says that these
fanatics will give the State by some thou
sands to Polk"
The event is known. and proves the accuracy
of the prediction. Of the motives which are
stated to us TO have induced this course. and
Of its probable effects all the interests of the
country, public and private, it is not our design
now to speak. Our present purpose is simply
TO record facts, not TO speculate on conseuuen.
ces. The result Of the contest opens future
too poftentous to be hastily approached. The
brightness Of the American constellation pales
before the rising effulgence Of the slone star !"
the malign influence which wrought Mr.. Van
Bpren's overthrow IN the Convention, being