Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-10-31
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION,

On Monday next, the great question is TO be
decided, so far at least as Virginia is concerned
whether HENRY CLAY, the noble patriot and gift
ed statesman, or JAMES X. Polk, the mere crea-
of party, without services or talents to COM
mend hkrhe warm regards Of his country
men, is to be the next President of the United
States. To doubt the result of such contest
would be libel upon the intelligence and good
sense of the people; and we do not doubt it.
HENRY CLAY will be elected His long
and faithful public services, and the great
principles of governmental policy with which he
stands identified, and which now enlist in their
support the large majority Of the American peo-
pie, will and must carry him triumphantly through
the coming conflict. That those who are opposed
to the principles he advocates should resist his
election is not to be wondered at nor is it mat
Ter of reasonable objection; but that any who
concur with him in principle should so far forge,
right, and their duty 10 themselves and the coun-
try, in their devotion to party, to cast their
votes against him, is indeed strange and unac-
countable infatuation. But that many will do so
is beyond queslion-and it not so, Henry
CLAY would be elected almost without a struggle
In Pennsylvania, New Y ork, and all the Protec-
tive Tariff States, the most systematic and I'M
prncipled means are used 10 blind and hood
wink the people, in order to keep them to
their party allegiance. There Mr.. Polk is repre-
scented TO be as good protectionist as Mr.. Clay,
and their Flags and Banners proclaim the I'M
truth in almost all their professions. The flag
which hangs out at the great "Democratic Head
Quarters" OF the city of New York, bears the fol-
lowing inscription "Polk, Dallas, Wright and
Gardener, and the Principles of 1872! with
number Of emblems of manufacturing and do
mestic industry. Such the expedients used
at the North to deceive and mislead the people by
party managers-but that they can succeed to the
extent OF carrying those States against Mr.. Clay,
we have no fear The great body of the people
there will be true 10 their own interests; and if
it were not for the sake Of preserving their party
from utter destruction, which is important to them
in State affairs, we question whether the leaders
even would take much concern in the election of
Mr.. Polk. Certainly they have no sympathy
with him in his principles, and as regards their
party prospects at home, they have every reason
to be dissatisfied with the position in which their
Southern Free Trade allies have placed them by
his nomination.
This is the condition Of things in the great
States of New York and Pennsylvania !; and our
Wing friends there have the fullest confidence
that they will carry bo.h.-Since the late election
in the latter State, numbers who voted the Demo
cratic ticket have come out for Henry Clay, as
:he true friend of the Protective System-thus
showing that while they were willing to act with
their party in their local elections, in National
affairs they are determined to 90 for the para
e 1.
country.-Ihls few more days will make ma
nifest.
In the mean time the important question with
us is, how is Virginia to gol Will she do her
duty 2 We verify believe she will. From every
portion Of the State we have the most animatnp
assurances Of success {; and the only drawback
upon our satisfaction has been the fear expressed
hat Augusta--Old ugusta--might fail to do her
ull duty. We have been aware Of the systema-
tic attempts made, for months past, to produce
this impression abroad and we have frequently
met them with the most emphatic contradictions.
Wings of Augusta, what say youl Have you
grown weary of the confic. which you have so
nobly waged for years, in the midst of all dis
couragements, against the tide of corruption and
Inisrule which has overwhelmed the land, and
in favor Of correct principesl No-No-We
will answer for you, and you will answer for
yourselves on Monday next, that you have not.
Let us to the polls, then---to the polls-eVery
man of us-and show our petty slanderers and
the world, our might as well as our devotion 10 the
sacred cause Of Constitutional liberty and the best
interests of the Country.