Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-11-28
From the Baltimore American.
WHAT OUGHT THE wHICS TO DO.

II might seem to be of no grcs. importanc
what defeated party should do, since the contro
Of public affairs is not in their hands. The NOR
interesting question would appear 10 be, hat vii
the ne8t Administration do,
Nevtr'heIess the frs, question is the one whicl
we as Wings are most concerned about. III,
party IN power can attend to their own affairs.
| Possibly however, The party in power may b,
solicitous TO know what the Wings will do. Il
may He that the Tariff State of Pennsy lvania
which to'ed Tor Polk, will expect the aid of the
Whig5to preserve the protective system. 1t may
be ',sshe State ss New yors, which -oiea for
dc annexation candidate, W III look to the Wings
for aid in resisting apneSa,ion.
In order to On intelligent view OF the whole
ground. lie. enquire what issues have been really
decided by The recent contest. Has the man,
James Il. Polk, by the commanding force of his
character and his great personal popularity, won
victory! Or has the question turned upon the
principles avowed and maintained in the canvass
which preceded the elec,ion7 Upon this poin.
we must allow grea, weight to the differences of
the New York Plebeian, which says
ut is the principles Of the Democratic party
that have triuluphed, not the men they have ele-
waited TO power. We take il for granted that the
occupation of Oregon, the Annexation Of Texas,
uncompromising opposition to United States
Bank, the re-establishing of the Independent
Treasury, aud modification of the present Ia
nm, are measures demanded by those who have
aided In the elevation OF Gov. Polk. Upon these
questions the battle has been fought and the VIC
tory won"
IL these issues have not been decided, what is
sues have beenl 1t would be gratifying 10
know.
But the Wings have majority in the Senate
a small majority. 1t will not exceed two when
the new administration comes into office. Is i.
the duty of the Wings in the Senate to oppose
The measures of the party in power, or 10 with
draw opposition and allow the measures of the
party to be carried out! Some of the leading
Wing papers advise The latter course. The New
York Courier says:
"lt isa serious question how far the WHY'S
should inlerpose TO arrest the natural consequent
ces of the election of Polk and DALLAS. Doubt
less they might avert present evil, but no perma-
neni future good could result from their interpo-
sltlon. 1t then, the Wing party would render
ias'h9 service 10 the country, IL is their duty TO
let the people have just what they desire-ail the
consequences OF their adherence 10 Loco Focoism.
lhey have voted for total repeal of the Tariff
let them have it. They have demanded the an
nexatlon of Texas and war with Mexico-let
them have it. They have determined to seize
Oregon and have a war with England-let their
determination be carried ont. In short the peo-
pie have decided in 5avoy If Loeo;oeo against
bhi8 pri:rs'9I s-and it is their yiohi to haye
their Wiz yeu. Cnder these circumstances
The Wings i.f the Senate of the United States
should get together as soon as Congress meets,
and consider whether II is not their duty say at
once to The Locoioco party-"ihe people have de-
clared In fduor OF your principles and dgainst
ours, and we are determined not TO lhwart them
we therefore leave the legislation of the country
In Your hands; and whatever bills you pass or
repeal, shall not be opposed by us. We cannot
aid you III your iniqutous legislation; but aoreea-
bly, to the peoples wishes we will get out of your
way"
The Albany Evening Journal, after review OF
the questions before the people, and the manner
in which they have been decided, holds this lam
guage:
hat then should be the course of the Whip
party! How can we hest save our country -
we say by testing the principles and policy OF
our opponents. Let them carry out their meas
ures. Let the people have what they have asked
Tor through the balol-boxes. Let those who are
to rule us, have both the credit and the RESPONSE
biliy Of their measures. In this way only can
we determine whether the " hig or Locofoco
policy is most conducive TO the welfare and pros
perIly OF the country. ship can only be kept
on lis course by feeling and obeying lis helm
Governments only work well when they are held
directly responsible 10 the People. The public
sentiment, in this respect, should be changed
we must accustom ourselves 10 regard measures
more and men less. When the people elect
President upon distinct and avowed public is
sues, we should allow the Administration TO car
ry its measures into effect, and when another e.
lection comes round, the people will be prepared
TO pass upon those measures"
The question as TO what the Wings ought to
do will be settled, we apprehend, without any re-
linquishment of consistency, which seems to be
implied in the course of non-interference recon-
mended by the two journals we have quoted
We do not see how the Wings in Congress can
refuse to act according 10 their own principles and
convictions of duty to the country. But there
are Whigs both Senators and Representatives
from the South chiefly, who have sustained the
Tariff and opposed Annexation; 10 their own pre-
judce at home. 1t will be natural enough for
these gentlemen 10 say-"lf PENNSYLVANIA votes
for an ant-proteciiobist and New York for an adj
vocate OF The Immediate annexation Of Texas, ii
is not tor us TO uphold protection or TO refuse the
"t''"' " - N"9' OuT people dI nome prefer
revenue tariff and they are favorably dis posed
towards annexation. For the sake of placing
such man as Henry Clay in the Presidential
chair, whose wisdom and 6rmness would have
guaranteed useful and safe administration, we
were willing TO make sacrifices. But now the
| inducement exists no longer"
Such considerations as these may have force e.
nough IN the minds OF the Southern Wings in
Congress TO give decided majorities against Tn,
| Tariff OF 1912 and in favor of annexation. II i.
known that many OF the Wing SENATORS who vo
ted against Mr.. Tyler's treaty were not opposed
to annexation itself.