Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1845-05-29
f1om The Richmond Enquirer Of l,iaan

STRANGE CONFLICT OF LANGUAGE
The Staunton Spectator, aludiug to the meian-
choly fact, that only one Wing is elected to Con-
gress from Virginia, says:
''Thas is the Gerrymandcr imposed u,on me hv o,r
opponents for the first time successful the prc
sent arrangement Of the districts was made IL was d.
signed by the Locos that the Wings should have but
single memoer-not that they were disposed TO do us
even so much justice but because they could not pre-
vent it, Augusta and Loudoun could not both be man.
agcd.-One or the other, il was found must carry n
mcmbcrand the preference was given 10 the latter
Its success now, however, is evidently owing to the APP.
s.y OF inc higs more than want of strength. Sew
cra oil the districts have been lost by small maorcs
Statc.' " '"
Now, as to this frgh,ful monster of a "Gerry-
mander." The very reasoning Of the Spectator
retutes the idea of its existence. That paper
states, that sererai Of the districts have been lost
oy small majorities," and that the Wing defeat
is evidently owing 10 the apathy Of the Wings
more than want Of strength" Let the Spectator.
then, turn all its blows upon it's own Whic
friends, who had the strength, but no, tho cour
age, to win the battle. THEY are to be blamed,
and not the Democrats, who were guilty. of NO
Gerrymander, as is clear from, the evidence of
the Spectator itself.
Now verify this is strange proof which the
Enquirer offers that there was no Gerrymande,
committed by its friends in the presen, arrange
ment of the Congressional districts-'The evil
dence of the Spectator itself against its own de-
clarations! Well, if we are TO be witness, we
must ask to be heard a little more fully on the
subject. A brief statement of facts will be suiIi-
cient to show both the truth of our allegation and
the consistency of our language. In the Con.
gress just preceding the present arrangement of
the Districts the Wings had eleven Of the ioeniy-
one members-a majority of the delegation
This result Showed pretty plainly to our oppo-
nents in what districts il was the Wings were
getting too strong for them. Accordingly when
the time came for IA reapporiionment, it was made
the business Of a caucus, held in the city of
Richmond while the Legislature was in session.
to contrive in what way the voice Of the minority
could be most efiectually smo,hered; and we
well remember the astounding boast which was
uttered in advance, by one in the secrets of the
concave, that the Wings should have but sim
gle member! How this could be brought about.
when they had majority of the delegation, and
were nearly moiety of the voters of the State,
we confess at the time did seem little mysteri-
Gus. When the classification was published,
however, and the forced and unnatural arrange
ment Of the districts was seen, all doubts as to
its efficacy were made almost Instantly TO vanish.
w hiiO SOuC Vi TIE ulSlTlClS, which were SalelV
Loco, were reduced eight and nine thousand be-
low the required ratio, AN excess TO an equal a.
mount was thrown upon other districts, in order
to accomplish the iniquilous purpose of lis con-
Iivers. There was the Richmond district, en-
bracing populous and growing city, Wing to
the core, oversloughed by the strong Locoloco
county Of Goochland-its whole population be-
ing in excess of the ratio required by Congress.
There too was the Campbell district, also Whio.
made Loco by the addition of Lunenburg, with
an excess above the ratio of six thousand -
There, too, was the Bedford district, also Whig.
strung out in an unnatural and inconvenient form
almost across the State, in order hitch il to the
strong Locofoco counties of Madison, Orange
and Greene! We might advert to other districts
the Augusta and Frederick, for instance
where Wings were unscrupulousjy arranged out
of their seats-but it is unnecessary. That the
design OF the contrivers of the Gerrymander was
not fully accomplished on the first trial is certain
ly no fault of theirs. They did all that it was
In their power TO do TO make it effectual. The
Wings, however, smarting under the REGENCY Of
the wrong and injustice inflicted upon them, by
extraordinary effort did carry three of the Dis
m
ceded to them.) and by the same exer,ion we had
hoped they might be able TO do SO again.-Such
Is the extent Of our inconsistency Of language,
on which the Enquirer would vainly strive TO
build an acquittal of its party of the infamous
Gerymander! But, the fraud has been
completely successful. The Wings have but
single member of the Delegation; and we put it
to the conscience of the Enquirer TO answer the
question: Can this be rightl Are the Wings of
Virginia but as l TO 10 of the Locos, and are
they not entitled to larger share of the repre-
sentallon! The injustice of the arrangement Of
the Districts is palpable upon its face, and no
man can wink hard as not 10 see it. The
Wings are nearly moiety of the voters of the
Commonwealth and almost the entire Locofoco
majority is made up by the vote of the Tenth
Legion. How is it possible, then, that such
result as the election of single Wing member,
could happen under any fair and just apportion-
ment? The thing is past all reason.
THE EMPIRE CLUB
The New y ork papers speak of Capt. Rynders
and his Club, who figured so conspicuousIy in
that city during the late Presidential canvass, in
new character. 1t seems that the Captain and
about fifty of his men were on the race course,
at the time of the race between Fashion and Pey.
tona, and that he paid $500 to clear the track
One Of the Journals speaks in high praise of his
conduct on the OCCASION, and the excellence of
his police regulations. The Commercial remarks
$50 we have an Independent and volunteer po-