Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-05-28
ga White Basis Whig" and Ourselves

Ill.
ga Hhite Basis Whig" and Ourselves,
The communications of"AW White Basis Wing
Of so singular and extraordinary character that
we confess we have felt at some loss to know how
to treat them. But for the source from which they
come, we might be inclined to dispose of them in a
very summary manner, if not pass them by in utter
silence.-The position of their author, however,
gives to them consequence to which they would
not otherwise be entitled, and presents a grave
question to our mind how far we may not owe it to
ourselves, both as professional and personal duty
to meet with deliberaton, and repel with decision,
his unwarrantable assault upon us.
In his first communication GA White Basis
Wing" obviously comes forward mot for discussion,
not fer explanation, but to announce foregone con-
cusion. He tells us with an air, not less offensive
because so patrO,ising, that we have been greatly
INDUCED, but that now, by our repeated sin, we
have exhausted all charity that although our mo-
tlves were believed TO be-not public, as we had
avOwed, but pe'sonat,-yet our first offence might
have been pardoned, had not Gas he says) ''while
smarting under Waterloo defeat" and the feeling
of wounded pride at the "neglect" with which our
fellow citizens had treated our arguments, flown
with rash imputations upon their conduct and mo
tives." ''Forbeaancei' with us sis therefore Che
tells us) no longer virtue'-and "former friends'
have become our "advasaries."
Now, if this is not virtual declaration of war
against MS, it certainly looks very much like it,
The whole spirit and temper Of the writer as dis
played in that communication would seem, indeed,
to preclude every other idea than that all reasoning
In the case was at an end with him-that his deter
mination was fixed-and that any attempt on our
part to soothe his wounded feelings, or avert his
threatened wrath, would be utterly vain and useless
Nay, more-he would seem to have taken especial
care to render the effort impossible to u.s. except at
the sacrifice of personal honor.
To what circumstances, then, we are to ascribe
this new position of our ''former friend" we leave
the public to divine.-They will hardly be able to
discover them, however, we think, in any thing
which the writer avows. The position which we
had occupied in the community for Independence"
and ''candour,' according to his own declaration,
assuredy, in all fairness, if worth any thing, ought
to have entitled us to the opportunity Of explanation
before old friend could feel justified in assuming
an attitude Of decided hostility towards us. But,
we wish not to be understood here as complaining.
GA White Basis Whig," as well as any Others
who may have authorized him to speak for them,
are perfectly welcome to assume Just such relations
towards us and our paper as they please-only let
them be open and manly, not sneaking and dubious.
We ask not the friendship of any man OF set of
mo- fartb tbop tb; q
to it-nor do we deprecate their wrath. We are
freeman, and the conductor of free Press, and
knowing our rights we will maintain them at all
hazards, against every attempt to infringe impair
them.-If we have held position hitherto in the
community for "Independence'' and "Candour'' so
much the better. We know there is an honest APP
preciation OF those qualities among the people of
Augusta on which we may safely rely, and to
which we can confidently appeal against the IT.
tolerant resentments of 'sA White Basis Wing"
Thus much we have felt compelled to say in re-
ference to the tone and temper which mark his first
communication.-But what is his course in the Sc
cond, that part of it which is now before us for
1t seems he IS not yet done with us. According to
every just principle, he was bound to vindicate
his assault upon us, by showing the truth of his
charges, or withdraw them. Yet he does neither
Whence, then, this change? Is it because he has
found his position to be rather an awkward one?
IL so-he certainly need not think that we will re-
lieve him from it by allowing ourselves to be drawn
into discussion, such he proposes, with his I'M
worthy imputations still resting upon our motives
and actions. No-tempting as is the victory which
he offers us, we cannot consent to enjoy it, at the
sacrifice of so much selfrespect
But enough on this branch of the Subjective
will now proceed to shew, as briefly as possible,
though in manner marked with little less "For-
than we have hitherto exercised, why it
was we objected to the issue drawn into the late
canvass, Gas being opposed to the position which
Augusta had Heretofore maintained in regard to the
question, and involving responsibilities and con-
sequences which she was not prepared to meet"
1t will be recollected that in our editorial article
of the 2nd of April, we referred especially, in sup
port of that position, to the course of Augusta in the
appointment of Delegates to the Lewisburg' Con
the only public action of the county in
reference to a Convention, since the adoption OF the
present Constitution at least it was all we then |
elt willing to advert to-We might have mention |
d, however, the defeM Of an avowedly Convention
andidate last spring-a very popular and talented |
nan, too--and by men who, although they avowed
willingness TO vote for law to take the sense of
I've people, were nevertheless unwilling to commit !
themselves Internationally to Convention and !
lso 10 the strong and decided manifestation Of dis