Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-05-28
To The Editor of the !stm.nton Spectator

Sir-My first number concluded very brief re-
view Of your editorial of the End OF April In this
shall notice that of the 3Oth April, which called
forth the criticism of that of the End. But before
proceed to the task in hand, permit me to say
actat is true to the ahternOSt, that my signature
IA White Basis Whig," defines ma acltoie posi-
ton in connection with the last canvass have no
other motive than devotion to that cause. Indeed
the strongest ties Of long, sincere, and ardent per
sonal attachment to of the defeated candidates.
and to the connexions of the other, (who was too
young himself to have acquired the same claims on
my personal feelings) made, what | conceived to
be the duty, of opposing them, most painful one
This have no doubt was the condition of many
In this county who cO-operated with me in this can
vass-although the Shiny soul of one of your late
correspondents incapable of estimating the motives
which actuate honorable men, has assigned other
and unworthy for the conduct of some-
Believe me then, that should You succeed i'm es-
tabishing your position that the White Basis of
representation will surely be adopted by Conven-
ton organized on the now constitutional basis of the
House OF Delegates, you will not only in my esti-
nation vindicate thereby your course last spring,
but confer signal obligation all the friends of
that principle, by exhibiting to them new spring
OF hope for the success of their cause. greatly
fear you will fail, but wish you all success
Your article of the Both of April was exception
able thought for the designation it gave of the
canvass then cosed-that of ga merely local CON
test, among friends, OF the same party Is the
great principle then, for which you, and too, have
been battling all suitable occasions" for more
tnan sixteen years, 'merely local" question p
True, its enemies had long insisted that such was
ITS character, and had Augusta, indugng the belief
that her interest required her abandonment Of the
White Basis, sanctioned the course of her late de-
iegateS--thOee enemies would have been furnished
with an unanswerable argument, that it acns mere
local question: contest waged for sectional power.
abandoned, as soon as that power was Obtained
but this is the first occasion on which have heard
friend of the White Basis lay it down as sort
OF concession, that the question between them and
their adversaries was "merey local" Is not this
justification, nay, an approval of all Eastern men
VINO oppose us? If no great and eternal principle
IS involved, would it not be their dtyt oppose us2
ana IL so, how are ever to hope for IFS establish
menu either In Legislature or a Convention, con-
tanning a majority OF Eastern men2 You then
say ne issue which has been made growing
out OF tne course Of oyr late Delegates, on the
GonVRnuon question, both OF whom had voted for
the organization OF the Convention on the basis of
1.-THE present House OF Delegates. believing that
"they were bound to adhere to the constitutional
provision of representation, and their avowed pre
ference for the mixed principle Of white population
"and taxation, in any future arrangement which
may be made in regard to it, became the fruitful
source Of exaggeraton and misrepresentation, tend
ing TO fnslead the ignorant, and excite the very
worst passions Of the community" The RDrerG-
h'g quoauon contains what strikes my mind as an
unwarranted justification Of the course Of our late
delegates and an unmented assault upon their adj
versarles. According TO the most Obvious construc-
Ton or IT, the late delegates were condemned by
The people OF Augusta--than whom there is not on
earth more Constitution Iovnp communicative
believing that they were bound 20 adhere TO the
constitutional provision OF representation, and for