Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-04-15
CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION

OO-NOiS'<N'SioA'hIL lIOIN-
The day which is to decide the Interesting ques-
ton, who shall represent us in the next Congress
OF the United States ? is rapidly approaching Ac-
counts from all parts of the District are in high
degree flattering 10 Col. GRAY. His speeches have
been well received, and men are beginning to
throw of their allegiance to party rulers, and to
rally around-not the maa--but the patriotic posi-
come, when the sober minded portion OF the Demo
cratic party must see that there is something wrong
in the administration Of the Government. They
know and feel that we are involved, unnecessarily,
In bloody and expensive war, ana they cannot
close their eyes to the melancholy fact that it was
not only begun. but is prosecuted for parti-
IAN purposes. Seeing these things, patriotic men
in all parts of the District are adopting the senti-
ment that then. first deity is to their Country
There are a few prominent considerations that
are constantly pressing upon the minds OF the can
did portion Of the Democratic party. They can
not forbear from enquiring, why are Mr.. Polk and
his partzans so hostile TO Gen. TAYLOR? Why
have they been so untirng in their efforts to dis
parage and degrade him? Why have they passed
vote of censue on him for his glorious victory at
Monterey? Why did Mr. Polk try to degrade
him from his commando Why did he try three
times to strip him of the office of Generali in chief
in Mexico, and TO appoint Senator Benton to take
his place? Why did he revive an obsolete orde,
about officers writing letters TO their friends but to
offer an insult to him? Why did Mr.. Polk refuse
even to mention Gen. TAYLoR's name in his Mes
fIOnurpcS wheD tho yphnlo mcT,1
ing with his praises Why did he disregard all
Gen. TAyLoR's counsels and force him into posi-
ton, where, with 5000 volunteers, he was obliged
TO encounter Santa Anna at the head of 10000 of
the flower of the Mexican army?
Were these indignities offered to Gen. TAYLOR
because he had fnled in his duty? Oh, no! They
were heaped upon him because he had seroed his
Country too ,CeU and because the people, with
that generosity which belongs to the American
character, were exhibiting zoo many alarming eui
dences Of their attachment and admiration for the
man who had shed new lusre on our national fame
These enquiries have strong, and direct bearing,
too, on the Congressional Election. The people
are constantly enquiring, why did Mr.. Mcdowell
vote 10 degrade Gen Taylor, and elevate his o,cn
did Mr.. Mcdowell, who told the people that he
disapprored the censure of Cen TAYLOR, vet NOT
VOTE AGAINST THAT cENsURE2 Mr.. Med.
told us that he preferred the original resolution Of
Mr.. Cooke, OF Tennessee, which was resolution
Of thanks to Gen. TAYLOR and that he voted a.
gainst the amendment which converted it into
vote of censuTe. But why did not Mr.. Mellow
ELL pote against II after 1t was tus changed into
a uote of censuc ? These things the people can
understand in spite of all the flimsy wells; and
smooth words with which they may be disguised
The practical points then arise which it is rupossi-
Bile TO evade, and which may be presented substan-
tally, as follows
Mr.. Mcdowell voted to degrade Gen. TAY-
LoR, and to elevate his brother-n-law, Col. Ben
ton. to be Mr.. Folks vceroy He also in effect
voted to censufe the gallant Hero of Monterey
He now comes back to his constituents and acknow-
lodges what he has done, and asks our verdict Of
appreciation. Shall ,ce gioe IL? Shall ne san
"tceu done, good and faithful scroant'2 Shall
we say ego back to the Congress of the United
States, and bear with you commission to insult,
and drag down from MS high position, the man
whose name is a tower Of strength, ard whose fame
is already engraven on one of the most cherished
and enduring tablets Of our nations history Go!
and, in our NAME elevate in MS stead your sisters
husbandi Open for him the path TO the Presideu-
dal Chair And, when you have accomplished