Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-04-01

among our people, and he warned the audience Of
the dreadful issue to which the Administration was
driving the country He referred to the Nyilmo,
rroviso and the great Slavery question, which
must Inevitably spring up il more territory is ac-
qured' aud demonstrated tina, il would be perfect
fandora's box, from which ills innunerablc would
oversPread the land. If we gained any territory,
the question shall it be formed into free or slave
States, will inevitably come up Tor discussion. The
senate VIII have to ratfy the treaty, and two
th'rds must concur to do il. The Northern Sena
Tors VIII never sanction treaty which does no,
provide that the territory is to be free, and the
Southern men, on the other hand, will repudia,e it
II 1t shoaid contain any such provision, and as
neither section Of the Union can command two
thirds of the Senate, the war can never be concl,d
Gu unless the idea or conquest be abandoned
lie then gave his veiws of terminating tho con-
test, and wound up by drawing the line Of distinc
ton between him and his opponent stating that
whilst he stood beneath the broad folds of the white
banner Of peace, the flag which huated over the
head OF his competitor was the red FLAG of war
stained with the best blood of American citizens.
Shed IN bootless contest on the plains Of Mexico.
Our sketch of Mr. GRAY's speech is, of course.
very hasty and imperfect one, made entirely from
memory and without the benefit of single note
we cannot, therefore, pretend to do Justice 10 it.
we think, however, we will be sustained by the
general sentiment of the community, when we saw
MI Us speech was able, effective and well sus-
tanned throughout and that many passages were
Characterised BY an extraordinary degree of beauty
and eloquence.
MIR. Mcdowell commenced his speech by
handsome tribute to the ability and oratorical pow
ers OF his youthful opponent and predicted for him
much distinction in his future career. He then ad
Ver'ed 10 his want Of preparation for the contest
from fatigue, and other circumstances which had
ior weeks past been wearing away his spirits. He
complained that he could not now 60 into regular
discussion with Mr.. GRAY, but promised to meet
him In the tenth legion when he was somewhat re-
crnited and give him battle there. He said he
would now make few disointei remarks and leave
the issue to the people.
Mr. MCDowELL then proceeded to defend the
course of MIR. Polk, denying that he was response
BILE for the war, and affirming that he was only the
administrator de bonis non Of Mr.. Tyler and Mr.
Calhoun, and that they the responsible men,
lie denied that there was any purpose to do Gen
Scott or Taylor injustice, and insisted that the office
OF Lieutenant General was exceedingly important
that it was just necessary for Mr. Polk to have
General who agreed with him in opinion as to
have a Cabinet of his way of thinking He de-
tended Col. Benton with great zeal, and mentioned
many incidents in his life TO shew that he did not
merit the structures which had been passed on him.
and among other things, that he had written the Gel
ebrated appeal to the Tennessee volunteers which
had been published under Gen Jackson's name.
lie spoke of the and o! the duty Of every
man to rally to the standard of his country, and ad
verified to the national feeling during the last war.
In this connection he thrilled the whole audience bv
one of the most brilliant eulog:es we ever recsllect
% nave heard on the head and heart-the states
manshp and pairio.ism-of HENRY CLAY, and he
repeated with the most impressive effect porri.n
Of Mr. CLAWS reply to Mr.. Quincy during the war
with Great Britain. He scorned the trammeIs of
party on an occasion like that, and he declared he
would consider himself no better than hanoman if
he were TO fail to award any American citizen,
whose genus and patriotism shed honor on the A
merlcan NAME the need of merted applause. He
also bestowed upon Gen. Scott and Mr. Cri,tenden
the most eloquent and apparently heartfelt COM
mendation. The former he characterised as an ar
dent patriot and gallant soldier, who merited the
gratitude and admiration Of his countrymen, and in
reference to the latter he said in substance, or we
cannot pretend To recall the exquisite language in
which the tribute was offered - that he believed
that no sounder head, nor purer nor holder heart
were ever united in one individual than were blend
ed In the character OF the beloved Senator from Ken
lucky. He also passed the lofliest encomiums on
the intellectual character Of Mr. Webster, and COM
pared him to the leaning tower of Pisa which was
the admiration Of the world, but which inspired in
the mind of the beholder the deepest regret that it
did not stand as erect as it was elevated
The speech of Mr.. McDowELL abounded in
rich and sparkling gems of thought. and, it may be,
that In our admiration of them have lost sight
OF some Of his views of the policy of the Admins
tratlOn. But we must confess that when we come
to scan his speech and give abstract of it, we
feel very much at loss to determine exactly what
his position was. He seemed to us to slip over
matters so smoothly that hardly could tell where
he was before ne was ponei
According to Col Jack Hays ideas we are to
have serious trouble with the Carnanche Indians,
who are in rage with their Texas brethren and
painting TO commence hosttcs Col Hays. who
has just left Washington on his return TO Texas
has talked with Mr.. Polk and the Secretary Of War
on The s;iaJect, and informed them that the afre
said Indians must be whipped before they can be
made peaceabe.
/
~