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

An,
In compliance with the promise madeaour rea-
ders last week, we lay before them the following
sketch OF the discussion, which took place in the
Court House on Monday the 22nd ultimo, between
Messrs. GRAY and McDowELL:
The discussion was commenced BY Col CRAy
who, after adverting in handsome terms to his he
reditary connection with the county of Augusta
his great grandfather, JOHN CUNHiNGHAM, havin,
erected the first house in the town of S,aun,on more
than century ago.-proceeded to bcspcal the at
tention of the audience while he should attempt to
unfold his views Of the leading measures of the pre-
sent Administration. He discaimed all purpose to
discuss the issues connected with the tariff or the
currency, for the twofold reason that there was no
hope of doing any thing in regard to them during
the continuance of Mr.. Polk in the Presidency and
because, important as they in,rinsicaly, they
were for the time swallowed up in the great ques-
tions growing out of the Mexican war.
MIR. GRAY then addressed himself earnestly to
the discussion of the objects, the origin, the man
aSement, and the probable results of the war; His
design was TO shew that the war was commenced
and prosecuted for party purposes. He adverted to
IT.
and limited at the motives which Mr. Polk had to
withdraw public attention from our domestic policy.
Having been elected by the most extraordinary
combination of heterogeneous materals-the abo
tionists in the North and utra-slavery men in the
South-the high tariff party in Pennsylvania and
the ffee-trade men in South Carolna-it required
no spirit Of prophesy to foresee that party consist
ing Of such homogeneous elements could not long be
held together unless some new issue could be
sprung upon the country, in the contemplation Of
winch, minor matters would be overlooked, and the
party banded together. A war with Power which
was not deemed very formidable was natural re-
sort, and accordingly we found that Mr.. Polk.
almost at the very moment that he was congratula-
ting the country on the annexation of Texas az ga
bloodless achievement" was preparing for war
Mr. u. discussed the policy Of the Government
and the respective rights and pretensons Of Mexico
and the United States to the country between the
Nueces and the Rio Grande at considerable length
and, we thought, demonstrated, as had often been
done before, that the was originated by Mr.
Polk and for the promotion of his own purposes.
lie commented with great force and eloquence ON
the conduct Of the Administration in regard to the
management of the war. The first attempt was to
XIII oil len Scott by sending him with an made
quate force, and destitute of the necessary supplies
TO wage an offensive war When Scott remons,ra.
ted, and wrote letter to the Secretary of War
which was somewhat imprudent and hasty in some
OF It's expressions, his commission was promptly re-
voSed, and Gen. Taylor, then comparatively OBJ
scure officer, was ordered to make the advance.
Gen. Taylor was denied almost every thing that he
deemed necessary for successful operations, and was
thrown INTO position of extreme danger from
which nothing bnt the most signal ability aud the
care OF all overriding Providence could have rescu-
ed him. He then ske.ched the successive battles
OF Palo Alto, and Rcsaca de la Palma and Monte
rey, rapidly treading on each others heels. and
arousIng degree Of popular enthusiasm in favor OF
cod Rough and Ready" which was no less fatal
to the purposes Of Mr. Polk than to those of Gen.
Arista! Taylor began to fill too large space in
the nations eye for Mr.. Folks peace Of mind, and
forthwith he was assailed by his mnons in Con-
gress, and resolution, which was designed, in its
original shape, as grateful tribute to the gaantry
and patriotism of the old hero, was changed into
judgment OF condemnation. pronounced by the grand
inquest of the nation, almost before the shouts
which had announced his brilliant victories had
died upon the ear
Col GRAY inquired Of his competitor why his
eloquent tongue had remained mute when such
an lndignliy was offered to this glorious son of the
cold Dominion"2 Why he had not. at least.
made the effort to vindicate his fair fame from this
obloquy with which his enemies sought TO cover it?
10 this inquiry, we are happy to state, Mr.. Nc
lowell replied, that in Consequence Of the call
of the previous question which cut off all debate
no opportunity was afforded him to do so and he
thereby left the impre ssion that if il had been in
his power he would have done so, for he said in the
most explicit terms that he disapproved the ccnsure
The Lieutenant General bill furnished another
fruitful theme for effective and amusing common
tary. Col. GRAY reviewed with great ability the
speech of Mr.. BENroN vindicating the President
and his subsequent correspondence with Mr. Polk,
and men of all parties seemed to enjoy the admira
bic humor wi,I, which he rdculcd the vanity and
egotsm Of the Missouri Senator. He showed that
the Office Of Lieutenan, General was unneces-
sly, and the purpose was 10 mortfy Generals Scott
and Taylor, and 10 compel them TO play subordi-
nate part, or to resign.
He deemed the war one Of aggression and con-
quest and painted in glowing colors the dangers
which would result from cultiyatino such spirit