Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1849-08-22


pay our respects 90 writer the signature Of Far
Play, in the last Vindcaor apology be found
In an erroneous construction, say
Cen TAYLoa's Allison Letter, aud remark able
logic addressed to ourselves In for the copgrat
nations Of Fair Play finding something in the Spec
tSor sdztc1 totis political taste, thank him for the
admission that nc has been osddom suited. No great
er compliment could DO paid Wing principles, so
intimately Connected think, with the prosperity,
happiness ara glory Of our country, than to ascssc
| rampant Democrat
"Fair Play" represents Gen. TAYLon, in regard TO
The Veto power, saying, "the will Of the people
expressed by their Representatives, should be the law
Of the land, when measures 'clearly
sttutiona.'' The quotatoss from the Allison let
ter, the balance OF the rs "Far Play's"
Now when is what Gen. rAyLoR did in fact say,
"a part only being quotcd.o we presume the public
will come the conclusion that the vindicator's
respondent has assumed very inappropriate sign
Gen. TAYLOR has said, Upon the subject Of the tariff,
the currency the improvements Of great high ways,
rivers, lakes and harbors the will Of the people,
pressed through their in Congress- ought
to be respected and carried out by the Executivc.
But such language has not been employed by him in
connection with hisviewsupon the Veto power "Far
Play" would have the public to infer. Upon this point
which forms the I'd head of the Allison Letter the very
first sentiment that, "thc power given by the Consti
-
conservative power butt in opinion. should be
exercised except in Of clear violation Of the
sttuton manifest haste aud Of consideration by
Congress" Then there in which, contrary TO
the assumption of "Fair Play" Gen. TAYLOR would
exercise the power independently Of their const
utiona bearing But again, this power says Gen. T.,
is "high conservative power-conserUaticc Of what
Ofthc Constitution be sure. and also Of the peace and
harmony of the country, when threatened by
| If wed
against section upon delicate question The Consttu
ton itself a compromise, intended for strength and
harmony, and the "hgh conservative power OF the We
admitted by that instrument, properly be used TO
effect the great objects There is, therefore,
force in the argument that because the President would
leave doubtful questions Of roads, rivers lakes, and
harbors where appropriations Of money were involved
the decision of the Of the people, that
therefore he could consistently interfere upon any
doubtful question: matter how delicate exciting,
tonal and, with the leave Play" unnecessary,
odous and insulting.
But, exclams the writer, in style of mpa ssioncd
wonder, "can be possible that the Spectator would
recommend to Gen. TAYLOR, the Quixotic course OF
drawing from its scabbard-whcre were promised it
should the kingly weapon Of the veto, to thrust it
through airy abstraction ?'' There is certainly
stumble here, be accounted for doubt by the cir
cumstancc, that the writer's propensity for rhetorical
rugged path oflogica correctness. The
in confoundng the principle Of the Wilmot proviso,
which deem abstraction, with act of Congress
legisatng that abstraction into concrction. We ,routd
have Gen. TAYLOR draw his sword upon the latter
The airy the subject Of legislation the greater tn
necessity of prompt Veto In these remarks we pre-
tend know what the President ,coud do, but only
show what he might do consistently with any state
previous to his clection and we may add, what
IL H. 49, Lot.
contingency--the passage of the Wilmot proviso.
And here take the liberty of noticing another
which ''Fair Play" has fallenthe identity of
the Wiot proviso with the ordinance Of 1887. What
if Wmot copied verbatim from that ordinance the fact
we'll known should think "Fair Play" that this
ordinance in effect the ratification of agreement
between ttco parcs-the yielding and the other
ceiving erritorythe Virginia and the other Con-
gess under the confederation and both asserting the
stipulated conditions, varies it toto colo from the Will
mot proviso which contempatcs independent act of
Congressional legislation Is not the writer fearful
when using the language the ordinance of 'S7 better
kno,cn at the present day the Wmot proviso," is
he fearful of playing into the hands Of the Abolition
lists?
But this reminds of the 'argumentum adj homincm,'
the closing pass Of very valiant knight of
"predcaments and catagories." We it who had
cgtmatcly, think, employed this mode of argu
ad homnem We atter ourselves that the thrust told If
may soy without vanity. The tbs-Mr
Polk signed the Oregon Bill, with the Wimot Provso
element, and yet passed unrcbuked by his party
10 the end Of his days. good Democrat Of genuine
Southern feelings. Col. BENTON voted for that meas
ure, and still maintains the principle. The De-
mocracy here, denounce Mr.. Benton and laud Mr.
PoLK-"with what grace, we know not" We had re-
erred to all this article of the last eek
pressed the hope that, in tho ProvIso should re
ceive the sanction Of Congress, Gen TAYLOR might do
what Mr. Polk failed to do administer a prompt veto.
The Spectator still andc disapprovipgy to the
cncy both Of Mr. Polk and his party upon the
Oregon Bill and still hope that Gen. Ia YLoR liz like
may "ollow in the footsteps of his H.
ustrous predecessor" Having exposed the sophstrics
of the indicators correspondent shall feel under
obligations hereafter to depart from rule by
.cing anon mous productions.
THE New CopE.-The Legislature has directed the
publication Of ten thousand copies of the New Code ut
cost Of from two three dollars per volume. The
editor of the Richmond Enquirer, of course does the
work, which, independently Of the salary he already
receives public printer pays him well for his Jealous
support Of Democracy. Each volume of the Code is to
contain the Declaration Of Independence and the Virgin
ia Bill of Rights. five follow the example Of
South Carolina, the "Southcrn address, should have
been substituted. facetous member Of The House sug
gcstcd that the RESOLUTIONS Of '9S and '99 and few
copies Of the Enquirer containing thereon had
better be bound up with the Code, and another member
suggested the Conway Resolutions" preiz.
The Code will go into effect the first Of July next.
IT makes many important changes in the laws of the
State. We will publish sketch Of them IT
be procured.
The Legislature adjourned Friday last TO meet a.