Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-02-13
/ ooaarspo sDEscrs or THE srEor4roR.l
lRlcaMoNp, FebIuaty 7lh, 1851

RICHMOND, Februafy 7ih, 1850
.Neasrs Editors You will see by the papers
that the proceedings Of the Legislature have been
more than usually interesting within The last few
days. The monument question ELECTED, on Tues
day, some very original remarks from junior mem
beers of the House. Various witiicsms were pass
ed upon the model of Mr. Crawford ;'some of them,
it must be confessed, very just in point Of taste II
is indeed to be regretted that siatuary was ever
thought of as an appropriate method Of commemoTa-
ting such character as Washngton's. Whilst
other historical personages have exhibited more re-
markable genius, and even more vivid virtues, on
some particular theatres Of human action, it would
seem thathRs services 10 mankind were performed,
and his talents exhibited on Too comprehensive
field to be represented in any imitation Of his ati-
tudes. Place him on platform, in the act Of de-
livering his Farewell Address-aad you fai. TO
convey any expression of his heroic courage so Of
ten tried in the field. Seat him on rampant char
ger, telescope in hand, and you preserve no recol'
lection of his calm judgment in the cabinet, or his
patriotic contentment in the bosom of his family
A monument with inscriptions would far more suit
ably subserve the moral end contemplated in such
works, and statues, If admitted at all should he c-
ttious. not of ideas, not
4tkenesses Of persons A monument Similar to that
of Sir Walter Scott, at Edinburg, with sepu-
chral sabunder the arches, and statue Of Liberty
kneeng byit, would in my opinion most beanll-
fully express to future generations the homage and
regret Of this, for The Father Of his Country.
On Wednesday there was quite an animated dis
cusson, arising out of the proscrptive policy Of The
Democrats. They have avowed their determine
ton to make CLEAN sweep in the basement of the
Capitol, and so intense is their thirst fur Wing
blood, tina, fears are entertained that they may pro-
coed to erecute The must accomplished officers OF The
Commonwealth, and this sacrifice, in moment,
the experience which il cost long series eff years
TO acquire. leading member Of the party said
without Blush, that this measure would be car
ried out right Or uiong, merely because they had
the power ard chose to exercseit. Whey dare not
av,w what they cannot deny, that mere parlzan
retaliation is the motive that mpels them to this
course, and no doubt many Of them will live te be
ashamed of their participation in it. Should James
f.. Heath be thrown out on the pairy charge Of
having ridicued the Democratic Party in an enhem-
erai Farce, the reading community will not fail TO
be reminded of French Jacobinism in the days of
Robesbierre and Marat, when Camille Desmoullns
died under the gaotine for having written an allie
CORY.
You will perceive from the Resolutions on the
Proviso, that Virginia, in the spirit of the old queen
after whom she was named has once more shaken
her fist in the face of the North bat if she has not
moderated her tone, she has at least modified her
language so as to leave herself little more free TO
act according TO unforeseen contingencies. BY tire
by, the mutual safety" pledged in one of the Res
Citations would seem to indicate Hibernian patef-
nifty.
There was some discussion of,he Convention and
Colonization questions on Thursday, but no attempt
TO enter into their merits In reference 10 the lat
ter caese it rs astonishing to see the ignorance and
prejudice of SOME members Of fire house. They
seem to suspect abotionism IN every humane SEN
timent, and 10 imagine that every effort 10 araello
rate lie condItI0H OF the Tree negroes, however
beneficial to the State, is tainted with treason to Tie
South More hereafter, in reference TO this matter.
Suffice il now TO say that the indefaiigable efforts
Of the Rev r. W. Bailey, seem to have met with
more encouragement than might have Teen hoped
for by the best friends Of the cause. D"F.