Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-04-10
reo.Rr.posprscr or THE spEcrAroR.]
WAsHiseroN, April 8. 1850.

cokREsPoNDENcE OF THE sPkCTAfoh.J
WAsHiseroN, April 3, 1850.
For The last three weeks Ihave been here at
the great centre Of great nation where the eyes
and the thoughts Of twenty millions of the only
truly free of our race are turned with intense anx-
iety-ihe point Of observation, it may be said, of
wondering world And not without reason, tits SO
THE United States furnish problem of varied and
various aris-demonstrating, in consecutive results
vital principles in the science ofhuman government,
which awaken fresh hopes and confidence for the
oppressed all over the world Failure has been pre-
dcted at every successive step from the commence
ment of our revolutionary struggle to the present
day. But "time, which overthuws the Illusions Of
opinion, establishes the decisions of nature" What
ever be the combination of causes. our government
tcorks tceH In succession Of crises from the cum
mencement, the foundation has stood firm, and The
superstruciure has gone up, strong and high, and
Of beautiful proportions, shelter TO lis people from
the windy storm and tempest, the admiration Oft The
world.
Every American may justly feel pride in his
country. Not government in Europe could have
avoided revolution in such discussion as has ag-
i,aied our Congress during lis present session. Yet
every man here, except few agitators influenced
by treasonabe eanngs, feels that the CRISIS is past
and the dangers are now so well defined that they
may be easily avoided hereafter Our skiilfu nav
igaors are employed in drafting apohlical chart,
by which all future voyagers may be able lay their
course with safely to the ship Of state
1t is quite evident now that the mutiny, which
has hurled US on the breakers, was caused by a
very few Of the crew, and confined to them. The
majority is sound and loyal. This made manifest,
they will 90 on TO duty with new confidence and
with decision.
1t is evident there are too n,inorites of ultras,
meeting in ertremis, one common desire odissolve
the Union They will be left and are beginning 10 be
despsed while the great mass, who love their cum
try, have been drawnby the apprehension of danger
closer together and will unite and lead on our happy
country to her glorious destiny.
have no doubt but that Mr.. Webster is, at this
moment, the most popular man in the nation. The
truth Of This opinion will be developed in due time.
Clay and Cass, each by their particular admit
rers, may be assigned 10 the position haveg given
to Webster But all these great statesmen have
laid the country undernew obligations to them, and
have established claim to our gratitude.
Gen. Taylor is great man. This begins 10 be
felt and acknowledged. With all the sound sense
and imness Of Jackson, he has thai which his mil
itary predecessor had not, and which peculiarly fits
him for his present exigency-he has spirit Of mod
Grafton and cauousNess, which leads him to hold
the balance with steady hand in this. perhaps, the
most momenious era of our cuuntry's history
Thus does kind providence ilappear towalchover
our beloved country, and over-rule our rulers and
guide our people. Had the mpe,uous spirit Of
Jackson, with his indomilabe will stood at The helm
in the present storm, his 'force b'' might indeed
have been called "bill Of abominatons." The
time has arrived for mutual concessions, and re-
curreRce to first principles in this great family OF
'thirty nations" have never fell a stronger con
fdence in the perpeluity of the coniederacy. We
shall! come to understand one another better by
the discussions that have so fully developed opn-
ions in all parts of The country. THE Cabinet" is
still on trial before the country. and will arrive, |
hope, at the same decision of approval, which be-
lieve has already dawned The wise course pursued
by the illusirious Chief Magistrate.
Our Country--it is pleasant 10 contemplate her
in her origin, progress, present attitude and
future prospects. Ours is truly ''model govern
rnent,1 Conflicts Of opinion. which in other coun'
tries end in revolution and deeper despotism, here
prove 10 be but the struggling Of a well framed
law 10 throw off its impertecons and bring frmer
securities 10 life, liberty and property.
We know of no "press gangs" but the gangs Of
the press employed always in the cause of liberty,
chartered by freedom controlled by public opinion,
scattering light by steam power, by lightning rods,
multiplied and multiplying in every direction like
tissues Of nerves in the human frame, binding to-
gether our wide country in all its parts so that the
emotions ofevery section are felt all theextremItes,
instantaneous as thought illustrating the motto on
our national escutcheon-E Pturibtss Unun Can
such Union be violated-such heart be false TO
tself2
BY the locomotive power ofsteam, we are rapid
| ly removing our great farming interests into the
vicinity Of their great markets. and our country vii
lges are becoming the suburbs Of our Commercial
cities. This great idea Of applying steam as mo-
tive power, which had labored in the human mind
from its first conception by Hero nearly two thou
sand years ago. has been practically developed by
our Fulton. Lightning, first drawn from the heav-
ems by our franklin, now trained to its own laws
| by our Morse is sent on brands all the land
by the hands of our daughters, working, in perfect
security, the lines Of communication. If we are
true to ourselves, our government must be as last
ing as our country is happy above others, our nflu-
ence for good others wide spread as enterprise
is unsurpassng. The Atlantic and Pacificwill soon
kiss each other at the isthmus, Maine and Califor-
mia will talk together by lightning, and as the
masses are moving towards the Pacific, we may
hope pacific influences will so thoroughly prevail
that we may come finally TO act on the great fact
that our interests are some and indivisble, now and
forever"
CORPORATION ELEcrIoN.-The election for