Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-09-24
!, sUr Eon THE DISTRICT CONVENTION.

sUT FOR THE DISTRICT CONVENTION
Mr.. CHARLES DOUGLASS GRAY announ-
ces himself, in the last Rockingham Regis
ter, candidate for Congressional honors,
subject to the decision of the District Con-
ventIon. We had inclined to the opinion
that an original supporter Of the Compro-
mise measures, qualified in other respects
to represent the people, could not be found
within the limits of the Locofoco party in
this District. 1t seems, however, that in
Mr.. GRAY the Locofocos may find the desid-
eratum. 1t will be seen from the following
language that he claims to be sound on the
Compromise and good friend Of the Union;
~ have never before sought office, In
deed, have declined all solicitation to seek
office, and whether / would even now have
been prevailed on to be candidate, is quite
uncertain, had it not been for the strong de-
sire feel, that this District shall continue
to be represented (as it has hitherto been so
ably by its late illustrious representative by
one decidedly approving the COMPROMISE
Bills of the last session of Congress, and
who as decidedly condemns the perniclous
doctrines of secession, notification and dis
union. On these points. | not only concur
red with our lamented Mcdowell, but with
him who at the last Presidential election,
was the honored candidate of the democrat
ic party, the exponent of democratic prin-
ciples, with Cobb, the popular democratic
Union candidate for Governor of Georgia,
and Speaker of the last House of Represen-
tatives, and with the brave and stout-heart-
ed Foote, who now triumphs in Mississippi,
having forced General Quitman, the leader
of the secessionists and nullifieis, and who
was their chosen candidate for Governor,
10 quit the electoral field abashed and dis
comfted."
The District Convention meets in few
days, and we would commend the sound
views set forth IN the above paragraph, to
their especial aud serious consideration
Here is gentleman who asks the nomina-
ton, because he approves the Compromise
measures and is opposed to Secession and
Notification; indeed it may be fairly in
ferred from his language that other aspi-
rants cannot urge their claims on the same
grounds. Doubtless there will be a num-
Der of worthy gentlemen brought to the
attention of the Convention, whose fitness
will be deliberately discussed, dispassionate-
" considered and solemnly passed upon
Their sentiments upon the important points
presented by Mr.. GRAY will of course weigh
heavily in the issue, and the candidate Sc
lected must necessarily embody the views
of the Convention. Unless all other aspi-
rants can subscribe heartily to the language
of Mr.. GRAY, on these matters of all-absorb-
ing interest and paramount Importance, he
must get the nomination of the party which
claims the parentage of the Compromise and
the salvation of the Union. If, on the con-
trary, they give him the cold shoulder, and
select man, who, in the time of their need
was VIGOROUSLY opposed to the Compromise
measures, every rational man must con-
clude either "that they approve opposition
to the Compromise; or, that they hold op'
position to that great measure, matter Of
no consequence; or, that they are an unprin'
cipled party, who nominate man without
caring what he thinks on the most impor-
tant of all public questions at the time pend
ing"