Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-12-17
- sDNEsDAY, DECEMBER II, 1851.
Reflections upon the EIe ctisn,.

@NSh~S GPoH lnS &leCtt9ls.
The Sth Of December has past and with
It the anxieties and labours of On important
ADD animated State canvass. One of Viz
s'hia's modest sons, statesman, patriot and
honest maa--able, accomplished and liberal
m his views, has been defeated for the Of
ice OF Governor. That defeat has render
ed him nothing less in all the respects men
toned, and no less willing to serve his
country when she may need his services.
Ilst he has rendered eminent services to
% the State, no man will deny. An imper-
ishaols memorial has been left of him upon
the records of the late State Convention ;
and the monument will continue to be ad-
mired, even thought the services remain otl-
srwiss unrequited.
The Wing party thought just such man
as3EosGc w. SUMMERS was needed to fill
fhs executive chair under the amended
Constitution and give direction to the new
and increased energies infused into the
government by that instrument. Power
must be guided, or its impulses tend blindy
to evil or to good--itself is blind. The o.
aean steamer without steersman, drives
asadIong, perchancs to destruction, per-
Hhance to the desired haven.
The Democratic party thought joseph
JOHNSON the man for the crisis and have G.
lected him to the helm. Taking for grant
ed that both parties are equally patriotic,
haVingin view the best interests of the Com
Snonwealth. the Wings will never be asham
Cd OF their Judgment, however much they
nay regret defeat. Ours is a government
al numbers, and the minority must yield to
ths Will OF the majority. That will, how
ever, in the emphatic language of Mr.. JET
FsRsoS-'that will, 10 be rightful must be
seasonabls.: A party triumph is not al
ways public blessing.
a f'7eign traveller in this country who
had made himself acquainted with the ma
ture OF our government, its theory and prac-
tical operations-the Tenderness of our In
shtuhons, the genius Of our people, and the
state of parties-that enlightened traveller
has said, that the higher grades of intellect
and craftsmanship may not long be expect
cd to grace the highest offices in this coun-
try. When uttered it was offensive, as have
been many prophesies now become history.
The thought OF his heart Sas, that as the
white plumage of the swan was surer tar
+ get for the deadly rifle, than the raven s
sombre hue, so the bright intellect and vir-
tues Of the spotless patriot, would, in the
progress Of our history, become the shining
mark for every foul shaft hurled from the
polluted hands of malicious detractors.-
Have we reached that point? II is SOL
smn and fearful question for all honest men
DRrrrsu PsRIoDIcAL LrrERATURE.
We invite the attention of our readers tc
the advertisement in another column o.
Msssrs. LEONARD Scorr s Co., of New
York, re-publishers Of the four great British
Reviews and of Blackwooo's Magazine
The beginning of new year is suitable
time for commencing subscriptions, and the
reduced rates Of postage, as set forth in the
advertisement, operate to diminish still far
ther the exceedingly low cost at which the
publications are furnished to American read
era. The price of Blsckwood in Great Brit,
ain is 81 50,-and yet it maintains circu.
lation of 10000 copies-in this country the
price is only $500. 1t contains the popu,
Jar novels of BuLwER and others, and, by an
arrangement with the British Publishers,
the American Publishers are enabled to is.
sus their reprint before the original edition
arrives.
These periodical (says the Prospectus Of
the Publishers are the critical censors Of
the British scholastic and literary world =
BY their criticisms, they aid readers in the
pelection of standard valuable books and
by the epitomes which they present often
ssviats the necessity of consulting works
90 volumineus for general examination
they fill place which American maya
ines cannot supply; for they discuss topic:
stating more strictly TO the affairs, political
oligious, scientific, and literary, of the con
nent Of Europe. They are conducted b,
be best talents of Great Britain; and are
pgaeed with the most important questions
hich iaterest or agitate the civilized world
hoever subscribss to them all, may reaC
ablsst representatives of the principa
rites into which the people of Great Brit
IA are divided.
sJ- A great contest will doubtless come OF du
pE the session Of the next Legislature on The sub
;. Of the extension Ofthe Cenlrai Raj. road to tn
bio. The Virginia and Tennessee kSlIroad ant
James River and Kanawha Canal interest;
q all the opponents Of internal Improvements an
cation will be arrayed against US, and We fee