Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-11-19
AN ExTtNGUIsuER-

The Richmond Times of Friday last, has
brought to light some further extracts from
the records, which must put an end to the
unfounded charge of abolitionism made a
gainst Mr.. SUMMERS by our Democratic OPP
ponents. We showed last week that JAMES
McDowELL, who was elected Governor OF
the State by the Legislature OF 1913, ex-
prsssed the same sentiments in 1882 on the
subject of emancipation, for the expression
of which Mr.. SUMMERS is now so bitterly
as,ailed. A debate took place in the House
of Delegates on the 18th ofDecember, 1912,
from which the Times copies to show the
view taken of the subject at that time by
the Democracy Of the State. The report Of
the debate was published in the Enquirer
of the 18th, and the same paper also con-
tanned leading editorial, part of which is
in these words:
The charges that were made against Jas.
Mcdowell on the score of Abolitionism,
we're repealed not only by the vote of the
Western Wigs, but by the direct pledges of
two OF them, AlesSrs. Parks aud French,
and the solemn assurances Of Messrs. Cow
an and GoodSon. In TACT we never saw
charges that were so weakly supported and
the Wings so completely overthrow in de-
bate. Before the battle was over not an
inch ofground was left to them to fight upon.
These charges were made by certain
Eds'ern Wings, amongwhom MIR. BowDEN of
Williamsburg, then al anti-Bauk Wing, and
now thorough-going Democrat, was prom
inent Thesprincipal reply to Mr.. Bow
DENIS attack came from Mr., SHELTON F..
LEAKE, then of Albcmare, who, says the
Times, by a singular coincidence, is record
ed on the one hand, as having uttered the
btterest denunciations of Col. JoHNsoN's
support of the Oregon bill and, on the 9TH
er, as making in effect conclusive defence
of Mr.. SUMMERS against the charge of abo-
lition. We copy part of what the Lnqui-
rer reports HIM as having said:
Mr.. LEAKE of Albemarle, was not aston
ished at the course of certain gentlemen in
pursuing that SYSTEM OF PETTY AT
TACK AND DEFENCE. But he was
surprised at their bringing up this GHOST
OF ABOLITION OF 1882, as GORGON
AND A CHIMERA DIRE. He was es-
pecially surprised at theq quarter from whence
| it came. THIS DOMESTIC ABOLITION
| OUGHT TO BE ALLOWED TO SLEEP
THE SLEEP OF DEATH--IF DIS
! CUSSED, IT WILL ALWAYS PRO
4 DUCE MISCHIEF. 1t is TO be particular
ly reprobated, when it is brought up to
| damn the reputation of this eminent man.
T Gentlemen ought 10 have looked into the
history ofihis matter. This movement Of
domestic Abolition in 1882 originated with
Mr.. Southau, who was elevated by the votes
of the gentleman from Williamsburg and
his party, to the Speakers chair. Mr..
Leake referred to the scenes Of horror in
\ southampton, and the alarm through out the
Commonwealth, and asked if it was to be
wondered at that the ill-timed move IN 1882
$50 we'll characterized by his friend from
Greenbrier) should have been conceived
under such an excitement.
\ Mr.. Leake, then, says the Times, thought
| that THIS DOMESTIC ABOLITION OUGHT
:; TO BE ALLOWED TO SLEEP THE SLEEP OF
DEATH" that it ought not to be brought up
to damn the reputation of an eminent man;
that the emancipation movement OF 1852
though unfortunate, was excusable; and
that notwithstanding his participation in it,
Mr.. Mcdowell had THE soUNDEsT sENrI-
! y
The Times copies the last speech OF any
length, made by Mr.. EDMUSDs, of Halifax
the largest slave-holding county in the State,
and says
We ask the reader specially to notice
the view of Mr.. Edmunds, that the mani
festation by the East Of any distrust of the
West for the course of ITS public men in
1882, would properly offend the Western
people, and produce an uncomfortable ex-
element How DO his counsels apply now'
Let our Western friends take the subject for
reflection. But Mr.. Edmunds' other senti-
ment is peculiarly worthy of remembrance.
! III utterly repudiate," says he, THE con-
NECTtoN OF THE MOVEMENT OF 1882 WITH
NORTHERN ABoLJTIoN-AND THIS STIR
RING UP OF THE ILL FEELINGS OF THE
GREAT AND INCREASING VEST" If those
feelings DC now stirred up by the appeals of
the Eastern Democratic papers, let them be
responsible for consequences. The West
acted as one man in 1882 and if it is to be
assumed that no man whom it then honor
ed can retain the favour of the State at
large, 1t may not unnaturally turn with a
terrible vengeance upon those who I'M
pugn its loyalty to The best interests of the
Commonwealth.
The vote in the House, resulted For
Mcdowell, SO the rest scattering. We be-
lieve every Democrat in the body voted tor
him, together with some Wings. The joint
vote was : for Mcdowell l10-scattering 80.
This chapter from the record, we now,
in all candour, commend to the Wings and
Democrats Of Virginia and ask them TO ex-
S press their honest judgments upon it.
Nor TO BE TRusrED.-Our Democratic
: friends generally maintain the right of Sc
ccssion, but scout the idea of their wishing
to exercise it under present circumstances
Notwithstanding their abstract opinions
they claim to be as sound on the UnloT