Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-01-01

visions Of human hope grow dim and be eclipsed I'M
der The Just frowns of Heaven. We know, however
that good influences are at work, and an indomtabe
energy, before which all obstacles, physical and NOR
al are destined to fall There is progress in these,
rs there is in other things. The dawn Of pure and
elevated civilization is breaking upon the gloom OF
pagan and barbarous lands, anl penetrating the dark
abodcs OF superstition and cruelty. China is awak :
ing from the long slumber of ages, experience and
enjoy new vitality and Africa is endeavorng to
lift her bruised and feered hands, in supplicaon
TO God.
FlRE.-Our citizens were reused from sleep, be-
tween two and three o'clock, Sunday morning
last, by the cry OF fire. From the brilliant light,
extensive conhagration at first apprehended bui
it proved 10 be only the meat-house Of MIR. WILLIAM
Craig, which had cangh fire from burning Goals,
mingled with ashes thrown out the previous day
The meat-house was consumed, and but for our adj
mirable waer-works, which were brought into play
some of the most valuable property IN the town
would probably have been destroyed. The crcum-
stances revealed facts-rsi, The want of al Elf
Client fire company, and secondly, the value of our
present water-works. In reference to the last,
may remark. that we, among Others, have sometimes
fe disposed 20 grumble little at the high taxes
segment upon the introduction Of water into the
by pipes but we now feel and acknowledge that the
money was mos, judiciously expended, even if pro-
lection from lire was the only benefit received.
PRoGREss OF ABoLIrIoSIsN.-A gentleman of this place
I m LII,
paper published in Boston and received by him through the
mail. contains long article, by LysAEDER SPooNER,
in which the writer attempts prove that neither the Con
stution either Of the of Congress Of 1893 $780,
requires the surrender Of Fugitive Slaves From the
leading editorial, learn that twenty odd thousand copies
Of this number have been struck off for circulation through
out the Country The editorial, addressed to the Bar Of
the United States, commences follows: "To day we
commence systematic movement having for its object to
give new interpretation the Constitution of the United
S,aesan Interpretation that shall enable the general gov
eminent to abolish slavery in the States"
This certainly bold movement Before long we may
see members % Congress proposing to act upon The
interpretation although Giddngs has not yet pOesseu 10
have adopted it. Aboitoinsm is progressive, and be-
coming more add more aulacious. A few years go all
The aboonists in the country but handful of iana,
les now they hold the balance Of power between the two
great political parties the North and frequently control
elections. This movement however, may tend to open
the eyes the Nohen people more fully to the dangerous
schemes maturing in their midst which threaten the peace
and stability Of the country We disposed to attach
much importance to this new development and leave it 10
huse who alone can counteract its evil tendencies
g. The efficacy Of The Fugitive Slave Law has a
4.
last, negro man named HENRY LONG. was arrested
and taken before Commissioner warrant OBJ
tanned by DR.. w. w. PARKER, of Richmond acting
under power ofaorney from his brotherin-law, JOHN
T. SMITH, of Russell county, the owner of the negro.
Several abolition lawyers volunteered in delence and
on one preence and another. the was postponed
two or three times-i, appears indeed that the evi-
dence of the negro being slave was not entirely
satisfactory in legal point of view. The Richmond
papers, however, state that dispatch received
from Dr. PARKER, on Friday, in which he says that
DIR. WADE, of Christiansburg, who knew Henry and
his mother, and could give the required testimony,
was in New York, and that there would be no fur
Their difficulty.
WESTERN AsYLUM-The Committee Of the House OF
Delegates. appointed to VISIT and investigate The affairs OF
the Western Lunac Ay um. spent several days last week
in the performance Of the duty Imposed upon hem Charges
were preferred against the Board of Directors, which
large number of witnesses were examined The decision
, Of The Committee will not be- made public uHt their epo
is presented to the Legislature. At the request VI members
Of The Board we publish the following extract from he
late annual report:
itutiO
ed by such cnnmee, and in the interim large appnp
atoms been made by the commonwealth for extending
the building and increasing the accommodations for the IN
sane That the board Of directors should feel the decacy
and responsibility of their position, under such clrcumsan
ces left 81 much they their udgemnt and dis
creon is both just and natural The asylum has become
under its repeated enlagements important object STATE
, interest as well from its heavy annual charge upon thu
public treasury the extensive hold 1t has taken upon tn
feelings and sympaihes Of the people, II would seem bu
RIGHT and lust therefore, that il should receive Of ,h
legislative tention and supervision than it has heretofore
n done Even ifnohing valuable should he anticipated from
the labor oH such committees, result hrdy 10 De presu
med) the board of directors would respectfully submit
the general assembly whether snmehlng moi due 10 men
as public agents. and the important Interests they have
charge Their official conduct. they humoy think. "ngh
be- left. under caur Of supposed responsibility ex
posed the misrepresentation nfhe gnnranl and presum
cave1, but should've made the subject Of intel
gent public opinion through The constantly revising pnwe
Of the legislature And in regard recent camnr in ihe
vicinity the hoard would emphaicay remark that. Will
they do presume claim exemption rom the ordnar
u mperc;nn Of human Judgment they cherish, least,
proud consciousness Of their integrity Of purpose
they cordially and aaressy invite its authors unite wit
them in asking Of the Legislature the most rigid scrutiny r
D. 10 all their acts.
= o. The Connecticut Life Insurance Company no.
numbers over twelve Thousand members. All persons WI
think of nsung their lives should do before the lot