Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-11-26
,IEssRs. SUMMERS ANo nococK.
Mr.. Summers seems to have charmed bis friends

MIR. Summers seems to have charmed his friends
and almost convinced Ills adyersares, in his efforts
at Lynchburg and Campbell Court House. 'Fhe
papers and private letters give the most enlhusas-
tic accounts OF The impression he produced. The
justice Of the sketch, we copy from the Lynch.
burg Virginian, ofIhe discussion with Mr. b.
cock, is evidenced even by the account Of The ad
versary paper. the Republican. which fairly &C.
kno&ledged the eluquence Of Mr.. Summers, and
admits enough, concerning his vindication against
the charge Of unsounness,l TO dispell the whue Or
Jec In. Thus, in sketch of Mr.. Boeock's remarks
the Republican saws: .
"Co. Bocock boldly charged Mr.. Summers
with being unsound upon the slavery question in
1882. Nis true thai he claimed 10 hare
changed his opinions since that day, and COL b.
cock gaze him full 6redit for the GuowaI-NoT
QUESTIONING HIS SINCERITY IN THE LEAsT-but
he demanded 10 know arhen he changed his views
and what produced The change2 1t would not do
to say that circumstances had changed and that he
had changed with then-for circumstances might
change back again, and leave him in as unforIu-
nate position as ever. He held that it would be
unsafe for Virginia, in the present unsound state
of Northern feeling and sentiment upon this vital
question, 10 elevate To the Chief Msgistracy Of the
State ono who had ever entertained such senti-
ments'
And, in second speech, says the same paper:
"He pressed home upon Mr.. Summers, with
great power and affect, his odious abolition views
of lS32-declAring that his placing others in the
same category was no vlndcaiicn Of himself II
is true that he coald be pardoned for entertaining
such abominable heresies, inasmuch as he had re-
pen,ed Of his sins and sought forgiveness by avow-
ing change Of views-but this certainly cnnstitu.
led no reason why he should be promoted TO the
first office within the gift Of the people Of the
State. Ii should rather be held up as beacon
light TO guide others against similar error in the
future. The abandoned culprit could upon repent
ance and change of conduct, be forgiven al the
throne of Justice, but he could not be rewarded
with the highest seat in .he Synagogue"
The fact, then, that Mr.. Summers avowed
change of the Objectionable opinions of 1852, and
was sincere in the avowal, is conceded by Mr. Boz
cock and the Republican. This is ali that the
Democrats have pretended TO demand, and it is all
that any reasonable man can require.
But Mr. Bocock objects nightly TO The prece-
dent of electiDg a man who was wrong 1882, no
matter how entire The change of his views, or
worthy of respect his personal character. We have
here bit of political history to reviye,for Mr.. Bo
cocks benefit. In the House Of Delegates Of lS
40, WHEN tH6 tltCtIUH vi OufeiHUI Was ptHuIlSb
and James Mcdowell was the Democratic nom
nee, MIR. Thomas S. Bocock, now Democratic !
member Of Congress, was one Of the Delegates
from Buckingham. He heard the debate that
took place concerning Mr.. McDowell's course in
1892, and, under the influence Of the remonsran-
ces of Mr.. Edmunds and NJ. Leske, against COS
TRACKING the entire West" bringing up this
ghost of Abolition in 1882" &c., he cast his rote
like The other members of his party. for Mr.. Nc
DoweH. Now we leave it to Mr.. Thomas 5. and
Mr.. Willis p. 10 settle the questions Of precedent
and safe policy, between them. The one did pre-
csely what the other says is altogether inadmissi
BILE. Yet they ale both perfectly sound Democrats
-.4rcades Gmo.-Rich Times.