Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-09-03
ALL OF APIECE.


tinction of chivalric independence. We
have nailed him to the counter upon our re-
form views; yet nothing abashed, and for
the purpose of getting out Of that scrape, he
brings forward another charge irrelevant to
the issues in hand and coming with poor
grace from an Editor whose political tergi-
versations can be compared to nothing SO
fifty asthe. ever changing weather-cock.
The false charge may be found in the
following quotation from the Viadicalo' Of
Monday last. SIN the days of South Caro-
lima Notification 1882 when large meet
ing of the people of Augusta was held to re-
spond to the Proclamation of Gen. JACKSON,
who stood up, almost solitary and alone, for
the rights Of South Carolina-the Editor
(referring to the Senior) of the same Spec
tator. Modification and secession are both
hateful doctrines in Virginia, and deserved
ly so-but until the Spectator wipes out the
stain of notification, let it hold it's peace of
disloyalty to the Union"
The Vindicator pays us Ghe Senior) a
high and it may be an undersigned compl-
ment by the statement, that we stood up in
1882 almost alone fol the rights of South
Carolina. 1t is the first time we have
known it imputed as sin, that man stood
up for the rights of his fellow men. But as to
the "stain of notification" the Senior Edi-
tor of this paper was in 1882, is now and al
ways has been as free as the most spotless.
Where did the Editor Of the indicator get
his information' Not from the proceedings of
the meeting referred to, we venture 10 say.
The object of that meeting as stated by the
indicator was to respond to the Proclama-
ton of Gen. JACKSON founded upon the
force bill. We stood up in opposition to that
bill, while we considered South Carolina
notification an absurdity, and we were not
alone in the act. We dissented from the
Proclamation upon the ground assumed by
President TAYLOR long afterwards, that
whenever it is necessary to keep this Union
together by the sword it wouldnot be worth
preserving. Where then is the Vindieator's
authority for its foolish charger They say
so-aye, they say-a favoured witness with
the Vindicator, whose Editor is old enough
to know better If he was so disposed.
That we held in 1882 certain opinions
favouring the abstract right of secession,
we shall never deny. The subsequent ex-
position by Mr.. MADISON of the celebrated
resolutions Of 1888" greatly modified those
views. And yet we continue to feel a
strong repugnance to that same force Bill
and Proclamation, as not justified by the
circumstances, and only to be resorted to
in cases OF dire necessity and fragrant vio-
laton of the laws of the United States.
AT HIS OLD TRICKS.
Last week we charged that the Editor of
the Vindicator made statements in refer
ence to our views of reform which he knew
at the time he made them to be untrue
We not only endeavored to create the im-
preston that his statements were false, but
distinctly asserted it; and not only asserted
it, but exhibited the proof sufficient to con-
vict him before jury of any twelve of his
impartial fellow citizens. AS his custom is
when driven to the wall, he repels this "soft
Impeachment" of his veracity by squealing
''aristocracy" and begging for sympathy.
In the next place it is charged that we Cen
deavored to ridicule" the election of all the
officers by the people; that our articles were
obscure and it was not until writer over
the signature of ga Reformer" sought to
find out our sentiments that the public could
get clue to them. BY such statements,
as destitute Of truth as the original asser-
ton, he eudeavors to clear his skirts of will
full prevarication. Any one who will take
the trouble to examine the files of the Spec
tator will find that, while we expressed our
doubts of the policy of electing every little
petty officer by the people, we never ridi-
culed or opposed popular elections. Our
views were fully and fairly developed be-
fore reform" made his assault, as we had
occasion to show by republication at the
time. As we proved the charge then, so
we pronounce it now an unjustifable, un-
warrantable mis-statement of undenlable
facts. For the truth of our own statements
and the falsity Of the indicators we refer
alike to the printed record.
As to the repeated slang about "arisioe-
racy," dlgnifed even with a special para
graph, it really makes us feel small. The
Editor of the indicator evidently belongs
to class of men denominated GROWERS
by an exchange paper. We cannot better
respond to his harmless hits at our aristo-
cratic selves than by publishing the follow
ing extract, which we seriously commend to
his attention
There is a class of men in every community who
90 about with vinegar faces, because somebody ieels
above them, because they are not appreciated as
they should be, and who have constant quarrel
with their destiny. These men, usually have made
very grave mistake in the estimate of their abll-
ties, or are unmligaled asses. In either case they
are unfortunate. Wherever this fault finding with
&c q