Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-11-26
NO. IL
r,oa rHs RICHMOND assU'lelAs.


In leading article in your paper, few
daydago, you placed the desire for the cleo
ton of Mr.. Summers on the frxe groends--
the advancement of the great intefens o.
Virginia under the new Constitutiop, ~;
his letter of acceptance, Mr.. Summers,
while he clearly and unequivoca!ly dehnes
his position on Federal politics, places nm
self on the same grounds.
It will be remembered that the great reas-
on urged by all the advocates for change
in our Constitution, was that there were de-
fects in our old Constitution which retarded
the advancement of the great and neglected
interests of Virginia, and change IN the
organic law has been looked to with tho
confident expectation that great benefit
would result by infusing new life into all
the industrial interests of the State.
To effect this great end, il is certainly OF
the first importance that men of the proper
stamp should be selected to fill, at any rate,
the most responsible Offices when the new
machine shall be for the first time put into
operation. That Mr.. Summers possesses
all the requisite and rare qualIic atoms for
the highest Office, Will not be deniedb any
OF any party. He is Virginian Of the true
stamp, with high order of intellect, sound
judgment, conciliatory manners, and the
enthusiastic advocate of every needed and
useful reform in the management OF our
State concerns. Without the least desire to
detract in any way anything from the true
merits of Mr.. Johnson, bis opponent, can
as much be said in his favor l do not for
one moment doubt his desire to advance the
interests of his adopted State, but from his
whole life, down to his membership ofthe
last Convention, has he exhibited himself as
The man for the crisis Did his selection
look to the advancement of VTginia, or to
party? Are there not men in his own party
his superiors in every way? Why, | ask
were the past claims of such men as our
present Governor overlooked! Let us do
justice. Governor Floy ID has earned himself
high reputation by his earnest desires, T.
industrious, persevering and successful eff
forts in exalting the extended credit Of the
State, and advocating necessary improve
ments. Why were his claims, and the claims
of others who could be mentioned, over
looked? The only answer which can be
given is, that the great and permanent con-
sideration was The mere adrancemtM of par
ty.
/ do not draw these comparisons from
any improper motives, OF with the intention
of exciting any feelings of jealousy or dis
content, but state what believe to be So
Der facts, of deep concern to Virginia.
The fact is notorious, in and out of Vir-
ginia, that for years her true interests have
been postponed and neglected by the absorb
ing discussion of Federal politics. Has she
not been slumbering long enough under the
influence of this nightmare Shall we nep,
in this first election under the new Consti-
tuition, resolve all other questions into these
two-Is he a Wig, or is he q Democrat !
Or shall we not rather ask, which candidate
can do most for the great interests Of cur
beloved Commonwealth /! ! see that in
some counties, and these whig counties too,
they propose to forget party and 60 for the
best men. Is the policy important in q
county, and small matter in selecting tho
most important officers in the State !
I Ibelong to the Democratic. Wing party.
I have no doubt of the fact that the tenets
of that party contain the conservative princi-
Piles of the country. But | still think that it
is about time that some little interest should
be taken in the immediate interests of the
Commonwealth of Virginia. If her resource
es are ever to be developed; if she is ever
to take the stand she once had, and which
she is entitled to, her people must elect her
a6lest men TO do The States business. If the
people of Virginia do not look to this matter
the surrounding States will not. Already
in many of those States she has become
bye ,cord and a jest. The only interest they
take in the matter is, how her vote will
count in Presidential election-in the for
tunes of some "sweet little fellow with
Southern principles"
l beg the people, then, to judge candidly
and soberly in the matter. Let each man
ask himself when he gives his vote, whether
he is only contributing his voice to elevate
some man to federal Office, and thus to
crafty perhaps corrupt ambition, without
contributing one iota to the prosperity Of
our omn Virginia. 7.