Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-12-03
POLITICAL.
FOR THE spEoTAro OR.
WESTERN VIRGINIA.

For years, the people of Western w
ginia, though comprising maloruy oI l"s
people of the State, have labored under oP-
pressive constitutional disabilities. In the
Convention of '25 after the most powerful
exertions of their strongest men. the West
failed to secure her rights, but was given a
Constitution lettering her free citizens, GRIP
pline all her energies, and leaving her with
out the means of fdevelopingher inexhaust-
able resources.
Against this state of things the whole
Western opinion and exertions were array
ed. Whig and Democrat, Whig papers and
Democratic papers. held the same language
Many were disposed to resort to almost any
method of relief, even to. dividing Virginia
into two States.
In this state of feeling the last Conven-
ton was called. Many doubted whether
any good results would folow-many tho't
the time was premature. 1t met; for weeks
the gallant sons of Western Virginia seem
eG almost to despair of success. But like
brave men they stood to their colors, and
contended for their right, and have secured
Constitution which places this long neg
lected portion of the Commonwealth on an
equal footing with her Eastern half.
Now, without designing TO detract from
the credit due to the other able men from
the West, in that body, Task the people,
Whig and Democratic, who did they say at
that time and who do they no,o say, was the
ablest and most efficient man from the West,
IN that hodv, Who was wholesale West
ern man Who was pitted in debate a.
! gainst the giants of the East? Who by his
eloquent appeals to justice and. right, prov
ed himself the strong man of that body =
Shall answer Col. Joseph johnson Of Har-
risons Is this the answer' So it would
appear, for he is selected to enjoy the first
and highest honour in the new order OF
things. He is the man selected to be re-
warded for his powerful and etilclent exer
tions in behalf of Western men. He Is the
man who drew from his store of arguments
those powerful appeals which finally secur.
ed your rights. l ask is this your answer Z
Or do YOU remember man there, who
welded the "battle axe of Saladin:' Have
YOU heard of a man there, who in speech
which most of you have read with delight,
held that whole Convention and a crowded
auditory spell bound for hours? Have you
heard Of a certain GEORGE w. SUMMERS:
ask what were your feelings then? l
heard Democrats say again and again, that
Summers was the great Western man. l
ask, if in your own minds, you ever thought
of Col Joe Johnson as your strong man =
ask if YOU ever thought of electing him
your first Governor, under the New Constr
tuition, But now what do We see You
have given over TO the harples of party this
same George W. Summers. He. is a small
man, while Col. Johnson has suddenly be-
come great man. Iwould not do Colonel
Johnson the least injustice. Twill give him
credit and more than credit for all he has
ever done. But cannot forbear asking the
question, son what meat has this our Cesar
fed that he has grown SO great" ask is
this youl method of rewarding those public
servants who have faithfully performed their
duty? Is this the inducement you hold out
for faithful exertions in behalf of your rights?
But hear me once more. You were tolo
| by your orators that under the old Constr
tuition too much attention was given in our
legislature to Federal politics. That in the
election of Judges and Governors, the Leg
islature looked too much to Federal matters,
and that when the people took the matter
in hand they would pursue different course
How stands the matter now? Is there
man who will not say that Summers is the
very man to fill the office OF first Governor
under the New Constitution! Why are you
halting? Why are you resolving to vote
for Col Joseph Johnson Why is the ear
half open to believe that Summers is even
an Abolitionist? Why do you mean to
throw away the opportunity to elect strong
Western man as Governor? Party is again
in the field, calling on you to offer up your
strong man at his altar. And you mean to
cast him, bound hand and foot into the fires
of the Moloch. And who will be benefited
You, the voter9 No! No. 1t will be said
in Washington, Virginia has gone for the
Democrats. Some Northern or Western
candidate for the Presidency will "grin
horribly CHASTITY smile" and Virginia will
be sneered at in the next moment as a poor
old dclapidated State, now third-rate, and
with diminished delegation in Congress,
and fine fund of political stock, for those
who are ambitious to be President. | ask
the people do you mean always to be thus
led? Have you no love for Virginia. Is
Party epery hing? l now forewarn you if
you commence the new order of things with
these feelings, the State will be torn by fac
| tions and her best interests will be forgotten
Rise then in your majesty, and drive the
babbling demagogues from your borders.-
They worship at the shrine of your favour
only for the offices you have to bestow.-
What though Summers is Whig3 Was
he not Whig IN the last Conventions And
is not the Office of Governor as much a
Stale office as seat in the Convention p
Do not his talents, his position, his expert.
ence, his knowledge, his services, all de-
mand his elevation TO the responsible Office
for which he is candidate? E..
Will the 9Th of next December find the
people of the West discarding George w.
Summers, and regarding Col. Joe johnson;
We will see. .T I.
g. Col. Joe Johnson addressed the peo-
pie of Ripley, Jackson County, on Monday,
the 10th inst. The Parkersburg Gazette
learns that he dwelt mainly upon national
politics, and his connection therewitn-a
mtted that he was for Clay in 1924, and at
tended that Adams meeting, but did not ap-
prove its nroceeJInus So He concluded