Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-09-15
? 0LITIC A L.
For The Spectator.
U S'VV NIFVNEW0
The Challenge.

there he is called rank pro-slavsry man.
Southern men, and am sorry to say some
Wings, refuse to support Scott as an aboli- |
Zionist and will go over they say to Pierce,
as the best of the two. To what strange
conclusions the mind w,l come, when la
boring often unconscicas'l under prejudice
aud preconceived opinions.
Let us look calmly at the matter, and
consider a few facts. Great injury has been
done the country for years, by this mad-dog
cry against pure men. lst. Have we not
the strongest prima facie evidence that Gen.
Scott from his birth, association and educa-
ton, cannot be an abolitionist? He was
born in Virginia, married in Virginia was
educated in strong pro-slavery portion OF
the State, at pro-slavery institution, ana
associated with men whose minds would
revolt at the fanaticism which has been
burning over the North. | ask, can SIN
gle prominent man be pointed to South OF
Mason and Dixon's line who has been or
is an abolitionist in the common sense Of
that term' Mr.. Jefterson's opinions come
nearest of any other. We may point to
some, whose minds under excitement have
been led astray, but they soon returned to
the old track. | ask if this charge has not
again and again been brought against prom
inent men to render them odious, and in
every instance falsely, as subsequent events
proved? Was not this the case with lay
ior, and Harrison, aud Clay, and recently
with Summers But Scott is an abolition
list, because Seward will vote for him and
favors his election Is this good logic p,
If so, then it follows that Pierce is an abo-
litionist, because with rejoicing and alacrlty,
as their letters show, the Van Burens,
Chase, Hale, Sumner Hallett, Bryant But
Ter, Dix, King, Grover, Van Dyke, Whea-
ton, Gray, Wilmot, Rantoul and host of
other additions Will vote for him.
But they have another reason, Scott
would not ,crite a letter previous to his NOM
ination. Is this valid reason? Wcll,
Pierce would not write a letter previous to
his nomination. Did not r. G.. Scott adj
dress HIM letter propounding most impor-
tant questions on the subject Of slavery >
Did he answer it? If so where is the an
swer. How then does he differ from Scott?
But he wrote to Col. Lally. Was that let
ter read previous to his nomination? Was
even the Compromise adopted previously /.
Say my acute, consistent friend. Well did
not Gen. Scott again and again previous to
his nomination, 10 every one who approach
ed him, to Seward amongst the rest, dis
tinctly state his position on the Compro
mise Did he not without hesitation &C
cept the platform?
But mark difference Look to the pc
culiar action of those Conventions. Read
the speeches made. Hear that lisping SEN
ator from Louisiana, and another man from
a different latitude, warning the Conven-
ton against what? TIE adoption Of The
platform previous to the nomination; and
how and when was it adopted Why, after
the nomination, according to the Post, a
midst confusion and without discussion, and
after large number had left. Did the
learned Mr.. Soule do what he said he would
do' Was his potential voice heard in calm
debate urging the adoption of the platform
for good reasons? No, No! But how was
it with the Wings? These things are his
tory, with q thousand witnesses. The plat
form was published in the papers days be-
fore it was adopted, and after calm discus
sion adopted before a nomination. And is
not the Wing platform clear and unequivo-
cal ON the Compromise
But few more facts. And what are
Gen. SCOTS antecedents Can any one
without first having made ii, put their fin
ger on a single act or word TO sustain this
charge, Has not the country seen the
vilest SANDERS vamped up 10 prove 1t p
Gen. Scott can say with truth, as he has re-
Gently said, 81 challenge the world to pro-
duce single witness, who would be be-
lieved in court of justice, who will say
that | have euer, by thought or deed, said or
done any thing to justify the misrepresenta-
tons that have been made as to my senti-
ments and opinions. ''Sir, am dead for
the Consiiiulion-dead for the Union-dead
for the CompromiSe-and dead against any
man who is opposed to them or either of
them" Is it not known that he labored to
bring about the Compromised Do not alb
olitionists testify to this fact They, who
with these notorious facts, will still believe
that Scott is an abolitionist, can believe that
Pierce neper made the .Nep Boston speech.
But now reader let me pause here, and turn
TO some of these pious Pharasees. Who
are these doubters? The answer is astound-
ing. They are the very men, yes the very
men, who, when Gen. Scott was exerting
all his influence to secure the passage of
the Compromise. were exerting their innu-
ence against it. They, these men, these
ground tum6lerS, now come forward to read
hun out of the Southern Church. Now
they have turned the guardians of meas
ure they opposed and would convince you,
the honest people, that its fl lend in need. is
no friend at all.
Come forth We Immaculate sons of con-
sistency, and answer to your names? Mr..
Meade, were you in favor Of the Compro-
mise2 Let your speech this very session
answer. Judge Caskie, were you? Mr..
Hunter, were you? are you? Mr., Mason,
what do you say Thou "Son of an Irish
pearer," who by descent has lost the Irish
trait,what say you? Mr.. Letcher, of Rock
bridge what say you? Mr.. Attorney Leake,
what is your opinion? Mr.. Bocock, how
beats your pulse' Thou noisy man from
North Carolina, who made as much noise
about the South, as pond full of alligators,
ifyour tongue will permit you, what do you
say? MIR. Stephens, were yous Mr. Soule,
lisp out your position Did YOU not step
by step, against all the eloquent appeals of
the great Clay, oppose the Compromise .
Now you stand Godfather to its great LILLE
defender. | will not extend the list, hut
simply pronounce fact, deny it if you can.
There was one lone star for the Compro-
mise in Virginia, and he is now Scott
Wing. All honor to THOMAS S. RAYMOND!
ask does the history ofimpudence present