Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-06-30
The Candidates.

Their MORAL CHARACTER--I HEIR IeELiI
IoN.-The Correspondent Of the Philadelphia
Presbyterian; the leading organ OF the Old Schoo
Presbyterian Church, writes from Washington, OF
the 22d inst, as follows:
General Pierce do not know personally; bu
my next-door neighbour and Others, reliable per
sons, do. OF the other three gentlemen have
personal knowledge, and it gives me pleasure tt
say, that my information and knowledge warran
me in declaring that all four arc men of good NOR
al character General Pierce was favourably
known here some years ago, as the representative
of his State in Congress, and more recently as a
commander of brigade in the Mexican war.
Mr. King has a national fame as dignifed, up
right and able Senator and statesman, having beer
in public life about forty years. He now presides
in the Senate with great dignity and urbahity.-
General Scott was lawyer by profession in early
life, and has for more than forty years been sol
der He has all his life.been laborious student,
and heard gentleman, who differs with him in
politics say on Thursday last that he considered
him ''one of the best informed men of the coun-
try" Mr.. Graham has been long and favourably
known as statesman, scholar, and gentle
man.
am often asked, especially by religious people;
what are the religious predictions of this aid that
public man. The inquiry is reasonable one, and
ought to be answered although hope the day is
far distant when the people of our country will Ell
ther prefer or reject man because of his religious
opinions; provided he is truly moral, upright
man. General Pierce, | am informed, is by edu-
cation Congreeatiohalist, though not church
member MI King il Protestant Episcopalian
in his preferences. General Scott is Protestant
Epscopalian, worshipping in St. Johns church in
this CITY, Mr. Graham is,by birth and education,
Presbyterian, though not communicate of any
church, and as his lady is ia member of the Baptist
Church. he worships part of the time at least with
that denomination It is to be devoutly desired
that the political press will conduct the canvass
between these worthy gentlemen upon high and
national grounds, without disappearing private
character and without raising issues that pertain
not to the contest.
There were no indecorous demonstrations in this
city by either party, following the nominations.
The Democrats held a ratification meeting, at
which some of General Pierce's rivals spoke in
very pleasant terms of their fortunate competitor,
and congratulated the party on the unanimlty OF
the nomination. And last night large assembly
of Wings collected and marched to the music OF
band, first to Gen. Scott's residence, thence to
Secretary Graham's and Webster's, and thence to
President Fillmore's, greeting these gentlemen
with hearty cheers, and expressing ;heir kind feel
ings. The General, the Secretary, and the Pres
ident appeared, and responded in handsome terms
to the CALCULATIONS of their fellow citizens. The
President, learn, was peculiarly happy in his
brief and appropriate response said he appreciated
the kindness of his felow-citzens all the more, as
it was paid to the setting as well as to the rising
sun; assured them their visit was unexpected as 1t
was grateful, (for their music had woke him out
of sound sleeps congratulated the Wing party
on the results of the convention, and babe his fell
low-citizens bestow their honours upon General
Scott
In this connexion we give Gen. ScoTT's
own account of his religious faith, which we find
in letter written by him in lS4l in reference to
the ''Native American" movement. This letter
is now published by his opponents TO prejudice the
minds of adopted citizens against him. The fol-
lowing extract is quoted from the Vndicator, with
two words Italiciscd, if to call special attention
to them:
am happy to see by the Philadelphia National
American that religion is to be excluded as par
ty element Sta,nch protestant as am, both by
birth and conviction shall never consent to par
ty or State religion Religion is too sacred to be
mingled up with either.