Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-04-28
TIE STAUNTON SPECTATOR.
STAUNTON:--
WEDNESDAY. APRIL Ell, 1852.
Acknowledgements and Fillmore.


principles, VIC freely conccde, that where there is
entire harmony of sentiment between all parties,
all questions of national Importance some regard
should be had for acGilabiRty in the selection of
Wing candidate for the Presidency. We are not
of those who would rather sink with one man than
swim with any other We desire the triumph of
the Wing party, not for the purpose of elevatlng
any man to power and place, but, as the means Of
promoting the peace, the prosperity and the glory
of our country. Assured that he will, if elected
administer the government upon Wing principles,
we 90 for the man who will most probably be E.
lected. Thus much we are prepared to yield to
availability, and thus much every man ought to
yield who is fighting for principles and not for men,
Whilst we should be unwilling, after the fashion
| of Democracy to pick up this or that man without
regard to his opinions upon matters of the most mo-
mentOus Importance merely for the purpose of a
chewing party triumph, we consider discrmi-
nation in favor of the most .raIable, when all can
be relied upon, duty as well as privilege.
There is some diversity of sentiment in the
Wing party, not 50 much in Virginia as in other
States as to who shall be the leader of our forces
in the next presidential campaign. This differ
ence of opinion arises, not from any distrust of
the ability or patriotism of the present Chief Mag
trate but from the belief entertained by portion
of the party, that another distinguished gentleman
is more available. Doubtless those who favor the
g A.
victions of his superior strength but that they
in error is, to our mind matter of just as little
doubt. We have long entertained theopinion, that
if the Wing party, cannot achieve victory with
WILLARD FILLMORE at their head, they cannot
succeed under the lead of any man. Many sub
stantia reasons may be given in support of this O.
pinion. What single claim has General SCOTT to
the confidence and support ofthe people that can
not be urged in favor of WILLARD FLLMoRE?-
What has 50 much endeared him to their hearts,
and given him popularity so much more extend
ed than the most popopuar Presidentwe have ever
had since the days of WAsHINGToN2 In reply,
our attention is invited to his brilliant military fame,
Justly acquired by distinguished services in the
field. 1t is evident that his friends are relying
principally upon that partality for successful mill
tary men which is characteristic of the American
peoples and other things being equal, this might
be very solid basis upon which to build their
hopes of success. Military reputation is some
times very efficient in political engagements !;
but in the approaching contest there will be other
1 a.
issue. WILLARD FLLMoRE has rendered servi-
ces to the country, since his accession to office in
1850, which have fixed him in the affections ofthe
people, and won for him fame which cannot be
eclipsed by the glory of brilliant battle-felds. He
too, has fought good fight for his country and
chieved an immortal triumph. At the time the
present administration came INTO power, the coun-
try was in a condition of unprecedented peril. The
pillows of sectional anmosty were in angry COM
motion and threatened to overwhelm the ship of
State. So fearful was the crisis that universal APP
prehension pervaded the land and the sternest
courage stood appalled,; crisis which drew from
Mr.. WEBSTER the declaration, that there had not
been in the history of the country "a moment in
which so much alarm, so much sinking of heart"
had been felt at the state of public affairs. Amid
these trying circumstances Mr.. FILLMORE assum-
ed the helm. Firm and ufalterng he sbod thro'
the darkness and dangers of the Storm and taking
the ''bearings of his position" with admirable dis
cemment conducted US safely to haven of COM
parative security and repose.
IL cc,> Ill
who batted in behalf of the Union in this fearful
emergency; but to WILLARD FILLMORE and his
Cabinet especial honor is due. Without their CO
operation the Compromise could not have passed,
and without their fidelity s fearessness its provs-
ions could not have been carried out. The Union
saved, the people will stand by him who stood by
it i'll the day OF trial. The noble stand taken by
Mr.. FILLMORE in favor of the Compromise meas
ures has given him popularity, not fictitious and
ephemeral, but substantial and enduring This
popularity we think will more than counterbalance
the prestige of Gen. ScoTT's military fame
Whatever may have been and may be his real po-
siton in reference to the Compromise, it is regard
ed at the South as equivocal, and whatever he may
gain on the score of military services and renown,
will be lost on account Of his supposed free soil
sympathies and aflinities. Taking into consdera-
ton the position of the two men as regards the
Compromises series of measures popular with
| all parties with the exception of Northern Free
sellers and Southern Disunonists, there can be but
little doubt as to their relative strength, unless it
is conceded that fanatics and traitors out-number
honest men and patriots. We place too high an
estimate upon the intelligence of the people to be-
lieve that the mere fact that Gen. SCoTT has been
successful soldier will lead them to sacrifice the
man who has done more than a.soldier's service,
and whose lofty moral courage on many trying oc-
casons, challenges equal admiration with the dar-
ing of the warrior on the field of battle.
Away then with the idea that WILLARD FILL
MORE is not acailablc. 1t originated with Free
soilers, enemies of the South and enemies of the
Union, who hate him because of the truly National
stand he has occupied upon question, in which
the integrity of the Union and the very preserva-
ton of our liberties Were involved. Such men
have found that WILLARD FILLMORE is not anal
able for their purposes, and hence their efforts to
decry his pretensions to popular favor.
As before intimated, we do not belong to that
Incorporate class, who prefer defeat with Mr.
FILLMORE to success with any other man. If we
knew any other good and true Wing whose nomi-
nation would render the success of the party more
certain, he would be our man. As matters stand
at present, however, we consider WILLARD FILL