Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-08-04
Gov. Johnson and his Party.
We really feel sorry for cold JoE.o Tha

We really feel sorry for cold JoE." That he
committed an error in the pardon of Jordan Hatch
er which has been productive ofa great deal of
mischief, and that he uttered most obnoxious SEN
tmcnts in his message, we cannot deny. Yet we
feel sorry tor the old fellow, and would advise
him, by all means, to vacate chair, which he is
manltestly not capacious enough to fill. Gov.
JOHNSON is the gentleman who was elected over
GEO. w. SUMMERS, because of his superior claims
to tho confidence of the people, as sound South
ern man. Hear how those who aboured to secure
his election new talk about him, and Judge wheth-
er any reliance can be placed upon what the Dem
ocrats say OF their Northern candidates with
Southern feelings. Even the Richmond EGaali-
a'er, speaking of the murder of the WINSTON fam
lily, regards the "late remarkable impunity" of
slave criminals, ''as the proXimate cause of the
heart-rending tragedy" For the purpose of show
ing the estimate in which Gov. JOHNSON is held
by his own party noao, we publish the following
extract from the Vnginia Recorder published at
Buchanan, Botetourt; what they declared him to
be during the canvass, all remember The Edi-
tor of the Recorder is DR.. THOMAS M. SMYTH,
who was member of the Democratic Convention
which nominated Gov. JOHNSON. He is gen
tleman of undoubted talents, and, as will be seen
from his article, frank and fearless in the express
sion of his opininns
THE RICHMOND TRAGEDY.
In another part of this paper, will be found an
&c g
p. Winston of Richmond. This is the most bru-
tai, cold-blooded act we recollect ever to have
heard of being perpetrated in Virginia 1t was
perfectly fiendish in its character. We pray God
that we may never hear of another like it. But
this is almost like "hoping against hope;" for
we regard this as merely the first of the legitimate
fruits of Jordan Hatcher's pardon. Let no man
suppose that this is said with any political object
in view. We have none such, God knows. We
have always belonged to the same school of poll
tics with tie commuter of Hatcher's punishment.
We contributed everything in our power to his ell
ovation to the gubernatorial chair out of which we
would now contribute equally as much to eject
him. A great question is presented to the people
of Virginia, before which all others dwinde into
utter insignifCance to meet which, all true Vir-
ginians should come up mbued with spirit that
can trample all thought of consequences 10 parties
in the dust 1t is nothing less than question Of
life to the Virginia slave-owner A fearful state
of things, not only in Richmond, but throug hout
the entire State, has proceeded out of the pardon
of Jordan Hatcher. That pardon has taken the
Virginian's life out of his own hands, and placed
it at the mercy of negro slaves, who are at once
false, treacherous and desperately malicious. W no
feels safe now amongst slave population where
the story of Jordan Hatcher has been told ? And
IL :. Loo,, II h.
citizens of Richmond 90 to bed now without pistols
sons Administration as a REIGN OF TER
ROR?
The time has come when men should in perfect
candor give uterance to what they really feel, and
consult together for the purpose of devisng means
to secure the public safety; and no party should
attempt to shield weak functonary, or make po-
litcal capital but of his weakness at such crisis,
but all true Virginians should face the difficulty,
and quit themselves like men. Party spirit should
not be heard to utter murmur, when the cries OF
our wives and little ones for protection are filling
the land And those cries are not going to be hush
ed until native son of Virginia takes the seat SO
foully disgraced and defed by Northern Dor n
Virginian.
What then, is to be done? We say fearlessly,
drive this man from the Executive Mansion, and
let him plant his black banner upon his own soil
in Harrison. He occupies, whether he desires it
or not, before the negroes, the position of friend
and protector to them in any murderous or insur-
rectionary movements. And he should be made
to resign an office for which he is so manifestly
and totally unfit.
And yet this same Democratic party is endeav-
oring to play precisely similar game in this Pres
idental canvass. Will the people of Virginia be
gulled into the support of another "Northern man
with Southern feelings" by the asseverations and
pledges of his party? They have cheated us in e.
very contest since 1910, shall we suffer ourselves
to be cheated again? Surely the experience Of
the past will learn us lesson for the future
Steamboat Disaster.
A dreadful steamboat disaster occurred on the
Hudson river on last Wednesday. The boats Hen