Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1853-04-06
The spring Canvass

The spring Canvass
As the time approaches for the Spring elections,
we begin to hear the din Of preparation sounding
in every quarter. The Wings throughout the
State are arousipg themselv.s Tor action. Recent
defeats have not dampeued their ardor, nor I'M
paired their devotion to the principles which they
have heretofore maintained, This is noble
spectacle. To cooperate with party in times OF
prosperity-to float with the current-reqnlres no
effort, and is easy and pleasant; but to adhere to
il in adversely exhibits the triumph Ut principle
over time serving policy. The Wing party has
indeed appeared lately to be in depressed coqdl-
ten but it has not bees crushed, and if we mis-
take not the signs Of the times 1t will shortly
spring into new life aud yigor. Both our State
and Federal Governments are in the hands Of the
other party-,hey have little reaaon, however, to
flatter themselves with the, belief that they are
always to hold the reins. The opinion is already
entertained and openly expressed by prominent
members of the party at Washington, that the
sceptre will depart from them at the close OF the
present constitutional term.
But whether or not the Wings are again to be
r.-establshed in power, they have high duty
20 perform. They have protested to be governed
by principle, and,to prove recreant now VIII give
the lie to all their past declarations If there are
among them men who fancy that their personal
interests will be promoted by dessrtiOn, they may
remain passive or openly leave us; but the honest
and patriotic men of the party will stand trmer
and show more devotion to the cause than ever
before.
When we look to the condition Of affairs in this
State, there is every thing to induce us to put
forth new energies. We are now burdencd with
heavy public dsbt-wisoly incurred, for the most
part, we admit. Are the people determined,
however, to pay every cent Of the money out Of
their own pockets? Certainly, ifthere is no 9TH
or honest way Of discharging the amount, But is
not Virginia entitled to share of the public lands
of the country7 These lands Are the common
property of the people Of the United States; they
b.long to US as well as to Missouri or Illinois; yet
the new States are in fair way to absorb the
whole domain. Our Democratic legislators, pos
sosscd with conceited notion Of their own supe-
rior virtue, refuse to demand a single acre. With
all their boosted regard for the people, they OPP
press them with debt, and then fail to take adyan
tage of a fair and proper means of relief. Like
the Pharisces of old, "they bind heavy burdens
and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men S
shoulders-but they themselves will not move
them with one Of their fngers."
And then that other question of State policy
practical interest. Our present Legislature has
done nothing to remove the existing evil! They
have tinkered about it. and proposed one or two
preposterous schemes, which were fairly laughed
down, and thon left it to run its course, without
resorting to the safe aud only possible means of
deliverance. Democracy prefers to leave the peo-
pie with a spurious currency rather than permit
the Banks of the State to issue notes under the
denomination Of five dollars
If these questions are not deemed Of sufficient
importance to stimulate every Wing to action,
there is another matter which is calculated to a
rouse their energies to the highest degree. For
the first time in the history of the State, politi
cal party has deliberately laid off the Congress
sional Districts with the professed view of secar-
ing the election of their own partiZans, paying no
regard whatever to the Constitution or the rights
of nearly ono half of the people. This highland
ed and shameful act has been psrpetrated by the
House of Delegates, and has been approved by
every so,called Democratic paper in the State
Some honest men Of the party in the Senate have
spurned the BILL denouncing it as unconstitutional
and disgraceful, but there is every probability that
party appliances will secure its final passag
Is there man in the Commonwealth bearing the
Wing name, whose indignation is not stirred with
in him by this measure and whose determination
to oppose the party which practices such outrages,
is not strengthened? If there is, he has not the
spirit of 4 man, but should bow his neck to the
yoke and wear the badge ola serf duringthe rest
of his days.
Ia this connection, we would address few
words to the Wings Of this county. A county
Convention will assemble in a few weeks to nom
mate candidates for the Legislature. In order that
the selection of delegates may be as judicous and
satisfactory as possible, we respectfully urge ev-
cry Wing who can to attend the precinct meet
ings, on the last Saturday IN his month. Every
one attending will have voice in the Natter
We hope and believe that there will be no just
cause of complaint on account of the proceedings
Of the various meetings or the action of the Con-
vention In the mean time, we earnestly exhort
all to harmony. Let no personal jealousy or IL
valry, or any other feeling, come in to distract our
councils. Let us learn lesson from our oppo-
nents, and present an undivided front. Let us
stand together like band of men whose aims are
unselfsh and patriotic. and then old Augusta will
son,iRle to be strong hold Of the Wing party,
sending forth to the councils Of the State strong
men to maintain its cause.
Ex.President Fillmore.
Every day furnishes new evidence of the al
most universal respect and admiration felt for Ex-
President FILLMORE. No man has ever retired
from office with more enviable popularity. In