Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-02-01
e,arr.,1onaeneo of tho Spectator.

q RICHMOND, Jan, %, 1854. .
Il Tho "damp disagraeable weather" which hung
SO gloomily over our heads for the past week wa'
d happily dispelled atlast by day Of rushing wind
which handsomely hurled away The heavy cloud'
and mists, but left sepulchral echo lingering II
the lungs of most Of our unacclimated mountain.
GERS And AT length the wntry sun has a cnance
to shine and through the crisp cold air comes up
10 my window reflected as from FURNISHED gold
from the broad waters of the River Of old Powha-
tan. But there is no counting upon the weather
here, except for it's uncertainty And we may
say of Richmond as some one said of a Western
village, that in proportion to the population, it has
more weather than any place on earth.
The Legislature is still busily engaged in talk
ing about internal improvements. The voting
has not seriously commenced as yet. Early this
week one or two little turnpike bills were tried,
and were sent up like signal rockets. But the
railroad bills although ready for action, are stand
ing, afraid to move forward, cautious as herd OF
elephants on rivers edge. "Litte Manassa,
though pet generally, plunged in and went
through in triumph. The Covington and Ohio
followed, but was hauled back Immediately and
laid up to dry until Wednesday next twill be
allowed to go through finally, it is believed, but
only as Jake Fulwider got through to heaven.-
And when it goes, very many will follow in it's
wake. r,f,.s s1S e
The experience Of this session so far, has e.
WINGED the fact that the Virginia Legislature is
to be no longer forum for Federal politics. An
suspicious fact for Virginia. The subectreceyes
not the slightest attention, publicly. IL is true
each member knows his own position, aud if the
bugle should sound to Battle, would doubtless raj
ly readily to his proper standard. But on subjects
of State interest, 50 far as politics 60, there is
perfect truce and friendly communion. Like that
time at the battle of Talayera when the English
and French armies had suspended for awhile the
deadly conflict, and stood on opposite banks Of a
little stream and passed the drinking cups back
and forth to each other in such apparent friend
ship. In matters Of State concern Federal adyer-
saries should rather assist each other to drink OF
that domestic stream for mutual refreshment, than
to disturb and polute its waters with such con-
slant and unreasonable strife. sG .l..t laE
"Abs,ractions' also--erst 50 famous in this
body--have at length refined themselves away to
abstract nothingness. Perhaps the reform has
gone too far for good in this. particular. The
members seem to be altogether indsposed TO con-
slider any reasons if so abstract not to apply to
their particular, individual concrete localities
They, 60 so far in this extreme as to consider OF
vote for nothing which does not benefit directly
their own counties, however just and necessary
it might be for other portions of the Common
wealth. At least as to internal improvements
such seems to be the indications at present;-in-
dications which if carried out, might subject US &c
the spirit of the reproach of Thucydides upon the
Athenians-of "hodng for honorable that which
Ipleases (or constituents and for just that which
profits (o,r countless" al
The amount of business brought forward this
session is absolutely unmauageable. The time
limited by law is entirely insufficient for the pur
pose, before such body as Virginia Legislature
One tenth Of the pending important bills will no
be reached. And there seems to be general re
pugnance, no less among the members than tn
people, to proong the session. If voted by tn
Legislature, or an extra session be called by tn
Governor, for no matter however urgent the Stat
necessity, still it would bring about an absoluel
tgreater evil in giving rise TO universal and over
whelming howl of demagoguery all over the land
Questions of this nature, are just the thing to ''sti
up the people," and such are the times for dema
gogues, who, like the eel-fshers in the Copias
do best in dirty waters.
But lest the mail be missed, must close fo
thisUyeek. 9.
-t- .sFlush Times.'' it
We invite the attention of our readers to tn
: advertisement in another column of Mr.. Baldwin
book called "Flush Times in Alabama and Mis-
sssppi." We have not had an opportunity {
perusinu the volume, but having read some {
: the Sketches as they originally appeared in tn
Literary Messenger, can endorse all the compl
: mentary notices it has received from the press
Nearly ten thousand copies of the work have bee
sold already, and the demand for it is steadily in
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