Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1854-07-12
Certainly JokinS.

Certainly Joking.
The Richmond Enquirer of the 9TH inst. IN
dolges in the most amusing remarks we have read
fos some time. If all fools day had not passed for
shis year, we should certainly imagine that our
friends Of the Enquirer were endeayoring 10 pEac-
tise upon the credulity of their readers, when
they discover In the ascendency Of the Democrat
&c party. the strongest bulwark OF the rights Of
the South, and the best guaranty Of the stability
of the Union. Unques;ionably they are joking
when they claim ''that in every crisis of Difficult
ty the Providential asceEdsncy of the Democrat
lc-party has rescued the Constitution from per-
version, the Union from inevitable overthrow,
and American freedom from hopeless extinction"
Equally cratic and funny are these gentlemen
when they assert that the triumph Of Wing priu-
.Siplse and policy would long since have proved IA
tai 70 the Union.
Were it not for the excessive heat OF the
weather. which renders political discussion alto
gssher out of the question, We might easily DIS
prove the ridiculous claim which the Enquirer
sets up for its party. A very brief review OF the
nscted with the agilations which have threatened
the integrity Of The Union, would satisfy every
candid mind that exactly the reverse OF the En-
glirsr's wild imaginings is nearer the truth
We do not arrogantly assume for the Wing par
ty all the patriotism, nor "all the decency."-
Doubtless there is patrlotsEn-and yet little E.
nough-iu both parties; but We do claim that IN
the great crises in the history of our c0untry-'n
The times that tried meas suuls"-when every
patriot trembed for the safety Of the Union and
the fate Of our free Institutions, the Wing party
10 the mass, and especially through Its prominent
leaders, were equally, if not more, sincere IN their
desire and strenuous IN their exerions to stay the
impending avalanche, than the Democratic party.
So memorable have been the services OF Henry
Clay, the great embodiment Of Wing principles
on more than one occasion, that it has become d
tri,e saying. acknowledged u be no less true than
trite by candid men of both parties, that the IN
ion was three tunes saved by his patriotic efforts
lie uttered the sentiments and welded the intiu-
ence of the great Wing party. In the great con-
test Of 1850, perhaps tho most trying struggle
through which the country has ever passed, who
bl.fetted the waves of fanaticism more mantniy
S,an Willard Fillmore, and Daniel Webster. and
Henry Clay? To their labors may De mainly
attributed the success Of the compromise measures
and the consequent restoration of harmony and
peace. 10 the course pursued by these great lead
ers the Wing party heartily coucured, while the
Democracy gave at best but cold and unwilling
"acquiescence" The extreme attachment ofthe
Democratic party to the Union is all CANNON
Ii may furnish the editors oil the Enquirer
theme for editorial discourse these sultry summer
days. but the facts are against them. On more
than one occasion the Southern Democracy cspe
oially, would have riven the Union asunder If
they could possibly have accomplished their wish
ss. The Democratic party is anything but ''con
sentative" It is radical in all its tendencies, aud
that i. has not uprooted al that is valuable in our
form of government, in It's "Pfovldent ial
ascendeucy," We are rather disposed to attribute
to 'Providental" restraints. than to any positive
good in its system Of policy.