Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-05-09
Mr.. Stuart's Speech.

Mr.. Stuart's Speech.
On Saturday last. in compliance with the invi
tation of large ndmber Of his felow-citzens
Hon. A. III. Ii. Stuart made known his sentiments
on the great public questions of the day, in a
speech of more than three hours length. The
Courthouse was crowded on the occasion, and
the large audience listened with earnest attention
to the remarks OF the speaker, which elected fire.
quent and enthusiastic bursts of applause. Mr.
Stuart planted himself upon the American plat
form. and made complete and powerful argu-
ment in favor of the great objects which the A
merican organization proposes to accomplish
We considered his effort on Saturday fully equal
if not superior to any political speech we have
heard from him, and So it was generally regard
ed Although we cannot hope to do Mr.. Stu
art Justice, we shall eudeavor to furnish our rea-
ders with an outline of his remarks, which, I'M
perfect as it must necessarily be, will, we trust,
convey some idea Of his impressive speech, and
DO some good.
Mr.. Stuart made his appearance about II o.
clock, and after the applause that greeted his ar
rival had subsidized, arose, and addressed his fel-
low citizens:
Nothing short of a desire TO prevent disap-
pontment" could have induced him TO attempt a
speech in his feeble condition. lie ought rather to
be in the hands of a physician than in the hands
of the people. A number of his fellow-citizens
had called upon him to give his views upon the
great public questions now agitatng the public
mind. and he could not refuse. Sat this time"
said Mr.. S. ''the country presents an extraordlna-
ry spectacle to the eye of The thoughtful patriot.
We are in the midst of great revolution. Two
wears auo the great Presidential contest came off
between the two political parties of the country
and resulted in the overwhelming success of the
Democratic party. Two years have rolled by,
and what is now the condition of affairs! The
Wings have formally hauled down their flag and
the Democracy. without any visible opponent In
the field. have been defeated in every contest
State after State has left them; the House OF
Representatives is in possession of the adversary;
the Senate is held by precarous tenure, aud
all that is left to the Democracy is the une1plred
lease of the Executive Mansion, which they have
received notice to quit at the end OF the term
Whence, inquired Mr.. S., sprung these wonder
full changes? There must have been powerful
influences at work. 1t was not the work OF
chance. Every great movement OF the national
mind and heart is the result of great moral and
political causes The relations between moral
and political results and their causes is as inti-
mate as those we witness in the physical world,
and it is as much the duty of the Statesman TO
explore and explain these relations in the pollh-
cal world, as Of the philosopher to explore and
bring to view those of the physical universe. v
II do not" said Mr.. S. "profess to have the
knowledge or ability to do 50, and if had, time
aud your patience would fail me beiore | could
perform the task. will, however, offer some
suggestions that may serve as tuOd for your reilec-
ton"
Mr. Stuart proceeded to examine into and I'M
fold The nature and objects, and the legitimate of
flee and functions of parties and to trace rapidly
the history of the parties which have existed IN
our country. Parties, he said, do not spring into
being at the command of political leaders. When
men are left free to think and act for themselves,
they view subjects in different lights from differ
emf stand points. The greater the freedom OF
thought, the greater will be the difference in O.
pnou. Those who think alike are led to act to-
geher, and when there are public questions at IS
sue. parties are formed to represent those discor-
dant sentiments Party feelings are generated
and marty struggles soon follow. So long as this
party spirit is confined within its legitimate lin
its. it is productive of good but unfortunately, it
often happens that party over-rides patriotism
and men in their devotion to party, forget their
duty to their country. Party is the means-not
the end the scafolding upon which Statesmen
should stand to build up the great superslruclure
Of national prosperity. Too often, however, poll
tciaas con(ound the end with the means and
make party success the paramount object of their
labuurs The motive of such men is obvious and
the result often deplorable.
Mr.. Stuart proceeded to trace briefly the hsto-
ry OF parties from the old Wing and Tory par
ties Of England to those of the present day, show
inc that parties are always formed TO meet pariic-
ular emergencies, and disappear when the objects
of their organization have been accomplished
The old Wing party was not the Federal party,
but more nearly allied to the Republican. It's
prime object was resistance 10 Executive prerog-
alive and having effected much good in that way,
and other miGpr matters being settled or obsolete,
il has naturally been disbanded. The Wing and
Democratic parties had struggled for twenty
wears with alternate success. The closeness of
the contests Induced both parties to court every
nonplar influence and prejudice. Not satisfied
with contests in regard to Revenue, Currency
&c., appeals were made to the antl-slavery senti-
nent of the North and to the foreign and Catho-
lie vote. and these were brought as elements into
nolitics. when the old questions lost their slgnif
,ance and influence. Here Mr.. s. traced the his
ory and causes of the ant-Slavery sentiment. it
exhibited itself first among the Quakers at the lst
Session of Congress, though so feebly as to al
ract no attention. Difficulties between North
md South grew out of the Tariff question. In
SOS the South begsn !. take ground against pro !