Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1855-02-07

Our Democratic contemporary of the Wahches-
Ter Virgiaian, who is one of the chief monrner'
over what it processes To consider the sabjec sub
mission of the Wings to the behesis OF The wi.
hinous Know Nolhinys, slyS that we have un'
dertaken .:lo make the conscience OF every w hIg
in Augusta the absolute property of secret, IT.
responsible and oath. bound cabaI." Now we
have always entertained high respect t'r the
intelligence and fairness of the ViryiRian, and
feel at loss to know by what mode of reasoning
any such inference is deluced from the statement
quoted from our paper. viz: that we beloved the
" higs of Augusis had pretty generally concIu-
ded to vote for the Know Nothing candidates.
s"This," says tho EIrgiaime, SIS going bow
shot beyond the Jesuits themselves. They only
vow implicit obedience 20 their own General, II
whose election they have had part. But these
two thousand Augusta Wings, according to then
self.proclaimed organ, are pledged to obey an or
ganizaion to which they do not belong, and sap
mort candidate with whose nomination they will
have nothing to do"
Now we would ask the TirgMian when the
Wings Of Augusta pledged themselves, or were
pledged by us, to vote for the nominee of the
Know, Nothing party. We merely expressed
the opinion tina, they would do So an opinion
that we still couscientously entertain. That al
expression of opinion m our part, should be con,
strucd into 4 pledge Of the. party, and be re
rarded as an effort to make the consciences Of the
Wings of this county the property of the Know
Nothings, manifesls an obliquity of vision which
we did not suppose our sensible contemporary
possessed.
The Yirginian maniests peculiar concern fol
the Wings "Oll Federal AuIusta," and seem;
especially anxious to keep them in the straight
path duriar this canvass. The editors heart
seems to be yearnirg towards US with all the ten
der sociLude Of an afrc,ionate guardian. With
sill due respect to his kind regard, however, we
confess to a little suspicion Of its object. Tc
calm the troubled spirit OF our Democratic friend
we will venture to express another opinion, VIZ
That however desirable such a course might be
to the Democracy in general. and the puginian
in particular. the intelligent Wings Of this coun
~ canuat be han51ozled into "a mastery uacf-
cr." much less into the support of Mr.. WISE
We think it likely they will be able to vote the
Opposition tickle, without any material damage to
their clnsoieacos. All that they ask is. that the
American parly-or if The TIginjan prefers it
The ..spt of insignificant adventures in New York
aad Washington" present to the people, ''good
men and trae," aud we are not afraid 10 pledge
the Wings of Augusta to their support, in opposl-
ton to the neophyte ticket nominated by the
Slauaton Convention. Nome other than good
r,an and true" would the honest and intelligent
Wings of this county vote fur if nominated by
their own party.
The Trginian is mistaken if it supposes that
the disposition of Wings to cooperate with the
American party, is prompted by mere lactious OPP
position 10 Henry A. Wise. That journal mag
ines that the Wings are engaged in bitter cru
sade against Mr.. Wise, personally. if we place
riuht construction upon lis remarks. This is a
great mistake. Although they would consider II
dangerous experiment to place man OF his
rash impulses and Revolutionary doctrines" IN
the Executive chair of this State, they entertain
for Mr.. Wise personally high respect. But they
ss3 remember that he holds principles utterly at
war with those for which they have always con
tended that he is the chosen leader Of party
from which they have received nothing but abuse
Injustice, and unmercilul prescription, and, unless
,heis cousciences are '.seared as with red-hot
IRON" they can never aid in his election, and
thus perpetuate the power which has tramped
them in the dust.