Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-05-21
The Election

ne ElcCllOu
Next Thursday is the day of election. As
party men we are interested in the selection Of
Commonwealth Attorney only, and in regard
to that matter we desire to say a few final words
to the American party of this County. fairly
organized, largely attended and highly intelligent
Convention of the party, after public discussion
and private consultation in regard to the pro-
priety of the course, has presented to us a man
of our political faith, eminently qualified
for the office, and asked us to give him our votes.
We hold this truth to be self-evident: that I'M
less the individual members abide by and con-
firm the action of the party, as fairly and fully
represented in Convention, we may as well give
up our organization, and submit without resist
ance to the tyranny of Democracy. If we hope
to succeed in this or any other election, there
must be no flinching-uo fa~ltering-no flying
the track but a firm and uneonquerable deter
mination to succeed. Let every American voter
INQUIRE then whether he is willing to see the A
merican banner trailing in the dust in this Coun-
ty, whose proud position one year ago won the
applause of the whole State.
Is there an American voter in this County
who intends to cast his vote for Col. Harman {
If so. let him pause and reflect upon the conse-
ouepces which his vote may entail upon the
party, whose principles he processes to advocate,
and whose success he ought to have at heart
How will he feel when he hears the taunts and
ieers of the successful Democracy over his own
defeated party, and re~collects that by his detec-
ton the result was accomplished Let him
remember that such O defeat would be the dead
lest blow that could possibly be inflicted upon
the party to which he is attached, and viii tell
most disastrously upon the election in Novem-
Der. He may say that this ought rot to be ana
shall not be, so far Is he is concerned, q party
contest. Ifso, let him inquire another thing
Does he know q single, solitary Democrat in the
broad limits of big Augusta County. who does
not intend TO vote for Col. Hartman? Before
the action of the American party-before the i
dea of making a party matter OF it was ever sug-
gested-did he know or ever hear Off single
Democrat who intended to vote either for Mr..
Kinney or Mr.. McCue? If he can answer these
questions afirmatively, lie is the first man we
have met with who could. And yet he, an A
meriean, is asked to vote for Col. Hartman be-
cause party ought to have nothing to do with
this election. Away with such stqt! Depend
upon it, this Cry Of no-party Is a mere trick oil
the sdversary-a mere Syringe to catch wood
cocks"
Let the Americans Of Augusta do their duty
then, and the election of Mr.. Kinney is inevita-
bic.
There are other offices ofimportance to be NIL
ed at this election. In regard to the candidates
for these offices we have nothing to say, except
to wish them one and al "a good time oflt."-
We cannot ;~refrain, however, from urging upon
the people, the Importance of selecting the very
best men to the responsible position of Magls-
trate. This is q ma;t,r in which the people
ore nearly and deeply concerned and IN winch
they generally manifest far too little interest.