Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-12-17
Staunton Spettater.
AUNYON, VA.
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER II. 1856.
The Race for omce.


the Democratic party of Virginia, with their
several SQUADS of friends and admirers, are push
inc with indicate, if not positively indecent
haste and greedineS> for chance at the "!oaves
and fishes" which the President elect has at his
DISPOSAL. They are neither moderate IN Their
desires. nor modest in preterring their claims
and are evidently not to dissatisfied with anytmng
short of the stop OF the pot" little maneu-
verng to secure an office OF honor and emoiu-
'ment might be overlooked aud even justified, at
least by the code of morals and rules etiquette
recognized in the political world, but the method
adopted in these latter days to secure place IN
that heaven OF the politicians hopes-the pubic
crib-seems to us presumptuouS in the highest
degree, evincing any thing else but good sense or
good manners.
When we FIRST heard that the Democratic E.
lectors of Virginia, at their recent meeting in
Richmond, had by formal vote, actually re-
commended Ex-Gov. Floyd to Mr. Buchanan, as
''marvellously proper man" to advise with and
assist him in his Cabinet, we could scarcely give
credit to the rumor. 1t has not been denied,
however, and we presume it is even so. We had
supposed that Mr. Buchanan, who had been so
long in public life and who is so intimately ac-
auainted with the standing and qualifications OF
the public men of the nation, was at least ca
pable of making judiciouS selection OF his own
constitutional advisers without the unsolicited
suggestions and officious interference OF Gov.
Wise, John T. Harris and Others. 1t was mat
fer which, above all Others, ought to have been
eonGded to Mr.. Buchanan's sound discretion,
and with which no man or set of men had the
right to meddle ersa to the extent ofsuggestion.
Tie Virginia Electors thought differently, ana
did not hesitate to volunteer their counsel as to
the very individual who would suit them, and
who onght consequently to suit Mr.. Buchanan.
They had just done Mr. Buchanan the little SER
vice of casting the vote Of Virginia for him, and
xeutured to suggest that it would be eninenty
proper in Mr.. Buchanan to return the compll-
ment by inviting one Of their number into his
Cabinet. They felt that Old Buck was under
eternal obligations to the Virginia Democracy,
aud imagined that they could ask no boon that
he in the fullnes$ of his gratitude, could find it
in his heart to deny. Perhaps, however, Mr.
Buchanan may regard their action in an en-
tirely different light and reprove their forward
ness by dispensing with the services of any of
the Virginia aspirants. That the course, pur-
sued by the Virginia Electors will give him
great pain may be inferred from the following
paragraph, which we extract from the Washing
ton correspondence of the Philadelphia Eceniag
Journal:
zone of the Electors from Pennsylvania who
was present at the dinner given by Mr. Buchan-
an to the Electors Of your State, on Thursday
last tells me that it was one of the most interest
inc and agreeable occasions of his life. Every
member of the College was present but Messrs.
I. w. Hughes and Pierce Butler, who were call
ed home by business engagements. After the
cloth had been removed, Mr.. Buchanan spoke N
q strain of touching eloquence, for about TWEEN
tv-fve minutes, i'm which he maintained the same
tone as that which pervades his address to the
students OF Marshall College. He dwelt with
much feeling upon the fact that the Electors had
refused to recommend to his consideration any
persons for appointment to office"
The question then presents itself says the
'Richmond Whig:" II Mr.. Buchanan was so
highly Sf0Lllleu III INC SOul>o VI Iu0 Si''J ~"
MIA Electors in refusing to recommend to HIM
any one for office, in what light must he neces-
sarily view the iudehcate offieious, instrusive
and dictatorial conduct Of our Virginia Electors,
who undertook, at the suggestion and instigation
of Wise, to put Gov. Floyd forward for seat IN
his Cabinet9 Must he not look with scorn and
loathiug upon this attempt Of the Virginia Elec-
toral College to force upon him one oftheir own
number as one of his constitutional advisers p
Certain it is, he cannot approve the action ofthe
Virginia Electoral College, if he commends that
of the College of his own State
During the canvass Mr.. Buchanan was styled
by his opponents james Platform, in conSdera-
ton of the fact that he had declared himself l.
IDENTICAL with the Cincinnati platform. If he
is as pable rs our Virginia Electors seem to
consider him, his name will have to be chan
ged to James Pasteboard. We trust, however
that now, when nothing is to be gained by crng-
ing subseviency, he viii resume his proper indie
pendence and be James Buchanan-a verltable
man. 1t will not only be good for the office
seekers, but good policy to take a firm stand in
the outset of his administration, and eschew the
interference of party hacks in matters properly
belonging to the President alone.