Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-04-16
For the Spectator.

Messs. Editow.-Tlle communication signed
! Washington seems to have ''riled" one OF the
Leaders" OF the American party terribly. 1t
must have contained some views when were
calculated to have an effect, from the way "Old
Hickory" writes. He pitches into me as II he
thought his pet scheme of dividing the spols IN
old Augusta" which he has probably been hatch
ing long time, was endangered by my protest,
and was to be saved only by a charge home up
on Inc. Well, lit sras rather presumptuous in
me. being only one of the rank and file of the
party. who only count cone" at an election, to
undertake to interfere with an arrangement
which the Leaders have deliberately made a.
mong themselves, and deserve to be called "a
traitor in the camp; and so will any other
member of the party, who. foolishiy eoneelviDg
that his soul is his own. undertakes to think and
act for himself, without consulting the wishes of
the Lenders" But doubly damned is he, who
so far f0rgets himself as to presume to appear
in your columns, which sold Hickory" seems to
! claim as special property. lie becomes at once
fool and dotard, with scarce sense enough to
stand as ''putative father to another mans wri-
ttings,n even though that man be "a democrat
We deserve all such lordly indecencies and should
meekly bear them.
ri | did not appear in your columns, Messrs. Ed
itors, for the purpose of engaging in controver-
4 sy-oh! 10, for the Superintendent of Schools
does not grant me education enough for that, and
the Leaders do not allow the privilege. but
merely to enter my protest against the Areri-
can party being committed to 'course" which
'every tfne patriot must feel in his heart is
wrong" according to. the ''True. American
But am no defender of the Democratic party,
and cannot be forced into that position. The
Democratic party is d proscriptive party and,
therefore, could never have sympathy for, or
connection with it; and Lam opposed to the A
merican party adopting one of the rorst fea-
lures of the Democratic party The county offices
ty in this county, and | repeat, am opposed
to the policy ofmakng them so being initiated"
by the American party; Col. Harman's politics
is no recommendation to me, but his politics, in
my opinion, has nothing to do with the proper
discharge of the duties of his office, and there
fore, gave my reasons why politics should not
be made the test of publication tor the office of
Commemorative Attorney, or of any other coun-
ty Office, as was recommended by the True A
merican. But ''Old Hickory" says that / am
not an american" but withdrew before the
last election from the American party, and that
only stand Godfather for communication
written by democrat Now, with all due def,
erence to his leadership" | beg permission to
say, that was member of the american par
ty' and that did not withdraw before the G.
lection nor have withdrawn since. | there
fore presume am still member but whether
in good standing or not, depends upon whether
my name should leak out from your office" 70
the Leaders" ''Old Hickory" says it has not
''leaked OUT from there yet, and | scarcely
needed that assurance to relieve for it is to be
presumed that no one will get it from you, who
has not the right to demand it. But | further
say, that the communication signed washing
ton" and published in your paper, was @rittea
and published without the knowledge, advice or
appreciation of any person belonging to the Dem
ocratic party, or having any sympathy with, or
leaning towards, that party. Now sold Hicko-
ry'' dc. your dare" -
In conclusion Washington" desires his COM
pliments to sold Hickory" The names are we'll
chosen-"W ashington' protesting against party
prescription" and urging ''honcsty capacity and
fidelity rs the sole test of fitness for otice-and
"old Hickory, insisting that party" is the prop
er test WASHINGTON