Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-11-19
Glorious rriumph OF whig and American
Principles !--SiSaai Reputation OF De-
nSocracy b. the Democrats!


In our l&st papey we purpoSely abstained from
saving much about tie results of the recent Presi-
Dental election. The issue was then somewhat
involved in doubt and we did not think the oc-
casion suitable one for review of the prae-
teal bearings of the campaign. We preferred,
therefore, TO wait until the smoke cleared away
from the battlefield before we presented our
readers with survcy Of what had been accom-
plshed. IA, -s,
The fog has now been dissipated. The din OF
battle has been hushed, and we are at liberty TO
give vent to our jubilant feelings Its true the
candidate Of our choice has not been elected
But candidates are OF small Importance, CON-
pared with the principles which they represent
Principles IRE every tling-nen nothing.
Taking this view Of the subject, we cannot
but regard that much has been accomplished IN
the recent election, to vindicate tho correctness
of the principles which we have always advoca-
ted-yiz: the principles of the American Wing
party. It is true that they are now brought into
power under the Democratic llag,and a so-ealled
Democratic leaders. But that does not change
the essential character of the principles them
selves. They are still Ameriean-Whig principles,
though adopted by the Democracy They are
still as true. and as dear to las when they were
embazoned on our own standard, and fought Tor
under the lead of our own champions! And as
q rose by any other name would smell as sweet,
So Wing principles, evan when proclaimed by
Democratic lips and brought into power by Dem
ocratic votes, are quite as acceptable to Us as Il
installed uuder the auspices of Henry Clay or
Willard Fillmore.
From tho commencement of our editorial ca
reer we have uniformly maintained the following
great principles.
lst. That Bank of the L. S. was constitu-
tonal.
end. That tariff for revenue with Incidental
protection was constitutional and proper.
srd. That Mr.. CT .ys land distribution-b was
g a wise constitutional and salutary measure.
18th. That great national works could be con-
stitutionally constructed by the General Govern
nent.i
9Th. That foreign influence was dangerous to
American institutions.
These are the cardinal principles of the Wing
American parties as expounded by Clay, Web
ster. Fillmore, CritIenden, Clayton and other
great leaders of those parties.
The Democracy in former days have denied all
these propositions, and have contended that the
reverse OF each and every one Of them was true
We argued earnestly to convince them OF their
error. But all in vain. They disregarded ON
admonitons and even denounced our principle;
as Federall We bore all their hard epithets with
christian fortitude, trusting that after while
they would get their eyes opened to the truth.
But we must confess that we did not expect
that conviction would, at SO early day,impress
itself on their minds, and that conversion would
so soon follow But we feel gratitied that they
have at length seen the error of their ways!-
They have in the nomination of their President
elect. and in the ratification of that nomination
Mt the polls repudiated oil their old heresies,an
adopted the true and catholic faith of the Wing
American party! We rejoice over their re-
nunciation of their false doctrines Wewelcome
them into the true church, We welcome them
not as returning prodigals, but as errinS breth-
rem, We are willing, however,to kill the fatted
calf. and make great feast in honor OF their re-
turnl
Behold how complete is their conyersion!-
They have nominated and elected Mr.. Buchanan,
a gentleman who commenced political life an
ardent friend of Bank of tue U. s.. and one OF
the earliest incidents which We can recall III his
history is, the stern rebule which he admins
tered to the Democratic party for failing to re-
new the charter of tho Bank in 1911! We think
he was rather unchartable in imputing unpat-
riotic motives to the Democracy on that occa-
sion, but we trust age has chastened his feelings
by this time!
On the tariff question, Mr.. Buchanan goes a
bow-shot beyond us, but we hope, by gentle per-
suasions, to draw him back to the proper posi-
ton. He voted for the high tariff Of 1924, and
for the bill of denominations" in 1928 and also
tor the Wing tariff oil 1912. In the former bills
we are sorry to confess he went for protection
per Sc. This we cannot go. All we contend for is
incidental protection. But we hope our influence
will induce him to moderate his views. The
tariff of 1912 suited Us and we are glad that when
the fate of that bill hung on Mr.. Buchanans vote,
he gave that decisive vote in favor OF it.
Distribution was iavorite measure OF Mr..
CLAY and of ourselves. Mr.. Buchanan concurred
with US fully on this measure, and made an adj
mirable speech in favor OF it. Years after it had
been lost, he proclaimed in his place in the Sen
ate, that he had been one of its most steadiast
friends and that ne was the last mourner at its
grave. We have no fault to find with him on
that subject We endorse all that he said and
did in regard to it. 1t was all according to the
orthodox Wing standard.
On the question of iuternal Improvements, Mr..
Buchanan will, we doubt not, be panied to learn
that we cannot fully agree with him. We think
he went too far We think he was wrong III
voting for tho Maysvillo road bill, which Jack
son vetoed. But he repaired the mischief in part
by declining TO vote for it gTter the ret0. We
also think he erred i'll voting for the Chesapeake
and Delaware Canal bill and the Dismal Swamp
bill. and for an appropriation for surveys intend
ed TO furnish the basis of great system OF inter-
nal improvements! He was over-zealous In the
csuse then, and we trust he has since modified his
opinions. We think that local works ought to
be left to the States and that none but national
works-strictly national Ought to be under
taken by the general government; and we mean
to tell him so, the very first time ne asks our
opinion
By the last newspapers we see he has written
latter TO Califonia,in anticipation of the Pres-