Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-08-13
Hon. A. III. I'll. Stuart.

This gentleman will soon have the distinction
of being the "best abused" man in the State
John Minor Bolts formerly enjoyed" that re-
putation, but Mr.. Stuart is now the prominent
object of assault by the opposing party. Mr.
Bolts must look out for his laurels
We cannot account for the virulent hostility
of the Democratic press generally to Mr.. Stuart,
unless it be that they fear his influence on the
stump, and therefore seek to prejudice the PEG.
pie against him. Certainly no public speaker
could treat his opponents with more courtesy
than he has uniformly observed. Why then the
denunciation and abuse which is so literally
heaped upon hima To read these paragraphs
which are constantly flying through the press, q
stranger would suppose that Mr.. S. was man
entirely without respectable standing in the com.
munity, and would be surprised to find upon &C.
ouaintance with him that he not only has oc.
cupied high public stations with appreciation
and distinction, but that his private character i;
without reproach. His only offense is that he
is using all honorable means to promote the cleo
ton of Willard Fillmorel These means he will
continue to use, and some of those fiery cham
pions of the Democratic party, who boast SC
loudly of their eagerness to encounter him or
the stump, may be gratitied to their hearts con
tent before the canvass is over.
Our contemporary of the Valley Star, who
complained few weeks ago of the assaults upor
Mr.. Buchanan, now says of Mr.. Stuart eff we
were compelled to select between Henry Wilson
of Mass, and Sandy Stuart, of Virginia, for Q
high political office, I'VE should be troubled which
to choose, as we believe the rights of the Soutl
would not be more safe in the hands of one thai
the other" Having entertained the kindes
feelings towards our contemporary beg leav,
to demonstrate with him against the use of such
language. 1t surely does not express his rea
sentiments. Does he not know that Mr.. Stuar
is Shareholder as largely interested in the pc
culiar institution of the South as any man il
this portion of the State, and that therefore self
interest, if nothing else, must render him con
sentative and trust-worthy2 If the Star allude
to any of Mr.. Stuart's public acts, let us know
what they are, and we will discuss them with
out passion or excitement. Perhaps the Sta
refers to Mr.. Stuart's vote on the famous 21s
Rule of the House of Representatives tina
cannot be, for Mr.. Buchanan, whom the Sta
supports for the Presidency, occupied the sam
position, and by his speeches and votes sustaine
Mr.. Stuart throughout What then has Mr.
Stuart done to forfeit the confidence of th
South2
There is another aspect of the case whcl
should cause our political opponents to be NOR
prudent in preferring such charges. We ar
threatened by common foe in the free States
which even now boasts of its allies in the South
Every publication unjustly accusing prominen
Southern men with entertaining free-so senti
ments or sympathies, tends to encourage tho
hearts and strengthen the hands of this arcl
enemy. Let us then abstain from these ground
less imputations and, if we have controvers,
amongst ourselves, at least present an unbroker
front to our assailants from without.