Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-05-07
Whix.o

The communication OF "a Wing apparently
invites comment, and due regard to the inter
csts of the American party seems to require II
The writer is gentleman with whom we nave
rarely found it difficult to agree in political mat
tiers, and from whom we always differ with re-
greet; much more do we deplore the necessity
that compels us to combat his positions and dis-
pute his supposed facts.
We are entirely satisfied that things appear
to "a Whig," not as they are, but as ms con-
fessed and long-entertained suspicion both of
the American party and the Temperance organi
cation suggests Certainly no facts warrant the
belief that the Sons of Temperance designed or
attempted to influence the action of the County
Convention, much less justify the opinion that
the Convention was used by them. We unhesi-
tatingly challenge the proof Of single eircum-
stance that can legitimstely lead to any such
conclusion 1t is little strange, if such were
the fact, that in all our intercourse with mem
bers of the party, we have never heard such an
intimaton and find it for the first time suggest
ed to us in the communication of "a Wing
One of us participated in the action OF that Con-
vention, and we do not hesitate to express our
belief that the temperance question did not con-
troll the action of solitary delegate. That
Convention was composed of the best men of the
county, selected by the people, without regard
TO anything but their politics, and was confess
IDLY gotten up in the fairest and most impartial
manner. The delegates were actuated by the
single desire to promote the best interests of the
county, and at the same time insure the success
of their party; and with the result every indl-
vidual was entirely satisfied. That there has
been any dissatisfaction, or any chuckling, in any
quarter, a Wing" is the first to inform US. We
have no doubt that an examination of the list Of
delegates would establish the fact, that the Sons
of Temperance were in most decided minority
in the Convention, and utterly impotent to con-
troll its action. There were eighty five delegates
in attendance upon the Convention. From our
own knowledge of their views and from infor-
nation derived from Others, we are satisfied that
there were not more than fifteen of those voting
who belonged to the Sons of Temperance and
they were not unanimous in their support of Mr..
Kinney. In regard to the talk of compromise
candidate, we happen to know that some of Mr..
Kinney's warmest friends were the men who
contemplated and urged that course.
"a Wing" takes us to task for endorsing this
party issue. We do endorse it, and have hither-
to given our reasons for SO, doing. We agree
with our correspondent that Courts of Justice
should be held aloof from the strifes and contain
nations of party" but we do not perceive that
an Attorney for the Commonwealth is a "Court
of Justice" or that his Office is q judicial one
We go further than "A Wing" and admit that
all these offices ought, if possible, be kept aloot
from party. But when one political organiza-
ton sees fit to prescribe another and as general
rule, eject their opponents fromall offices, mnste-
rial judicial and charitable, well aspolitcal
do assert it not only to be the right but just and
fair retaliation, ON the part Of that other party
to do likewise. 4aHst
"a Wing" refers to the charge preferred BY
the Wings of Kentucky against the American
party. That charge cannot be sustained, so far
as we are aware, by single substantial fact, 1t
seems to be manufactured out of the whole cloth.
Our correspondent may be better acquainted
with the characters of the sgners of that address
than we are, but in opposition to their opinions
we may point to the Crittendens, the Under
woods, the Marshalls, Garrett Davis, and other
distinguished and conservative statesmen of Ken
lucky, who are active and jealous members of
the American party. The Kentucky address
has attached to it couple of 'Clays,n and with
this exception we are entirely unacquainted with
the character or position of the twenty-five men
who have brought this grave but groundless
charge against the American party of the Union.
To our mind they have only manifested their
proclivity TO Locofocoism. n.'t
Our correspondent thinks that the grounds as
suned for the position of the American party in
this county are not warranted by facts This is
4 matter upon which there may be an honest
difference of opinion. For ourselves, we have
only to say, that we wage no war upon Col. Har-
man. Our relations with him are, and We
trust may always be, of the friendliest character
But we do make war upon his party-we do
urge the American party to defend itself against
Col. Harman's proscriptipe party-and if in the
effort to do so, the blade passes through the Boz
dy Of the present CONFERENCE.-The Attorney, he
has nobody to blame but the leaders of his own
party.
"a Wing" believes that Mr.. Kinney's defeat
the locker" We saw spirit of determination
manifested in that County Convention that for
bids the thought of defeat We appeal to the
Americans of the county to rally as one man in
behalf of the nominee of the Convention. Suf-
fer yourselves to be diverted from the one object
by no artifce of the adversary. Recolect that
the only time the Democrats ever carried the
county it was done by the artful Juggling in of
this Temperance issue, and sternly resolve that
in this election you "will none of it." 1t has had
nothing to do with the nomination, and will
nave nothing to do with the canvass unless the
Americans of Augusta county are more verdant
than we imagine them to be. -.
MORMON EMIGRANTs.--The ship Enoch Train,
from Liverpool, landed at Boston on Wednesday
morning with,tive hundred and thirty emigranls
all bound for the Mormon. 'N.land of promise
Utah. The deluded people are said to be of
very superior class for steerage passengers, and
mainly of English extraction, with mixture OF
Scotch, Welsh and Irish. A few are from South
Atrica-so far have the Mormon missionaries
pushed their travels in their zeal to make prose-
iytes. Alt i
Missouri PoLIrIcs-There are now three can
didates in the field for Governor of Missouri, as