Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-03-08
Gov. William an;ts

WV "DHaM smith.
1t will be seen by the proceedings OF the
Democratic Convention, published in sn-
othsr column, that Gov. Smith was admit
ted to sea: as a delegate ia that body
and that be is now 10 fall communism
with the democratic party. We have
never felt it iueumbent upon Us, as deu.
oesstic editor, TO denounce Coy Sn,tl, in
uhihsasured terms, or in any tsrms, BE-.
cause OF the course he pursued il the late
canvass In Virgins. We did pol approve
OF 1t, however. Gov Smith has had .
great deal Of which to complain. and Il
lily becomes the party, or IT. leaders, 70
drnounce and bers;s such ran az vii.
liam Smith, Of F.uquier, because he did
complsln--a msu who ha. grown si,s
the growth and strengthened with the
strength of the Democratic party. As for
Mr.. Smith being anyshing bu, Democrat,
that IS an utter impossibiIiv. He i.
Democrat from instinct snd .ItLoush b..
may not know Democrats b, the "iusuus,.
OF gentlemen" he is as true to the sre.,
cardinal principles ofthe Dem osrs tic s,r-.
W as The nsedie is 10 the pole. When
did ever MIR Smith make wal upon .py
tenet of the Democratic tsi,LY VIM
othen faltered--w hep foes thickeoed aud
the ranks OF the Democratic party Bonded
under the fierce and powerful sttsck.ef
the enem y-when loom aud di,nay how
cred over our cause, like dark ball
and The place hunters and spo,Ismep.
rushed from our midst, like rats from sink.
ing shlp-when all was 10 fear aud moth.
ing to expect, OF scarcely 10 hope-Goy.
Smith was firm and uhtiiuching 10 his ,d-
Sccscy oil Democratic men and Dsmocr.t,c
measures. lie never shrank from con.
test, bat couIted discussion everywhsrs
and under all circumstance. let the odd.
be ever so great. Democracy wsss liy-
ing, active principle with him, aud b,
proclaimed 1t from the house tops. ip.thr by
ways Oh Tue corners. ana everywhcre.--
He had no favars to ask from the enemy
but sssa'led them alike in power aud out
OF power. Aud after all this. Gov Smiths
democracy is to be questioned becsuse he
dld not slug hosannas and shout for ioy at
the result OF the Stanton Convection -
But we viii not open an old sore
The hobility-tke subIimity-ths pow
el-the courage-aye, the Democracy Of
Gov. Smith was exhibited mos, triumph,
abtly when he placed himself upon the
stand in the Democratic Convention Ard
met his accusers face to.isce. Like LutL.
tr before the Diet 81 Worms he .tosi
calm collected nerved and ready 10 NEE,
the issue. Here, and there, and ut everv
point this one and that one, jumped w,
prompted III most cases, by peisonsl euuli.
ty, to PROFOUND questions, which. H. ia.
variaby disposed OF neaslly and as readily
as we would cast from our hand festhes.
lie showed his conscious honesty BY tue
DIGNITY OF his demeanor. No Charge
no insinuatior, could roiHe his temper or
disturb his equsnimity. His ,r;untb w,
them thu. he made 10
return" to the Democratic party, b~c.s.s
he had never left it, and refusing TO Ae%
sept seal NJ on any such condition. r..
came there tue democrat he had ever
been, winch neither things Present, ner
things to GENE, things under the earth.
nor GU top ef.;be earth, nof in the sea.
could change He re.sacted no,hius-.
promised nothing, save what hi. vLsls
political history guaranteed. Es ~,
awarded seat in the Convention, asx
democrai--aad as such he accepted it.
Aud thus 1t WAS that personal spino.i.,
aud personal hatred were subducd aud JUS
tee aone grea. and good Dat.
We have always admired Gov. Smith,
We have looked upon him map ipcof-
ruPtible politician, and as one Of the uo,.
popular orators OF his age. Indeed N.
conisss to degree OF pleasure unusual fer
us TO experience, a, lesss in political usl-
tiers, at the triumphant rr.spdor..-
ment OF his orthodoxy, b, the s.seub!.t
democracy of the Slate. We, with ptid..
here record our esteem fer him personal.
iy, and our admiration for bis in,ellss, aud
his integrity. and our sbidiug confidence
IN the purity, and the PATRIOTISM Of Lis
democracy. We do this as an act OF ju,.
tice to one Of Virginia's most Lri,l..t
stars We have no LAYERS 10 AK Of hn.
and he none 20 give. even were we to a.k
them.