Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-05-20
GREENyILLE. Nav IS. 1857


Messrs Eaitors:-I have only time to send
YOU brief note in reference to the discussion in
this place on Saturday last.
Mr.. Stuart opened the discussion in speech
of an hours length in which he presented
with great clearness of statement and aptness of
illustration the great question of distributions
showing that sound policy as well as common
Justice, commended the measure to the favorable
consideration of the people of Virginia. 1t is
impossible for me to give even an outline OF Mr..
Stuart's speech. All have to regret is that ev-
ery voter in the county could not have heard it..
Nothing less impervious to light than the thick
darkness of party prejudice could have prevent
ed his cogent and logical argument from carry
ing conviction to the minds of all his hearers
This county ought to feel proud that she has
such q son willing to represent her in the coun-
ellis of the State.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Stuart's speech, Mr..
Skinner ''darkened counsel with words" for the
space of an hour. He dwelt at considerable
length upon what he was pleased to call Mr..
Stuart's inconsistencies; read his Irish letter"
talked about the last gnbernatorial canvass, the
late Presidential election, the Kansas Nebraska
BILL and in fact, seemed very reluctant to come
to the question involved in this canvass. AT
this am not surprised. Mr.. Skinner will find it
rather an uphill" business to convince the farm
ers of this county, with the present prospect for
wheat crop, and taxes at the rate of forty cents
in the hundred dollars OF property, that it would
corrupt them for Virginia to receive that por-
ton of the public lands she would be entitled to
under a fair distribution" especially too as
they are daily squandered upon the new States,
and that too by the party that denies to Virgin
ia any participation in them. Mr.. Stuart's re-
ioinder was as happy and triumphant as his first
speech had been clear and conclusive. But we
have only space for brief notice of the
"Irsh" letter which Mr.. Skinner read with
such an air of triumph. This letter was called
forth by an inyitatation to Mr.. Stuart to attend
a CELEBRATION of the st. Patrick Society of n. Y,
and in it Mr.. Stuart expressed the kindest feel
inps towards the Irish, and said that they be-
came "Americanized" more readily than other
foreigners who emigrated to our country. These
sentiments Mr.. S. said he still entertained and
he was unable to perceive any inconsistency be-
tween them and the opinion that all foreigners
should be required to reside in the country long
enough to become acquainted with its insttu-
tions before they were allowed to exercise the
high and responsible privilege of the right OF
suffrage.
The Wing and American party have every
reason to be satifed with their candidate for
the Senate. And his election, whilst it will be
in high degree creditable to his immediate
constituents, will reflect honor upon the State at
large
An the candidates for the Lower House who
were present made addresses at the conclusion
of the discussion between Messrs Stuart and
Skinner. But we have not time for a notice Of
their speech I.