Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-06-29

and INVARIABLY exacted from all who fail to pay be-
fore the expiration OF the year.
Jan. 8, 1858.
The Next Governor.
The Hon. John Letcher has heretofore been
the favorite candidate with large majority OF
his party for the office of Governor at the next
election. Probably three-fourths of the Demo-
cratic newspapers in the State, including the
Richmond South, have taken ground in his be-
half, and some of them have predicted his cleo
ton by fifty thousand majority. We regret u
observe that these brilliant prospects have Oeen
considerably impaired by the mischevous IN
reference of the Richmond Wing. AT nrsS tne
Wing, in a very mysterious manner, sousn' in-
formation from the South and other Letcher pa
,ars in reference 10 q certain address delivered
at Lexington, in ls47, by the Rev. DR.. Rutfner,
and published at the request OF Mr.. Leteher ana
other gentlemen. This address, as everybody
about here knows, advocated the abolition OF
slavery in Western Virginia. The South Knew
little or nothing about it, supposed 1t was lit
erary production, and that Mr. LIS request Tor
publication was nothing more than an oct OF
courtesy. The Wing thereupon exposed the
character of the address, and gave the letter re-
questing copy for publication, which was sign
ed b, s. Med. Moore, John Letcher, &c. The
South was taken all sbsck. Itfrankly confessed
its sunspeakable surprise TO find person OF Mr.
Ietcber's good sense and sound principles ap-
proving an ebulition of such Incorporate spirit
and mischieyous effect. 1t is piece ot folly Tor
which we can scarcely venture an apology,
much less justification" Notwithstanding It's
embarrassment, however, The South did attempt
an apology, while it denounced the address as
"an atrocious libel on the social system OF the
South"
The Enquirer, which is hostile to MIR. Letoher,
evidently chuekes over the affair. In its issue
of Friday last, it has an article which IN the be-
ginning looks like defence OF Mr.. Letoher, but
the cloyen foot sticks out even there, and be-
fore the close it turns out to be vigorous as
sault. A gentleman acquainted with the facts
of the case informs the Enquirer that Mr. l..
heard DR.. r. deliver an address upon "the de-
velopment of the great industrial resources OF
Western Virginia and requested copy for pub
lication, but that DIR. Ruffner inserted IN the
COPY for publication the snti-slsyery sentiments
so repugnant to every Virginian." This state
ment by the way, is fiagrantly incorrect, as the
letter addressed to DIR. r. shows that esigners
knew that the address advocated emancipation
in Western Virginia. ]. g. Paxton, says the En-
quirer, was requested to sign the letter, but re-
fused--he could see through the matter, and Mr..
Letcher had the same opportunity OF knowlsg
what he was about To show the bad company
Mr.. L. was in, the Enquirer takes pains to say IL
italics, that one of the sgners is now "a ca0te"S
.A6olitionist az Chicago" Waxing holder as 1t
proceeds, the Enquirer says: I'VE know many
good and sound Democrats who will never be
satisfied with any nominee who has endorsed
such an infamous distribe against slavery, as this
charged upon Mr.. Letcher" "The South" IL
continues, attempts to veneer these charges
with involuntary impressions OF prevailing pref
udice. rather than the deliberate conclusions OF
his own judgement. This patching up OF rec
ords won't bear inspection" off" says the En-
opirer. "Mr. Letcher did not intend, as The
South alleges, ito endorse DIR. Ruttner's anti
slavery sentiments and if DR.. r. interpolated
views in the speech as printed different IRON
those of the speech as delivered, why did Mr..
Ietcher allow this letter and pamphlet to circu-
late for eleven years without any explanation or
contradiction by bim2n And finally the En-
quirer winds up in the following conclusive
msnnF;
"Wbile we have no mistrust for Mr. Letchers
fidelity to the South, we repeat that the De-
lDocracy having defeated Mr.. Summers because
in 1882 he hoated with the torrent that almost
swept slavery from it's moorings in Virginia, II
will not do to excuse and palliate the still great
or offence of Mr.. Letcher in lS4T."
We really lament this unpleasant state of al
fairs, and beg our Democratic friends not to let
Mr.. Letoher suffer in consequence OF this ground
less charge of infdelity to Southern interests
The Wing alluded to it merely as piece Of fun,
and by way of sit for tat" on account OF the
treatment Summers received from the Demo-
Gratis. We decidedly and honestly prefer Mr..
fletcher to any other Democrat, and still hope
that he VIII get the nomlhstioh' OuF Pteioi
ence is based upon four good reasons. First,
Mr.. Faulkner, the candidate next in prominence,
is liable to the same objection that is urged a.
gainst Mr.. Letcher, and we fear the Democracy
will find no enc who can present perfectly
clean record. We deprecate the idea OF their
having no candidate at all. Secondly, we know
Mr.. Letcher and like him personally. Thirdly
he is "native" Democrat, and we eschew the
"naturalized." One renegade is more to be
dreaded than ten Turks. Lastly, if MIR. Letcher
il rejected by a State Convention, his faithful
constituents OF this District will feel bound to
yindcate his reputation by returning him to
Congress. We are entirely satisfied with him
as our Representative, but we have tender re-
gard for the bakers dozen of young and eager
aspirantS for his Congressional. slippers. We
fear their Democracy will spoil if it has to be
kept much longer
Augusta Female Seminary.
The closing exercises of this institution took
place on Thursday and Friday of last week.
The examinations were attended by the patrons
of the school all of whom we ara nlessed IN