Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-01-27
Our ..Indi,creet,, governor.


Our ''Indiscreet" Governor.
We are told in the best of all books not to put
our trust in Princes. 1t is equally unws25 to
trust politicians. The history of all the govern
ments that ever existed proves that protested
politicians are here to-day anG there tomorrow,
unstable in their principles, veered hither and
thither by every wind of doctrine, as ambition
or ayarice or caprice dictates.
Talk about the GLORIOUS uncertainty" of the
law 1t is not half so uncertain as politics.
Talk about political principles. We are quite
tempted to believe that there is no such thing
as principle among politicians; or if there are
any they would seem to consist of the ''seyen
loayes and two fishes"
Never, perhaps, was there a more striking ex-
empifcation Of the instability of political opin-
ion and the unreliability of politicians, than has
been furnished in the history of Kansas affairs,
especially here in Virginia. Douglas the faith
er of the Kansas Nebraska bill-whose fealty to
the South was in the mouth of every Democrat
ic orator during the last Presidential canvass
the man who above all other men was emphati-
cally sound on the question Of Southern rights
is now, Democrats themselves being the wit
nesses, against the South and with the Black
"Little Giant, should operate as most impress
sive warning to those people of the South who
are disposed to put their trust il National DEM
ocrats
But more marvellous case Of tergirversation
is to be found nearer home. If the people wish
to see "HsrleQuin" they have only to turn their
eyes to the Capital of their own State. If they
would contemplate the most finished speci-
men of weather-cook now in existence they
have but to gaze upon their own garrulous Gov
ernor. Where can they find politician who
has oftener changed front, or one in whom the
change as regards the question of Slavery and
the interests of the South, has been more stri-
king and astounding9 Echo answers, "where2"
Who does not remember that Henry A. Wise
was among the widest of Southern extremists
during the last Presidential canvass, and that he
was ready to call out the militia, and annihiate
the entire North with broom-sticks and fence
rails upon the slightest prOvocation9 Why the
conservative people of Virginia, were actually
trembling lest in his hot haste and insane folly
he should compromise the dignity of the State,
and involve us in inextricable difficulties. But
so wonderful has been the change that even the
Democracy stand aghast, and he whose optics
are most keen, can scarcely recognize in the Wise
of to-day the Wise of yesterday. Then, he was
the fearless Tribune of the people, the earnest
champion of the South, battling with ardent
zeal and vengeful purpose. Now, according to
Democratic testimony, he is the companion Of
traitors, lending his aid to the schemes ofNorth-
ern fanatics, and counting the favor of the bit
terest enemies of the South. Every one must
have noticed long since that the change was 60
ing on. 1t was developed previous to the Sen
atorial election, when with unbounded impu-
dence Mr.. Wise appeared upon the stage in a
new characters the champion of oonserya-
tism-and poured forth indignant rebuke upon
Senator Hunter and the 6re-eating factionists,
who refused to support the Administration in
reference to the affairs of Kansas. His position
on that occasion seemed maryellously queer, and
reminded one toroibly of Satan reproYiDg SIM
The next development is in the Tammany letter !;
in which we find him taking ground against the
Administration and assuming an attitude which
has given entire satisfaction to the Black Re
publicaus, and stirred the deep indignation of
his entire party at the South. On the 18th OF
last November, he declared in his letter on
Kansas affairs that he agreed with, Mr.. Hunter
that Kansas should be admitted into the Union,
even if the Constitution were not submitted the
popular vote. On the Goth of Deaesa5er he
says, il his FalEmany lettses 81 SO Constita-
ton Of Kansas, which toiepAtss tna existence OF
slavery, and which was suBmitssd By tie Ls-
compton Convention to syets 81 the people,
Saghts 70 le-sszs66lnittea to the popular vote,
and that Congress ought to receive her into the
Union only on that condition.
Without discussing the merits of the Cover
nor's plan, we are forced to the conclusion
that he talks two ways in one breath. II, as
many of his warmest party friends now conf
IDENTIFY assert, he has been conservative for sell
fish ends, and now promulges his novel plans
for the express purpose of counting the North
then, verify, it is true that our Governor
cannot be trusted. "Vaulting ambition hath
DER leaped itself" and his prospects for eleya-
ton are faded and gone. We must do him the
justice to say, however, that he did more, in
our humble opinion, to injure the South and
strengthen the hands of her enemies when she
breathed forth threatenings and slaughter" in
her cause, than he can ever accomplish by wri-
ting letters to Tanmany Hall and New England
Societies, were they ten times as offensive to
Southern sensibilities as his recent epistle.
BLACK LIST.