Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-02
The Nomination for Governor.

The prospect of Mr.. Letcher's nomination con-
tinues to be encouraging. So fer as we have
noticed, Democratic meetings in only two coun-
ties have expressed preferences for other candi-
dates some of the counties have declared in ia
vor of no one; while many Others have spoken
out for Letchor. From all the lights before US
we should judge that he is the favorite with
large majority of the people. His friends nave
great risks to run, however He may be killed
off in the Convention by the adoption OF the
two.thirds rule. In the last Convention many
Democrats who are now Letcher men, advocated
that rule in order to defeat Gov. Wise, and they
will be somewhat embarrassed in opposing it at
Petersburg but we trust they will work through
the difficulty.
AS the titno for the assembling of the Conven-
ton approaches, the Richmond Enquirer increas-
es the vigor Of its assaults. Although depreca'
ting the course of the Enquirer, we cannot but
admire its ability and frmuess. Almost single
handed and alone it has maintained the light,
with a resolution 'worthy of a better cause. =
In recent issue, replying to an article in the
Richmond Examiner, it makes some vigorous
home.thrusts. Witness the following:
"Did not Mr.. Letcher in 1854, go hand in
hand with the Examiner itself, in urging vim
dotiyely every species of objection against q
candidate who proved, too, the successful candl-
date2 Did he not do this, too, for more sell
fish motive-because he was himself a back
ground candidate2 Did he stop his objectlona-
HE course even after the nomination was made
Did he not hold off and temporize with the spir.
it of Know Nothingism, until sea of up-turned
faces in the Tenth Legion warned him back &c
his duty? And has he not even lately boosted
that although forced to an unwilling support o.
the candidate from the stump during the whole
canvas ~
The Enquirer proceeds to speak of Mr.. Letch
er as man "who endorsed abolition sentiments
and sustained an emancipation candidate IL
1S47,n and 'who could sneer at negro ology IL
1851, until he became personally offensive tC
save-holdiug colleagues" 1t declares its "de
termination to thwart the movement of few
intriguing politicians, who, for two years past
have held secret conolaves, and subsidized vii
lage newspapers, in systematic attempt t
forestall public opinion" and winds up as fol
lows:
'Now, we tell our cotemporary, plainly, tina
we have assumed the proud position of tribune
of the people. We stand between the people
and the politicians, to thwart the intrigues O
the latter. Whether Mr.. Letcher is nominated
or defeated, we will maintain this position Il
the end-to the bitter end if necessary. An,
whenever politicians newspaper attempts Il
inimidate US with threats, we will only ris
stra ghter and higher in our stirrups, and sount
fuller, louder, clearer note of entire defiance.
There is something quite grand in this style o
doing things, and we accord our tribute of up
plause. But the Enquirer is laboring under
strange delusion. With great respect for on
metropolitan cotemporary, we are forciby re
minded of the knight of La Mancha, who con
stantly imagined that quiet travellers met OIL
the road needed champion, and rushed to tn
rescue. The people are calling for no Tribun
to deliver them from the Vaccinations of tn
politicians. We are persuaded that they gene
rally go for Letcher, as our Highland friends sa
in their resolutions, "the Rather hum6ug to tn
contrary Notwithstanding