Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-04-07
Fuss in the Family.


Strife in the family circle is, at all times, q
painful thing to contemplate. 1t makes the
blood curdle in the veins to hear the harsh notes
of wrangling and discord and abuse, where OF all
places else we would expect to hear the soft and
kind and gentle tones of friendship and affection
But how much more painful the scene when
jealousies and bad passions reach such pltch
among brethren of the same household, that all
the ties of consanguinity and all the haLloweo
influences Of association are ignored and uisre-
garded, and one thrusts another with unnatural
hatred from the family mansion out into tne coio
world. 1t is sad picture, and one, alas too
often witnessed.
Just such scene we are now called upon 10
contemplate in a very large and influential faml-
ly-the great Democratic household. As gen
eral thing the members of this family have gath
cred with wonderful attachment around the
common interchangeable spoils of victory, a.
chieved by the common blood and treasure
They have huddled closely together and shared
the loaves and fishes generously one with anoth
err. As the family increased, however, tho pro-
visions of course diminished, until the fare be-
came scanty, and many stood around with sppe-
tites unsatisfed. Still multiplied and replen-
ished, as the members increased the loaves be-
came scarcer, and hundreds crswled upon their
knees with hungry maws and open mouths to
catch any crumbs that might perchance fall from
the table. Even this feeble hope of subsistence
finally failed, and starvation staring many in the
face, they have at last begun in their extremity
to gnaw and devour each other with cannibal-
like ferocity.
Most unamiable language is now passing be-
tween sundry members of the party, who have
been for some time snarling and swapping at
each other over the bare Kansas bone Of conten-
ton. These passages are occurring, not among
the juveniles whose squabbles might be esteemed
mere child's-play, but the veterans in the ranks
the patriarchs of the party have taken each
other by the wool. Men who have grown grey
in hard service-the little giants whose heavy
bsttle.axes have been long welded in defence OF
Democracy and in fight for the spoils-the "fear-
less tribunes," whose eloquence has often aroused
the spirit of the rank and file and neryed their
arms for action-these are the men who are now
said to have sold their birthright for mess OF
pottage. Wise and Douglas are assailed by the
sWashington Union" as renegades and traitors,
who are about to deliver the property of the
Democratic party into the hands of the Cloths
and Vandals with whom they have associated
themselves. On the other hand the 'sRichmond
Enquirer pitches into the "Union," and leaves
it to public candor to say whether this sort OF
accusation defles the accuser or the accused. In
the House of Representatives, Gov. Smith-the
veritable and venerable Extra Billy-tskes sides
with the Union, and proceeds to kick his breth-
rem, Wise and Douglas, very deliberately and
unceremoniously out of the Democratic party, q:
rebellious and unworthy members. If gentle
men dissented from "Lecompton," the grea
Democratic measure, they could not be Demo
Gratis.
Mr.. English, of Indiana, inquired whether h,
regarded Governor Wise as in or out OF tn
Democratic party9
Mr.. Smith said he held him to be out of tn
Democratic organization, and all others who re
fused to cooperate with the Democratic family
= He was speaking not of the Governor of Virgin
y ia, but of Henry A. Wise. A party was an asso
citation of individuals entertaining communit,
of sentiment and when q gentleman ceased tt
entertain the common sentiment of his party b,
ceased to be Of the party.
Mr.. Davis, of Indiana, said no gentleman hat
right to read him out Of the party. He woul(
say further, that the Democracy of the North
instead of consenting to be read out of the part,
by the Government, would read the Government
out of the party.
On the contrary, the Enquirer" denies tn
right of Mr.. Smith to issue bulls of excommuni
cation against the recusant Democrats, designate
his language as "empty fanfaronade," and de
clares that his course is without warrant
The Enquirer" moreover suggests that Mr.
Smith is mere neophyte in the party, convicted
of obnoxious utilization with Sans frequenter
of the culvert, and that sit would better accord
with taste and prudence, should he abstain from
coupling gratuitous compliments to patriotic
Know-Nothings,' with blank thunder demonstra
tons against a Democratic Governor of Virginia
This is pretty kettle of fish. The bones vii
be apt to choke somebody. The longer we lv'
the better we become satisfied that it is yer,
pleasant thing for brethren to dwell together il
unity.