Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-12-20
Corre.noudence of Spectator.

Correspondence OF SPECTATOR
New York, Dec. IA, 1859.
Messrs. Editors: The evaporation of the
South Gust will admit to a great extenD has
caused her to deuounce indiscrimately both
friends and foes at the North. This has pro-
duced feeling on the part of those unjustly
treated, aud recrimination has followed. TIE
abolition press and the abolition politicians tax
ing advantage of the excitement are endeaVor-
ing to abolitionze the Republican party. For
time the effort seemed plausible, but the throw
ing off OF the mask so long worn by the Tribune
and Evening Post of this city has caused the con-
servative men in that party 10 pause, aud now
reaction is commencing, which will end IN the
breaking I'D of that party into two divisions, or
in its total demolition, leaving the aboltlonlsts
standing alone as they have heretofore done.
The complaints of the South concerning the
snnnosed sympathy of the North with Old
Rrown and his confederates have arisen very
mncb in a misconceptiOn of the facts. The ab,
clifton Journals have OF course been rampant
The New York Herald, which alone of the
Northern papers seems to be read in the South,
has culled with unsparing hand everything in
fiamatory, aud thus day after day having this
stuff poured upon them the South has come to
think that this was the universal sentiment OF
the North. And it may surprise You when |
assert that with very large acquaintance, L
have never yet met that individual who thought
John Brown ought not to have been hanged,
aud have never yet met one who was acqnalnt-
ed with q person who thought he ought not to
have been executed. Tie universally Of m1s
sentiment hes been the reason that nothing has
been said. 1t is almost as strong case as if We
were found fauls with because we do not pro-
claim that the citizens of New York approved
of eating and sleeping. When, however, the call
came up from the conservatives of the South
that we were suspected of favoring abolitionism,
il was long before il could be credited AS soon
as the fact became certain, our people determined
10 express the true sentiment of the masses in
meetings which are exceeding in enthusiasm any
before held. But you ask: What good do these
meetings accomplish when you are represented
in Congress by men who vote for Sherman, the
endorser OF Helpers infamous pamphlets re-
ply that these men in most instances, and most
absolutely in this city, misrepresent their con-
sttuencies. | do not believe it possible that the
members from the city OF New York who vote
for Sherman can secure election. The ques-
tion was not before Us in the shape to act upon
when they were elected. The Tribune, like all
who act upon passion and not principle, and
mistake the feelings of the community, is now
beginning to whip the Republican party into the
abolition traces. repeat it, that which was
only suspected by conservative men In that par
ty begins to be certain, and | know of numbers
of individuals and you will see that some of the
leading papers are taking the back track
Where shall these go, is a serious question:
Some say, revive the old Wing party; others
say, establish and organize q Peoples Party, with
Edward Bates as its head, while many say the
Democratic fold is the only safe refuge.
| was interested and delighted with the speech
of the Hon. Mr.. Stuart, of Virginia. which you
published short time since. 1t is seldom that
a question so calculated to excite and overwhem
with passion as the slavery question is, should be
80 wisely, calmly and temporarily discussed as
was done by him. | think if the members of
Congress instead of making themselves by
word of contempt throughout al Christendom
would spend their time in franking this address
to every man in the country great good would
be accomplished.
One word more as to the New York Herald
aud its influence in the South. The Herald is
purely sensation paper. Take away excite
meut and it sinks. 1t is like Beecher's sermons,
of which somebody has said that if they had any
religion in them they would be spoiled. The
Herald, while il pretends to favor the South feeds
the morbid appetite of your people with such
pabulum as is only calculated to stir your pas
sions and excite your bitterness against the North.
While the Tribune seeks by every device to
excite the i'll will of the North against the South,
the Herald plays the same game and excites the
South against the North. 1t is sensation game,
which, whatever effect it may have on the couu-
try, puts the pennies into the pockets of the ed
itors. With Yankee sboltionist at the head
of one and Scotch septaguarian at the head of
the other, New York is badly represented on
both sides OF the line.
An effort is now making in this city to have
paper which while frankly taking the Northern
ground of no love to slavery, will nevertheless
boldly advocate non intervention, non agitation,
aud the re establishment of fraternal relations.
Such paper must exercise vast influence II
properly managed. 1t must equalifnot excel its
contemporaries in news and spirit, and will have
the confidence of conservative men both North
and South.
You must excuse me for making so much OF
opinion as it exists here but when | see from
Maine TO Arkansas the views OF New York pa
pers quoted as the sentiment of the North take
for granted there must be some ground for 1t.
Yours truly, VA.