Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-03-22

nor his cause, can be sustained, except by re-
sort to an expedent, that will neither add to his
political advantage, nor to his personal honor.
There were five persons formerly of this city,
who are now dead, but whose memories will
live 10 the public regard for many, many long
years to come, who never omitted an opportun-
ty to cast their votes for me when was a can
didate, either for the State Legislature or for
Congress-snd of whose support have felt, and
shall ever feel, just degree of pride-they were
John Marshall, John Wickhaln, Chapman John.
son, Watkins Leigh, and Robert Stanard; and
yet, when the Sheriff came to count up the votes
at the close of the polls, they counted but five
and if had received the vote of one "Motan'
geon" and be had been authorized by the Con-
stitution to vote, and had a majority of only
one-it would have been difficult, to tell wheth-
er was most indebted for my election to the
"MoIungeon," or to the Chief Justice of the u
nted States; and if my competitor had received
six "Molungeon' votes or the votes of six worth
less aud degraded locofocos, (supposing there
could be any such) they would have more than
balanced these five of the first men the State
could boast, and 1 hardly think | ever had a
competitor who would not have claimed the
benefit of the return, on the ground that one
constitutional vote was as good for an election
as another.
But, lastly, he says, "Spoils are of more in
terest to me than the rights OF the South
Now, ask John Letcher, to lay his hand upon
his heart and answer, before Heaven, whether
he belives this to be true. What spoils have |
received. or sought. What evidence have l
given of desire or thirst for spoils What
party have forsaken or abandoned What
principles, or notions have changed or recanted
when q candidate, or not candidate, for pubic
honors and emoluments2 When wasI charged
with taking spoils, under the instructions OF ~
men, that would not take without them, and
that had admitted was not entitled to re-.
ceiye2 When was charged with keeping
watch over the Treasury to defeat private claims,
old soldiers bounties, and old widows pensions,
whilst was voting the appropriation OF NIL
| lions, for purposes that would necessarily en-.
nance the value of my own private speculatlons
| No, Mr. Letcher; sacrifice OF principles lor
spoils is very common charge against pollti-
clans, especially those of the party to which you
| belong; but no such charge has ever been be-
fore made, or can now be sustained against me-.
| If when l have been denounced and beaten by
my own party-and had every possible induce
ment and promise of reward held out by the
other-if when daily examples were spread be-
fore me, of those who had renounced their par
ty associates, abandoned their long cherished O.
pinions and principles, and gone over to those
whom they had for years and years denounced,
as rogues ana royalsts, and thieves and traitors,
and were then rewarded for their apostacy with
high honors and emoluments--if when saw ali
this, stood firm aud iminoyabe in my lnteg'
rity, and my principles, not in hopeless minor
ity only, but almost by myself alone, when spoats
aud honor and distinction were within my grasp
If this gives evidence of my preference Tor
spols over the rights of the South, or anything
else that was right or just, or proper IN Itself,
then Mr.. Letcher's denunciatory charge is well
founded, and will submit without defence
But, if, on the contrary, my course has exhibit
ed preference for truth, and honesty, and JUS
tice, and right, and principle, and love OF coun.
try, then Mr.. Letcher's charge falls harmless at
my feet, and recols with tenfold severity upon
him who rashly makes it; and leave him to
the full enjoyment Of whatever advantage 1t may
yield him. :.
But, John Letcher does not believe it himself,
and honest John should have been too honest to
have said it. Let him reach the Gubernatorial
! chair by fair and honorable means, it he can,
but let him exhibit more generosity and fairness
than thus to attempt the sacrifice OF friend, or
make his reputation stepping stone to bis own
preferment; but he must not expect me to slt
with my arms folded, under such imputations
from him. rs
Respectfully. JNo. III. Boris.