Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-09-06
: otter from the Hon. Edward Bates.

The following admirable letter addressed by
tbe Hon Edward Bates, of Missouri, to Com
mittee of the Opposition in Memphis, who had
invited him 10 unite In celebration Of the re
cent Congressional victory in that State, will be
read with pleasure by the patriotic of all parties
aud sections:
ST. LOUIS, Aug. 90, 1859:
Hon. .Iere Clemens and others Committee Of In
uitotion, Memphis, Tenn.
Rs:-I feel myself especially honored IN re-
ceiving your kind invitation TO attend Grsno
Jubilee of the Opposition party, 10 be heid 81
Memphis. on the 25th inst, in celebration VI
Your recent victory in Tennessee.
Ills with sorrow that | am constrained 10 us-
nv myself the pleasure of joining you 10 the eel
ebratjon of an event so honorable 10 Tue gsiians
men of tennessee, aud SO promising ot goou ~
the country Sickness aud recent ueaIn LII my
family have 50 disarranged my pans lot tue
spm,nsr vacation, as TO force me to this selt-de-
NAL
r. pleases me very much, gentlemen, to find
thar Won designate the band of patriots who have
lsfely done the good work in Tennessee, as The
Opposition Party. The name implies that the
party is made up of the good men OF other par
iies-Democ-ats, Wings, Americans, RePubli-
cans-all who GAG no longer brook the wild ex-
travagance aud wanton disregard OF principle II
an Administration and party, which, emoold-
ened by former unmerited success, Valnly mag
inc that they "can afford to disregard the cen'
sures of the world" and to despise the Judgment
of history.
The party in office q will not say in power)
is, of itself, weak and hopeless minority. II
has no chance of renewed success but the hope Il
trust vain and fallacious hOpe) that zoe will be
so uuwise and unpatriotie rs to waste our
strength in petty chickering's about old party
names and subordinate questions OF Pollcy anu
convenience, and to split up our forces INTO pia-
toons and sections, as if for the very purpose OF
ensbnng our inferior enemy TO beat US all, IN de-
tail If we be so unwise as tbat--if we allow
the adversary to form the plan of our campaign,
10 marshal our troops, to tell US when to march,
and where to camp, and how to fight, OF course
we will get what we deserve-defeat. Aud by
mare folly, will add to the humiliation of defeat
the sting of shame, in the consciousness that we
had 10 our hand the means of victory and the
assurance of the peace and prosperity OF the ns-
ton. but wantonly threw them away. Howey
or it may be elsewhere, | am sure it will not be
so in Tennessee. Her gallant sons are AWAY:
ready, when brave and generous deeds are neeC
full Her younger patriots, high spirited, anC
bold against the enemy, but mild and foroearlns
TO each other, will march, in cordial union, OF
TO victory, their warm zeal guided, and, IT neet
he, restrained and tempered, by the cool wisdom
and prudence of the veteran BELL.
Your recent victory, and similar successes II
other Southern and Western States, emboldeI
me to hope for the like good result all over tn
Union. The spirit of conservative patriotism l
aroused, throughout the Nation, by the danger
Gus misgovernment and bold innovations OF III
last few years and, in view Of the great nation,
al interests now in peril, better feeling-a feel
lug of harmony aud mutual confidence, OF al
forbearance on minor points, otgenerous conces
sion in favor of peace and unity-is visi6y In
creasing in all the elements OF the OPposltaon,-
Those who foster aud advance that good feeling
aud ripen it into cordial union, will be grea
public benefactors. Such union alone Will COL
stitute the victory, without the necessity for al
other blow for the Democracy, as now enervs
ted and delnoralized, will DO no match for tn
united opposition.
And such victory A victory in whic
all-even the vanQulshed-will have cause to re
ioice, because it will restore peace and harmon
to the excited sections, law and order to the dis
turbed territories, moderation and justice to IN
Government; aud prosperity aad honor TO ID
Nation. Suca a. least is the earnest hope {
,your obliged friend aud fellow citizen.
Ed. BATES.