Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-10-18
The Opposition Convention.

VIRGINIA which il to convene IN Kchmonu vi
the 18th of December next. will be one Oh inc
most important political assem6lages that mas
bean held in the State for a long time. 1t VIII
NOT he merely caucus of politicians, whose sole
duty will be found in furnishing and oiiing inc
marty machinery that it may work smoothly anu
efficiently during an ordinary elcctioneering cam
paign; but upon it will devolye the important
and delicate, yet patriotic, duty Of initiating
movement that will, We trust, find its consum-
nation in the thorough organization and union
of all the elements of opposition that have oeep
aroused by the misrule, extravaganza ana COT
ruption of the Democratic party. When we re-
member that the Democratic psrty have been
for more than thirty years preaching ECONOMY
and "retrenchment," and yet praetiolng the most
reckless and prohgate extravaganza; that Whilst
denying that the Constitution confers upon the
general Government the power to improve our
great rivers, or the harbors upon our inland seas,
they yet find in that instrument ample authority
to construct a railroad across the arid wastes and
over the snow clad mountains of the "tar west
to the shores of the Pacific; that whilst denying
to Congress the power to distribute among all
the States the proceeds of the sale of 8 common
domain, they yet find authority for wasting mil
lions of acres in unequal, unjust, partial and ex-
trayasant donations to favorite schemes and
States; that whilst constantly pratiDg about the
evils of paper currency. they yet so arrange
the tariff as to drain the country OF its specie al
the rate of sixty millions of dollars year-there
by Frustrating the great interests OF agriculture
manufactures and mining; that whilst claiming
TO be the only national aud conservative party
they have yet, by their measures and policy, tee
the Aamas of sectional strife, hatred and dlscorc
until the very existence Of our Government ha:
been endangered; when these, and Thousand
other shortcomings, inconsistencies and evils are
remembered, it would seem to be an easy task
to unite every section and all interests for the
overthrow of party whose entire history has
been characterized by a reckless disregard ofthe
real prosperity and true glory of the country.
But however general and thorough may be the
conviction of the public mind in regard to the
msrule, extravaganza and incompetence of the
Democratic leaders, without concert harmony
and union among the Opposition, success in
1860 is hopeless. 1t would be Notifying ant
discreditable in the highest degree to see thai
strength and energy which, If properly directed
would insure triumph, wasted in angry and fruit
less chickering's among ourselves. And is there
any insuperable obstacle in the way of this u
nion2 We unhesitstingly answer, that in ou
opinion, there is none. A small amount of for
bearsnce, moderation and compromise is all tina
is necessary to insure such an organization a
will carry dismay and terror into the ranks o
those who have so long misgoverned too cred
ulous and confding people. We are not weaE
enough to suppose that perfect unity OF senti-
ment upon all political subjects can be secured
or is even desirable, among the multitudes who
deem the measures aud policy ofthe Democratic
party ruinous to the best interests ofthe country
But we confidently believe there is among them
such spirit of patriotic Cancellation as will in
sure the abandonment of differences upon minor
questions in order to accomplish the great end o.
hurting from power and place those who have sc
recklessly abused the confidence of the people,
We therefore most cordially endorse the counse
of the "Whig," contained in its issue of the 18th
to the people in their primary assemblies tc
avoid every crock of offence" and especially tC
abstain from expressions of preference for any
particular individual as our standard-bearer il
the great contest that is approaching We trus
that all mere personal aud local consideration:
will be swallowed up in q harmonious, patriotic
and national effort to bring back the genera
Government to the simplicity, the purity ant
the economy of our fathers. We therefore sec
ond the earnest appeal of the "Whig," addressed
to those counties which have not already ap-
pointed delegates, to loose no time in so doing
Let us see every county in the State represented
by its best, wisest and most patriotic citizens
men who have no personal or sinister end to &C
complish, but who will press forward to th'
great work of rescuing our beloved country an(
its institutions from the ruthless hands of thu
spoilers.
Rumored 1nsurrection,
Rumors reached this place last night abonI