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

these should have strengthened the hands of thu
Republican party at the north, and caused th,
people of that part of the country to belev,
that an institution which leads to conduct like
this is inimicai to the welfare of the nation.
This sectional strife has gone far enough
The time fes arrived when it must be arrested
There is a peculiar propriety in Virginia's as
suming the Office of peace maker Stan ding al
she does, in the centre of the Confederacy-
having common interests with both sections
but identified with neither extreme, her coun
sells must be received with respect. Let, then
Virginia, the parent Of States, and the great pi
oneer in the cause of civil liberty-le Virginia,
the mother of Washington, with q thousand
memories, more precious than rubies, encirclinp
her brow, stand forth with majestic men, and
say to the angry waves of faction, "peace be
still"
| Let her invoke the good men of all parties to
remember that their first and highest duty is to
their country She has erected platform broad as
the Constitutions comprehensive as our terri
torial limits-a platform on which all men true
to the Constitution, true to the Union, true to
the best interests of the country, true to the sa-
cred trust reposed ia us!by an Allwise Provi-
dence, as the guardians of the great principle of
the capacity of man for elfgovernment, may
safely and honorbaly stand.
Let US hearken to that appealed US stand
Ion that platform. Let US invoke by example,
as we'll as precept, the good men of our sister
States-those who love country better than par
ty-to unite with us. Let ms, in the coming
contest, give them the assurance that we are
In earnest; and who can doubt that, with the
blessing of God, glorious victory will crown
our efortsi
1t is fortunate, though probably a fortui.
tous circumstance, that your meeting is to be
held on the Fth of March. 1t is a glorious day
"a day illustrated by one of the most sigma
displays of genius and patriotism that ever grac.
ed our Congressional annals-it is the anniver.
sary of the great speech of Daniel Webster on
the compromises of 1851
| We all remember how deeply agitated the
country was, by the angry struggles OF the Win.
ter of 1S49-'60. The stoutest hearts were ap-
palled. The turbid waves of sectional strife ran
mountain high. The business of the country
was suspended. Every eye was turned to the
Capitol at Washington. Calhoun was dying
but Clay and Cass and Webster and Dickinson
and Douglas were there. The hopes Of the
country centred in them. At length it was an
nounced that Daniel Webster had the floor of
the Senate, to speak to the nation. The sun OF
the 7th of March, 1850-more glorious than the
sun of Austerlitz, arose. Every avenue to the
Senate chamber was thronged with anxious
crowds, and thousands turned away disappointed.
AT length came the hour and the man Daniel
Webster arose in his place, with that majestic
presence, which so well became the great de-
fender and e1pounder of the Constitution, and
poured forth to an enraptured audience, those
words of wisdom, and patriotism, and eloquence,
and devotion to his whole country, which touch
ed a responsive chord in every American heart !!
| By telegraph, and the mails, they were spread
broadcast over the land, and sank deep into the
minds of the people.
The country breathed more freely. All telt
that the Uunion was safe All knew that the
Demon of Discord had been exercised.
Let similar spirit animate your meeting
Let devotion to the Union be cherished in your
hearts. Let the 7th March, 1859, borrow the
inspiration of 7th March, 1850. Let all remem-
ber that although Daniel Webster be dead
though the mortal man be not present to appeal
to YOU in behalf of that constitution which he
so much loved, his IMMORTAL spirit will be pres
ent, and inspire the last anthem which hallows
its memory!
Very respectfully,
Your friend and fellow citizen,
| ALEX. H. II. STgART
r ID ~ III