Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-04-16
The Convention and Mr.. ]. +. Harris

The CenEentiOR and Mr.. j. +. Harris.
We have before alluded to the unfortu-
nate position in which Mr.. John T. Harris
has placed himself with the Democracy and
the people Of this District. sTii4as "
Mr.. Harris says in his card to the Rock.
ingham Register (Which, although not re-
auested, we will take pleasure in copying
and.cemmenting upon next week ).that he
has now s.full confidence and faith in the
pledges Of the Opposition press and its dis
tinguished members, that they would not
interfere with the Democratic candidates by
running one Of their own party" = Is it
possible by this Mr. Harris intends to con-
Tey the idea, that the opposition party, had
pledged" themselves not to run candi-
date in case the opportunity Of electing him
presented itself? Does not Mr. Harris
kao'0 that all the counties, except Rocking
ham, which took any action on this subject,
expressly declared an unwillingness to give
any such pledge? And does not Mr.. Har-
ris know that in Rockbridge, which casts
the next to the largest Opposition vote in
the district, actually declared itself in favor
of holding an Opposition District Conven-
tion. and went SO far as to appoint delegates
to such Convention? And in the face Of
these glazing facts Mr. Harris on the strength
of declaration Of the handful of Opposition
voters Of Rockingham, against the running
Of an Opposition man, seeks to create the inn
preston that the Opposition party was
pledged" not to interfere" between the
Democratic Candidates. We tell Mr. Har-
ris that this is an unworthy subterfuge which
will not be eountenanced by the people of
any party in this district. st
But Mr.. Harris asserts, that the "distin-
guished members" Of the Opposition party
had pledged themselves MOTTO run an Oppo-
sition candidate. Mr.. Harris mast be labor
ing under some misunderstanding here
Let us see in what light this assertion places
the prominent members Of the Opposition
party. According to Mr. Harris, we have
gentleman Of the Opposition, who as indi-
sidual members, are entirely irresponsible
for the action of that party, 3ledging the
wings and know nothings to nom interference
in the present Congressional Canvass, when
the masses Of the party through their coun-
ty meetings, have expressed and unwilling
ness to commit themselves to that line Of
policy, and in one county, (Rockbridge, }
have even gone SO far as to appoint delegates
to Convention which was to nominate an
Opposition Candidate. What is the una
voidable deduction !? That the prominent
members of the Wing party, in order to fan
the fame Of dissension in the Democratic
ranks, had stopped to create the impression
that there would be no Opposition candidate,
when they knew if the masses Of their party
determined to run candidate, they could
throw themselves back on their individual
responsibility, and declare that no pledge
had been made by their party not to inter
fere in the canvass. They could say with
truth 1--WE are not responsible for the action
Of our party, it is your own fault, we had
refused in our meetings to pledge ourselves
to non-interferense." But in spite Of Mr..
Harris, We do not believe the Opposition
leaders capable Of such righteousness
However, much we may differ with them in
our political creed, we. believe them to be
gentlemen and wholly incapable of the unwor-
thy trick, which Mr.. Harris imputes to them.
What says the Opposition party Of the dis.