Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-02-22
STATE TICKET.
Tbe Opposition Vote of Augusta. 4

The Opposition tOte OF AuSusso' "
We have heard that among our Democratic
friends there is O confident expectation that Mr.
fletcher will receive the support of many Wings
in this county. As we have no personal knowl-
edge upon the subject we are not prepared to
say that this expectation is unfounded, yet We
by no means admit its truth. We can imagine
no reason why Mr.. Letcher should be more &C
ceptable to either Wings or Americans in this
county, or the State at large, than any other
Democrat. We are entirely ignorant OF any
claims he may have upon the favor or support
of any portion of the Opposition. In his public
career-and we have been pretty close observers
ofit--we have not as yet been able to discover
ANYTHING that should commend him above other
members of his party, to the kind consideration
of Wings or Americans. If to have been on all
occasions Jealous and uncompromising party
man, and to have supported with untinchlng H.
deity, party men and party measures, consti-
tute claim upon the opposition, Mr. Letcher
has that claim. Ito have opposed and denounc-
ed. with q warmth that never cooled, and Bit
terness that knew no abatement, Wing men,
Wing measures and Wing policy should COM
mend Democrat to the favorable consideration
of that party, why then Mr.. Letcber is in an emf
nent degree worthy of its confidence and sup
port If to have abused the Know Nothings in
unmeasured terms; and to have insisted in an
elaborate argument that they were identical with
the ''old Hartford Convention Federalists' in
their principles and mode of action, are good
and sufficient reasons for supporting Democrat
in preference to Wing, then the Americans Of
Virginia will vote for John Letcher in prefer
ence to William L. Goggin.
But we are inclined to think that the Wings o
Augusta will concur with US in the opinion thai
these things constitute excellent reasons why
Mr.. Letcher should not receive, at the coming
election, single vote from either the Wing Oh
American party. The truth is the public course
of Mr.. Letcher, consistently Democratic an(
pertinaciously partisan as it has been, furnishes
an argument against any Wing voting for him
almost as CONCLUSIVE and unanswerable" as hi
considered DR.. Ruffner's Franklin Society speecl
against the continuance of slavery in "Westerr
Virginia"
The unwagering consistency with which MIR
Letcher has always sustained his own party
ought to rebuke any Wing or American who fol
an instant should feel tempted, from personal, OF
any other consideration, to carry said or com
fort" to the enemy, by voting on the 4th Thurs
day of May, for the Petersburg nominee
Whilst it is true that Mr.. Letcher has always ex
tended to theoppostion of his District as individu
ais those courtesies and amenities Of life due frou
one gentleman to another, and from Represent
alive to his constituents, we have yet to Learn
that he has ever raised his voice against thai
ruthless prescription which has characterised
his party in this county and State. Why is it
that nearly one-half of the voters of Virginia are
unrepresented in the Congress of the United
States Is it the result of accidents No, but II
has been brought about by formal and solemn
Legislative enactment, wilful and premeditated
designed by the party in power to accomplish
this very result Is it accidental that Wings
and Americans, with few exceptions, are exclud'
ed from office of every kind in the Statea Why
is it that no member ofthe Opposition" is deem
ed worthy to fill even the Office of Director in 6
State institution, either charitable, educational
or monetaryG The only exceptions, we believe
to the last statement are found in those few
cases where Wings have been appointed out o.
gratitude, we presume, for having earnestly op
posed Know Nothingism. We may refer in IL
lustraton of this general subject to the State in
situations located 10 our midst. Is there any
reason to believe that Mr.. Letcher, as Governor
viii adopt different policy in reference to these
appointments from that pursued by Governor;
Johnson and Wise2 In the language of Judge
Robertson, himself Democrat: "All who viii
not bend the knee to party idols are treated a;
heretics from the true faith; alien enemies o.
that country many of them would die to save
forced to bear full share of all the public bur-
thens, while excluded from any just participation
in the honors and benefits of the Government
Has Mr.. Letcher ever raised his voice against
these things2 Why then, we ask, should any
Wing or American
bend low, and in bondman's key,
With 'bated breath, and whispering humbleness
Say this
You spurn'd me such day; another time
You call'd me dog; and for these courtesies
I'll lend you my'-vote?