Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-05-24
For the Spectator.
Who has Insulted the Opposition Party 2


Messrs Eaitors:-T There are some things sen.
sible, some foolish, and others ridiculous there
are some things fair, and others very Unfair. !
wish in this communication to allude to posi-
ton taken by some in this canvass which par.
takes as largely of the unfair as it does OF the
ridiculous-supposing that to be possible. | al.
lude 10 the position taken by some of the oppo'
sition party, to prove that they should support
Jno. T. Harris to defeat Jas. Fl. Skinner, because
Mr.. II. has not, like Mr.. S., insulted them by
saying they might have placed a. candidate In
the field if the free fight had continued.
This, of course is merely cap-tra to WIN OPP
position votes for Mr.. II. by appealing to their
passions, but think even flmsy clap trap, II
thrown into a convass, should have more fairness
and foundation about it than the above.
| But since this question has been raised let us
examine it. Who has insulted the opposition
| suppose if the boot should be on Mr. Harris
| leg instead OF Mr. SINNERS, those who, on &C.
count of the insult, have determined to vote for
Mr.. H., will immediately change such determl-
nation, and do justice to Mr. s. by voting for him.
Wouldn't such course be fair
Well, let us examine the question. The oppo-
sition Of Rockbridge, in public meeting voted
in favor of convention, and the proceedings
were published; the opposition of Pendleton, in
public meetings favored the nomination of a can
didate; the opposition of Augusta refused to pass
resolutions giving to the Democrats an open
| field; the opposition of Rockingham in public
meeting expressed willingness as far as they
aoere concerned to stand off in the free fight. IL
will be seen then, that in those counties in which
three fourths and upwards of the opposition vote
is polled, they distinctly and publicly refused to
declare that they were in favor OF giving the De-
mooraoy pledge that they would not run can-
didate.
These things being true, am led to inquire
where Mr. John T. Harris got his universal
pledge9" He has publicly proclaimed to the
world that he has such pledge, end |, as one of
the opposition, would like to know where he OBJ.
tanned it. l thought | had descended to the
lowest oulvert, but it appears slower deep O.
pens to receive" Mr.. Harris. Where did he get
the pledge?"
Has the opposition been guilty of any action
in private which clashes with their published
programmed Have they published to the world
refusal to give to the Democrats free fight,
and then privately advocated the free fight and
pledged themselves not to stand by the publish
ed proceedings of their county meetingsi Have
they publicly said one course ehonld be theirs,
and privately pledged themselves to another p
John T. Harris says they are guilty of this IN
pardonable and sinful deception. Those who do
not feel that he has insulted them in charging
such deception upon them, are those who should
sustain him with pleasure
If Mr.. Harris is to be believed in reference to
his "unipersal pledge" the opposition party OF
Pendeton have lied most grossly; fer, three
weeks after giving Mr., Harris their pledge not
to run candidate, they held county meeting
and in defiance of such binding obligation, de-
cided in favor of running candidate. VINO In
suits the opposition of Pendleton 9-the OPPOSE
ton of Pendleton have NOT been placed in po-
sition more false than that Of Rockbridge, Au-
gusta and Rockingham, by MIR. Harris "univer-
sal pledge"
Jas. II. Skinner, the talented, heightened and
honorable gentlemen, must be voted against be-
cause lie has insulted US by believing the pub
lished proceedings of our county meetings; while
Jno. T. Harris, ESQ.,, must be voted for because
he has not insulted US by saying what we pub
licly proclaimed and published was not to be be-.
lieved. Who has insulted the opposition then,
Jas. II. Skinner, or Jno. T. Harris
Mr.. Harris says Conventions are aristocratic
machines and odiops in the extreme, and must
only ba held in the district to defeat an OPPOSE
ton Candidate. This, Isuppose, is compliment
airy to some of the opposition.
Messrs. Editors, this article is written to ask
fair play and justice towards Mr.. Skinner. He
has had enough low clap.trap to contend against
in this canvass, from his own party, and think
the opposition would do themselves credit by
doing Justice to one who has been so courteous
and Gigh-toned in bis conduct towards all, and so
far above the little tricks of demagogues as be has
been. He has had to contend against the low
est appeals to local prejudices; and against such
charges as : arstocrat- of aristocrats
candidate OF ''bogus ConventioR" v-rich mans
candidate-the picked man, &c. These and 9th.
er low charges have been brought against him
to defeat him, and /, as member of the oppo-
sition, protesting to have some respect for just
ice, and determined to make good tho profession
by recording my vote for the man who has not
insulted the opposition psrty-James d. Skin
ner. AMERICAN.