Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-05-24
The Election on Thursday--.To the FoiiS

The Election on Thursday---To Ihs Fo"''
The people of Augusta will be called upon VI
Tbursdav to eogage in another election OF great
Importance, not only to the State OF 'irgln,S'
but to the whole country. In every otate 0i 'ne
Union anxious ewes are turned towards the old
Commonwealth. and anxious hearts are awaiting
with nsinful suspense the issue OF the great
contest. From Maine to Louisiana the approach
ing election in Virginia is regarded win Tue
dsepest interest, because upon its result very
much depends the perpetuity or overtime"
throughout the country, of party under whose
miserable msrule we have been brought to the
verge of bankruptcy and ruin. The necessity Vi
a change is felt aud acknowledged oy all 0or
-nnt;on has stalked abroad with front so orazen
that the honest and the fearless men or the Dem
ocrstio party have been constrained TO cry aloud
soa;nst their own administration. The people
have seen the expenses OF the government III
creased to an enormous extent the treasury
empty and the government sustained oy resort
IN the most Objectionable sort OF rag money cur
renev They have seen the Executive seeking
the control of the money and the military arm
of the nation. They have seen him interfering
with the freedom of elections and the sscreu
right of suffrage. They have seen him ienaiDg
his personal influence and the sanction OF his hiSh
position to the most unprincipled and corrupt
schemes for advancing the interests OF Ills re'ain'
ers by the profigate use of the public money
But more alarming still "than this, than these'
than all" they have seen the administrator Of
James Buchanan, sustained in its malpractice
by the party here in Virginia, and endorsed oy
solemn resolve in the Convention that nomina-
ted John Letcher. Nay, more, they see John
Letcher, the representative man OF thai party
mart and parcel of the Administration ITSELF
auOlorizipg for and excusing its prOhigacy ana e1-
trayaeauce, and declaring in his speeches thai n
would wage no war upon Mr.. Buchanan, however
much he differed with him upon certain meas
res. Regarding Mr.. Letcher, therefore, S IAe
defender OF the Administrator, the PscFa= az
called upon to decide wbsiler thsy VII s1cofss
ths denominations that sre knOEE - sIlsi, ,! =
lecting him to the Highest OIios II lie gii G Ne
people of Virginia, or P!2ee the seal o. 'oslE 70
probation upon them by bis defeat his : ne
important aspect of the election which VIII iAke
place on Thursday. If the conservative men OF
all parties now united in the effort to break down
the dominant party here in its stronghold should
be successful, the result will be hailed with &C.
CARNATIONS OF Joy throughout the contederacy'
a new national and conservative party will gain
or around the triumphant band in Virginia, ana
we may hope to see the "Augean stables" cleans
ed, and the institutions of the country restored
to their original purity.
Tn addition to the influence which the result
of this election is to have upon the future organ
izaion of parties and the interests OF the country
at large there are strong objections to the election
of Mr. Lotcher for other reasons, bearing more d.
rectly upon the interests of the people OF this
State. These have been fully set before our
readers during the canvass and it is unnecessary
to recapitulste We cannot forbesr to remind
them, however, of that monstrous proposition
which, during the fearful financial crisis OF 1857,
he declared he would have favored if be had been
in the Legislature of Virginia divorce OF the
State from the banksa and the torcible collection o.
the reusnus IN gold and silcer. Had such meas
ure been adopted at that time, how terrible
would have been the etect-how rulnous the
sacrifice of property to the people already groan'
inc under the burden of taxation. Had Mr.
Letcher been Governor then, intead of Henry a
Wise. all his influence would have been exerteC
to bring about the passage OF such law by the
Legislature, and wide spread ruin and desolatioI
might have been the result. Such crisis may
occur again. Would it be wise in the people tc
place Mr.. Letcher in position where he nigh
be able to carry into effect his ruinous policy
For these and the various other consideration
that have been presented in our columns from
time to time, we feel justified in calling upon thu
masses of the people, of all parties, to CONE II
THE PoLLs ON THURSDAY NEXT, and cas-
their votes for the candidates of the opposition
The lessons of the past warn Us not to be boast
full of the marvellous things that we will certain
" accomplish, but we may with candor say tina
the prospects of success are so far encouragn:
rs to demand the active and unhaggng exertion
of every true Wing and American. The tim
for argument and discussion has past-the tim
for action has arriyed-and we would make
last and earnest appeal to the friends ofour tick
ct to remit no etfort---to use all fair and honora
bic means--to work with q heart and will Of
the day Of election. See to it that erery rotsr /
at the polls, and whatever may be the result ii
the State, the old county of Augusta will b
'sright side up" and proudly abiding in her an
Gent faith, will surpass the most glorious of he
past achievements.
Rally WhigsJ
ri - ILL h. N ,,aot;p, Of tba 0Inh to.rn0r