Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-02-15

millions. And no one can doubt, at least no
good democrat but that it. is better tor the
country to have democratic Administration,
even with an annual expenditure of eighty MIL
| lions, bankrupt treasury, daily increasing
public debt and all the industrial pursuits OF the
country prostate and languishing, than to have
Whig Administration at one fourth the cost,
with full treasury, an ACCOMPLISHING surplus
and all interests prosperous and foulishing.
This brief but truthful exposition of the mir
raculous effect of firm adhesion to the "derno-
cratic States rights republican" creed, explains
how the same measures may be advocated in
one part of the country and opposed in another,
with entire consistency, and equal devotion 70
the principles of the party. Thus in the West
il is democracy to distribute the public lands a
mopp the new States. And in the democratic
States bordering on the mighty rivers and great
lakes it is entirely constitutional for the geners
government to remove distractions from tne
former, and improve the harbors ofthe latter.
While Pennsylvania finds democracy alone III
ample protection to her coal and iron interests,
and the "sweet-toothed" Representatives OF
Louisiana deem no tariff 'judicious" that over
looks the sacharine interests of their constituents
The "Old Dominion" however repudiates all
these things as dangerous errors, and sees de-
mocracy only in cliuging with the devotion OF an
anchorite, to the resolutions OF '9S-'99 VIII
lingness to die by the "strict -constructionis1
doctrines" of the "ancient fathers, and Young
at each return of presidential election for
man whose life has been sgnalized BY an entir-
ing and never failing opposition to the iavoIi'e
ite political maxim of the State. tru:s
have now said enough to satisfy you that Eis
your duty to support Mr.. Letcher with zeai ~
no degree cooled by the reflection that ne nas
ever, even by "hair's-breath," swerved Iom
the true democratic faith on the slavery OF any
other question.
The proyerb YOU quote -"what is sauce tor the
goose is sauce for the gander," may be entirely
true in the kitchen, but in politics as between
Wings and Democrats it is totally destitute, a.
like of truth as of appropriateness. Summers
favored In 1872 the removal OF slavery from
the State. and in the contest for Governor In
1851 his success was as impossible as wouio
have been the attempt to swim acros the oeau-
tiful river that flows past his residence with
milestone around his neck. Letcher, however,
earnestly advocated the abolition OF slavery in
West Virginia in 1847, and 1t has operated IKE
a buoy. with which he has ever since nostea
successfully on the topmost wave OF popular IA
yor. and is at present moving irresistioly 70 .ne
office of Chief Magistrates of this "unterrinee
old commonwealth." The proverb that is both
true and applicable to cases OF THIS Kind, ~
"wbat is ones mans poison is another mans
meatn-sentiment that are fatal to wing, are
the very life blood OF democrat.
T will now endeavor to answer as Drleny as
can vour request for some rule or prlnclPie
that will guide you safely and unerringiy IN
choosing between the large number OF distin-
euished democrats who are seeking through
Seat in Congress, for more ample opportunities
of promoting the honor and advancing the IN
terests of this great country. 1t reflects tue
highest credit upon the patriotism OF the parry
TO find so many of its "burning ana snlnlne
lights" willing to sacrifice the comforts OF nome
the society of admiriDg friends aud the ProuH
of business for the tedium, the LABOR, the snno,
ance, the responsibility and the discoml9rs VI
the ''hals of Congress. But am ~auaeins
from the subject. You will find 1t sale anu
excellent rule-one have always scted uPonG
in choosing between number OF denocras,e
candidates for the same ottce always " oaSs
your vote for the man with the fewes1 quannoa
tions. If you vote for candidate OF elhinens
ability, high attainments, and acknowieue.u
personal fitness for the office, you leave II aouy
ful whether you have not been inhueDcea 'asn-
ar by the undoubted qualifications OF the per-
son than an appreciation of his opinions; but on
the other hand vote for the least 'Tittenes:" man
and Won emphatically declare your devotion 70
the Darty. and act unmstakably on our iunGa @
mental doctrine of principles not men,. Inc
onlv objection to this rule is the practical ailn.
cnltv that sometimes occurs in carrying IL OUT
lint have not time to enlarge upon thas
branch of the subject. Your friend,
SOLOMON SoFTPATE.
T;notby Trrnfurrow. ESQ.