Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-03-22
rrnainr ON small Capital.

Trading Oh Small Capital.
II ia evident that the Democracy, with "hon-
est john at their head, viii be compelled TO DO
business in very small way, during TINS can
vass, and consequently, that they will obtain
very soanty return for their labors. Upon the
fair record of VIM. L. Goggin they can ma no
stain large enough to serve as starget-no speck
dark enough to be visible even through 1onh
Letoher's gold spectacles. Neither in their
newspapers nor from the hastings have they
found anything to urge against the claims OF the
Opposition candidate nor would they ind tune
to aim blow if they had the chance, 80 busiiy
are they occupiedin wadring off the blows from
the defenceess head of their own Champion
furnishing for some sort ofpabulum upon which
to uourish their dropping energies, tue editors Oh
the Examiner and Enquirer looked through their
green goggles upon tho field OF battle before
them and saw the huge form Of one whose heavy
bsttle.axe they feared. Forthwith thousand
Lilliputisns surrounded the giant and began to
stick him with pins and pelt him with paper
bullets, and Mr.. Letcher, standing like prudent
general, far out of the reach of danger, as he
supposed, and inspired by the ohivalrous daring
of his subaltesns, ventured to aim an arrow from
the high point of the hastings, at the bosom OF
his personal friend, John Minor Bolts. The
sinsn shot of the press rebounded from the rough
hide of the "bison" and fell hssmlessly to the
ground, but the poisoned missile sent from the
midst OF Mr.. Letcher's retaiDers in Woodstock
lodged in his name and aroused him from his
indifference. Mr. Letoher would persist in his
assaults upon Bolts, and when told by Mr.. Cog.
gin in Harrisonburg that Bolts was able to de-
fsnd himself, still declared that he meant to
IDEAL with him freely" and the result is that
something very like bomb-shell has shiVered
his timbers aud scattered his component parts
promiscuously. Mr. Letcher and everybody else
who reads Mr. Rotts' letter will be entirely sat-
isied that Bolts is sable to defend himself" and
every candid man will admit that the great hue
and cry made against that gentleman on account
of his sentiments in regard to the votes OF free
negroes, is mere device, intended to withdraw
attention from the indefensible record OF John
Letcher. The whole thing was artfully concoct'
ed to seduce the opposition press and electors
from an aggressire policy into defs'ssaos posi-
ton, but the game has been most etfectually
stopped by Mr.. Bolts clear explanation and able
yindication of the sentiment which so horrihes
John Letcher and his party.
1t was sufficiently absurd in partisan pres;
to be trading upon this small capitsl-distortine
and misrepresenting the sentiments Of man
who is not before the people, in order to cover
up the tracks of their own chosen leader, but
we confess our surprise that Mr.. Letcher should
have coudescended to pursue course so disin
genuous and unfair towards one whom we heard
him pronounce his warm personal friend. 1t Is
kind of warfare beneath the dignity of can
didate for the high office to which he aspires.-
Let him yndcats his own fame before he un-
dertakes to cast aspersions upon Bolts or any
other man. Let him open his mouth and re-
spond to DR.. Rufner'S interrogatory as to the
points IN which the printed address differed from
the speech as delivered. Let him open his
mouth and tell the people whether he did moi
assist in the circulation of the Rnfner pamphlet
in Rockingham, IS certified to by gentleman
whose integrity and responsibility is avouched
by all who know him. Let him open his mouth
and say whether he did not cast his vote FOL
Martin Van Buren,, who proposed TO ingraft 6
clause upoo the constitution Of New York al
losOing free negroes to cote? Let us hear from
him on these points, before he undertakes to
torture the language of John Minor Bolts into q
IA - e. ol;o 2Nutharp
taste. If the Convention that nominated Mr..
Goggin and the party that sustains him, are to
be held responsible for the sentiments OF Mr..
Bolts, even if he had declared his willingness to
anits or coalesce with free negroes legally au
thorized to vote, because they endorsed bis
speech by vote, is not the party that sustain'
Mr.. Letcher, is not Mr.. Letcher himself equally
responsible for the sentiments of Van Buren,,
endorsed by their votesa In truth their posi-
ton is far more culpable. Mr.. Bolts only ex-
pressed willingness to receive the votes OF free
negroes for his party rather than sec them cast
for the opposing party, if there were State in
the Union composed of such class, authorized
5y the Constitution TO cote. Mr.. Van Buren,
proposed to actually to confer tho right OF suf'
frape upon free negroes. Mr.. Letehsr has
endorsed Van Buren, by his vote, and yet he
wages war upon the Opposition party because
they endorse Botts' speech. Such course does
seem to US unworthy of man whose friends
claim for him the distinctive appelation OF
"Honest John" and certainly justi6es bis oppo-
nents in giving him the full benefit of the Buff
ner pamphlet. We presume, however, that Mr..
Letcher, at least, win hereafter let Bolts alone
and devote his attention more especially to Cog
gin. One at a time, at any rate, viii be as many
as he will find it convenient or comfortable to
NEEDLE with.
A Much Needed Improvement.