Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-10-02
The Fusion Proposition.

it in the strongest terms, ooth
upon the ground of principle and expediency.-
The Enquirer maintains that the Breckenridge
men could not accede to the terms proposed
without sacrifice of ssself-respect" and VIOLA
ton of political faith" The Enquirer says
that the gulf between the two sections OF the
party is wide and Deep" and seems Determined /
not to have it spanned by the bridge built by
Jacob Baylor, Esq The Enquirer, in spirit OF
charitable condescension, expresses willingness
to allow the supporters of Douglas to vote lor
the Breckenridge ticket, if they will withdraw
the Douglas ticket from the field, and retract
the grave charges which they have preferred
against the Breckenridge party. If they VIII
repent in sackcloth and ashes of the course they
have pursued acknowledge their errors, and
make full and frank acknowledgment OF their
political guilt, and confess, in proper manner,
all their sins of commission and omission, with
satisfactory pledge that they will go and sin no
more, then they may enjoy the gracious privilege
of voting for the Breckenridge ticket. The
Breckenridge party contend that association with
them upon any other terms would soea6en the
Breckenridge ticket--that the Douglas party
would operate as drawback upon the Simon
pure t-Breckinridge and Lane. The En-
quirer intimates that if the Douglas party be
sincere they are ready to commit treason. 1t
says:
! "If the supporters of Breckenridge are the
| Disunionists they have been proclaimed to be by
the Douglas men, then fusion with them is trea-
son. If they are not Disunionists, then it is the
duty of the Douglas men in Virginia to return
to the organization of the party, and support the
choice of the majority in the State"
The Enquirer thus presents the alternative
that they must give up the Douglas ticket alto
gether, and acknowledge the Breckenridge party
to be sound, Union party, or else they proclaim
their willingness to fuse with Disunionists which
is treason. The Enquirer places the Douglas
supporters who favor fusion in an awkward d.
le1nma. They must acknowledge that the
charge of Disunion, which they have been hurl-
ing against the Breckenridge party up to this
time. has been ''cruel, false and malignant" or
must acknowledge that they were willing, aye
The Enquirer says:
Ing o.uei' .a'oe .S GU - ht5t aatlon 80,
traitors, has, we fear, created gulf between
the two sections of the party wide and deep"
| The Enquirer seems to be perfectly independ-
ent of their support, and doubtless thinks they
are nothing but 'poor shucks" anyhow. 1t says ::
but is not necessary to success; it is not
oUarn ,an,lenan nnins,lv charged mrst feel. #
involves denial of the noliticsl faith we con-
sc;antionslv hold and for these reasons we must
dooino II,
nh -
t Inc 11'4" ooinPh'non'' 'no Doue' .nen
by calling them the ladders ana aoettorsF OF
"Lincoln and his myrmidon Wide Awakes" in
!, the North If savs
uE.on, ......z,d f.. NJ, Do,,o7no o,;u h
0o ~ A. MI ~" w ~ M..th ~ Ssd;
6 nid,,oz proclamation tn lincoln and his nvruS
don Vide Asoakes" that they aOiU find aiders
and G6ettors IN the Conanaonaoe0tth Of Vargana@.
The EG0na7ae7 Is also opposed to the proposed
fusion, and thinks the state Executive commit
tees have no authority TO 90 any more IMAM the
State Conventions agreed TO 90, ana agrees Win
the Enquirer that such an alliance with the
Douglas party would increase the chances OF the
Bell and Everett ticket to carry this State. Ihe
6San'''er says:
I'VE think That no suoh arrangement can De
,au' anu '4 4h na nd Ra1l
A proposition to divide the electoral vote of
Virginia cannot receive our assent, at least
We think it would lead to evil consequences, and
weaken tle ilauence u1 sirgna more Ina taan any
an advancement would drive off manv true
Southern men to Bell, and neutralize large
. Democratic vote.
: Inc atIemp1s az comPromlss Ia Ine TWO We,
3 conventions resu.eo ~ r9soiuIions W unlle al
sieinen's o. OPPOSITION 70 nnooln l,, was DIS
1ar as tie REPRESENTATIVES, "ou'u ,nen ~
NeiIher tney hoI Inc peopie saVe M Ine oeh'ial
) UoinniltOeeS au.horily W uo inofe hhe presen'
Iiec,ors are HUI feSponSiois W lnese oon'iil'-
ices.
AS yet we have seen no expression from the
Douglas papers in reference to this proposition
So far thew have maintained q significant silence
Thew have been waiting to see in what shirt it
8 would be received By the Breckinrdpe press.-
Whilst the press has been silent. some Of the in.
divid-al members of that wing Of the divided
no,,oa.,o,, H. o,o,,oo - - 90 49,. -
."' 'pO' - '0Ae' VI 'No'' i'1is
, liant opposition.
A lifelong Democrat, under the signature,