Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-04-24
NO. XVIII.
For the Spectator.

{ q. =. ~ a. AA4S
For the Spectator.
| To the Candidates for the Sheriffalty.
Gentleman Don't be scared, we have no
questions to PROFOUND. We only wish to make
a suggestion which we preface by confession
of our ''shame and confusion of face" for what
may seem to be an alder and abettor to the huge
amount of unnecessary scribbling concerning the
Sherifalty- to yourselves, trouble
some to the editors, and annoying and nonsensi-
cal to the people generally. We wish to be
brief and our apology for saying anything is the
fact that all men may be deceived, especially by
their friends, when they themselves, as candi-
dates, are in position to be enlightened, only
by others, as to how the election is going, what
are the issues and how to meet them, which
the popular side and how to get on it, position
excluding means for their own impartial judg-
ment, rendering its occupants liable to be inn
posed upon, aud therefore admitting of a hint
from conservative, impartial source, from
which fair view of the subject has been taken,
where the ranting of q few disaffected ones can
not create ssVox Populi, nor the impressions
of other important ones establish "Unted OPP
position"
Our advice to you is remain silent. After
your announcement you made positive denial
of combination or contract with any man or
party, and that was sufficient. Soon afterwards,
however, you were called upon to prescribe
set of men who occupy private position as re-
CARDS the next Sheritfalty, one not allowing the
prerogative of reproach and insnuation that has
been appropriated. A few of you responded,
and what is the resulta You are now asked by
"Middle River" and Others questions of equal
propriety. Where win it enda Since two of
you have repudiated the old deputies, you are
asked by.Vox Populi" and Rotation" to publ
lisll your new ones. Now we warn you, in all ,
kindness, against getting into q worse predica-
ment than both of you have already done. The
one by his strict conformity to Virginia law 9
which he wholly ignored on former occasion
by appointing Messrs. Crawford & Hanger dep
uties before his elcctloD the other by Gas is ru-
moredD bis promise to make Mr.. Hanger his dep
uty in the New Hope District, if it was the wish
of the people, and his declaration. in very short
time afterwards, of having an entirely neso set.
Now don't you see the propriety of being slent2
The platforms of those who did not answer
''North Mountain" are all any reasonable men
DESIRE If the deputies are to be voted for, what
is the difference between them and the High,
Sheriff, and why didn't our State Constitution
make provision for half dozen Sheriffs -
Would the people of this county or State prefer
the election to the Presidency, of Fred Douglas
Or of any Abolitonist with published cabinet,
to that of Fillmore or Dickenson soitaout q cabi-
net to whom they could entrust the power of
selecting their officers The principle is the
same. Keep quiet, gentlemen, the majority of
the people are satisfied with simple announce
ment. They will confer the office upon one of
you but since you are all well known, they
will not be Influenced by your further explana-
tions. There are, it is true, some Unsuitable ex-
acting, suspicious people who will not be salts
fed with your certificates. But they are few
and q suggestion to them to form little COM
munity Of their own, to make their own peculiar
elect their own deputies and one
to receive the funds &C., might not
be amss. If you declare against the old depu-
ties, you are asked to publish your new ones,
and are told that this alone will silence the
'svoice OF the people" Do you believe that this
is the desire OF the people, and that they would
be satisfied better by such an announcement
This is certainly not the demand of the "Vox
Populi," and the author of the article over that
signature, a few weeks ago, is deceived, or sure
ly must have about as correct an idea of the
meaning of "Vox Popuh" as the Fourth of July
Orator who '.was called upon by the voice of
the Tor Popuh to make few remarks for the
good of the pro bono pu6lico."
The course we advise is, we think, q judicious
one, satisfactory to the people and advantageous
to yourselves. We shall vote for an andepend-
ent man who has not and will not take advan-
tage of circumstances or of (what he thinks)
popular feelings, and who will not, regardless of
his own independence and the desires of sensi-
BILE men, indulge the whlms, kneel to the good
will and crawl after the support of few in
satiable individuals. If he holds On to the old
deputies, let him do it, if he selects new ones,
we don't care. The man who receives our suf-
frage shall be one to whom We can cOnfide the
power OF doing as he pleasss and bearing the re-
sponsibility.
Suppose the deputy Is ''the man with whom
we have to deal; !" the law does not recognize
him, and if he defrauds, extorts fails to pay over
mones &C., go to the High Sheriff and hold
him responsible. What interest is it to Mr.. Vox
Popull whether the deputies are faithful, relia-
ble'' men or nota That is the business of the
High Sheriff. Let him, therefore, vote for the
right sort of man, since all an honest man has
to do with deputy is to pay him his taxes once
year and let him 60.
This is written without the knowledge, coun-
sci or intimation OF any candidate, the old Sher-
ff or any of his deputies, but IS the opinion, we
think, of r 4sesr MANY VOTERS. "a