Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-03-06
A D d r e S S
OF the Opposition State Convention
TO THE PEOPLE OF VIRGINIA.

!
last, but it was deemed advisable, in consequence
OF subsequent events, to postpone its meeting
Those events were of character so unexpected
and accompanied by developments so startling
as to make it, at once, the dictate of prudence
and of patriotism to defer our action until fur
ther time should be given to discern the issue to
which they conducted.
| pursuant to the postponement, we met togeth-
or at the Capitol of the State, on the 22d of Feb
ruary, and as the day itself is hallowed in the
annals of our history, we would, ourselves, catch
from it an inspiration of the moderation, wis
dom and virtue of the patriot to whom it gave
birth.
At our appointment we were commissioned to
deal with the party politics of the day, and on
behalf of the Opposition OF Virginia, to initiate
measures looking to concerted action on the part
of the Opposition of all the States in the ap-
preaching election of President.
| The public considerations involved in the at
tempt well justified the action, although the
condition of affairs had been less auspicious oi
success. The Democratic party, for long sue
cession OF terms, with slight exception, had con-
trolled the Federal Government and ruled the
policy ofthe country. The expenses OF the gov
ernnent from about s. under the second
Adams, and s. under Mr. Fillmore, had
increased to s. under Mr. Pierce, and were
rapidly swelling to more than 500, 0,0OO,O 900 un-
der Mr.. Buchanan. The principle that ito the
victors belong the spoils," borrowed from de-
generate days, but at one time Indignantly re-
pudiated by all parties, had for lorg period OF
time, under successive Democratic administra-
tons, been avowed as their rule of action, and
the public offices. created for the public benefit,
had been unblushingly bestowed as rewards on
partizans, and tools, and minions of executive
pleasure. The public press was pensioned, and
the freedom OF elections constrained by execu-
tive patronage. Ia the shape OF federal con-
tracts, political favorites fraudulently obtained
the rewards OF party service and of party apos-
tacy, and in every ramifcation of executive
! action, eytravagances, corruptons and frauds
marked the rule of the men in authority, until
the public mind habituated to these abuses, had
become, in a great degree, to experience the
same decentralization. Under its Influence, pa
trlotism has given place to partyism, considers
tions OF the public veal having been abandoned
/ Dy those that belong to party success, and our
Presidential; elections have degenerated into
mere contests for place.
Every recurrence of these is marked by some
issue originating in the interests OF few, and
continued for special effect Whatsoever is cal
culated to excite the public mind, to infame pas
sion, to produce dscoId and engender sectional
animosty, is habitually seized upon by aspirants
for place and industriously pressed forward by
politicians and the presses in. their interests
No consideration Of the public peace; no consid-
GRAFTON of fraternal concord, of our Union, of its
blessings; no consideration Of the happiness and
prosperity of the country; no consideration OF
the obligations, which as nation, we owe to
other nations, interposes restraint. In the lust
for office, and in the greed for spoil all of these
are trodden down, and the dearest interests OF
all are gambed with for the gain of few. In the
very nature OF things it was not possible for the
question OF slavery to remain unappropriated,
it was by far too inviting to the ends of party.
/ Existing in part only of the States, the in
stitution of slavery is necessarily sectional, and
claiming to extend itself into the unoccupied ter
ritory of the public domain, it was of itself cal
culated to excite sectional jealousy This was first
seen when the thirteen colonies, pressed by the
progress OF the revolutioD settled the articles OF
confederation. When independence was achiev-
ed it was more strongly manifested in the con-
vention that framed the Constitution. 1t again
exhibited its influence when Missouri applied tor
admission into the sisterhood of States. But
greatly as the public mind was excited on these
occasions, and important as were the measures
volved, parties forebore to form upon it, and the
patriotism OF the country rose to equality with
the exigencies of the day.
| After 1920, for long series of years. the
country reposed quietly in the settlements. and
progressed, undisturbed by the baneful excite
ment. Certain societies OF the Friends, contriy-
ed to forward to each Congress, memorials A.
gainst slavery, but these disturbed no mans
composure, and excited no complaint. A few
fanatics in the Eastern States, combined into Ab-
oliton Societies, sent also their petitions to Con
gress, but these were disposed of like those OF
the Quakers, and the currents of National and
State politics, flowed smoothly on, without q rip.
pie proceeding from that cause.
In the progress of events, the abolitionists in
creasing in numbers, associated themselves into
party organization, and in the States. especially
OF Ohio, New York and Massachusetts, put for
ward candidates for political office. But. des-
pissed by both OF the great parties into which the
politics of the country had divided the people.
they would assimilate with neither. In Massa-
chusetts, for years, Marcus Morton. was their
standing candidate for tie Office of Governor.
and for a succession of Presidential terms. thew
voted in all the States, for Mr.. Binny. as their
candidate tor the Presidency. Engrossed with
the idea of general emancipation, they address,
ed themselves to measures, wholly without the
jurisdiction of Federal authority, and they could
find, therefore, no foundation on which to rear
the super-structure of an enduring political or
ganization, and unassisted by the extraneous in
huences, their idiosyncracy was certain. in the
end, to exhaust its energy. But unfortunately,
these Influences were not withheld.
The old Federal party, under whose auspices
the government was lnaugurated, and conducted
through three successive administrative terms.
found itself opposed by the Republican partv. by
which it suffered overthrow in the election OF
Mr.. Jefferson. Proceeding upon the LEADING
idea OF opposition to executive influence. the
victorious party successfully addressed itself to
to the susceptibility of the public mind on the
subject OF the one man power, and so consoli-
dated its strength, that under the administra-
tion of Mr.. Monroe, it found itself without a ri
val. Everywhere in the Federal and State gov
ernments, the policy of the country was shaped
by its influence. Lofty in its aspirations. high
toned in its principles, in the conduct of our
Federal affairs, it addressed itself to the great
tenets with enlightened and patriotic devotion.
In our foreign relations it commanded the res
pect of other Powers; in our domestic affairs.
while regard was had to the constitution and
the rights of the States, it recognized the doty
OF protecting and advancing the great industrial
interests OF the country, and under its fostering
measures commerce, manufactures and agricul-
ture, made rapid progress in prosperity. No
power not granted to the federal authority was
assumed, and no power granted to it, when nee
essary to the general welfare, was abrogated-
But, In the progress OF time, divisions arose. and
parties formed tor the advancement of political
favorites. One division addressed itself to pop-
ular appliances, and assumed the name of ..de
moCracy," name which soon was found strong