Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-02-07

,acy towards those who differ with them in po-
itical opinion, as it has been built up and en-
couraged in times past. The Democratic lead
ers had been telling Brown that there were those
in Virginia who sympathized with him, until
a conviction of the truth of the statement was
forced upon him. Satisfied that he would hnd
helpers he came on his bloody mission. There
are other John Browns at the North still, and
ex. Gov. Wise is still telling them in his public
speeches, which are scattered far and wide at
the North, that there are ''helpers of Helper"
even in the Metropolis of Virginia. Often re-
peated it will be believed, and whenever satisfied
that the "helpers" are sufficiently numerous, the
bereaved followers of Brown will choose his
successor for another descent upon our borders
The southern Conference.
Col. Memminger, the Special Commissioner
from South Carolina, is quietly waiting at Rlch-
mond the response OF our Legislature to the mes
sage of his State which he delivered several
weeks ago. In the mean time, he is entertained
at the Exchange Hotel as the guest OF Virginia,
and all of our people, without distinction OF par
ty. must desire that he shall receive the hospl-
tality which is due to him personally as we'll as
officially,
The Legislature rIapifests no disposition to
hasten his departure. Week before last both
houses agreed to resolution for the appoint
ment of a Joint Committee to consider the sub
| iect, and report reply to South Carolina; but
the appointment of this Gonnlittse Leo to an an
gry debate in the House of Delegates. Mr.. Sed-
don. of Stafford, complained of the Speaker for
appointing Committee hostile to the proposed
Conference, and several other Eastsrn delegates
alleged that some of the largest slave-hoiding
sections of the State were not represented on
the Committee, while an undue number of mem
bers was taken from tls Vest. Western mem
bers naturally regarded this complaint as an i'm
putation upon their fealty to the rights OF the
South, AID resented it with becoming spirit
We learn from private serrces, that the excite
ment ran much higher than was represented in
the newspaper reports, and that for time a
strictly sectional division and controversy, be-
tween the Eastern and Western portions of the
State. was threatened. But such explanations
were finally made as to calm the excitement and
prevent further trouble.
As will be seen by our synopsis of Legislative
proceedings, a large number of resolutions on
the subject of the South Carolina proposition,
were introduced in the Senate and House lasl
week, all of which were referred to the Joint
Committee 1t is gratifying to observe that all
of these resolutions profess desire to preserve
the Union, although sou.e Of them are favorable
to conference of Commissioners to be appoint.
ed by the Southern States. We are glad to learn.
hcwever, that decided majority of the Legisla
ture is opposed 10 any conference. The Demo
cratic members, it is said, ara DIVIDED on the
subiect-all of them who incline to disunon sem
timents going for the conference while Mr.. Bar
bour, of Culpeper, leads strong section OF the
party in opposition to it. Under these circum
stances, the Opposition merabers hold the bal
ance of power, and it is not to be doubted thai
they will decide the scale in favor of conserva
tive measures.
South Carolina is the only State which has in
vited Conference, and she is candid enough to
inform us, through her Commissioner, that she
desires dsunion. Unless, therefore, Virgins
lis prepared to go the same length, we can see
no propriaty in her acceding to the proposition
It seems to US that South Caroline and the cot.
ton raising States generally should be more re-
served in making propositions of the kind to
Virginia. If disunon comes the border slave
States will bear the brunt of the contest, and
they should be left by their more Southern sis
tiers to decide for themselves the extent of their
wrongs and the time and mode of redress.