Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-07-31

friends should nave the SdgaclIy 10 see that ev-
ery vote taken from Breckinridge adds to the
relative strength of Douglas 1t is to be hoped
they will perceive this palpable truth, and act
accordingly. Douglas understands his game
perfectly, and hence we see that Forney, profes-
sing to speak BY authority, scorns and splits up
on all chaffering proposals of the Breckenridge
men for q bargain. He knows that the embrace
of the Seceders is death to him. s.f
But let Us look at the question in another as
pect. Suppose we are in error in regard to the
Inherent and independent strength of the Bell
ticket. Suppose that Breckenridge has more
strength than Bell, would this enure to the BEN
eft of Douglas2 Certainly not. If he is to go
before the House of Representatives it is clearly
to his interest that Breckinridge should not be
there to compete with him and divide the Dem
ocratic vote. It would be much better for him
to have Lincoln and Bell as his competitors, be-
cause as against them he can unite the whole
Democratic vote.
View the matter, then, as we may, it il clear
ly the policy of the friends of Douglas to
see that the votes of the Southern States are
cast for Bell, and to accomplish that object they
should, if necessary, even vote the Bell ticket
We lay it down as self-evident proposition
that every man who desires to see Douglas have
a fair chance in the House must use every effort
to squeeze Breckenridge out
Patriotism too, prompts the adoption of the
same course which policy dictates. Douglas
himself, in his speech at Washington denounced
the Secession nomination of Breckinridge at Bal
Baltimore as disunion ticket. Secession from
party is the prelude to secession from the con-
federacy. Believing this, it is the duty Of eve-
cry patriot to frown Indignantly on every meas
ure that tends to ALLEVIATE one part OF the coun-
<hn RI a
cion that this Union can be dissolved. 3eliev-
ing this, Douglas and his friends cannot, without
sacrifice of principle and public duty, give their
aid, either directly or indirectly, to the election
of the Yancev Rhett candidate s.
Self respect demands, that in those States
where the contest is narrowed down to Breck-
inridge and Bell, Douglas and his friends should
favor the latter--as everybody knows that the
nomination of Brecknridge was made by the
enemies of Douglas, and with view to bis po-
litcal destruction. The "Little Giant outstrip-
ped his Senatorial competitors in the race for
popular favor-and like the brethren of Joseph,
they enyied and hated him, and 'sc0uM not
speak peaceably unto him." because they feared
that their sheaves would have to bow down be-
fore his sheafl When they saw him afar off ,even
before the Charleston Convention, they con-
spired against him to slay him.
''And they said one to another behold this
dreamer cometh.
Come now, therefore, and let Us slay him and
cast him into some pit, and we will say squat
ter Sovereignty hath devoured him." and ye
shall see what shall become of his dreams OF
(the Presidency
And Reuben (Senator Pugh) heard it and he
delivered him out Of their hands and said "let
us not kill him.
And they took him and cast him into a pit
(of senatorial resolutions) and the pit was emp
ty, there was no water in it (all were barren
distractions y .te
But Douglas, like Joseph, escaped from the
malice of his brethren, and, like Joseph, if he
acts wisely, may live to reign over them, and to
requite good for evill
Dropping our 6gurative language, it only re-
mains for Us to say that the enemies of Doug
las, failing to effect his ruin, but the contra
ry being soundly drubbed by him in the arena
chosen by themselves for the conflict, have re-
sorted to the unmanly expedient of secession =
Like tricky boys in game OF marbles, they
went into the game hoping to win, but as soon
as they found they were bound to lose, they
picked up their taws and ran. Neither Douglas
nor his friends can give countenance to any
such faction. To sustain them or their candi.
date, would be in effect to condemn Douglas,
Self respect-every just sentiment of pride
and honor-the interest of self-preservation, all
concur to compel Douglas and his friends to re-
pei with indignation every overture for union
and cooperation from that quarter.
Finally, if there were no other considerations
strong enough to restrain Douglas from truck
ling to and bartering with the seceder's, the
conduct of that paragon of Democracy, James
Buchanan, would oblige him to reject their prop
ositions with contempt The friends OF Douglas
have been, and are being, hunted down with a
relentless bitterness that has never before been
practiced even toward political enemies. To
show that an Office holder entertains friendly
sentiments towards Douglas is enough to draw
down on him the wrath of the Administration,
and to ensure his decapitatioD. How, then, can
Douglas and his friends give aid to the candi-
date of the Administration. To do SO would
manifest not only dastardly but traitorous
spirit. Whatever faults Douglas may have, we
believe thai want of fidelity to his friends can
not be counted among them.
We say, then, to the friends of Douglas, make
a gallant fight wherever you can. Garry for
him as many States as you can. But wherever
as in Virginia for example, you cannot carry
the State for Douglas, take especial care that il
shall not be cast against him, by being given tc
'Breckinridge. Use your power to rebuke party
treason and secession, and to Illustrate the igno-
BILE purpose of Buchanan and his crew to tram.
pie you and your favorite under their feet !
1 Having thus given our views of the policy Of
the freinds of Douglas, it only remains for US to
say word or two as to the course which should
be pursued by the Constitutional Union party in
the North. - ie
Our primary object is the defeat of the Sec
tional Republican candidate. Every other con-
sideration should be secondary to that. As
practical men, we should aim to achieve the
greatest good to the country, and where that is
not attainable, we should aim at the second best
thing. We should strive to carry for Bell ev
cry State that we have reasonable prospect Of
carrying; but where that cannot be done, we
should throw our weight in the scale of Douglas
as the most national and least Objectionable OF
the other candidates. By this interchange
of support between the friends of Douglas and
Bell, Lincoln can easily be defeated, and the e.
lection carried to the House, where the choice
must tall on Bell or Douglas. Wherever we are
the strongest, as in the Southern States, Massa
chusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut and New
Jersey, the Douglas men should come to our aid.
Whilst in Maine New Hampshire, New York,
Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and the other
Northwestern States, our weight should be
thrown in the scales of Douglas.
!. In regard to Pennsylvania, it may be doubtful
which ia the stronger, Bell or Douglas. Such
being the case, it would be fair to make divis-
ion of the electoral ticket and thus ensure the
defeat of Lincoln.
1t seems to US that the policy thus indicated,
is the only one by which Lincoln can be de-
IL