Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-07-17
The Prospect in Virginia.

The Prospect in Virginia.
Never before in the history of the Old Com.
monwealth, says the Baltimore American was
there so glorious chance for the Opposition to
redeem Virginia from the iron thraldom of De-
mocracy. Fettered, bound down, Frustrated,
the Wings of the Mother of States and of States
men have for many decades presented to the
world the attitude precisely of the Tyrant in the
States coat of arms. But the facts reverse the
picture. tits not Liberty trampling Tyranny un-
der foot, but Party rioting in irresponsible pow
er over the outstretched form of Conservatism.
for surely there was never in any State so cour-
ageous, so steadfast, long-suffering and invinci
BILE band of patriots, true to every just senti-
ment of nationality and to every portion of the
Union as the Wings of Virginia, nor was there
ever in any part of the enlightened world party
more unrelenting in the exercise of power than
the Democratic party of the same State. The
story of the wrongs endured on the one hand
and the high-handed outrages inflicted on the
other, is not unfamiliar to our readers. For
years and years seventy thousand gentlemen,
comprising the pith and flower of the Virginia
population. have been virtually disfranchised
Men OF wealth, Of learning, of influence, of the
first order of ability in all things pertaining to
public affairs, they have nevertheless had no
more lot or part in the State government than
if they had lived in China or Timbuctoo. They
were not permitted to hold the lowest office
within the gift of the Executive. They were
ousted from the Boards of the Colleges, the o.
University, the Banks, and even the Railroads.
Party lines were drawn where they ought never
to have existed, and political tests were made
where politics ought to have been rigidly ex-
cluded
10 be Wing was to be incompetent for any
public position however insignificant. To be a
Wing in Virginia YVES to be no citizen. To be
Wing was for the young man to cut himself
off from all chance of a career. To be Wing
was, save in the barren exercise of franchise
rendered purposeN null and void, to be an alien.
The Congressional districts were so altered as to
make it next to impossible to return Wing to
the National Legislature. The same tyrannical
system was resorted to in the formation of new
counties, and all the old counties would have
been re-arranged if the Democracy had dared
to attempt thing SO monstrous. Wherever
the Democratic party could obtain control they
obtained it without regard to consequences, and
without thought as to the baneful effects in
the future of thrusting politics where politics in
no manner belonged. In a State claiming to
hold above all others sound views of govern
ment, in State Boosting to be the special guard
ian of State Rights, in State blatant about
constitutional limitations, a tyranny was prac-
tised 10 exact accordance with the theory of
Divine Blight, Unlimited Monarchy, and without
parallel in the annals of the Republic. To the
credit of the Old Dominion be il said, that one
bright spot appears in all the long and dark ex-
panse of partizan misrule-the Judiciary, made
elective, was, nevertheless, high, pure and unde-
filed from the pollution of party.
The time has now come when the oppressed
may throw off the shackes and once more stand
free. The sufferings of years may now be "a
venged. The State may be redeemed. The re-
demption of the State may be the salvation of
the Union. A glorious hour is at hand for the
Wings of Virginia. A noble work, great
work, a task worthy so unsel6sh, SO unconquer-
able, SO patriotic band, is to be done. The
State divided against itself by the feuds of Wise
and Hunter was nearly won year ago. But
the feud between the friends of Douglas and of
Breckenridge is more serious, indeed a fatal
thing. The Valley goes almost en- maasse for
Douglas, the Underwater region declares for
Breckenridge. Yet this does not tell the tale
entirely. Douglas has hosts of friends in the
Cis-Alleghany country. He is known to be the
stronger man, and the nature of the true parti-
san is to 60 for the stronger man. Papers have
hoisted the Breckenridge flag that make no Sc
cret OF their preference for his opponent. Pa
pers remain silent which intended ere long to
come out for Douglas. The Central Executive
Committee of the Democratic party has been
called together. The sign is ominous. Douglas
emissaries are pouring into the State, and are
enthusiastic. The friends of Breckenridge are
slow and unwilling in their work. Douglas
wants the State to go for the Union party
Money will not be spared. Intrigues are thick
ening daily. The wires that once worked SO
smoothly and effectively are all crossed, tangled,
intertwisted. The wire-workers are out-of-sorts,
at logger-heads, undecided, stunned, paralyzed.
The rank and file of the party are in like hap
less condition. The fssure widens hourly-the
breach yawns welcome to the Wings. On, on,
gallant gentlemen, the citadel is yours
W- We cheerfully publish the conlmunica,
ton of our worthy friend under the signature of
"One Who Heard" 1t certainly was not our
intention to do any injustice to Col. Raymond.
We stated the facts as they appeared to us, Ne
heard no calls for him, as we stated, though we
were in the portico. 1t might have been owing
to the fact that Turner's Cornet Band was ce-
lighting us with good music at the time, and the
calls were too modest to be heard above its loud
and sweet notes. We made no reference to or
comment upon the sparty illusions of COL Hay
mond" We spoke merely of the manner in
which his remarks seemed to have been receiv-
ed. Those near us were bored, and that SEEM
ed to be the feeling of those below, as was evil
denced by the fact that the remarks of some in
the crowd caused him to stop, when Gen. Har-
man and others politely called upon him to go
on. We are pleased to learn that others than
the speaker were satisfied with bis speech, for
we really did not suppOse there was one