Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1860-08-14
DUTIES OF THE PEOPLE.

Such, fellow-citizens, are few of the most
obvious arguments in behalf OF the candidates OF
the Constitutional Union party. We cannot
disguise it from you that we look forward TO the
future with grave anxiety. This is natural when
we consider the excitabilty of the American
people, and the infammatory character of the
political issues which now divide them. Surely,
great dangers lie in the path on which we are
moving. Oar appeal is to the patriotism, the
reason, and the conscience of the country to
leave these perlous edges of sectional strife and
thus avoid these dangers. We would fain recall
the American people to fresh sense of the af-
fectonate aud traternal wisdom which breathes
through the Farewell Address of the Father OF
his Country. There are men now living who,
when this address first appeared, were OF an age
to comprehend its spirit, and to be touched by
Its eounselS; what change have they lived to
witness IN the sentiments entertained towards
each other by the alienated sections of our once
united country. And how do our altered hearts
and averted countenarces vndcate the prophetic
sagacity OF Washington? We readily admit that
there have been grave faults on both sides; let
Us not employ ourselves IN the ungraclOus ONCE
of comparing offences and weighing provoca-
tions, but let US open wide the arms of reconcil-
iation, and cease to use the language of re-
proach. The blessing promised to the peace
makers shall rest upon all who address them
selves to this benifcent work. We wish to pre-
serve the Union, and transmit it to our children
and Union animated by the life-blood of a pa
ternal spirit, without which it is a shadow, and
not substance.
Let Us revive in the hearts of our countrymen
the prophetic declaration of the patriot Clay, in
his memorable speech before the Kentucky Leg
lslature, when he was called, in 1850, to breathe
out his life in the last grand effort to give peace
toTa distracted country.
81 may be asked, as have been asked, when
would consent to dissolution of the Union
l answer, Never! Meier! NEVER! x Il
the agitation in regard to the fugitive slave law
should continue and Increase, and become alarm
ing, it will lead to the formation of two new
parties, one for the Union, and the other against
the Union; = and the platform of that I'm.
ion party will be THE UNION, THE CONsTTTU
TIoN AND THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE LAWS
And if it should be necessary To- form such 8
party, and it should Ae accordiRgly formed, I an
aounce myself IN thisap5ace a member of thai
party, aohGteUer may be ITS component elements
The time SO eloquently and graphically pre-
dicted has arrived. That Union party is now
organized. 1t appeals to the countrymen o.
Washington and Clay for their support. 1t en-
treats them to gather in serried phalanx around
the Union and the Constitution, and defend then
from the fierce assaults of sectonalism whence
soever they may come; and By the election o
our national and patriotic candidates, to pre-
serve for our sons the glorious heritage be
queathed us by our sires, so that it shall remain
the boast of American citizens that they have
some country, one Constitution, and one destiny.
By order of the Committee.
ALEX. R. BOrELER, Chairman
l.. A. WHITLEY, Secretary.