Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-01-25
E,resegya-
lion.

1t is a very common occurrence that can
didatcs grow eloquent, as we'll as lachry
NOSE. in their appeals for the preservation
of the Union They will bring fresh t,
the mind, in glowing and brilliant colors
the glory and grandeur of the Union, ane
the cheering benefits aud blessings it ha'
%showered upon us. To this every man, wbt
has a soul within his carcass, or whose hear
beats responsive to the moving melting mu
SIC of domestic peace, prosperity and con
cord, must and does say-Amen. He who
does not feel a thrill Of Joy and delight as
he gazes upon the stars and stripes-prouo
emblem of our country's greatness, glory
and happiness-faunting defiance to foes
of every cline, and reckoning the oppressed
and down trodaen of every nation to its pro-
lection and shelter, is a wretch eft for trea-
son, stratagem and spoils." But this is nc
time for appeals to passion-no time to lull
into a blissful sense Of security, while the
flames flap around the very citadel in which
we dwell, and the maddened waves of rev.
%olution and destruction are dashing and
rumbling beneath. The Union is already
dissolved. Disintregation has already ia
ken place. Secession, or revolution, has
already broken asunder the uniting links,
and the United Confederacy no longer ex-
lists. 1t is not, therefore, the work ofpyes-
CREATION, that is presented to the people for
their decision in this election. That is a
cheat-a Bwindle-a delusion. 1t is a cues
ton Of reconstruction that the people must
look at. They must demand of those seeking
their support in this f%earfully important elec~
tion, what line Of policy they will pursue
to reconstruct the Union-bring together
the shattered and discovered parts-and
thus avert the terrible calamity ofcivil war.
We solemnly warn the people against those
who may seek their votes byappeals to their
love for the stars and stripes and the Fed
eral Union. Passion must be buried. Rea-
son, stern, intelligent reason, must rescue
us from impending ruin, and not feeling and
affection. We call upon the people to scru-
tinize and probe the speeches of every can
didato, and let each man for himself see
whether the heart of the disease is reached,
whether the core has been touched, and the
proper remedy suggested. What would be
thought of that man who would sit down
with folded arms and whine and sniffle over
the reflection that his house, while on fire,
had sheltered him from winters storm and
summers heat, instead Of rushing forward
in a desperate attempt to save it? 1t is an
apt illustration of our national condition.
Our political edi6ce is clumbllng to pieces.
Are re not madmen and fools to be con-
sumipg precious hours in chanting its past
g~lories and benefits, whilst it is trembling
and lettering above US. Would it not be
more rational to devise a remedy by which
we may avert a total wreck, and preserve
the main pillars and foundation. that it may
be reconstructed 1? We tell the people il
all candor, and with the deepest concern:
that this is no time to permit their feeling;
to sway their judgments. Stern and re.
~Ientless facts arc before US. We must dea
with them. They have to be met. There
is no eyading them. Then let every candi
date be made to come out fairly and square.
ly in the premises. Evasion is worse thar
treason. Delay or indecision, is criminal
Freemen Of Augusta. in the name Of al
that you hold dear, we con ure and implead
you, if you would save your country from
being drenched in fraterpal blood, and dis.
pei the impending cloud that presages civil
war, to look the fearful events that are be-
fore you full in the face. The Union, as
you knew it a few weeks ago, does not exist.
Wave after wave of the revolution in which
we now are, has swept off State after State.
1t is folly to bemoan this g%rievous calamity
in idle stupidity. It is worse than 'singing
psalms to a dead horse" to use a homely
yet forcible illustration. Let us, then, in
the spirit Of freemen, who are ambitious to
leave to our children a free and happy gov
crnment, 90 to work and reconstruct the u
~nion-renew and re strengthen the broken
compact. Heaven knows, if pouring forth
our warm affection for the Union ard deep
sorrow that it has been madly and wickedly
destroyed. could reconstruct it, we would
do so from early morn to dewy eve:"-
But this will not answer. We must Crap,
pie with facts. We must seize hold of e.
vents, and direct them to the accomplish
ment of re- construction. In this way alone
can our form of government be preserved
the States become united again, and civil
war averted. Let the people think about
these things, however painful. Let them
take hold with willing hands and earnest
aud brave hearts, and approach the GOOD
work determined on success. The first stel
towards such a desired end, is to select fear
less, determined and able men for the Con-
v%sntion, who are not afraid to ayow their
sentiments and indicate their plans. Viii
they do it? 1t is a f%earfully important ques-
ton, which the people alone can answer.
Gold.
Ny. -. H. D;l,.,o Do,J oo,p+,r g,