Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-02-05
Some of the Supporters of Douglas.


We have witnessed with astonisment and NOR
LITIGATION the fact that some who were the zeal
Gus supporters of Stephen A. Douglas in the re-
cent Presidential canvass, and who opposed with
might and main the policy of the seceders, and
denounced in strong terms the supporters OF
Breckenridge because they were suspected OF ia
voring secession, have wheeled "about face" and
are now acting shoulder to shoulder with the
advocates of secession. They have deserted the
banner of their chief, and have rallied under
that of his foes-they have left him, (though he
occupies the same position he did in the canvass,
and is now manfully laboring in conjunction
with Hon. John j. Crittenden and other friends
OF the Union, to effect satisfactory adjustment
of all our national troubles,) and have united
with those whom they charged with the guilt of
dsrupting the Democratic party that they might
succeed IN destroying the Government. During
the canvass they were faitful to him, and sup
supported him with zeal, when they were per-
fectly conscious that there was no hope OF his
occupied the position of supporting him because
he was the representative Of their 0iesos He is
still representative of the same views, but some
of his supporters are now acting with his oppo-
nents and traducers-the secessionists They sup
ported him upon the special issue made by
his answer to the questions put to him by the
head of the secession ticket in Norfolk-Mr.
Lamb. He replied that the election of Lincoln
would not furnish cause for secession, and, in
reference to the enforcement of the laws, he said
that he would do as General Jackson had done
in 1888. His supporters endorsed his reply,
and sustained him upon that issue.
Hugh w. Shelley, Esq.
| "Peace hath its victories no less renowned
than those of war;" and moral heroism is more
meritorious than physcal-the man who con-
quers himself is greater hero than he who
sacks cities and makes whole countries desolate
The man who makes sacrifice of himself for
the sake of bis country is a patriot. He that
will turn deaf ear to the wooings of ambition,
and will steadfastly pursue the path of patriotic
duty, though be must, by so doing, trample be-
meath his feet the laurels he might bind about
his brow, is one whom an intelligent and patr-
otto people will not fail to appreciate, honor ana
reaoard These thoughts have been suggested by
the noble, magnanimous and praiseworthy con.
duct of HUGH W. SHEFFEY, Esq, in voluntarily
withdrawing from the canvass for the Oonven
ton when he feared that by remaining candi-
date and dividing the conservative vote, he
would endanger the success of the ticket which
represented the cause which was nearest and
dearest to his heart-tbe preservation of the O.
MON and the maintenance of peace. This act is
akin to that which has made the name of Ourti
us immortal. To save Rome, Curtius sacrificed
his life by plunging into the gulf. To assist il
saving his country-to prevent division of the
conservative vote-Mr. Shefey, in obedience tt
a high sense of pure and devoted patriotism, vol
unfairly withdrew from the canvass, though ht
had labored manfully and with good effect from
the beginning of the contest to the time of BIZ
withdrawal, and was winning laurels in every
encounter, and gaining golden opinions whereve
his voice was heard. He will not be forgotten