Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-05-14
The Question at Issue in this Election.

-~AS3
The waving plumes, the martial tramp of armed
hosts. the hoarse rattling of heavy artillery, the
loud neighing of caparisoned steeds show that
this country is on the eve of being involved in a
most bloody conflict, in which fsllow-country-l
men and kindred will imbrue their hands in the
hearts blood Of each other. Humanity weeps
in contemplation of such sad spectacle. Why
is this bloody scene about to be enacted? Why
are thousands from the North and thousands
from the South hurrying with the speed of steam
to the banks of the Potomac, each party deter
mined that, rather than that stream shall be eros
sed by the other, its limpid waters shall become
ensanguined with their llfe's blood Why are
the North and the South standing opposed to
each other in armed hostile array? Why is the
yulture of civil war whetting its beak to feast
upon the hearts OF brothers slain by the hands OIL
brothers?
1t is because Ambition has usurped the place
of Patriotism, and Tyranny that of Liberty. 1t is
because that course, rough, tall and long legged
man who was elected President, and who has be-
come dizzy, if not crazy, by his underserved ele-
walton, (Which should not have been higher than
the gallows,) would fain
| "Bestride the narrow world
Like Colossus; and have petty men
Walk under his huge legs, and peep about
To find ourselves dlshonorable graves"
The people of this country, who are unaccus-
toned to such exhibitions, may we'll ask
upon what meat doth this coarse Hoosier feed,
That be has grown so great
1t was he who usurped the war-making power.
and made requistion upon this State for SOL
diers to wage war upon the South, and thus left
, us NO ALTERNATIVE BUT TO RENoUNcE OUR ALE
laIANoE TO THE GOVERNMENT OR REMAIN UNDER
OBLIGATIONS TO COMPLY WITH HIS REouIsITIoN, and
we promptly accepted the former.
3 When he usurped power and inaugurated tyr
, amy, when he ceased to be the President of
Republic, and became the Chief of military
despotism, the friends Of Liberty, who believe
ssresistance to tyranny to be obedience to God,'
resolved to resist him and his armed minioas ssa
l all hazards and to the last extremity The
question at issue in the election which will take
place on the 23rd of this month, is simply wheth
: err or not we willing to strengthen the hands
g of our FRIENDS AND KINDRED who are now stand
ing upon the banks of the Potomac, resolved
Win brave ucdrts duU W ''uTlVo DaCE
the foot of the INVADER or lose their lives in the
I effort. They are now upon the hills and noun
E tains at Harpers Ferry, guarding our beloved
State. resolved to make it as honorable and mem
orable as Thermopyl@ in Greece, if the enemy
in overwhelming force, should attack them
iShall we strengthen them encourage the enc
my? Shall We keep the enemy from attacking
. u.s. or shall we invite their hostile hordes to in
wade our State and make it desolate These ar
: the questions which we are to determine by on
. vote. The question which divided the Uniol
men and Secessonsts--the legal and constitu
tional right of secession-is NOT NOW in ISSUE
= We are NOW in state of REVOLUTION. The rev
- olution has PRECEDED secession. The right o
!. Secession, as REVOLUTIONARY measure, ha
a never been denied. Those, therefore, who vot
for the ordinance of secession, in the exercise o
a revolutionary right, and with the view of man
ifestng their purpose to oppose the usurpa
tions of power the part of Lincoln's Admin
= istration, do nothing inconsistent with their op
lposition to secession prior to Lincon's procla
nation for that, they deemed, furnished jus
ground for resistance, rebellion, revolution, Sc
6 cesson. We hope that there WILDE no division
9 in this county, and that no one will give ssait
: and comfort to the enemy by voting against thu
ordinance, for that will be the effect, though no
O the intention.