Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-02-15
The Spectator.

The Spectator, seeking an excuse to COM
pliment its editor in the last issue Of that
paper, says it understood that some of the
extremists in this and the adjoining coun-
ties say that the Staunton Spectator is do
ing more harm than any paper in the
State" The editor then proceeds to pay
himself high compliment for his very eff
ficient efforts in the recent canvass. and to
associate himself with some of the ablest pa
pers IN the State, assuming that they have
taken alike positions with himself
We have 40 objections to this little piece
of egotism on the part of our neighbor. It
is one Of those self-cong ratulatory twits,
which, while they do no one else harm, are
calculated to tickle ones self under the fifth
rib. But we cannot permit the other mis-
apprehensions contained in his article to
pass uncorrected. Some wag evidently per-
petrated hoax on our credulous neighbor
when he was made to understand that his
positions during the canvass just closed
were anything more than misrepresenta-
tlons of the popular sentiment of this Sec
ton OF the country. For although the
"Staunton Spectator" was no doubt graft
fed by the election of Col. Baldwin and
Mr.. Stuart, yet no line ofpolicy that either
of them indicated as pertinent to be adopted
by the Convention now in session was Ell
Their discussed or endorsed by that paper
No more did it discuss or endorse the posi-
tons either of Col. Baylor, Gen. Hartman,
or Capt. Imboden. The cry was with it,
unconditional Union, without giving any
reason, and an occasional covert and unfair
and unjust (to be no harsher) attempt to
insinuate into the popular belief that there
was "disunion' party in the county. The
editor we'll knows that there is no such par
ty here, nor were there disunion candidates
running. All assumed nearly precisely the
same positions, and agreed entirely as to the
end that should be attained-the preserva.
ton Of the Union-and only differed as to
immateral points of policy to accomplish
that result. To this extent did the ''Staun
ton Spectator" do harm, and no further, for
we venture the assertion that there are not
one hundred men in the county who en-
dorse its ertren1e Submission views-its con
tinued and persistent inveighings against
the South, and its mute silence as to the ag /.
erosion, treason and crimes of the North.
Again is the apprehension Of the editor at
fault, when he hatters himself with the be-
lief that any observant reader would be gull
ty Of the inconsistency of identifying his
position and arguments with those of the
Alexandria Gazette, Richmond Wing, Char
lottesville Review, &c. But few weeks
ago we took occasion to compliment the
Gazette upon its warnings to the New York
Tribune, that the North must yield to the
just demands Of the Soutb-naust give us
guarantees Of future peace and the obsery-
ance of our rights, or the South would be a
unit. When did the "Staunton Spectator
ever take such high Virginia ground p
We have before us now the following strik-
ing and loyal sentiment from the Richmond
Wing: "We know we express Virginia
sentiment, when we say that unless the
North recede the South will secede. We
do not mean that the Southern States will
withdraw, go out, and leave their rights be-
hind; but they will, upon separation, carry
with them all their rights" The Wing
also tells the North plainly that Virginia
intends to demand every right that is guar
anteed under the Constitution, and it will
be a fatal delusion if the North thinks she
will be satisfied with anything less. When
did tie "Staunton Spectator" do this? The
Charlottesville Review, not with the same
nervousness, but with equal ability, has
warned the North not to be deluded with
the belief that Virginia would in any con-
tingency permit an abridgment Of one sim
gle right she had or tolerate settlement of
our present difficulties without the most am
pie security for the future. When did the
"Staunton Spectator" do this? Echo an
swers, when?
Then, we ask in all candor. whether
there is a justification found in reason for
the designation as ''ertremists' by the
Spectator. of those who may differ from
that paper? Is it ertreme to pride in the
glory and honor Of a just Union, founded
upon the equal rights of all its parts, and
observing those relations ofequity and right
which the terms Of the compact guarantee :?
Is it ertremc to stand upon the Constitu-
ton, and gazing at the stars that glitter in
the Haunting ensign of our country's glory,
claim that no sister hand shall mar the
beauty and brightness of the one that rep
resents our own Virginia? Is it e1tremae
to say to the surging waves of fauatical
hate at the North which would madly sub
merge our own homes and hearts in univer-
sal ruin, 'thus far shalt thou 60 and 20 far
Their 7" Is it extreme to say, when our e.
quality has been demanded and Indignantly
denied us, the State of our nativity where
rest the bones of our fathers for generations
past, and where cluster and cling the en-
dearing affections of the heart, as did Ruth
to Naomi: ''Entreat me not to leave thee.
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