Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-04-09

TO Il A N D G. E N
Union and Secession Democracy.
Kockbrldge Democrat publishes lengthy
and sensible communication in the Lexington
"Gazete," in reference to the scheme to Goa.
lessee the Union and Secession Democrats of this
District, from which we take the following ex.
tract:
The party divided, ostensibly upon an ab-
stractl0n, but subsequent events warrant tile
conclusion that the division was a part OF pre-.
arranged programme, having for its object the es-
adjustment OF the long cherished Southern Con.
leoeracy. this be not true, we must admit
that oy most extraordinary coincidence, the
leaders OF the seeding faction are now found
among the most clamorous disunionists, whilst
the national Democrats of those Conventions
steadily and firmly cling to the Union and evince
praisewortny determination to exhaust all ra-
uonai means TO save the country from anarchy
and despotism.
WAS that division accomplished alone by diff.
ference OF opinion about the relative eligibility
OF two distinguished statement Or was it rad
icai, and upon principle9 Whatever it may
have been then, it now appears TO be division
upon principle which underlies the foundation
OF tree government Secession at will is one Of
the cardinal principles of that faction which ar
rogates to itself the name of States Rights De-
mocracy, and one OF its most important and in
dlspensaDle attributes is the right and duty ol
politicians to think and act for the people, re-
garding the people incompetent to govern them
selves, 1t denies them the privilege of approving
or disappearing the work of their agents. re
greet that truth compels me to say the two wing,
OF the ancient party, are the antipodes of each
other on the only ltsing, vital issue before the
pople.
"a reunion cannot be consummated until the
irrepressible conflict shall have ceased, aud al
shall have become Secessionists and enemies O.
the country OF Washington, Madison, Jefferson
and Jackson, or all shall have becoms patriots
and friends of the Union. How can parties unite
when the one chershes the Union, and regards
it as the palladium of our iberties-the maiI
pillar in the temple of our real Independence
whilst the other considers it an accursed Union
agreeing with the Abolitionlsts that it is league
with perditiOn, and that it has ever been detri-
mental to the true interests of the South? How
can parties affiliate, the one sustaining law. or
der, freedom of speech and the franchises OF the
people, and the other usurping the rights of the
people, supplanting Law aud Constitution BY
| Anarchy, Mobocracy and Despotism-making il
| treason to express an opinion adverse to theil
own2
II trust the extreme measures to which the
secession faction have resorted, in some parts O
| the State, will receive no countenance in the
Tenth Legion district. The people have too
much good sense to allow their passions to bt
wrought upon BY unprincipled dslnagogues:
| "But is it wise or patriotic at the presen
time to revive old party issues, which tor years
past have served no other practical purpose
than that OF preserving party organizations 3
We cannot, If We would, re-estabsh old party
| lines. Those lines were drawn when there were
tangible questions before the people; thos.
questions no longer exist; the people see ant
feel but one living, practical issue, and upoI
that alone can parties be formed Union or Dis
union is the question: National Liberty on tht
one side, Anarchy on the other. This issue can
not be ignored for the sake OF any old party or
ganizstion.
"Whlg and Democrat are but names of old par
| ties alike patriotic-ake friends of our COM
mon country, and alike enemies of tyranny anl
anarchy. In times of peril those parties have
ever been ready to ignore dividing lines and
march in solid phalanx to the rescue OF our great
prosperous and free country from every threat
ening danger. Talk not OF ''our ancient ene-
miles," Patriots may differ about the policy O
administering our government, but that differ
ence of opinion does not make them enemies.
/ "Let us Indignantly frown down all such hac
MED party epithets, and hail every -nlanas frient
and brother who will ceneSto the rescue of oul
beloved country. %
'The friends of our glorious Union, whethel
Wings or Democrats, should extend to each othe
the right hand of fellowship, and, standing upoI
a common platform, raise aloft the Star Span
| gled Banner, swear with it to live or with i
| to de-
"The lines of demarcation were very distincly
drawn at the late election for delegates to thu
State Convention. Let those lines remain as ths
people placed them.
sin the county of Rockbridge two Thousand
Democrats and Wings voted for Moore and Dor
man, the former Wing, the latter a Dem, crat
Those two Thousand votes were also cast to-
popular sovereignty. The same two thousand
votes will be cast for q candidate for election
to Congress, pledged to use all honorable mean.
to adjust sectional difficulties, and not for any
man OF any party who would cooperate will
Mason, Hunter, &C., in thwarting measures de
sigDed to restore harmony between the sections
nor for any man who disclaims allegiance to tn.
government established by the Constitution
No district Convention can bind the people OF
this county, unless its proceedings evince thai
love of country is paramount to love of party.
| STATES RIGHTs DEMOCRAT"