Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-04-09
The Approaching Canvass ir+Virginia.

lists now is to make vigorous struggle in the
Spring elections. The desire is, II possible, to
carry those elections, and then to herald the re-
suit as an evidence of a change in the public
sentiment of the State! The Convention will
be appealed to to obey the voice of the people.
as pronounced in the Spring elections. If they
prove obstinate, we presume another resolution
like that of Mr.. Jones' will be ntroduced-and.
il they have the power, passed. Then, we may
have two conventions claiming to represent the
sovereignty of the people, and all the evils of
anarchy and intestine strife will be upon us l.
Suppose the bogus convention were to follow the
example set them in Texas, in the disposition of
Governor Houston, and were to onst ssHonest
John Letchern from the Gubernatorial chair p
Who can tell how or where the struggle would
end2 "Honest John" is every inch man. He
has good deal of the determined, resolnte
Scotch Irish blood in his veins, and we rather
fancy he would prove an ugly customer. He
knows his rights, and what is more, he has the
nerve to maintain them. -
But, we should depiore any Ascntingency
as one of the dlrest calamities that could befai
the country. It might be the Inauguration of
domestic turmoil-if not bloodshed. Let the
people, then, steer clear OF it by defeating the
candidates of the preciptators 10 the Spring
elections. Let ali minor questions be disregard
ed. Let old party distinctions be subordnated
to the great and patriotic duty of tablishng
the Union and preserving the rights of Virginia
and the South. Let the tissue be made between
those who demand the separate, unconditional
and precpitate secession of this State, and those
who desire consultation and cooperation with the
border slave States for the purpose of restoring
the Union if possible. The form in which that
issue will be presented will be, shall H5rg5naa
secede J0rthaoit1-or shall she consult qoith her
sister border States? This is a great issue. 1t
is one Of incalculable Importance to every citi-
zen of the State. On this, then, let the battle
be fought and the victory won.
We'repeat old party divisions have nothing to
do with the contest. We exhort our friends ev-
erywhere not to be bamboozled by such shall
low device. We exhort them to know no other
issue in the coming contest than such as exists
between those who are yet struggling to save the
Union if it can be honorably done, and those
who are seeking to destroy it, Harris and Mill
son have stood up manfully for the Union, and
it is our duty to stand up manfully for them.-
Let Union men of all shades Of opinion give them
cordial, hearty and effective support.
Let it also be borne in mind that on the next
Legislature two important duties will devolve.
One is to select successor for Mr.. Mason, our
Senator, who has openly proclaimed, in his place
in the Senate, that be owes no allegiance to the
Government of the United States, whose Consti-
tuition he has sworn to support! Let us not be
SO unmindful OF our duty as to see Virginia re-
presented in the Senate by man who does not
acknowledge allegiance to his country as well as
to his State.
The next duty is that of distrcting the State
for. the election of members of Congress-. Let us
guard against gerrymandering by the Disunon-
lists. Let the Union sentiment have fair chance
of being represented-and when the elections
come Oh, let the best Union men be selected az
candidates. in spirit of enlightened liberality
and without reference to former party associa-
tioDs.
People of Virginia! a great and momentous
issue will be before You for decision at the ap-
preaching elsctonsl Our only apprehension is
from that apathy which results from mistaken
adyersaries. Their vigilance is sleepless-theil
efforts untiring. Let US profit by their example
Begin the canvass at once. Bring out your
strongest Union men, it matters not whether
they have heretofore been Wings or Democrats
Lit there be established a thorough entente COR
dale between Union men of all shades of opin
ion. Let there be generous magnanimity dis
played, and where necessary, a fair division O
candidates, with view to remove all suspicion
of any bias by reason of old party ties.
Begin the canvass at once and prosecute it
with energy aud activity. See your neighbors
and explain the nature of the issues to them
circulate newspapers and speeches and docu-
ments-spread light and knowledge to the reno
test corners-come to the polls yourselves, anG
see that your neighbors come and glorious
victory will crown your patriotic etforts.-Rich
Wh5g.