Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1863-05-01
CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION

CONGRESSIONAL ELECTION.
While engaged in momentous struggle
for Liberty and Independence, it lily be
comes us to divide and distract our united
people, BY an unboundcd zeal for any Of
the candidates before them. or structures
upon the course pursued BY any of the vo-
tiers in this country Of free thought and
speech, and we now disclaim any intention
Of pursuing such course. With this dis
claimer Distinctly stated. aud with no pur.
pose Of creating an isste Of party, Or be-
tween candidates on account of past psrty
differences, we feel compelled to fepel
charges alleged against those III this Dis
triot who may elect to vote as they please.
The Editor Of the "Spectator" is free
man like the rest Of the white males Of 81
years of sge in the District, and has pref.
erence for one of the candidates for Con-
gress, which he has frankly stated on sew
eral occasions, ana we make no issue with
him on this account, but believe that in SO
doing he is merely exercising the prcroga-
tive Of freeman; but that he shall sit up
on his tripod and determine for the people
at large who shall be the next Representa-
tive from this District, and declaim against
ali who NAV differ with him in opinion.
(Which they have perfect Fight to do,)
and declare that those whU choose to differ
with him have lakes to grind, we do not
agree. The Editor speaks his aenti-
men is in regard to Col. Baldwin. his choice,
in frank manner which we like, but is
disposed to claim for hin !b8fe than Col.
Baldwin, we think, would desire to claim
for himself, viz: that fen that have
taxes to grind can't get Col. B. to turn
the Grindstone and hence prefer Gov.
Lctcher who will turn the Stone. We are
far from saying that Col. B. would be gull
ty Of grinding the AXE Of any constitu-
ent Of his, and we feel equally sure that
Gov. Leteher would be as far from any
such thing as Col Baldwin or any one else,
and we think the ",Spectator" and other
friends of Col. Baldwin are as liable to be
charged with having axes to be ground by
Col. B., as that any one preferring Gov:
Letchcr has one to be groGnd by him. We
do not assert that any Of Col. Baldwin's
friends have this almighty AXE (of which
the "Spectutor" speaks 50 frequently to
grind, becattse they may choose to vote for
him, but believe this to be- matter Of
preference between the two Candidates; un-
biased by party Or by the desire to '.griod
axes, and SO thinking, have not said or
done anything which would show our pref
erence. for fear Of exciting party feeling
by the cry that we supported Gov. Letcher
because he had been Democrat We dc
not fear that by the resuscitating of that
issue Gov. Letcher would suffer, for we
say candidly to the "Spectotor' that if you
continue TO declare that the fen have-axe
to grind evidently referring to men who
were Democrats, you will make the old is.
sue and if that issue be made. thereby en-
HANGING the chances Of defeating the can
didate IF your choice, be the blame upon
your own head. We say now as we said
10 the commencement of this article let us
be still united, in our great cause, undivi.
ded by past party distinctions. and let this
be MISTER of preference between the two
candidates for this important Office, without
declaring, that by voting for one or the
other, the voters are biased by some sinis-
ter motive, some lake to grind" but let US
accord to them tho same generous impulses
which actuate US, viz: patriotic desire te
elect the man whom they think best calcu.
lated to represent them in the hext congress
We desire to see the candidates before
the people, unprecedented by such articles as
have appeared in the Spectator in its last
two issues, being as DESTROYS Of seeing Col
Baldwin, who is present, placed fairly be-
fore Our people as Gov. Letcher, who is pre-.
vented both by the duties of his office and
those he owes to his aged and sick fathe,
from canvassing the District. Whomsoev-
er the sovereign people in their unbiased
Judgement select, with him will we be sat.
isfed.
1--we copy below from the CAR
ton (Miss.) Commonwealth, the nobly
patriotic reply Of ote Of the fair daugh-