Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-05-19
FOR. THE SPECTATOR.

AS the time approaches for the election, the pubic
MUD looks aToaud to make selection from the
candidates announced TO ill the two highest and
most Important positions In the gilt of the people
Among those nominated, OF course all voters VIII
have cholce and each nominee viii have supporters,
bat in making selection, nlpor questions
relative to the qualifications Indispensable constitute
candidates ht the exalted station.
1t is conceded all sides that there never was
period, not excepting the emergencies OF the Reou
tlon, IN when statesmen o trled loyalty anu true
courage, experience and discretion lndis-
pensable, and We're lmperatlvely demanded to
be at the head of affairs and In tue Chair Of
cry State, more especially of the old Dominion the
mother OF States-a State which has always STOOD re-
emlnenty the head OF all others heretofore but
emphaticaliy this important Crisis, being the
| OF Government OF the Contederacy, and upon whose
sacred soil the Yankee hordes for nearly yetrs,
have concentrated their forces with the slogan cry OF
'sOn to kIchmond'-upon whose so been more
troops marshalled, greater battles fought, and
olood split than ali other batleheds during this
gigantic struggle; and to capture Richmond over
run and subJugate this venerable ano glorious old
State would afford the Yankee Gotns and vaudais in
| expresSible pleasure and unbounded exultatlon.
The important causes and considerations which
led the selection and elevation vi the present dis
tnguished President OF the Contederacy, because OF
the union OF eminent military and civil qualifications
llmperatlVely demand Of similar qualifications
in the Governor OF Virginia. for while would not be
so important as to be Indispensable that Richmond
should be defended the seat OF Cover nment O tie
Contederacy, yet Indispensable that 1t should be
forever successfully defended the capital OF the
Old Dominion, because Its capture would be the d
rest Calamity that could beta causg, give the
Yankees the greatest sEmulanS increased exerons
IN this momenous struggle Aehte no man who IS
simply red tape metnOdIeal eIVlllan, ano nothing
more will by any meet the Requirements OF the
occasion. lie must be In every Way equal to
the great emergency. He unite distinguished
civil and military talents, and be of tired and
undoubted courage torutnde, discretion and expert
ence. One who could lead squadron in tie neid
with all sahcency, and be conversant with military
matters generally, as well rs safely administer all
State affairs.
Let the merely civilian therefore, however eminent
bis qualifications, at this important era, stand ASIDE
ana await more quiet times for his elevation, and let
US have uniting the civil and military qualln-
cations, upon which All could rely guarau1ee iOr
safety and protection to dearest rights
With these lncontIOvertlble facts view, who a.
mong all those now nominated comes nearest 10 those
requirements. The answer is Unhesitatingy and IN
questonybly GENERAL WILLIAM SMITH. lie is
extensively known a distinguished civilian and
gallant officer, such is required ln,tn,s lul-
portan crisis, Governor oi the UId dominion, and
Will be cordially supported as candidate. lie has
heretofore occupied The posltlon having been elected
by the Legislature under the Old CONSTITUTION, and
discharged his duties faithfully and efficiently He
will prooaby IoT be elected under the constitu-
ton by the people, with the ald of the soldiers whose
companion he has been In the tented field amld the
din and danger OF battle during the whole war, and
who after lighting his way to the head OF Lrlgade,
has resigned his seat in Congress IL enable hlm 10
discharge bis military duties more efficiently
We may have peace during the year. but We never
shall have peace till We drub The Yankees into sense
plsn. 1t tehooves therefore to prepare Tor the
worst In electing Governor Qualified IN every
pect to meet the emergency.
As the present Governor Is from the West and the
Lieut. Governor from the East necessary for the
next Govtrnor TO DC from The East and the Lieut..
Governor from ice West; with Ihis programme,
IEeng those dominated or the latter position,
comes near er the requisite standard than General
john b. lmooden OF Augusta, who also unites the
| requisite civil and military qualifications He a
lawyer OF hne attainments, aGd officer who has
been engaged OF his country throughout
the who.e war.
Generals Smith and Imboden would therefore meet
the emergency OF the crisis and present an unexeep-
tI0naoe tlckes upon which all paroles could unite, be-
cause all antecedents would be discarded the
one having been heretofore Democrat aud the other
II W hlg. These. with the present Attorney Geuef:,
j. d Tucker wlil complete the ticket.
lt* RAPPAHANN0Ck.