Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-03-01
For the Spectator.

MOUNT SCION, Va, /
Feb. 16, 1864. {
Mr.. EDITOR BY invitation, DR.. G. 4. Harris,
an exile from Brandy Station, Va, and formerly
State Senator from Augusta, addressed the peo-
Pile of this town and vicinity ca the state Of the
country, the condition of the currency, and SO
on, on Saturday night last. Although this dis
tinguished patriot and gifted orator has address
ed the citizens at many places in this county,
as well as in several adjoining countless 1t is the
first time that he has favored it'll an address the
people of this village, where he formerly resi-
ded for many years, and his present asylum.
The audience was very large, and the most at
tentive have ever seen, throughout the whole
address which occupied in its delivery abont
two hours. A large number of ladies were pres
ent-many soldiers, and some old gentlemen
whose locks indicated that their names had le-
gally passed from the muster-rolls for quarter
of century.
His arguments were based on historical facts,
and not on mythology; and his address was not
only eloquent and patriotic, but it was cheering
and encouraging. His arguments In favor OF the
right of secession were the most concluSVe l
have ever heard or read, and surely none wh o
heard him, but the most scepti1al, can doub but
that the States had the right TO Secede in peace
-none but traitors can deny that it was justiti-
able. Our prospect for successful issue OF
this struggle, in striking contrast with the pros
pect of our forefathers IN the second year OF the
Revolutionary war, was wildly portrayed. In
!, turn our finances and resources, the wretched
condition of our currency with its remedies,
were ably dwelt upon.
fully concur with the Doctor in the opinion
that the only remedy for the currency is a high
system of taxation and ssm lximum ~ and /
wholly disagree with most politicians and finan-
ciers who maintain that the remedy consists in a
high system of taxation only, with some other
simplo pailiatiges. High 'taxatiop without a
maximum will surely give impulse to the
mania for high prices. The Government will be
compelled to raise its schedule price for all ar
ticles of produce ana manufacture necessary for
the maintenance Of tho army and nayy-this will
lead to further issue of treasury notes, and
further depreciation Of the currency.
Ii is not my purpose to give rehearsal OF Or.
Harris speech, but suffice it u say that 1t was
the speech for the times and cannot otherwise
than be fruitful Of good results. i was tod ny
an Intelligent gentleman from the neighborhood
of Parnassus, in this county, where Dr. harris
spoke about ten days ago, that his speech haa a
most happy influence on some gentlemen IN tnal
vicinity who were disposed to be somewhst des-
pondent.
1t would be far better for our cause If Con-
gress would conscript DIR. III. aud others OF the
Ciceronean type--for it would DO labor OF su-
pererogation for one-and assign them to the
duty of addressing tho people of every city,
town. village and cross roads in the Confederacy
than to proceed with further conscrlpuoh,
which have no doubt will be the dead VINO nave
fallen in battle, and exenpting such Of them as
were members of Congress, and OF the S'ato
Legislatures.
At the conclusion Of DR.. I'll $ address, Gap
tain James Boyd, of the 25tf Va. Infantry, ah
intelligent and promising young lawyer OIL lay
lor county, Va, was called for, who responu3oa
in a speech of half an hours duration. In polhs
of eloouence and patriotism the Captain viea
with the Doctor. It was very much regre.teo
by the audience that the Captain could not pro-
long his remarks; but suffering very much as "a. he
was from wound of the chest, received at the
battle of Mine Run, he was forced to conclude
from sheer exhaustion. mrTo