Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-10-03
From the Rockingham Register.
The Congressional Election.


Mesers Editors The election so near at hand
is one Of immense Importance, and the vitafques-
ton for the people is, shall we have representa-
ton or not Shall we discharge duty that may
be unpleasant, by sending available men to Con-
gress? Or shall we rather nurse hatred, blind
as powerless, and by our criminal inactivity, in
vite the fearful doom which will assuredly over
take us if the power Of the radical republic ans is
not broken Already their purposes are dis
closed in the speeches of such men as Sumner and
Stdrens, and indicate clearly, that if they may,
the veto of the President, control the legis-
lation of the next Congress, the remnant of our
liberties will be swept from US; and we may ex-
pect forced change from our present status as
reorganzing States into the condition of dependent
colonial uassaIage, with, of course utter depri
walton of our rights of person and of property
The only break water between and this tide of
of fanaticism is thePresdent of the United States
supported by conservative representatives from
the North and South.
The radicals, who have foreshadowed their re-
lentless policy to US, do not hesitate to bsi eve
that, in the South, mistaken views of patriotic du-
ty will induce such action as will inure to thier
benefit by the selection of gentlemen who will be
unable to take their seats.
The present oath of Office is, in our opinion,
unconstitutional, but may we expect its repeal by
tb men who introduced it The Hon. Reverdy
johnson, U. S. Senator from Maryland, and the
two Senators from Delaware, tested this identical
question while the war lasted, and the only way
in which they could take their seats was by first
taking the oath. Have we any reason to suppose
that gentlemen from Virginia will be treated diff
ferently, when, in the estimation Of the republi-
cans, the reason for enforcing this condition are
more urgent now than ever beforeS
President johnson, N = recent interview with
Southern gentemen-of whom Mr.. Macfarland
was spokesman after expressing feelings of kind
ness for the South, closed with the significant re-
mark: When you go home, gentlemen, send tho
roughly loyal men to Congress-" Is it not little
singular that in the newspaper reports published
in the Valley. this remarkable gist Of the whole
speech-does not appear?
In this district we have but two candidates
One, brave, high minded and honorable gentle
mean, has assured the people that he can take the
oath of office The other, equally high minded
and honorable, publicly stated to the same audi
ence, that he would himself if he could take
it. Now, will the people vote for Mr.. Lewis, or
will they be guilty of the fatal folly of electing
Mr.. Stuart, and of thus remaining unrepre-
scented
President Johnson calls to the people of Virgin
ia to stand by him in the fierce war he is about to
wage, IN their behalf. upon Republican fanaticsm.
His is the only hand that can save us, and ii may
be pazied if we are less than true to our whole
duty. Personal predictions ought to be buried,
in view of the fearful danger that assails the very
life of our country.
Further. Out of the whole number of promi-
nent gentlemen in this district that might repe-
sent US, we feel certain that every one of them
would vote identically tho same way upon any
issue dividing the North and the South The only
practical question left therefore is that we elect
such man as may be able to vote at ala ne
cessary precedent condition to which is that he
l.. Al. -
oath of office In all frankness, then, we ask the
people to vote for Mr. Lescis. They know his high
moral courage, his unfatering honesty and his
lofty devotion to principle and very recently,
he has given earnest Of his patriotic regard for
the best interests of the whole people of Virginia.
OF myself must be permitted to say that, from
the first day of thewar, | have been an hnmble
and devoted soldier of the Confederate army, and
the saddest day of my fife was when our proud
old battle-cross went down in surrender In arms
there is no longer hope for us, and would save
the little that is left of my country's liberties
and though have always, heretofore differed with
Mr.. Lewis, in this hour Of unusual peril-know
ing that be can be trusted-I support him hearth
ly and cordially.
But, Mr. Stuart says, in his card, Mr. Lewis
cannot take this oath of Office Now, is it moi
perfectly plain that this is purely personal ques
ton, to be alone decided by the judg nent and
| that Mr. Lewis had contracts with our Govern
ment, but he had either to take the contract OF
give up his furnace and go into the trenches
There was, therefore, not the least semblance o.
anything voluntary in the assistance thus rem
dered. On the other and, with frankness pc
culiar to the man, he avowed, at all times, his
real sentiments. Mr.. Stuart has decided in the
most solemn manner this question for himself; by
the same rule let Mr. Lewis be judged.
Tn no IF Mr. nj, ord hHroi &c
this line 'sRetter that Virginia be unrepresentec
than misrepresented." But, would Mr.. Lewis, as
minated here, misrepresent Virginia His un
firing efforts to remove the first test oath and the
pledge given in his card Of announcement. his
known character. give evidence that, as o~r rep
resentative, he would guard, faith fully and eff
GENTLY, the honor and prao tica prosperity of the
State.
On the other hand, the election of Mr.. Stuart
would. in itself, really misrepresent the honest
masses of this district. For. by the selection o.
q gentleman VIGOROUSLY unable to take this oath
acting against the advice of President johnson
Governor Perpont, and almost the entire press O
Virginia, whether we intend it or not, we pu
ourselves in an attitude of antagonism, not only
to the republicans of the North, but to the con
sentative party itself-which party, anxious to saw
! US, implores us to elect such men only as car
take their seats Have we the right, as patriot,
citizens of Virginia, to disregard the request
Powerless for our own protection, will it not b,
criminal folly to cast away from us the only par
ty that either can or will secure us our consttu
tional rights !?
In all sincerity, we ask the people of the dis
trict to give these practical views earnest an
honest consideration. ROCKINGHAM.
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