Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-10-15
J SPECTATOR And GENERAL ADVERTISER.
Ground and Lofty Tumblinp.

The Charlottesville Chronicle of last Satur-
day comes out strongly against the Convention.
A few days ago he pitched into us for opposing
the very same measure which he now denomi-
mates 'smonstrous outrage" We think he
must have been practising ground and lofty
tumbling since the recent visits of the circuses
to his place. His present position, however,
is erect, and we hope he will quit his antics,
for if he continues the exercise a little longer
he will be able to turn the double summersault,
and then there will be no telling where he does
stand. He argues we'll, however, as will be
seen from the following extracts:
The astounding revolution at the north-the
sudden and unex pected development of just
and conservative public sentiment in that region
as evidenced in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and all of
the recent elections-has emboldened us to
change our opinion, and we are now in favor of
united and determined effort on the 22d of
this month to vote down the proposed Conven-
ton. Inspired by the noble protest of the peo-
pie of Ohio and Pennsylvania, we think it now
possible to rally the conservative voters of Vir-
gnia to the polls for the purpose of defeating
the Ubiquitous measures of the radical politicians.
We do not know that we have it in our power
to defeat Convention; but we do know that
the whites have majority in the State of
$1,000, and that Convention may be voted
down, if the voters turn out ass
We believe that the anti radicals can control
the Convention, but we are in favor of taking
all the chances. and one of these chances is to
vote down the Convention. IF we fail to control
the Convention, we may not be able to vote
down the Constitution, and we want two cracks
at the measures of Congress.
We therefore urge the people of Albemarle
to turn ont to a man, and to do two things:
first, to vote against Convention, and, second,
to vote for two respectable men, SO that in the
event of the Convention being called, we may
have it in our power to swell the anti-radical
ranks In that body.
The Radical snake is not killed but it's fangs
have been extracted, and Thaddeus Stevens is
toothess old malignant, whom we no longer
fear. Long have we brooked in wonder whether
it could be possible that the instincts of human
ity were dead in the North and for the honor
MIA and Ohio proclaim that the great common
heart was only muff1ed. not palsied, and that
the hand of passion and fanaticism only stifed,
but could not extinguish, its pulsations.
These elections will do more to reunite the
North and the South than ten thousand Sheri-
dams and Sickleses. The voice that has gone
forth has struck chord that has vibrated to one
common sentiment of nationality from Maine to
Louisiana and the muttered feeling, May we
not yet live together?" has silently stirred the
consciousness of every right minded man from
the st. Lawrence to the Gulf
"Confscation" is now no longer s.raw-head
and bloody bones" to frighten US. We cannot
be worsted by voting down Convention; we
may save our necks from terrible yoke It is
true we might form another State Constitution
after getting in the Union but we might not
it would depend on the question whether we
could command majority of the voters 1t is
| true we may be able to vote down the Constitu-
! ton when framed; but we may not be able 1t
is our policy to take all the chances The Rad
icals will be compelled by public sentiment at the
North to offer us fairer terms, if the present
scheme of reconstruction fais-and they, at
least, can offer us none worse.
Turn out then, and send up solid shot
against the Contention.
Even if we fail, there, at one of the two ballet
boxes to be provided at each election precinct,
we will place on record forever the solemn protest
of the old citizens of Virginia against the mon
strous outrage which is sought to be put upon