Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1867-10-01
Notes on the Situation---No. 10.
BY B. II. HILL.

In all times of public excitement and demor-
alization, people are usually liable to run into
error. For this reason dangers to the Republic
are greatly increased Therefore, whoever, in
such times, undertake the task of advising the
people with view of avoiding errors ought to
observe with great care certain rules.
l. In the first place he should see to it that
his motives are unselfsh, and his opinions cor
rect.
2. Next he should be charitable and forbear-
ing to those who are unintentionay erring; for
In such times many good people are prone to
err.
8. In the last place, he should denounce
most unsparingly those who consciously and de-
llberately advocate the dangerous wrongs and
seek las all such do) for some selfish end to de-
ceive the people. Language can never be too
severe when applied to men who take advantage
of times Of danger to the public, to promote
their private ends, who persist In falsely advls-
ing the people. Warnings to the erring and
denunclations Of the designing can never be too
distinct, too positive or too severe. Such was
the course of Demosthenes toward Phillip en-
issaries, and the credulous Athenians who were
inclined to believe them; and such was the
course of Cicero toward the popular Cataline,
and the Roman Senate and people, who were
slow to believe he was conspirator Two thou
sand years of reflection and experience have rem
dered an unbroken verdict of approval for both
the Athenian and Roman orators.
l have deemed it my duty to warn our people
that they were many of them, about to commit
perjury, Or false swearing Well, this is very
grave and responsible position. | knew it when
| took the position, and took it deliberately.
If the position be wrong, owe it to myself and
country to retract it. | could not expect to be
regarded as an honorable man, if, satisfied it is
wrong, did not retract it. So, on the other
hand, if the position be right, the people owe
it to themselves and their people to avoid the
crime, and look with suspicion upon all who in
sist that the crime should be committed; or no
man can either be patriotic or honorable, who
would knowingly commit, or advise others to
commit such crime.
With these solemn convictions, and at the in
stance of friends and foes, have re-examined
the position | have earnestly endeavored to
make the examination carefully, and | know /
have made it consclentlously.
The result is, [ re-affirm the position taken
on this subject in Note, No. 10. and in the
speech delivered at Atlanta and [ earnestly
beg every man to lay aside all passion, and come
to an honest and candid examination of the
question.
In Note 10 [ say
''Are you willing to violate the Constitution
Are you Wiling TO swear 10 support 1t, with the
intent at the time, OF violating it? Then |
proclaim, all posterity will proclaim, your hell
mortgaged conscience will never cease to pro-
claim, you are perjured."
In the Atlanta speech, the language, as re-
ported, is as follows:
''Some of you who favor the acceptance Of
the Military Bills take an oath to this effect Ito
support the Constitution) and still intend to
vote for Convention which yon admit to be
ordered contrary to the Constitution How is
this? IF you have conscience l have said
enough. 1fyou vote for the Convention you
are perjured.
These announcements have excited much ap-
parent indignation with the Radicals, and they
have charged me with dealing in abuse and
calumny. Now reader, look carefully at my
language. IF man is willing to violate the
Constitution if he is willing to swear to support
with the intent to violate it, is this not itself an
admission of false swearing? He swears to sup
port the Constitution with intent not to support
it! So, if a man swear to support the Consti
tuition, and intend to vote for Convention
which he admits is ordered contrary to the Con
stitution, is he not guilty? True, the crime is
not perfected until the act is done-until the
vote is given; and it is therefore I warn him
not to give the vote. And why are propositions
which are so selfevident awakened such indig
nation? faman honestly believes the military