Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-11-24
Right and Expediency of Resistance.

Right and Expediency of Resistance.
The Richmond Wing of the 18th contained
an editorial article discussing whether the peo-
pie of the South had the right to resist, and,
if SO, whether it would be expedient to do So
As there l. no one in the South contemplating,
much less advocating, armed resistance, we do
not see that there is any use in discussing the
question, and might ask the Wing. Gu bono !?
After establishing that they have the right to
resist, it maintains that it would not be ex
pedtent to do so. The article concludes as fol-
lows:
us it worth what it would cost? We think
not. We should sacrifice our all-our homes,
our fortunes, our lives-and, worst Of ALL our
women. We should invovein an indiscriminate
ruin the warm and generous friends we have at
the North We should gain no honor even in
our fall. There is nothing left of the Republic
worth sensible mans fighting for. And if
there were, we could not restore it. And even
If the Republic were re-established to morrow
in its original perfection, it could not stand a
month. There is not honesty enough for such
a Government nor confidence between in
dlvlduas and sections sufficient to uphold it
| situation. We may depore 1.-THE memory
of lost freedom is too fresh not to excite tear)
but the sin and shame of it do not rest on US
of the South. We have fully met the demands
of honor and liberty by what we have done, and
are entitled to our discharge.
| Our conviction is that the South has gained
much In having one man of honor to deal with
rather than mob of tyrants. They have no
conscience; no sense of responsibility, of honor,
of justice, or of humanity This is the character
Of all mobs great and small. What we know
of General Grant induces the belief that he is
a man of calmness and moderation of honora
BILE and patriotic impulses; firm in maintaining
his sense of right, and free from vindictive
passions. AS his reputation as statesman will
depend on his success in promoting the welfare
of the whole country, it is not an unreasonable
expectation to suppose he will exert his best
efforts to restore the prosperity of the Southern
States AT any rates, this strikes US as fal
better reliance than the desperate expedient OF
resistance, with the certainty of failure, and
converting the whole land into Mexico or
He'll
The Alexandria Gazette says that, after what
has passed, there is nothing so becomes the
men who honestly sought to prevent Grant
election as modest Stiffness" It is thei,
duty to judge him, fairly and candidy, by his
acts; not to meet him with prejudice or i'll feel
ing; and to hope that he will administer the
affairs of the government satisfactorily, and moi
in spirit of oppression towards the South
This is all that ought to be expected There
is no need to be fawning at the footstool O
power. A manly attitude is the correct anc
| t. IL L. l.. II
minded and honorable man. A contrary pro
ceeding can only excite disgust and contempt
And, we are happy to know, that the grea
body Of the Conservatives, upon principle
who had nothing to expect from the mere ia
uors of government, if Mr.. Seymour had beer
elected and nothing to reproach themselve
with for the manner in which they opposed tn
election of Gen. Grant, approve of and vii
pursue this course. We have lived lon
enough to know, that it is not the extremists
the oficious-the violent-in political affairs
who are most to be depended on, in times Q
disaster, disappointment, or upon failure t.
realize cherished hopes, for consistency AM
moral courage-and for back bone. 1t is tn
Boosting, the pretentious the fire and fur
men, who are the first to show weak knees ;
the first to cry peccavi-tbe first to cave in !
Show us the men of moderate, but firm AM
determined views, and Of calm judgments-ant
we can trust them and rely on them. Th
rest is all but leather Or prunella.'
The Petersburg Express says that the cours
of wisdom and prudence is to keep our souls il
patience, and to refrain from words of bitter
ness or that sharp animadversion which stir
up the blood in reference to future Congress
sional measures or action, based upon the doc
trine Of probabilities, however well founded.
will be full time enough, should the acts re
quire them at our hands, to indite our crit
cisms and structures, when they shall have bee
done, or intimated.
In our poweress condition let US not Civ
unnecessary cause of complaint to our enemies
upon the most groundless charges and misrep
reservations in order to justify their harsh AM
vindictive course.
The acknowledgment of our right Of repre-
sentaton in government which We are mad
to aid in supporting, is simply a question G
time, and as we confidently hope, Of a time nc
of long duration.
Be PREPARED FORT -The Norfolk Journo
warns the people OF Virginia to be prepared 70
a vote on the proposed constitution. 1t say
the first section of the ordinance concernin
the election for ratification" Of the so-calle
constitution provided that vote should b
taken on the I'd day of last June. Suppos
now Mr. Wells should attempt to spring a
election upon us under this-erdinance, are "
prepared for it? This is an important question
and we hope our friends will soon put them
selves in a condition to answer with one vote
that they are.
By direction Of the Secretary of war, Breve
MajorE. S. Ewing, rstlieutenant Thirty fourt
United States infantry, has been detailed 70
duty in the Freedmen's Bureau, and ordere
to report to the Assistant Commissioner fo
Virginia for assignment to duty.
The distance from the earth Of meteors a
the instant of their appearance and disappear
ance varies from 16 to 40 miles, and their We
locity from Is to sc per minute.
The Dispatch deems it to be pretty certai
| A. Co,oro1 Ctooo,oo,, Will NOT ,,torroco !,