Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-09-29
proner views.

An editorial Of the Lexington Gazette and
Banner, so well expresses the views which we,
in the most trying times since the war, so fire.
quently urged, that we take pleasure in trans
ferrng the following extract from it to our
columns:
Situated as the South now is, for time at
least. actively she can do nothing. It is her
fate to look on in silence, while game, which
has her life or death for stake, is played
There is something, however, our people can
do, and Ii becomes the duty ofeyery man in the
country to do, and that is, III the first place to
preserve his own naorate, and the ne1t, to do
what he can to preserve that of his neighbor.
Let our enemies see that though down trodden
and oppressed We are not dismayed; that at all
times and under all circumstances we will. as
best we may, contend for our rights, protest a.
gainst our wrongs; and that never, except I'M
der the dircst necessity, will We give up the one
or submit to the other.
The greatest cause for fear with which the
South has to contend, manifold as are the dan
gers that surround her, is the chance that her
people may lose that manly dignity and pride
which heretofore has so eminently charact erzed
them In times past the sons Of the South have
been wis, in council and brave in the field let
them now learn to be patient in suffering. A
boye all, let there be no COM pounding with our
enemies for the sake of temporary material
advantage, which is secured only by the loss of
honour. We believe that a manly course on
the part Of the South, consistent with the
principles which she has ever maintained, will
command the respect Of our oppressors, and
sooner or la er gain for us that honorable posi-
ton in the Union which alone can satisfy our
just demands, If we are to be in it at all. and
secure permanent peace and prosperity to the
entire country.
These remarks have been suggested On ac-
count of a growing tendency, which in some
quarters may be noticed, to abandon the high
ground upon which the majority of the people
Of the South have since the war stood, and to
secure quiet and material prosperity no matter
what it costs. The future is dark enough nc
silver lining seems to fringe the black cloud
which ovefhangs US. But If we must perish,
let no faint Of dishonor attach to our death
We do not believe, however, that so dreadful
afate awaits us. No people have ever yet been
permanently enslaved who were worthy Of lib
erty and if we maintain untarnished the honour
OF our fathers, and keep IN cur memories their
glory, at the same time using all the means that
have been placed at our command to promote
honestly our material interests, we shall vet
again be power loved and respected in the
Union or feared out Of it.
Brandy Tax.
A citizen of Rockbridge received the follow
ing letter from Z. A. Rollins, Commissioner
of Internal Revenue:
TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF INTERNAL REVENUE.
Washington, Sept. 10, 1868.
SIR-In answer to your letter of the I'd
inst, inquiring whether or not you would be
allowed to mako tiftann or twnp.V Hons of m
pie brandy from your own orchard and excu-
sively for your own use and that of your fam
lily, I have to say That the law makes no dis
tlnction with reference to the purposes for which
distilled spirits are produced, nor does it give
the Commissioner of Internal Revenue author
ity to grant the privilege to distil, IN any guam
and regulations applicable to distiIlers brandy
from fruit exclusively
Respectfully yours,
E. A. ROLLINS, Com'r