Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-09-26
For the Spectator.
Joseph A. Waddell. ESQ.

Some three or four years ago the people of
Augusta with singular unanimity, called on
this gentleman to represent them 10 the Sen
ate. At a sacrifice of his private interests he
yielded obedience to their wishes, and We be-
lieve that no man can be found in the county
who will gainsay the assertion that he has
proved himself an able, vigilant and faithful
representative.
He did not desire or seek the Office. He has
none of that kind of ambition. The office
sought him. Office has no charms for him. -
His highest ambition is not to get office, but
faithfully to fulfil every trust conhded to him.
In a period of grave emergency, his fellow
citizens sought him out as one eminently
worthy of their trust, and most worthily has
he fulfilled their highest expectations. He was
always at his post and always attentive to his
duties. Amidst all the imputations made a
gainst members of the last legislature, no shad-
ow of suspicion has ever rested on his fair
fame.
There is something in Mr.. Waddells calm,
| dgnifed bearing, uniform courtesy, and strong
common sense, as well as high intellectual Gull
| ture, which was peculiarly calculated to COM
mend him to the esteem and confidence OF his
| fellow-members. And as an evidence of the
| full measure in which he enjoyed their respect
and good will, We need only refer to the fact
that by common consent he was elected Presi-
dent of the Senate. This, of itself, was high
compliment to him, and an honor to our coun-
| ty. We believe that no member OF the body
welded so commanding an influence in it as
Mr.. Waddell. He possessed the respect and
good will of even his political opponents, and
we have heard that it was the unanimous wish
of the Senate that Mr.. Waddell should return
to it, and that the members without distinction
of party, addressed letter to him expressing
that wish.
We know nothing of Mr.. Waddes wishes
on this subject, but we do know something of
the sentiment of the people Of Augusta. We
believe they are unwilling to part with Mr..
Waddell as their Senator. they have too
many and important interests at stake to be
willing to give up representative who has
proved himself honest, and able, and faithful
to the Commonwealth The times demand the
presence Of men like Mr.. Waddell in the coun-
ellis of the State His proverbia modesty may
prevent him from pushing himself on the pub
lie notice, but the people will put him forward
as their representative. The Office belongs to
the people 1t was instituted for their benefit,
and they ought and we believe they will see
that it is filled by the man Of their choice.
Mr.. Waddell is by birth, education and in-
terest, identified with the people of Augusta.
He was born here-he married here-all his
property is here. He has lived his whole life
the life of pure christian gentleman-here,
and he will probably die and be buried here. =
Such man cannot prove unfaithful to the in
terests of the county. Whatever benefits or
injuries the county, must benefit or iujure him.
We want man of calmness, of sound judg-
ment, of ripe experience, in the Senate. Our
financial condition is critical Taxes are bur-
thensome. The assets of the State, consisting
of her interests in public works, must be
handled judicously and applied to the reduc-
ton of the debt and the diminution Of the
burthen of taxation. There must be no more
squanderiug of them-no more misapplieatlon
of them to the serious injury of the State and
increase of taxation. Mr.. Waddelrs known
prudence and good sense, to say nothing of his
past career, give the strongest assurance that
be will prove equal to every emergency.
We have heard that Mr. Waddell has no de-
sire to go back to the Senate, but we do not
believe that he would refuse to obey the voice
Of the people if they were to lay their COM
mands on him. For ourselves, we must con-
fess We have not yet lost our admiration for
that old fashioned modesty which induces some
men, and they are generally the men of most
merit, to forbear from pushing themselves on
the public We believe that the people have
the right to require the services of their most
competent men, and we hope that the nom
mating convention when they assemble will not
lose sight of this cardinal principle Of repre-
sentative government. VOTERS.