Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-09-12
Stauntutt Spettatur.
a Word of Admonirion.

prudence and strong common sense. 1t eau
tiously abstained from considering any topic
which was calculated to breed dissension in the
conservative ranks. After adopting platform
consisting of three words, opposition to radical
ism,' it turned its attention to plan of organ
ization, which would make that opposition ef-
fectual. That plan has been published at large
in our columns, and we trust it will meet gen.
eral approval
The Convention having thus faithfully and
discreetly discharged its duty, all that romans
is for the people to do theirs with equal fidelity
and patriotism.
A mass meeting Of the people of our county
is called, to take place at the Courthouse On
Saturday. Matters of deep interest will come
before that meeting and we trust the people
will show their appreciation of the great inter-
ests at stake. by making it in fact as well as
in name, and mass meeting. We presume that
speeches will be made by our delegates to the
Convention, and full and free interchange Of
opinions be had among people from all sections
of the county.
We hope, too, that our fellow citizens will
come prepared to consider all questions which
may come up for discussion in broad spirit Of
patriotism. This is no time to consult private
partialities or personal interest-grave matters
are in issue-large interests are at stake. Gen
eral principles are to be sustained. We do not
know whether any steps will be taken towards
the selection of candidates for the General As
sembly, but, as matter of course it will al
ha f1o 20 &c
action.
As for ourselves, we have no candidates to
suggest We shall indulge in no personal
preferences We shall await with patience, the
action of the people, and cheerfully abide by
their selection.
But we do feel it to be our duty, as sentinels
on the watch-tower, to warn our people against
being mised by the silly attempts that are be-
ing made in some quarters, to array the coun-
try against the town, and the people generally
against the lawyers. While we are for having
no privileged classes, we are equally opposed to
having any prescribed classes among our fellow
citizens. 1t may suit the selfish purposes OF
aspiring demagogue, to foster prejudices like
these, but we feel sure that the sober judgment
of our people will frown down every effort to
array one portion of the community against an
other. 1t is neither the residence nor profess
sion of the man which determines his merit or
capacity for usefulness. Let every man be
judged according to his worth, without consider
ing what business he fellows or what part of
the county he lives In. Is he honest? is he
capable? Is he faithful in the discharge of his
duties? These are the proper tests-not wheth-
er he lives in this or that side of marked tree,
or Of an imaginary line, or whether he earns
daily bread by following the profession of the
law, or by farming or trading?
Why should citizen of the town be pro-
scribed? Has he any interest adverse to that
of the county? Does not the town depend on
the county for its support? IF the interests of
the county are sacrificed will not the town suffer
by it? Are not the town and county mutually
dependent? Are not their interests insepara-
bly, connected? Away then with all wicked at
tempts to put asunder those whom God hath
joined together
So in regard to lawyers. Why should they
be prescribed? Is it disqualification for max
ing laws, that man should know something
OF law2 or, in other words, should have some
knowledge of the business be is called on to
perform?
Suppose we send men who know nothing OF
common, or statute, or parliamentary law-bow
will they know what changes are necessary 10
the laws, or how to proceed to effect the changes
when they find out what are necessary to be
made? What sort of figure would man
ignorant of law, or the rules of proceeding in
Court make in the mana cement of suit be-
fore judicial tribunal? And what better show
would he make in the Legislature when called
on to prepare bills and debate and sustain them
in the house The county that sends men who
know nothing of law, or Of the proceedings of
legislative assemblies, will be very apt to find
that its interests are sacrificed. We should at
least have one delegate in each house, who
knows how to draft a law, and who is competent
to explain and sustain it. Who, in the last fifty
years have been the ablest and most successful
and efficient representatives of Augusta Who
have done most to advance the interests of her
people? Have they been farmers or merchants
or lawyers? The people must decide that ques-
ton.
We have one other suggestion to make. I'm
der the new system great power is welded by
township meetings. 1t is important that the
people should attend them and look to their
interests IF they do not they will be cheated
by artful tricksters, and designing demagogues,
who have their own selfish objects to accom-
plish and their own axes to grind
IF the people fail to attend these meetings,
to select delegates, who will properly reflect
their will, the whole system will fall into con-
tempt. Nominations will have no moral weight,
and decentralization and defeat will follow.
In conclusion we say to our people, they have
important interests at stake. If they do not
look after them, nobody else will. When the
tax gatherer comes round, you grumble, but
you forget that your own neglect in not attend
ing to your duties, entails heavy burthens on
you. Virginia owes a large debt, but she has
large assets applicable to this debt. By judi
cious management of these assets large por
ton of this debt may be discharged. But these
assets must be carefully husbanded and judi
ciously applied. They must not be squandered
or given away. A single act of the last Legis-
lature substantially gave away FIVE millions of
State property, thereby entailiDg an annual tax
of $500, 900, on the people to meet the interest
-, tb;s dahf A farv more hlunders of thio oo~t