Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-04-15

The Political Situation-The Ball Opened.
All eyes are now turned to Old Virginia and
all interests are conferred on the November State
election. From the North comes cheering news
and Connecticut bids the Conservatives 'God
speed" while stricken Louisiana warns them
to profit by her sad fate and spare no efforts to
defeat the party Of bate and oppression.
The we'll informed correspondent of the Pc
tersburg appeal says there has been gather
ing of the Republicans 10 Richmond, and "the
members present seemed quite hopeful of hay-
ing their own way in the fall elections, but their
pretensions are evidently based in no small de-
gree upon the belief that the Conservative par
ty will split on railroad questions. Nearly ev-
cry prominent man on the committee, whose
opinions have been able to obtain, faVors Col.
Robert W. Hughes, above all others, as the
candidate for Governor. Gen. Wickham seems
to have as yet no real strength outside OF the
Lewis faction, notwithstanding the assertion
that he is the Presidents favorite for the posi-
ton As to Senator Lewis, while he has many
warm adherents, be seems to have no chance
WuateVcI VI SotCliiS tuC anu oAO
man Deneale has less show than any whose
names have been mentioned. If Hughes is
elected Governor, be will expect to be sent to
the Senate 10 place of Lewis.
Before this meeting the Virginia bread and
butter Brigade" an association Of Office hold
ing carpet baggers and scalawags ia Washing
ton, who call themselves, the Eva. State Re-
publican club fellows who left their country for
their country's good, Northern bummers, &C..
had met and dictated the law to the loyal in
the State. ExP M. Maupin, formerly of
Stanton, figured largely and the concern de-
nounced Virginia Conservatives as frauds, &c.
1t was for Wickham, but from what we know
of the leaders in this State, they will spurn such
dictstion, nominate whom they please, and
teach their self constituted guardians needed
lesson.
Among the Conservative masses we notice a
general and gratifying awakening to the impor-
lance of the contest before them, and the press
generally enforce policy of harmony, coucilia-
ton and a burial of all petty issues, for the
sake of the love all true men bear the State
And in this connection we dislike to see the
undue importance attached to the cavorting of
the Richmond press over their Railroad wars,
&c. 1t is true the Wing has been charging
windmills, Of It's own creation, for some time
and talking big about 'so-called Conservatives, "
and is as fnickin over all appeals for peace, as
an old maid, who has to be urged to sing, but
that is weakness Of the dear, old thing, which
comes over her before every canvass. Let her
alone, and we warrant she sings loud and clear,
| to the true Conservative music, and takes the
credit of all the success gained, when the ZAP
plause'' comes in. The Enquirer has been quite
panieal on the Free railroad war, but now comes
squarely out for peace and clean fight agsins,
Radicalism The Dispatch has had level
head on these questions, and they will all pull
together, when the pinch comes.
The Radicals meeti Convention at Lynch.
burg on the Both Of July, and they are going tc
give US work to DO 10 beat them, but We will
do it, If the masses Of the people wake up, and
see that they are fairly represented in the
nominating Convention, and that no paper
man, or set Of NEE, is allowed to divide and
distract the party on issues Of no moment,
compared with the duty Of defeating the party
Of oppression and ruin, whose spirit is f:ly
| represented by its chosen and honored leaders
Beast Butter, Colfax, Pomeroy, Caldwell, and
| Cakes Ames, and whose policy is to be judged
| By It's Credit Mobilier frauds and Louisiana
| usurDatiGn,