Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1873-10-28
Sound views will expressed.

II
signature of 'Seuex," in an article in that jour-
nal of the 18Th of October, expresses the fol-
lowing sensible views in calm manner aud in
good style, which cannot fail to impress the
reader:
I'VE shall have made considerable step
backward, and fallen greatly from our high es-
tate, we think, if the Conservative candidates
shall be defeated at the next election.
We are very far indeed from having any un-
friendly feelings towards the colored race On
the contrary, We desire to see them in every
way happy and prosperous. We wish them to
have the complete protection of the Govern
ment under which we live; to be protected as
perfectly as the white race in the enjoyment of
their right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness aud in their political rights; but we
are not willing to entrust them with the gov
ernment of the country. We do not design to
speak OF them Ia a contemptu0us, or derisive,
or offensive way, but we know that they are IL
literate, unedu ducated. ard without the informa-
ton to be derived from familiar intercourse
with we'll Informed persons, and of course with
out the intelligence which those advantages
carry with them and that they are almost en-
tlrely destitute OF any knowledge of political
matters This we do not impute to them as a
crime. We do not blame them for it, but we
do regard it as sufficient and conclusive reason
why We should not give them the control of
public affairs. We do not allow our women to
become legislators and rule the State, nor DO we
allow our little children to do so ; not certainly
because we do not care for them, cr feel any
co Germ about their lntereS's but because, for
the good of the State, or for their good, they
should not have that power We cannot under
stand how any sensible and reh=cting mind, free
from partiality and prejudice, and from any
bias OF self-inerest, can hesitate a moment to
prefer the Conservative party as at present con-
stltuted to their opponents. Still less can we
comprehend how any property holder can be
willing to put the purse-striugs Of the State en-
tirely in the hands of those who have none; to
permit them or give them the power TO impose
whatever taxes they may choose to lay on pro-
perty, and to spend them as they please. Under
any circumstances whatever, this would not be
very desirable state of things. but when we
consider the character and condition of the great
mass OF the Radical party it would seem like
absolute fatulty, under existing circumstances,
to do so. Let those who are not convinced By
reasoning and argument only cast their eyes
around them. Let then, look at those States of
the South that are under Radical rule, and pro
fit by their example.
The welfare of the Commonwealth will, be-
yond all controversy, be immensely affected by
the result of the November elections. We have
Radicals by a large majority; but that majority
will be unavalllng it the voters, from supineness
and most culpable indifference, should stay away
from the polls; just as any preponderance Of
numbers Ia any army over its enemies would
avail nothing, if in the moment Of assault the
soldiers, instead of rushing to the combat,
should remain idly and ingloriously in their
tents
It is Of great Importance that every voter
L. IL 49, II
will be no sufficient excuse for any voter to say
that he remained at home because he believed
his vote to be unnecessary. twill not justify him
to his conscience, or save him perhaps from the
charge of incivism, to say that he did not go to
the polls because he was sure of the election of
Kemper, Withers, and Daniel without him.
If this we're valid excuse in one case, it would
be SO in any other, and thus the election of
those distinguished gentlemen might be jeo-
parded.
Besides, it is of great Importance, not only
| that the best candidates should be chosen, but
that the majority should be as large as possible,
in order to increase the influence and the pres
tge of the Conservative party.
lt Is the duty, then, OF every man to be at
his post at the next elections, and Virginia has
the right to expect every man to dc his duty.
RAMsDELL' POSSESSIONS. The Radical pa
pers having made statement that Mr.. G. p.
Ramsdel paid more taxes than all the nomi-
nees on the Conservative State ticket combin-
ed, the Richmond Enquirer makes this plain
statement:
''We have obtained access to the official re-
cords of Surry county, in which Mr.. Ramsdell
resides, and we find his financial condition-so
far as it helps the Commonwealth-to be as
subjoined:
He reports five hundred an sixty-eight dol
lars worth of personal property, on which the
assessment is three dollars and eighty-four
cents In this catalogue appear seven head of
cattle very lowly estimated, and about twenty
hogs valued at forty-fve dollars. The swine
must be short horns Besides thismagnifcent
property, Mr. Ramsdell reports to the commits
siouer one acre of ofland-valued at $32O-as-
sessed in the yearly taxation at one dollar and
ten cents and for this baronial domain he is
responsible as trustee for Miss Emily Rams
dell !"
''Now, is be poor and honest, or is he rich
and-a bad citizen 2"
| Where the RAIDS rule, the entire products oi
farms don't pay the taxes. The owner of a
valuable property in Lexington (he has seen
the ruin in the South) offers to take half the
present value of his estate if Hughes and the