Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1882-06-13
For the SPECTATOR.
Adv0catin g the Nomination OF Col. Jas
III. Skinner

Mr.. EDITOR denomination for q democratic
candidate for Congress from this District seem
now 10 De IN 1,oeIi Inc In importance ofa right
trict itself will compare favorably with any in
the State whether regard be had to the general
button OF wealth. What the people want is a
man Of fine sense, large acquaintance with
public affairs. an able and ready debator rath-
man who has convictions and the ability to
maintain them. and who Is no time serving
ment than the public good, in fine man Of
pure and stainless life whose whole record IL
above reproach. think name such man
In naming Col. JAMES n. SKINNER.
Where will we ind in the district q more in
tel!igent, better informed man in all public at.
fsa Who shall be named will not say in
as keener more practiced, polished, adroit
and COO! debater on the hastings or in legisla-
cope with and ind the weak spots in the armor
Of the doughty Paul and transfx him with the
81 and truth Let one
counter in the Court house in the late canvass
and that question is fully answered. Who that
decided convictions on all leading questions Of
puol1c policy. or the courage and ability to
maintain them on IN, all proper and At occasions
In any polite sense to be "all things to all
men? ?" When and where has he ever sought
deed his friends have sometimes inclined to
censure him because that, in the contempt for
Inc mere OU1ce-Seeker, ne mas pract1ced degree
of self-abnegatiOn that has left them at some
disadvantage In bringing him forward AS to
his personal character and his whole manner
Of life, both private and public. it were waste
of words to dwell on these. They are known
and read of all men who know him at all.
distinctly on his merits and ability to serve
his constituency and the State in the Con-
greSs, to their advantage and honor, yet Will
venture to ask, do we owe no debt Of gratitude
to this man? Are we already SO far removed
from the perilons era of the great civil war as
our homes. our birth right and our honor? Or
are we grown so fearful of the silly jbe of
''Bourbons" and "fOssis"-sO timid about say
ing aught to disturb the complacency of our
speak, but only with bated breath and whis-
pering humbleness'' Of theheroes who made all
sacrifice for us in that supreme death strugglef
II this be not SO; If, as Southern men, we have
not grown ashamed of our war record then
here is one who, returning deeply MANNED for
life was COMPEL ed to abandon profession
which.promised life support and the sure
prospect of those honorable distinctions which
make ambition virtue"
But II this MANNED soldier could no longer
he at least was not oblivious of his comrades
fallen on the deadly field or in the scarce less
deadly hospital. And we owe 1t to him. If not
wholly. yet far more than to any other man
that the soldiers section in Thornrose Gene
terry presents the picture Of quiet beauty and
with pious devotion and persistent pluck, in
season and out Of season, he devoted himself
to the self-impOsed task ofmaking that beauti-
full emin ence what we now behold it
trict will nominate Col. S., and if they do, the
people will most surely eject him.
Yours always.