Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1889-12-04
Stauntotl Spectator.
WEDNESDAY. DECEMBER A. 1889.
Unintentional Mistakes Corrected.

UnintentiOnal Mistakes Corrected.
Our good friend, the editor of the SPIRIT
ofthe Valley. for what reason we do not
understand, unless it be to lesson the in
fluence of what we might say in opposition
to the high tariff policy of the Republican
party, seems anxious to convict us of in
consistency on that question, but it is at
tempting what it is impossible to &C
complish, for on that subject our views
have not, to our knowledge, known any
"variableness or shadow of change" We
have been an editor for many years, and OF
several different papers at different times,
and we challenge an examination of all
that we have, at any time, written upon that
subject, and defy any one to show that we
ever expressed views upon it different from
those we now entertain. Upon this sub
jeet no Inconsistency can be disceIned by
the searcher unless
He be possessed of "optics keen
TIE see what is not to be seem"
We acquit our friend of any purpose to
misrepresent US, and it is for that reason
we have taken the trouble to set him right,
and to show that he is mistaken when he
affirms that we are advocating in our old
age doctrines upon the tariff against which
we had fought strenuously during the better
portion of our life.''
We assure the editor of the Spirit that if
we were concious of any change Of opinion
upon the subject of the tariff We would
have no hesitancy in saying SO.
The Spirit is mistaken, too, when it al
leges that we shave attempted to show
that Mr.. Clay was not protectionist' p
We have never done so; but we DO say that
we are Satisfied that whilst he favored the
protection of s'infant industries" for the
purpose of establishing them and enabling
them to stand, that he would not. if now
living, favor the Republican tariff, for his
policy was, as we understand it, to reduce
the tariff as the factories became stronger
and we're able to stand without the pro-
lection furnished by such hi Oh tariff.
The editor of the Spirit is also mistaken
in it's statement that we voted for Mr.. Clay
for President. We did not do so simply
for the reason that We were not quite old
enough to vote when he was a candidate
the last time for that Office, or We certainly
would have done SO; for we desired his
election, having been taught from our
earliest recollection to admire him, and we
have done SO ardentiy, earnestly, enthusi-
astically, and our admiration of him has
suffered no abatement. We esteemed him
as an able statesman, true patriot, peer
less orator. and as brave and chivalrous
knight as ever set a lance in rest in the
tourney of public debate.
His election as President would not have
added an inch to the stature Of bis fame or
increased to any degree the lustre of his
brilliant character. He will be more and
more appreciated with the lapse of time;
for It is with his high and lofty and noble
character as with Washington's Monument
at Washington city or the Effel flower at
Paris, those standing near it cannot form
a correct idea of its altitude, and to do so
must take position at distance; 30 with
the character Of Henry Clay, those who
lived too near his time could not form
just and adequate conception of it; but
those who will come after and will occupy
distant position in time will be more able
to appreciate it as it deserves.
o, that he were in the Senate now! at
the first 'long blast'' of his bugIs-horn,
the Chinese wall of the present high tariff
would topple and 'fall fat" as, when be-
sieged By Joshua, the walls of Jericho did,
on the seventh day, at the ''lopg blast' be
the priests of the seven tIumpets Of rams
horne.
The SPIRIT is mistaken in its supposition
that we nave "ascIibed the recent defeat
of Gen. Malone to a sentiment against
protection"
All that We have said il that connection
was to the effect that the tariff speeches OF
the gentlemen whom Malone had imported,
as well as Of those of his speakers in this
State, failed to change the votes Of the
believers in tsriff-reform and tariffIe
duetion. These men, with Malone at their
head, tried to make the tariff an issue, and
did SO to the extent of their ability, but
they failed in their object, and made DO
converts to the policy of the Republican
tariff. We dislike to take up space in this
paper about matters personal to ourseif,
and hope that we will not be neoessitated
to do so again. We did SO this time be-
cause we desired to correct the unnten-
tional mistakes committed by our friend of
the Spirit o. the Valley, and not with any
view Of inaugurating newspaper con-
troversy, for which we have no taste, and
to which we are averse.