Staunton Vindicator

Our neighbors of the "Spectator" deny flatly that they desire a "coalition with free-soilers and free-negroes" and become quite indignant with us for charging it upon them. As for the "free niggers" all we know is, that a prominent Opposition politician expressed a willingness to accept their aid should they be constitutionally entitled to vote, and the "Spectator," we are confident, defended him in that position.- We grant, though, that this may have been done under the excitement of "a heated political campaign," and our neighbors may now repent of it; but that the Opposition party of the South desires a coalition with free-soilers and abolitionists, we still believe and assert, without fear of successful contradiction, and if we are not grievously mistaken, the Spectator has had several articles earnestly advising this policy--that is, a "coalition of all the elements of Opposition" North and South. When the Spectator can show us the distinction between a "coalition of all the elements of Opposition" and a coalition with free-soilers and abolitionists, we will knock under and acknowledge we have done them injustice.

In another column will be found the card of Prof. Sherbrooke, of Washington City, who has opened a Writing School, in the room over the Post Office. From the high testimonials which Prof. S. brings with him from other places where he has taught, both as a gentlemen and teacher of writing we have no hesitation in commending him to the favorable consideration of those who may desire to improve their hand-writing.

It is attended with some difficulty to determine what is precisely the true line of policy for a Railroad Company, on the subject of free tickets; that there is some danger of the practice running into abuse, is admitted, but we have always thought that it was wise policy to make a judicious use of the courtesy of free tickets, to those who have been, or can be useful, in sustaining their interests.

The suggestion of this policy may be said to savor a little of favoring the practice of indirect bribery. It has been rather too much the habit in Virginia, to refine in the support of abstractions, forgetting what is lost by neglecting the observance of practical utilitarianism. We are not to be suspected of being influenced by interested motives, in recommending a more liberal policy, than has been pursued on this subject, by our "Central Road," for we have a contract by which we enjoy the free ticket privilege now. We do not mean to say that a Railroad Company ought, by the offer of free tickets, to attempt to influence men to do what is morally wrong, but we think it would be wise in the Stockholders of our Central Company, to remember, that they are dependent on popular favors for success; that men have to be dealt with, as they are with all their imperfections, and that it will cost very little to make a few friends, by occasionally extending the courtesy of a free ride, to those who have it in their power to render them valuable service, and who are not bound to do it. We think the morality of this cause, as well as the policy suggested, is not contrary even to the precepts of the Bible.

We have been led into these reflections, by reading the Editorial copied below from the Railroad Journal, in reference to the course of the Erie Railroad Company. The President of that Company, Mr. Moran, signalized himself, by making war on the "Dead Head" system. The Editor of the Journal, gave him many friendly warnings of the impolicy of putting in practice, his extreme notions on that subject. He would not heed at the time, but from the following, taken from the Journal of July 30th, we may conclude that he has been fully convinced of his error, and that it would have been better for his Company not to have attempted to be wiser or more moral in this matter. May not our Central Company profit by Mr. Moran's experience.

FREE PASSES ON THE ERIE RAILROAD.

We understand that the cardinal point so long made by this Company, to grant no free passes, has, like some other of its "rules founded on principal," gone the way of all earth. The dead head system is restored. To what extent, we do not care to enquire; but the principle so long contended for by Mr. Moran, is completely given up. Without going into the policy of having a dead head list, we may say that the thing is considered indispensable and is practiced by our best managed roads. If it has been found politic for Erie to return to it, it was certainly impolitic to abolish it altogether.

This company pertinaciously held on to its position till all the injury was suffered that a mistaken injury could inflict, it now yields, when yielding will gain neither credit nor friends. A disposition to institute radical changes in important affairs, ought always to be accompanied by a keen appreciation of their effect, so that an obnoxious point can be receded from before its injurious effects can be felt, and, before the moral position of their authors can be weakened. To adhere to them till forced to yield by the pressure of necessity implies more stubborness than good sense, and more self-will than high principle.

A Camp-meeting, under the direction of the methodist Episcopal Church, will commence near Parnassus, in this county, to-day, (Friday.)