Staunton Spectator

You responded most nobly on the 19th of October to the call for a Grand Union Rally. -- True to your ancestral instincts, you came through storm and mire to show how ready you are against all odds to answer your country's call for even the slightest service. But many who would have then been with you, found it impossible, and now ask only another chance, and they will join you regardless of weather.

The eyes of the Union party of Virginia are now upon Augusta. The eloquent Summers told you how longingly her daughter counties of the West were looking to their old Mother in this hour of danger to the Union. Your boast is already published over the land, that yours claims to be the banner Union county at the polls on the 6th of November-next. Your honor is now at stake, and each and all must see that it is redeemed.

We do not propose another "Rally," but invite an informal meeting from all over the county, and especially from the precincts which were unprepared to come out on the 19th of October. -- In a crisis like this all must move, and in solid column to cheer and encourage each other.

COME THEN ONCE MORE!

On Friday, the 2nd day of Next Month,

by 10 o'clock in the morning rain or sun shine, and hear your own eloquent County men,

HON. ALEX. H. H. STUART!

AND

JOHN B. BALDWIN!

who promise, certainly, to address you. Other speakers and hearers from other counties will be more than welcome; but we propose that this shall be a meeting of the thousands of Union loving men of Old Augusta, to counsel together on the Eve Of The Great Battle For The Union. It will be the last occasion on which all of our countrymen can meet before the close of the canvass; let it be a good family meeting, and let All The Family come. Let all who were here in such gallant array on the glorious 19th of October come back, with their banners and their bells, and "bring their shoaves with them." Let the ladies and all lovers of the Union come, of whatever party faith.

By order of the County Committee.

BOLIVAR CHRISTIAN

In two weeks from this day the people of the United States will be called upon to decide the most important election that has ever been held in this country. The very existence of the Government, it may be, is dependent upon the result of this election. The great and important issue is union or disunion. Will we remain a united, free, prosperous and happy people, or shall we be involved in all the evils of anarchy and discord, and all the indescribable horrors of civil war and fratricidal strife? This is a time when more considerations of party should be lost sight of entirely, and when every one should look alone to the preservation of our government, and the salvation of the Union, the only guarantee of our liberties. The man who, in this fearful crisis of our country's fate, is controlled by mere partizan [sic] considerations, is a traitor to his country. When the Government is not threatened, and when the Union is not imperilled, when we are concerned alone about the best mode of administering the Government, and differ only about the measures of policy, it is well enough then to be controlled to some extent by party preferences, and even blind party prejudice can be tolerated, if not excused, but when the Government is in danger and the Union is trembling upon the brink of ruin, it is time to turn a deaf ear to the syren [sic] voice of party and obey the solemn injunctions of patriotic duty. At this time our country calls and her voice should be obeyed. We concur with the Frederick (Md.) Examiner that the issue is Union or disunion.--Other issues may be interpolated and magnified, but they are of inferior consequence; the great and real issue is, the preservation of our form of free government, or the evils of Civil Discord, the danger of Anarchy and the prospect of States dissevered, discordant and belligerent, as the alternative.

In this fearful crisis, every lover of his country is expected to do his duty, as becomes a free-man. Fellow-citizens, are you prepared for the responsibility? Gird on the armor of patriotism, carefully survey the field, be ready, and may He who has hitherto guarded and guided us in every step by which we have advanced to the dignity of a great, powerful and enlightened nation, preserve us as a united people!

"Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty." See to it, therefore, that apathy or neglect afford no occasion for vain regrets and remorse. Let every man go to the polls, and forgetting party distinctions, repudiating the behests of party leaders, and burying by-gone political animosities for a season, vote with an eye single to the preservation of the Union, the maintenance of the Constitution and the Enforcement of the laws.

The enemies of the Constitution, whose fanaticism threatens evil and danger, are one in sentiment and purpose, The intoxication of prospective success excites their zeal beyond the restraints of prudence. The opposition is divided; its strength is frittered away in unprofitable contentions upon abstract propositions, and fostered prejudices. If the Union be dissolved, how can the factionists hope to decide their petty quarrels; where will the demagogues then be; how shall the right, they now profess to struggle for, be longer guaranteed them?

The time has come to meet the impending crisis in a manly, decided and Constitutional manner. It is clear that the friends of the Union must make common cause and rally under the leaders who can and will save the Union, restore peace and mutual trust, and crush out sectionalism. Who can do it? Can Douglas and Johnson achieve the repose the country so much needs? They may be many times stronger in the popular and electoral vote than their rival Southern faction; yet every one knows, they are impotent against Lincoln and in no possible event can either of them be elected to the Presidential office. Can Breckinridge and Lane accomplish more? Mr. Breckinridge is practically out of the fight; his friends know he stands no earthly chance, and that his continued candidacy only gives "aid and comfort" to Lincoln. Granting all the strength his most zealous friends claim for him, what can these avail? Absolutely nothing, except to weaken and divide the strength of the Union nominees! The calculation of Mr. Lane's election by the Senate is too remote and uncertain to authorize his course thus far. The ONLY candidates, who STAND A CHANCE of DEFEATING Lincoln and Hamlin, are BELL and EVERETT; the contest lies between Bell and Lincoln, and the duty of every conservative citizen is plain and urgent. The Union must and shall be preserved; Lincoln must and will be defeated, and the way to do both is by giving a united and cordial support to Bell.

The struggle is no child's play; it will be fierce and arduous. "Work, work," Conservatives, your country calls. From this hour to the close of the polls on election day, be active energetic and diligent. Reason with your neighbors, see that every voter goes to the polls.

Even though Lincoln should be elected, and should be disposed to commit some aggression upon the rights of the South, he could not do it. The Supreme Court is against the theories of his party. The Senate is against them and the Congress will be against them. There are 237 members of the House--Oregon and California send three against him, Ohio ten, Indiana four, Illinois five, Pennsylvania five, and the South eighty nine, 116 in all. We have but to elect three other anti-Lincoln members and all is safe. New York city alone will elect six. There cannot in any event then be danger of present aggression against the South, and if conservatism and a Union spirit shall prevail in the border Southern States, we may prevent any of the other States, by reason and argument, from seceding, if Lincoln should be elected.

To break up the Government under these circumstances, simply because Lincoln should be elected, would be adding madness to treason.--The danger is in the Cotton States, and not in the North. The spirit of prohibition as represented by Lincoln will be impotent for mischief, but the spirit of disunion, as represented by Yancey and other extremists of the South may be potential for indescribable evils. The people should do all they can to elect the Union loving conservatives, Bell and Everett, for then there would be no danger of disunion and civil war.