Staunton Spectator

That female energy and devotion which brought the grave of Washington, which once erected a statute to Henry Clay, which, by deeds of mercy and kindness lined the darkest clouds of our war with gleams of holy light, that wonderful strength and love of woman, so beautiful in self-sacrificing charity -- are now being felt throughout the Southern country. This is a great and powerful element. It is a gigantic agent of benevolence.--It is by means of fairs and other agencies, public and private raising the funds to rebuild and repair our destroyed and desecrated churches; to found orphan asylums; to furnish poor maimed soldiers with legs an arms; to feed, clothe, shelter and educate the destitute children and windows of our Confederate heroes, who left their loved ones only inheritance of their glory; to relieve suffering and poverty caused by the war whenever they can find it -- these are the noble, lovely and immortal aims of that active sympathy and charity which now emanate, in rays of holy effulgence all over the South, under the magic invocation of woman's influence.

These efforts make no noise. They are silent but full of power. In our cities and remote country towns, we see frequent notices what the "ladies will hold a fair" on a certain day for certain benevolent purposes. This is all that the public know about the matter. Charity and benevolence are not ostentatious. They do not seek notoriety. But like drops of pure water on granite in some retired dell, they wear the rock. So these humble, modest efforts of the women of the South are making an impression upon the sordid selfishness of every community in behalf of poverty and religion.

AS we have had occasion heretofore to remark, the city of Baltimore stands at the head of these charitable movements. It is a proud and glorious distinction to be leader in such a cause, and Baltimore never shone so luminously as now. There we see both the means and inclination to do good and relieve the sufferings of humanity. But here, in our own midst, tho' our people have a hearty will, their means are contracted. Still this will find a way to administer relief to our poor, who never needed aid as now.

It is highly creditable to the Southern heart and character that, in a section when distress is universal, where the condition of the people differs only in degrees of want and suffering, there should be so deep an interest, so warm a sympathy for their destitute fellow-citizens.--Especially are these remarks applicable to our ladies. It demonstrates that the war has not crashed out and destroyed the most lovely features in the character of our people. Whatever calamities have befallen us it is a proud satisfaction to reflect that our hearts are still rich in all that adorns and beautifies humanity. This is a treasure worth preserving.

Editor of Spectator.--Sir:--I was sorry to see from the last number of your paper that you are not inclined to favor the Philadelphia Convention. I think you have come to your conclusion hastily and unadvisedly, and I hope more mature consideration will induce you to abandon your opposition.

This Convention is called by the most conservative men in the North. Its objects are to strengthen the hands of the President, and to restore the true principles of the Constitution. Both of these objects are of vital importance to the South. Gratitude to the President for all that he has done to protect us from the aggressive policy of the Radicals, requires that we should stand by him, and enlightened self-interest demands that we should sustain those who are seeking to help us.

The call of the Convention is an overture by the conservatives of the North for conciliation. If we reject it, or show a sullen indifference to it, we shall occupy a false position before the country; and we will deprive the proceedings of the Convention of much of the moral weight that would otherwise belong to them.

By being present we may remove many prejudices, and gain and impart much valuable information. We may give tone and shape to the action of the body. If we stand back, and refuse to help ourselves, how can we expect other to help us?

It is rumored, (and I believe truly,) that Millard Fillmore, Franklin Pierce, R. C. Winthrop, Horatio Seymour, Washington Hunt, John A. Dix, Senators Guthrie, Corwin, Doolittle and Davis, will all be present at the Convention. We have nothing to fear, and every thing to hope from the action of men like these.

Let Virginia and the others States be represented by their best men. Let us show a disposition to do all that fair and honorable men can do to restore harmony to our people. If contrary to our expectations, any disposition should be manifested to do wrong to the South, her representatives can easily withdraw. But I have no fears on this head. The Convention will bring together the conservative elements of all parts of the country, and enable them by proper organization, and concert of action, to banish the unclean birds from their nests in Washington.

Surely this is an object which should address itself to the favorable regard of every true patriot. Let us, then, meet our friends in council. Let us explain to them our condition and wants, and source the co-operation of all good men in establishing, the government of a firm foundation. The Convention is the best means of doing this, and by all means let us end delegates to it.

Augusta