Staunton Spectator

The anticipated and wished for tide of reaction against usurping Radicalism has commenced its flow-the sober second thought of the people is beginning to have its effect.

The result of the election in Vermont argues nothing against this statement, for to say that Vermont has been carried by the Republicans is like saying that, "the Dutch have taken Holland," for Vermont, like Ephraim, is joined to its idols. The cheering news is flashed along the electric wires from California that that State has been redeemed from the debasing thralldom of the Republican party, and "refuses longer to march under its black and bloody banner.'-The reaction against the Radicals which commenced last Spring is growing in strength, and, in time, it will overthrow their abused and ill-used power. In the language of the National Intelligencer , "the political reaction which commenced with the early spring of this year is widening and deepening. New Hampshire started the ball by reducing the Radical majority heavily. Connecticut followed with a result revolutionizing the politics of the State. Rhode Island did better than last year, though manufacturing monopolists rule the State. Great gains upon Radicalism were made in West Virginia. Kentucky repudiated it overwhelmingly, as did Maryland in the election of delegates to the Constitutional Convention. In municipal elections in several of the States the drift against Radicalism has been plainly observable.

Best of all, these victories have been achieved by the people themselves almost without leaders or disciplined organization; without money and offices, or a suitable canvass by popular and effective public speakers; without a numerous and able press, and without political tracts wherewith to instruct the people upon the vital ideas of the day and the hour. The reaction begun so well by the people themselves has progressed with most satisfactory results, and is destined to utterly overthrow the hydra-headed monster of usurpation, disunion, and corruption, with the falling of the leaves.

The Charlottesville Chronicle says that, at the Convention in Richmond, "the negroes deliberately shoved the white man off of their platform, and told him in plain words that they wanted none of his company; and now it turns out that there are 110,000 white voters in the State (omitting eight counties not reported, but which will swell the majority) and 90,000 colored voters. We do not think, with these figures, that we need be bullied. If a stand-up fight is insisted on-by all means let us have it. We are willing to give them a fair share of the spoils yet, if they are reasonable-say the whole Congressional delegation. We shall have to send persons who can take the oath, and as the white circle of selection is limited, we should be willing to yield this for the sake of peace.-The place is worth $5,000 a year, with the franking privilege."

"But it is a waste of time to dwell longer over the question of fact. That the negroes have been diligently, and by all manner of appeal and persuasion, organized as against the whites of Virginia and the South, is known to everybody. It is useless to quibble or refine about it. It is they, under the lead of bad counselors, who have made a black man's party. By so doing they necessarily made a white people's party. If A and B separate themselves from C and D they leave C and D together, as truly as if the latter had made the movement. If the blacks withdraw themselves from the whites and organize against them, they at the same time throw the whites together as against the blacks. The party that contains all the black men in the State, and is opposed to nearly every white man in the State, is per force a black man's party. The whites will necessarily resist them, and will, to that extent, form a white man's party. The whites will necessarily resist them, and will, to that extent, form a white man's party. Such is, at this day, the division of the population of Virginia,--brought about by the bad men who would use the negroes to get into office!"
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"It requires no sage to foresee what is coming. The white people will stick together. If there are any who are now purposing to go with the negroes to get office, they will be cured of it before election day! As soon as the issue is fairly seen, and the blood warms up a little, each color will go to its kind! There is more probability, that well-disposed black men, seeing the folly and ruin of their course, and knowing that their race commenced the distinct organization, will go to the support of their white neighbors, and friends, than there is that the Whig and Flournoy and Gordon will join the negro party. The latter is absolutely impossible."
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"We present these considerations that they may reach the minds of the negroes as well as the white people. Unless the negroes wish to become involved in the wrong and ruin of forming a black man's party, they would better quit that organization without delay. We call upon all white men to open their eyes to the state of the ease, and to take at once their proper, natural and inevitable station, with their own color, as against a hostile organization. Those who delay to do it will certainly be brought to shame and irretrievable ruin."

MESSRS. EDITORS:--It Seems to be understood that the order for the election, to test the sense of the people for or against a Convention, and for the choice of members to act, in case a Convention is called, will be issued within the next 10 days. It is further understood, unofficially, that the election will be held on or about the 15th of October next.

It is therefore time that the thoughts of our people should be turned to the subject, with a view to intelligent action. Whatever opinions may prevail on the question of calling a Convention, there can be no doubt as to the necessity of electing intelligent and reliable men to represent us in that body, if it is held. It is true that many, to whom the people of Augusta were accustomed to look as their representatives, in times that have passed, are now disfranchised; but there are still a number of intelligent and upright gentlemen who are eligible. I take it that any one is capable of being elected, who is authorized to vote. Among those who are eligible, and in all respects worthy of confidence, are Jos. A. Waddell, John N. Hendren, H. M. Bell; James Bumgardner, George M. Cochran, Jr., Wm. Withrow, Jr., Dr. T. W. Shelton, Matthew Pilson, Powell Harrison, Marshall Hanger, &c. These names are mentioned, not to the exclusion of many others that could be enumerated, who are well-qualified for such a trust, but merely to indicate to the people by examples the wide range of selection that is still open to them. As there are about 5000 voters in this country, there are 5000 persons capable of being elected; and it will be the fault of the people, if, out of this large number they do not make a wise selection.

Let the people then think about this matter-talk it over among themselves-compare opinions, and then act with decision and firmness. If ever there was a time when it was necessary for the people to act with caution and circumspection, this is the time. No man should seek the position of member of Convention, and on the other hand no man ought to feel at liberty to decline it, if his services are required by the people. The country has just claims on all her sons which no one can properly ignore.

"The town of Staunton is 'beautiful for situation.' Like Damascus of old, it may be truly called the 'gem of the mountains.' For good order, sobriety, and intelligence, it enjoys an enviable name. It is rapidly extending its limits and is probably the scene of more activity and quantities of flour daily arrive here; the most of which, I observe, is shipped to Richmond. The hotel accommodations are excellent. The Virginia Hotel, where we tarried for a short time, is deservedly popular. More accommodating and polite servants we have never see in any hotel.
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"While in Staunton, we formed the acquaintance of the Rev. Wm. E. Munsey, whose pulpit efforts have attracted so much attention throughout the State. We have not had the pleasure of hearing him preach, but would judge from our intercourse with him in the social circle that the strength of his great intellect has not been overrated. He possesses a mind of great analytical and logical power, and one cannot converse with how without being impressed with its comprehensiveness.

Mr Munsey, in appearance, is rather remarkable. His head is nearly hairless; cheek bones prominent; chin narrow; eyes very penetrating and restless; nose sharp; head unusually large, and his brow remarkable broad and high, with jutting promontories of thought on either side.-He is about six feet two inches high, and very slender. He is at present in feeble health, and is now traveling in the mountains, seeking to improve it. He is a close student, and very thorough in his preparation for the pulpit. Besides, Mr. Munsey is an humble and artless Christian. His amiable disposition endears him to his friends, and adds an additional luster to his character."

E. M. P.