Letter of Col. Jno. B. Baldwin.The following is the letter of Col. Baldwin to

the Commitlee who invited him to attend thedinner tendered by the Bell and Everett Club ofRichmond to the members of the Electoral Col-lege:

Staunton, Dec. 4,1860.Gentlemen:?l have received yours ol Ist.

inst., bringing me the kind invitation of theWhigs of Richmond to be with them on to-mor-row, at a complimentary dinner to be given toour Electors.

1 shall be prevented from attending by a se-vere cold, which keeps me a close prisoner athome.

It would give me sincere pleasure to be pres-ent on an occasion of so much interest, and tomeet the chosen leaders of a party whose noblestand tor the Constitution and the Union has sorecently won for it the confidence and supportot the people of Virginia.

The success which has thus far attended ourefforts in Virginia is just cause for congratula-tion and rejoicing, but the circumstances bywhich we are now surroundedshould suggest tous the caution "Let not him that girdeth on hisharness boast himself as he that putteth it off."

It I have correctly understood the principlesof the Union Whigs of Virginia, the time fortheir practical assertion and earnest maintain-auoe is just at hand.

Believing, as they do, that the Constitution ofthe United States, fairly construed and faithfullyadministered,is the best and most reliable de-fence of all our rights, they surely will not consent to give it up until all of its safeguards havebeen tried iv vain.

Convinced, as they are, that the AmericanUnion, underlying and sustaining the Constitu-tion, and giving to it all ot its vitality and effi-ciency, is in truth, "the palladium ot our politi-cal safety," they can never agree to abandon itat the suggestion of excitement or passion.

Having no hope that any future experiment ofFree Governmeut will ever be made under cir-cumstances combining so many elements calcu-lated to insure success as those under which tbeAmerican Union under the Constitution of theUnited States was comuiitied to the intelligenceand integrity of the American people, they mustfeel bound to stand by and maintain tbe Consti-tutional Union of our fathers as the best, the lasthope of Constitutional liberty in the world.1 trust that the Whigs ot Richmond and thedistinguished guests to whom they pay meritedhonor, will all go forth from tomorrow'sconfer-ence prepared to co-operate in every effort toadvance sound Union principles as being reallythe best Southern principles aud the best Vir-ginia principles.

I am, gentlemen, with high respect,Your fellow citizen,

John B. Baldwin.Itfessrs. Evans, Freeland, McDonald, Whitfield

and Dickenson, Committee, &c.The Constitution of the United States.?The

many checks and balances which it provides as' safeguards against the excitements and excesses

? incident to all free Governments, constitute a. standiug appeal from the temporary passion to

the deliberate judgment of the American people,and a declarationof confidence in the intelligenceand integrity of that judgment.

If this confidence ot our fathers has been mis-, placed, Constitutional Republicanism is a failure.

I What friend ot American liberty wouldabandontheir appeal before it has been tully tried.

A Word in Season.Hon. Alex. H. Stephens, ot Georgia, in a re-

cent letter to a friend in New York, says : |"Revolutions are much easier started thani,

controled, and the men who begin them, even ?for the best purposes and objects, seldom endthem. The American Revolution of 1776 was Jone of the few exceptions to this remark thatthe history of the world furnishes. Human pas-sions are like the winds; when aroused they isweep everything before them in their fury.?The wise and the good who attempt to controlthem will themselves most likely become the ivictims. This has been the history of the down-fall of all Republics. The selfish, the ambitious,and the bad will generally take the lead. Whenthe moderate men who are patriotic have goneas far as they think right aud proper, and pro-pose to re-coßstruct, then will be found a classbelow them, governed by no principle but per-sonal objects, who will be for pushing mattersfurther aod further, until those who sowed thewind will find that they have reaped the whirl-wind.

"These are my serious apprehensions. Theyare founded upon the experience of the worldand the philosophy of human nature, aud nowise man should condemn them. To tear downand build up again are very different things;aud before tearing down even a bad Govern-ment we should first see a good prospect forbuilding up a better."

How strange that men should need to be re-minded of truths so simple!

Bad as our government in the Union and un-der the Constitution is represented to be, it willhardly be denied that it might be worse. In-deed it would be difficult to find any large nura-

? ber of persons concurring as to the propriety otany proposed amendment to it. True, the "re-tired political philosopher" has given it as his

. opinion that any dozen gentlemen casually as-sembled in a Virginia parlor couldreadily framea better; but it may well be doubted whether it

1 would not have been safer for him to assert their' ability to make a dozen?*, c., one a piece.

1 If any of our readers bave fallen into the com-r mon error of supposing that it is an easy matter! to improve upon the Constitution of tbe United

1 States, they could hardly engage in a more in-structive occupation than would be afforded bymaking the attempt. They soon learn

. some ot the philosophy taught by a discreet pas-tor who, on being pressed by his flock to prayfor rain, consented to do so on condition that his

r people would first agree when they would haveit. The story goes that after the most earnest

t efforts to fix a time, the congregation fell back, ie despair upon the time already appointed, and- agreed to be satisfied with what they could not

3 improve.s Revolutions have generally been sprung so* suddenly upon communities as to afford but lit-r tie opportunity for preparation, even if the gov--1 ernments to be assailed had been uniformly tol-

erant ot such preliminaries, and it has usuallJbeen necessary to meet the demands of the occa-sion by what is called a provisionalgovernment.

B These temporary structures are generally founds wholly unequal to the vicissitudes of revolution-\u25a0? ary fortune, and the chance is tbat the GovernI ment under which people emerge from a revo-f lution will be one to which their assent wouldc never have been given in advance. This uncer-t tainty as to the outcome of even a successful rev-

olution is one of the most persuasive induce-ments to "bear the ills we suffer."

STAUNTON, VA. c

TUESDAY. DECEMBER 18, 1860. i?__?_____-__-_??_???-??-??-?-?- c

F_g" The Staunton Spectatob hay- _ing as large a circulation as any paper (published in Western Virginia, has no .superior ia this section of country as an tadvertising medium.

We do not Despair of the Republic. ,Though our country is environed with perils ,

and seems to be trembling upon the verge of ru- |in, yet we do not "despair of the Republic," Ibut have an abiding faith that all things will jwork together for good, and that the pillars of

our Republic will be planted upon firmer foun-dations than heretofore. Whether the "wish is

father to the thought," or whether it is because, ,as Goldsmith says,

"Hope, like a glimmering taper's light,Adorns and cheers the way,

And as darker grows the night,Emits a beigut£B ray,"

we know not, but our heart still responds tothe hopeful strain ofthe song : "There's a goodtime coming, boys." Though a dark cloud en-shrouds the Northern section of our countrylike a pall, yet through the fissures ofthat clouda few rays of light are discernable which serveto cherish hope in the patriot's heart that thesun of peace is rising, and that in a short time itmay shed an effulgence of light over all parts ofour imperiled country.

There is evidently a very great reaction nowgoing on in the North favorable to the recogni-tion of Southern rights?and if sufficient time begiven, we have but little doubt that the Northwill be willing to accede to the South all of itsrightf»l demands. In Boston, a meeting to cel-ebrate the anniversary of tbe execution of JohnBrown was broken up by the conservatives ofthat city, and sound and friendly resolutionswere adopted after the abolitienists had beendriven from their own meeting. Since then theyhave elected a Democratic Mayor of that city bymore than three thousand majority over the Re-publican candidate. These significant facts show

that even in the very stronghold of the aboli-tionists the reaction has been sufficiently great,in the short space of a few weeks, to effect theircomplete discomfiture.In the "wooden nutmeg" State?Connecticut

?the signg are even more favorable, if possible,than in Massachusetts. Both ofthe U. S. Sena-tors from that State have given expression in theSenate to vary conservative views, and expressthe confident belief that they will be sustainedin them by an overwhelming majority of theirconstituents. One ofthem, Mr. Dixon, said thathe would resign if his constituents did not en-dorse his views as expressed in the Senate.

P. S.?Since the above was written the news

P.om Washington is more unfavorable, and there.sow seems to be but little, if any hope for thepreservation of the Government. The cloudswhich darken our political sky seem to be grow-ing more threatening and portend a fearful anddestructive storm. Gen. Cass, Secretary ofState, and Hon. Howell Cobb, Secretary of theTreasury, have resigned, and the Governmentseems to be falling by piece-meal.

The True Mode of Settlement.In 1848 every Southern member in both

branches ot Congress voted for the applicationofthe Missouri Compromise to the territories oftbe United Statee, though that Compromisefixed the status of all the territory North of theline 36 deg. 30 mm. as free, whilst it gave noguarantee, except by implication, that the ter-ritory South of that line should be slave. Thisbeing so, why cannot the South now be willingto adopt the same Compromisewith an addition-al guarantee fixing the status of the territorySouth of that line as slave territory? Let thelaw make the normal condition of all the territory South of that line Slave territory, and allNorth of that line free territory, and so to re-main, respectively, till the territories have beenorganized into States and actually admitted intothe Union. This would prevent all legislationon the part of Congress respecting slavery in theterritories, and would avoid all contests in theterritoriesthemselves. We would then have nomore distraction upon that subject in the Hallsof Congress, and would have no repetition ofsuch tragic scenes as were enacted in Kansas.?Let this Compromise be adopted, and the floodof agitation would subside, the ark of our liberties wouldbe preserved, the exiled dove wouldreturn with the olive branch of peace, and ourwholecountry would smile in contentment andprosperity.

Secretary Cobb?Great Inconsistency.When Hon. Howell Cobb was a candidate for

Governorof Georgia in 1851, inreply to a Com-mittee of Macon, of that State, requesting hisviews upon the subject of secession, he wrote along letter, dated August 12th, 1851, in whichhe presented an able and elaborate argument inopposition to the right of secession. He quotedthe authority and adopted the arguments ofMadison, Jackson and Crawford in denialof theright of secession. Occupying that position hewas elected Governor of Georgia.

Now he addresses the same people upon thesame subject, and says that "he entertains nodoubt eitherof their right or duty to secede."?His inconsistency is very great, though notvery difficult to account for. In 1851, the major-ity of the people of Georgia were opposed tosecession, and ithen Mr. Cobb was also oppos-ed?in 1860, the majority in Georgia are infavor of secession, and, lo and behold! Mr.Cobb is also in favor of it.££ln 1851, Mr. Cobb occupied precisely the po-sition taken by President Buchanan in bis recentmessage?in 1860, he leaves President Buchan-an's Oabinent because he does not concur in theviews presented_in bis message. It seems tbatconsistency is a jewel which Mr. Cobb does not

prize very highly.Secession no Remedy.

Secession is not a remedy for any of the illswitb which the body politic is afflected, or if aremedy, it belongs to that class which is "worsethan the disease.'*'' It remedies no wrongs, re-lieves no evils, redresses no grievances, but, onthe contrary, multiplies wrongs, increases evilsand aggravates grievances a thousand-fold.?Itbas neither of the virtues, wisdom, braverynor patriotism, bat is foolish, cowardly andtreasonable. Itsurrenders everything and pro-tects nothing?it flees from the enemy and re-treats through tbe back door, instead of meetingbim boldly at tbe threshhold to prevent his en-trance except over the dead body of the right-ful owner of the castle. Secession is the pro-geny of treason and cowardice?the resultantof a desire to overthrow the Government andthefear of meeting the penalties attaching tothe attempt. Treason, cowardice, rashness andfolly can all be expressed ia one word, and thatword is "secession."

Concert.The Staunton Musical Association will give

another of their attractive and entertaining con-certs, in the Armory Hall, on Thursday nightnext. We hope this Concert will be liberallypatronized, as it will amply compensate all whohave music in their souls and are moved by theconcord of sweet sounds, and the great bard ofAvon says that all others are fit for "treasons,stratagems and spoils." Go, for "music hathcharms to soothe tbe savage breast," &c.

In this favored land of ours, however, thereis no necessity to "precipitate a revolution," un-less the purpose is to use the passions of men tomislead their judgments. If a just cause of rev-olution exists, there is no occasion tor provisionalor other temporary or imperfect machinery forcarrying it on. There is no need of seoresy orof any of those other resorts which tyranny hasso often forced upon incipient revolution. Onthe contrary, the extraordinary spectacle wbicbis now being enacted, establishes that Statesmay avail themselves of the protection of thevery government which they design to subvert

: that they may openly plan and carry into effectall of the preliminaries of revolution and may doand say what they please short of seizing byforce upon the property of the United States;while the Government, other States, and theAmerican people, look on and discuss the wholeaffair with the calmness and deliberation ofspectators at a play.

Surely revolution was never so favored.The new and enlarged privileges which revo-

lution enjoys in our happy land must in the na-ture of things devolve new duties and responsi-bilities, and among these we recognize as one ofthe chief and most important that of devising inadvance?not a provisional or temporary gov-ernment?but one under which, in peace or inwar, for weal or for woe, the people would bewilling to live.

Lot those who would form the South into anew and separate Confederacy, suggest for con-sideration some wellmatured plan of Govern-ment. Let them give to practical and prudentpeople the opportunity to choose with delibera-tion and with discretion between the presentsystem, with its known defects, and the new,with all of its promises. Such a course as thiswould manifest a calm confidence not only inthe justiceof their cause, but in the practicabilityof improving our condition by the revolution towhich they invite ns. At present the whole af-fair wears the appearance of being suggestedby passion, which fears the "sober secondthought," and of being conducted without aplan and without any of that deliberation andforesight which marks high statesmanship.

Coercion Applied to Virginia.The application of coercion to keep a State in

the Union would be bad enough, but to coerce ordrag a State out ofthe Union would be a thou,sand-fold worse. Yet this latter is what the lit-tle bantam State?South Carolina?is trying todo with Virginia, the "mother of States and ofStatesmen." This attempt of a pigmy to draga colossus would be egregiously ridiculous, wereit not so absolutely wicked and malevolent in itspurpose. That diminutive State is puffed upwith presumption to almost as great a degree asthe frog in the fable which attempted to swellits proportions to the size of the oz, and seemsto be oblivious ofthe fate of the frog, and of thefact that

"Pigmies will be pigmies stillThough perched on Alps."

To be coerced by a superior power attaches nodisgrace to the subject ofcoercion, but to be co-erced or dragged by an inferior power is to beineffably and irretrievably disgraced. If Virgin-ia suffers herself to be "hitched and dragged" atthe car of South Carolina as Hector to that ofAchilles, she will be utterly disgraced and hername will be a by-word and reproach?the syno-nym of pusillanimity.

Disgraceful.The Representations in Congress from the se-

ceding States have attended the present Con-gress, not tor the purpose of promoting the in-terests of the Government, as their solemn oathsrequire, but for the purpose of more effectuallydestroying the Government. Hon. J. L. Pugh,of Alabama, wrote a letter to his constituentsapologizingfor attending Congress, and says thatbis "sole object was topromote secession." Theobject of these men is to prevent any adjustment,however just and satisfactory, as will be seen bythe following extract from the letterof tjiis Al-abama Bepreeejjtative:

"If we negotiate tor new guarantees?palaverabout co-operation, or entangle ourselves in themeshes of diplomacy, we are a doomed people."

|3_?~ For Congressional pioceedings of tbelOtb and 11th see first page.

Censns and Congressional Apportionment.The total population of the United States, as

indicated by full return? of the census receivedat Washington, is 31,000,000, an increase sincethe census of 1850 ot upwards of 7,900,000 per-sons. The new ratio of representation in theHouse of Representatives, rendered necessary bythis increase ofpopulation, will be about onemember to every 133,000 inhabitants.

It will be the duty of the Secretary of the In-terior, when the census is fully completed, todivide the whole number of free persons, togetherwith two-thirds of the slaves, by two hundredand thirty-three, the present number of mem-bers, and the product shall be the ratio for amember. The Secretary shall then proceed intbe same manner to ascertain the population ofeach State, the free and two-thirds the slave,and divide the same by the ratio required for asingle Representative, as at first ascertained, andtbe product shall be the number of Representa-tives to which a State shall be entitled?so fardisregarding the fractions. There will be a lossof severalmembers in this mode ofcomputation,caused by the fractious, and these are to be di-vided among the States having the largest frac-tions, until the number is made up to two hun-dred and thirty-three.

We Should Stay in the Union.After a silence of some weeks which created

the apprehension that it was hesitating as to thecourse it would recommend, the RichmondWhig, we are rejoiced to say, has spoken out inclear and unmistakable tones in opposition tothe madness and folly of seccession. We en-dorse all that the Whig has said in its recent ar-ticles in opposition to secession, and all that itbas said about the propriety of maintaining allof oar rights in tbe Union, instead of abandon-ing the Union and all the rights and interests wehave therein. We do not concur so heartily inits recommendation of a State Convention, forwe have been unable to see tbat any good canresult from it, whereas much evil might, as itwould tend to inflame the passions ofthe peoplewhich are now too much excited for calm delib-eration. We believe that the call of a Conven-tion of the Middle States might do some good,as conservative counsels would, in all probabili-ty, prevail therein. The demands these Stateswould be likely to make would be just and rea-sonable, and its action would be marked witbcalmness, dignity and firmness.

Union Meeting in Philadelphia.The Union demonstration in Philadelphia on

Thursday last was quite imposing. The resolu-tions profecs attachment to the Uuion, condemnthe passage by tbe Northern States of laws nul-lifying the Fugitive slave law, nrge their repeal,and pledge the removal of all sach laws fromthe statute book of Pennsylvania. They recognize the obligations of the Fugitive slave law,and recommend the passage of State laws recompenmng the owner in the case of the rescueof a captured slave, and declare an intention tosubmit obediently to the decisions of the Su-preme Court in relation to the rights of slave-owners in the Territories. The meeting wasattended by an immense .assemblage of people,and the day was marked throughout tbe city bythe display of the national flag and other de-monstrations of devotion to the Union.

Call for a Union Meeting in Kentucky.?The Central Committee of the ConstitutionalUnion party ofKentucky have issued a call fora State Convention of that party, to meet inLouisville, on the Bth of January, for the par-pose of consulting upon the course Kentuckyshould pursue in the present crisis. Membersof all other political organizations are invited totake part in the deliberationsof the Convention.

.Letter from Hon. Jno. Bell.Hon. John Bell, of Tennessee, tbecandidateof

the Union party for the Presidency, has writtena long and very able letter in reference to thepresent perilous crisis*in the public affairs of ourcountry. We have not the space to publish itin this issue. We will publish it in our next.?Though long, it will be found to be worthy ofcareful perusal.

I^noty.On Saturday last, snow fell here to tbe depth

of a foot. Sleighs were soon in demand, andtbe jiaglingof bell-, reminded us of the gloriousdemonstrationsduring the political canvass.

gP" On Saturday last, Hon. F. W. Pickenswas elected Governor by tbe Legislature olSouth Carolina.

STAUNTON SPECTATOR AND GENERAL ADVERTISER.Thirty-Sixth Congress?Second Session.Wednesday, Dec. 12th.?In the United States

Semite to-day, Mr. Hunter, from the Committeeon Fiuauce, reported back the House bill author-izing the issue of treasury notes to the amountof ten millions ot dollars, with amendments tothe effect that the notes bear interest uuiil calledin for redemption, that they be issued iv sums aslow as $50, aud that the proceeds ot the sale ofthe public lands be set aside for their redemp-tion. These amendments were adopted, with afurther explanatory amendment submitted byMr. Wade, declaring that the pledge ol t..e pro-ceeds of the public lands shall not prevent Con-gress from making grants of said lauds or other-wise disposing of them, and the bill finallypassed.

Mr. Wigfall, of Texas, continued the debate onthe resolution appointing a Committee on Fed-eral Affairs. He catechised Mr. Douglas as tohis intentions, and enumerated the terms uponwhich the Gulf States would remain in the Un-ion. These terms were stated to be amend-ments of the Constitution, ratified by a uiHJorityof the Free States, recognizing slaves as prop-erty, providing lor the return of fugitive slaves,and the recognition of the rights ot the slave-holding Stales in the Territories. He alsoclaimed that the North shall abolish its abolitionsocieties, suppress its abolition papeis, preventthe making of abolition speeches, and in shortput au end to the discussion or agitation of theslavery question in any form. The speech wasaltogether extreme in its characteristics, placingevery obstruction in the way oi compromise andopenly exhibiting the speaker's strong predilec-tion tor a Southern Confederacy. At the con-clusion of the Texas Senator's speech the Senatewent into executive sessiou.

In the House a large number of plans lor com-posing our preseut sectional ditfiouliies aud pre-vent such causes of differences iv the future weresubmitted, read, and referred lo the SpecialCommiitee. Mr. Grow*_|fioiii the OoinuiiUee onTerritories, gave notice of bills tor the organiza-tion ot Dacotah and other Territories, aud re-sponded affirmatively to an inquiry whether tbeacts of organization would be reported with aprovision forbidding the existence of slavery ivthe new Territories, addiog that it' the Housethought proper it could reject that proposition.Without transacting any turther business theHouse adjourned.

Thuksdav., Dec. 13th.?Both Houses of Con-gress to day, aiter a brief session, udjourutd o-ver to Mouday. In the Senate, Mr. Johnson, otTeuue_.see, read a preamble aud resolutions em-bodying a plan for the settlement of the sectioual difficulties, which he proposed to submit tothe Special Committee of T_jii?eu wheu ap-pointed. Mr. Wigfall then resumed aud coocluded his speech, in which he embodied a ..ketchof the course that would be adopted by SouthCaroliua after secession. Mr. Wade, of Ohio,obtained the floor, but gave way to a motion,coming from the Republican side, for an adjourn-ment. The House passed theTreasury Note billwith ceitain amendments, which wtr*j concurredin by the Senate, and the bill is now a law.

The moat important item of news, and one ofa decidedly favorable aspect, is the proceedingsto-day of the House Committee of Thirty-three.Mr. Rust, of Arkansas, submitted a resolutionlamenting the existiug discontent amoug theSouthern people and the growing hostility to theFederal Government, and declaring that "anyreasonable, proper and Constitutional remediesand effectual guarantees of theirpeculiar inter-ests as recognized by tike Constitution, necessaryto preserve the peace of the country aud theperpetuity ofthe Union should be promptly andcheerfully granted." Mr. Morrill, Republican,submitted the same resolution without th.- words"aud effectual guarantees ot their peculiar in-terests as recoguized by the Constitution," as auamendment. The Committee rejected the a-mendment?ayes 9, nays 22?Messrs. Campbellof Pennsylvania, Dunn of Indiana, Stratton ofNew Jersey, Kellogg of Illinois, Howard of Mich-igan, Curtis ot lowa, Burch of California, Wind-ham of Minnesota, aud Stout of Oregon, votingwith the South against the amendment. Mr.Ferry, of Connecticut, then submitted a substi-tute, which was also rejected, and the originalresolution submitted by Mr. Rust adopttd?yeas21, nays 8. On the final vote Mr. Corwin votedwith the majority. Mr. Davis, of Maryland,voted for the resolution and against the amend-ments throughout. The adoptionof this resolu-tion by so large a vote must be regarded asforming a good basis for an agreement uponsome satisfactory plan for the settlement of thepending difficulties.

Views of Alex. Rives.Mr. Alex. Rives, the Senator Irom Albemarle,

having been called upon for an expressionof hisviews, in response wrote a long aud able letterwhich appeared in the Charlottesville Jefferso-nian of last week. The following is a summaryof his views as prepared by himself:

1. Devotion to the Uuion of the States as thegreat bulwark ot our prosperity at home andpeace abroad. 2. A strong persuasion that Vir-ginia will fnd her interests better promoted, audher rights better secured in the Union under theguarantees of the Constitution than out of it un-der any new compact she may form. 3. A be-lief in the impartial execution of the laws in ev-ery part of the confederacy, North, South, Eastand West, whether for the recapture of fugitiveslaves, against the importation of African slaves,for the punishment of treasonable tcts, such ashave occurred in Utah and Kansas, and againstfilibustering, as the great want of these degener-ate times, and the only cement of a Union worthhaving. 4. A determination to exact from thefederal government, and her co-States all tberights of Virginia uuder the constitution of theUnited States. 5. A desire to assert, and upholdher true dignity and authority among the otherStates, without leaving her to the pitiful condi-tion of being dragged where neither her interestnor safety lead her. 6. The necessity ot calm-ness, composure and deliberation as means otsafety smid the perils that eucompass us. 7. De-cided disapproval ot the haste and past-ion withwhich South Carolina isacticg, so as to jeopardthe interests ot ber sister States of the South,andjust resentment against the insulting course ofher governor and press towards Virginia.?8. And finally, a wish to try all the defences andand exhaust all the remedies consisting of thewise and efficacious checks and balances of tbeconstitution before resorting to the last desperateand revolutionary remedy of its overthrow.

Letter of Hon. Alex. H. H. Stuart.The following is the letter of Hon. A. H.

H. Stuart to the Committee of Invitation to thedinner tendered to the Electoral College bythe Richmond Bell and Everett Club:

Staunton, Dec. 4th, 1860.Gentlemen?l pray you to accept my thanks

for your invitation to the complimentary dinner,to be given by the Whigs of Richmond, to theUnion Electors on Wednesday, 6th inst. It is amatter of regret to me, that it is not in ray pow-er to accept it. I would gladly unite with you,in rendering honor where it is so justly due.?I would be glad also to mingle my congratula-tions with yours, on the triumph that we haveachieved. True, that our ticket bas been muti-lated by technical quibbles; bat the public under-stands all that, and the moral influence of ourtriumph will not be diminishedby it. I hail outsuccess as an auspicious omen of the future.?The prestige ofDemocratic invincibility has beendestroyed ; sectionalism has been rebuked by thepeople; Constitutional Union principles havebeen vindicated. Let us stand to our arms! ?Let us not be seduced or bullied from our con-servative position. Let ns hold ourselves in read-iness to do battle, on every field, for "The U-nion, the Constitution, and the Enforcement ofthe Laws." Sooner or later, tbe popular senti-ment of the Union will concentrate our princi-ples and our policy.

Whilst everything looks dark and dreary now,in the political horizon.lcannot permit myself todespond. I still cherish the hope that, under theguidance of Divine Providence,we shall yet finda happy deliverancefrom all the perils that sur-round as. Let wisdom, justice and moderationprevail in our councils, and all will yet be well!

Very truly yours, &c,Alex. H. H. Stuabt.

Thos. J. Evans and others, Committee.Fast Day.

In obedience to appeals to him, Presidenthas recommended that Friday, the4th

day ofJanuary, be observed throughout the Un-ion as a day of humiliation, fasting J.nd prayer.

IST" As the Convention of South Carolinamet yesterday, we suppose that by this time shehas adopted an ordinance declaring herself noloDger a member of tho "accursed Union."

f From Washington*Washington, Deo. 14.?Daniel S. Dickinson

is to be Secretary of State in place of Mr. Cass,resigned. Great regret is expressed in all circlesat the cause of resignation. In some quartersthe assurances that South Carolina will not re-sist the federal laws till the expiration of Mr.Buchanan's term, are regarded as mere promisesto quiet apprehensionsin official quarters. Gen.Scott has expressed the opinion that additionalforce shonld be sent to South Carolina tor theprotection of publio property. The President,however, is still opposed to such a course forprudential reasons, and the apprehension that itwould augment the present excitement.

The publication ot a manifesto by Southernmembers has produced a depressing effect amongthe conservatives, who say they are now satis-fied that the former are opposed to any compro-mise. It is generally reported that Mr. Doug-las will make a coercion speech in the Senate atan early day. Several conciliatory measureswere proposed to-day in the committeeof thirty-three. Speeches were made and opinions inter-changed, but no decisive action. Adjourned toMonday.

The public mind is more excitedto-night thanon any previous occasion. Early in the daystrong hopes excited that conservative move-ments among the people North and South, to-gether with concessions iv the committee, wouldform a basis of amicable adjustment, but the re-signation of Secretaay Cass and the"resolve otSouthern extremists to accept no compromise,and the dogged silence on the part of the Con-gressional Republicans have produced a depres-sion among the most hopeful which is scarcelyconceivable.

It is reported, bnt not confirmed, that Secre-tary Floyd strongly coincided with Gen. Cas9as to the necessity of reinforcing Fort Moultrie,believing that otherwise Maj. Anderson and hishandful of men would be sacrificed.

There are cotiflicting teports as to the author-ity of the Presidident's assurances that no pres-ent attempt will be made against the federalpower by the military or judicial authority inSouth Carolina. The Northern element of ourpresent population it is believed are looking tothe force of arms in a brief period.

The adjournment of the committee till Mon-day is interpreted into no hope of an amicableresult. This, gloomy as it may appear, is thetrue reflection of the public sentiment to-night.

War?Foreign and Civil.We extract the following from a communica-

tion published in the BaltimoreAmerican:Sidney Smith has truly said : "The greatest

curse which can be entailed upon mankind is astate of war. All the atrocious crimes commit-ted in years of peace?all that is spent in peaoeby secret corruptions, or by the thoughtless ex-travagance of nations, are mere trifles, comparedwith the gigantic evils which stalk over theworld in a state of war. God is forgotten inwar; every principle of Christian charitytrampled upon?human labor destroyed?humanindustry extinguished. You see the son, andthe husband, and the brother, dying miserablyin distant lands; you see tbe waste of humanaffections; you see the breaking of humanhearts; you hear the shrieks of widows andchildren after the battle, and you walk over themangled bodies ofthe wounded callingfor death.

If such be the evils of foreign war, quickenyour imagination for a moment to conceive, ifpossible, the ten-fold evils of a civil war in alaud like ours. Father would take up arms a-gainst sou?brother against brother; nor wouldthe servile element, about which the presentdifficulty is begotten, be neglected by our ene-mies. Think of hundreds of thousands of fight-ing men, animated by the Puritanic spirit of aCromwellian army, pouring down upon us, notonly to redress their grievances, but to "con-quer freedom for the slave." Think of JohnBrown's pikes and Sharpe's rifles in the handsof the slaves, with an army at their back wbowould regard all the outrages they might per-petrate as but a "righteous retribution." Trulythe imagination is appalled?the heart sickensat the thought. Yet are all these things withinthe range of probability in the event of a disso-lution of the Union.

Then let us stand by the Union ! The Unionis peace?the Union is prosperity, national great-ness, protection at home and abroad, whereverher glorious star-spangled banner floats on thebreeze.

Union Meeting at New York.New York, Dec. 15.?A meeting of the prom-

inent merchants and politicians of the State andcity of New York is in session to-day. CharlesO'Conuer, Esq., presiding.

Speeches were made by Messrs. John A. Dixand John McKeon. The latter expressed the o-pinion that the Union was already dissolved,and there would be a civil war after the 4th ofMarch.

Speeches are still being madeon a motion tosend Commissioners to South Carolina to ex-hort temperate action and delay.

SECOND DISPATCH.Nfw Yoke, Dec. 16.?Yesterday when Mr.

McKeon concluded his speech Mr. Dickinsonexpressed the apprehension that the Union iseven now hopelessly dissolved, and attributedit to bad politicians who have vitiated the pub-lic mind.

Mr. Ketchum was morehopeful. He believedthat public sentiment could be reached and cor-rected.

Letters were received from a large numberof public men, iucluding Ex-President Fillmore,Judge Greene C. Bronson and Richard Lathers.

A committee was appointed to visit the South.

What Shall Virginia Do?We extract the following from the last issue

of the "ValleyDemocrat."What shall Virginia do? We cannot remain

with the North, nor will self-respect permit usto go with those cotton States, who have sbovJnso little regard for the feelings and interests otthe border States. Let the border States, then,confer together. Let them demandofthe Northher rights in the Union, and if refused, a middleconfederacy should at once be established. Thecotton States refuse a general conference of theSouthern States. South Carolina refuses towait, and the Georgia Legislature bas rejectedthe proposition; so tbat Virginia has either toact in this crisis on her own responsibility, orbe "dragged by the cotton States. Her prideand seli-respect revolt at the idea of beinghitched and dragged, and we feel satisfied thatshe will consult and form an alliance with thosewbo are bound to her by the ties of interest andself preservation.

The Troubles in Kansas.St. Louis, Dec. 14th.?A special dispatch from

Mound City, Krasas, of the Bth inst., to theDemocrat, ..aye: All is quiet there and no ar-rests have been made. Montgomery, Jennison,Seamon and others, are not to be found. Gen-eral Harney has ordered two companies of in-fantry, under Maj. Wessels and Capt. Lyon, tobe stationed at Mound City, and two companiesof dragoons, under Capt. Steele, at Fort Scott.?Gen. Harney wished to declare martial law, butGov. Medairy would not consent, preferring thatthe United States Marshall should make the ar-rests, and the prisoners be tried ;by Territoriallaw.

From Washington,Washington, Dec. 16.?Among tbe resolu-

tions which will be submitted to Congress at anearly day, is one of instructions to the JudiciaryCommittee, looking to the amendment of theneutrality laws, so as, inaddition to preventingforeign enlistments, they may restrain volunteermilitia from going into a State for the purposeofaiding in resistance to Federal laws.

A number of Congressmen have preparedspeeches favoring coercion.

The leading men of Missouri are discussingseparate independence for that State, so as toavoid being implicated in the extreme secessionmovement.

Th c Effects of Disunion.?A favorite schemewith the GovernorofSouth Carolina, as disclosedin his recent message, is to prohibit tbe introduc-tion of slaves into tbat State trom North Caroli-na and other border States so as to force theseborder States to join South Carolina or emanci-pate their slaves. So we go, says the RaleighStandard. "The extremists ofthe North wish topen us up ao as to compel us to emancipate ourBlaves,and the Governorof South Carolina desiresto do the same thing! If the old Union cannotbe preserved by force, how are we to be forced,on pain of losing oor slaves, to become con.entedmembers of a new Uuion ? We leave it to thewise and dispassionate leaders in 'Carolina' toanswer the questiop.''

We are under additional obligations toMaj. J. M. McCue for South Carolina papers.

A Word Suited to the Times.?Webster'soelebrated speech on the 7th of March, 1850, onthe Compioraise resolutions, closed with the fol-lowing glorious peroration:

And now, Mr. President, instead of speakingofthe possibility or utility of secession, instead ofdwelling in those caverns of darkness, instead ofgroping with those ideas so full of all that ishorrid and horrible, let us come out into thelight of day ; let ns enjoy the fresh air of Liber-ty and Union ; let us cherish those hopes whichbelong to us; let us devote ourselves to thosegreat objects that are fit for our considerationand our action ; let us raise our conceptions tothe magnitude and the importance of the dutiesthat devolve upon us; let our comprehension beas broad as the country for which we act, ouraspirations as high as its certain destiny;ay, let us not be pigmies in a cause that callsfor men. Never did there devolve on any gen-eration of men higher trusts than now devolveupon us for the preservationof this Constitutionand the harmony and peace of all who are des-tined to live under it. Let us make our genera-tion one of the strongest and brightest links inthat golden chiin which ie destined, I fondly be-lieve, to grapple the people of all the States tothis Constitution for ages to come.

We have a great, popular, constitutional govern-ment, guarded by law and by judicature, anddefended by the affections of the whole people.No monarchical throne presses these States to-gether, no iron chain of military power encir-cles them ; they live aud stand under a govern-ment popular in its form, representative in itscharacter, founded upon principles of equality,and so constructed, wt, hope, _\ to last forever.Iv all iis history it lias been b.^neficient; it Liastrodden down no man's liberty ; it has crushedno State. Its daily respiration to liberty andpatriotism; its yet youthful veios are full of en-terprise, courage and honorable love of gloryand renown. Large before, the country hasnow, by recent events, become vastly larger.?This republic now extends, with a vast breadth,across the whole continent. The two great seasof the world wash the one and the other 6hore.We realize, on a mighty scale, the beautiful des-cription of the ornamentalborder of the bucklerof Achilles:"Now, the broad shield complete, the artist crownedWith his last hand, and poured the ocean round ;In living silver seemed the waves to roll,And beat the buckler's verge, and bound the whole."It is the Interest of England to have the

Union Dissolved.Many Southern people flatter themselves with

the belief that England would be favorable to theSouth in the event of a dissolution, and wouldbe a valuableally of the Southren Confederacy.Fatal delusion! As is woll said by the Balti-more American, the interest of England is to putdown the great rival of her commerce, the greatfoe of aristocracy, and au anticipated competitorin manufactures. That is England's interest,aod that would be our interest or the interest ofany nation in her position. And how is the ob-ject to be accomplished? Our division,and thatby our own hand., is the only means. Let usonce divide, and farewell to our commerce, toonr manufactures, to the moral influence of ourRepublican example in the world. We shall become a mere province of agriculturists, tillingwith the sweat of our brow for the benefit ofmother Britain.

Abolition is the wedge which Great Britain islaboring with steady and ponderous blows todrive into our system. Let our countrymen ev-erywhere resolve to resist with overwhelmingdisappointment and defeat these unholy machinations. Let every patriot, North, South, Eastand West, vow that, come what may, the Unioncan and shall be preserved. Let one and allstand by the requirements of the Constitution,and one and all cherish for each other mutuallove, esteem and respect. The press can domuch in cultivating good faith and kindly feelingbetween the various sections. Let the press ev-erywhere use its potent influence to soothe irri-tations, to dispel prejudices, to enlighten ignoranee, to strengthen and consolidate the cordsof National Union. Better, far better, that thesun of Liberty had been forever eclipsed by tbedark disaster of defeat at Yorktown than that itshould run so glorions a careeronly to set for-ever beneath the red and augry horizon ot civilwar. Oor countrymen, unless given over to thewildest madness, will never permit so horrible acatastrophe to themselves and to the world asthe disunion of these States. Let us bear andforbear with each other; let us sacrifice unfriend-ly prejudices and resentments; let us be true tothe memory of our fathers, true to our happypast aud our more glorious future; let us do,suffer, endure anything and everything that avirtuous and honorable people may do, suffer,and endure, so that we may preserve our Unionintact, aud prevent our old, unforgiving, oommonenemy from triumphing over us.

Mk. Madison on Skorssion.?NicholasP. Trist, Esq, well known to the country fromhis former connection with the Department ofState, has famished thf»New York Worid sever-al letters from Mr. Madison, aidrcssed to him iothe years 1832-33, _ud never before published.So far as the assumed "right" ot secession is sus-ceptible of being extinguished by the authorityof Mr. Madison, it must be admitted that, by "lineupon line and precept upon precept," from thepen of the "Fatherof the Constitution," the workhas been completely done. Of "nullifscation,"Mr.Madison writes to Mr. Trist that"the coming genreation will look back with astonishment at theinfatuation" which could countenance it; and becalls secession a "twin heresy." He says that"both ought to be buried in the same grave; andthat those who talk in favor of secession "seemto have lost sightof the great principle that com-pact is the basis and essence of free government,and that no right to disregard it belongs to aparty till released from it by causes of which theother parties have an equal right to judge.?In the event of an irreconcilable conflict, not ofrights, but of opinions and claims of right, lorcebecomes the arbiter.

The Union and the South.?We are thorough-ly convinced that never for the last thirty yearshas there been such an opportunity of placingthe Union of these States on a firm and immova-ble foundation as is now presented, if the Southwill be but true to herself, and, inbeing true toherself, true to the North, and true to the coun-try. "To thine own selfbe true?thou canst notthen be false to any man," says the great drama-tist, and never, outside ofthe Bible, were wiserwords ever uttered. If the Southern States willnow meet in convention, and place before theNorth, as invited by recent resolutions in aNorthern city, what they require as essential tothe preservation of the present Government, wesolemnly believe it will be yielded. We predictthat everypledge will be made and every guaran-tee given which mutual justice and harmony de-mand. And this will be done, not from the wantof either physical or moral courage, for the manwho imputes any inferiority in either to theNorth is a hopeless idiot, but because the inter-ests involved are too immense to be sacrificedfor the sake of an empty abstraction.

[Richmond Dispatch.

Cannon -Balls Uneakthed.?The Rev. Mr.Spessard, whilst engaged a few days ago in dig-ging a hole in the ground on his premises, aboutone mile north of Chewsville, in this county, forthe purpose ot burying a quantity of turnips,found a number of cannon balls about eighteeninches beneath the surface, Eighty -two of themwere dug out, some of which weighed elevenpounds, and all appeared to be adapted to heavyordnance. They were doubtless cast during thewar of 1812 at an old furnace which was thenin operation some four miles distant, and wereintended to be used against the British invadersof our country. ? Hagerstown Herald.

INDICTED FOR OwSTKUOfINO THE FUGITIVESlave Law.?The Rev. George Gordon, Jas.Hammond, Asbury Parker, Calvin Rowland,Joseph T. Baldwin, E. D. Asbury and JonathanMcLarew have been indicted by tbe GrandJury of the U. States Circuit Court of NorthernOhio for obstructing the United States Marshaland his deputies, at Iberiu, Monroe county, onthe 20th of Sept. last, in their efforts to secureby legal process a fugitive slave. The same par-ties are also indicted for assaulting the ownersof the negro and their assistants, witb a view toprevent the reclamation of the slave, under tbeFugitive Slave Jaw.

The Reaction Begun.?Boston has just electaed a Union Democrat for Mayor. The "OldCradje pf Liberty" has rocked the Rlack R*-rpublican baby (Mt npou the door, where thebrallies sprawling and howling. What wiii iire.Partington say to this? It is but beginningof the end. All tbe cities in the Free Stateswill go Conservative next Spring. Mark theprediction. Were the Presidential election tobe tried over again next week, Lincoln couldscarcely carry a single State, save Vermont.?Rich. Whig.

How "Peaceable Secession" Works. Thefollowing extract ot a letter to a distinguishedmerchant in li.iltimore, from a mercantile friendin Grenada, Mississippi, has been handed to aBaltimore paper for publication. This short ex-tract speaks volumes:

"We have awful times here now ; the South-ern fire-eatingpoliticians aud the Northern fa-natics have almost ruined the country. Cotton,has gone down from $50 to $15 per bale, aud theestimate of loss on the cotton crop is at least$20,000,000, enough to pay for all the negroesthat have run away or been stolen for the lasttwenty years. I can't tell what will become ofus.''

Even in the oity of Richmond, hundreds ofclerks and operatives have already been dis-charged, and hundreds of others are tremblingiin their shoes, with the gloomiest prospects be-fore them. Ifdisruption begins on the scale an-ticipated, the beginning ot the end no mortalman can foresee.? Rich. Whig.

Davis' Pain Killer.?We have tested thismedicine and assure our readers that it not onlypossesses all the virtues claimed for it, but inmany instances surpasses any other remedy wehave ever known. It should not be classed withthe nostrums ofthe day, got up for the especialpurpose of pecuniary profit, but be regarded asone of the standard medicines, for the publicbenefit.?Herald of Gospel Liberty.

JVEW ADVERTISEMENTS.HOME JOURNAL. FOR 1861.New Series?New Features?New Type.

MORRIS k WILLIS, EDITORS.

ANEW series of this widely circulated familynewspaper, will be commenced on the fifth

day of January n_xt?printed on fine paper and newtype. With the January number will begin the pub-lication of a series ot" beautiful original works of factand fiction, written expressly for the Home Journalby the best authors of America The first of these istr _m the facile pen of a well-known and highly giftedauthor, and is a powerfully writcen, starling, myste-rious, and deeply interesting, history ofcourtship andmarried life. This charming story will be succeededby others of a similar description, several of whichare already in preparation. All the former peculiarfeature.) of the paper, which have given it a world-wide reputation, will be continued, *hile the severalnew ones will add infinite variety to its already diver-sified pages. Among them are a number of fresh,spicy, amusing, original sketches, which smack andrelish of the wit, humor, raciness, brilliancy, andsparkle of the times. As heretofore, no labor or ex-pense will be spared to maintain the high reputationof the Home Journal, which is everywhere, both athome and abroad, acknowledged to be the most re-fined and elegant repertory of literature and arts onthiß side of tbe sea, and the best and cheapest familynewspaper in the world. As no more copies of thenew series will be printed than are ordered, thosewho desire to begin with the commencement of thevolume will be able to do so by forwarding their sub-scriptions without delay.

TUBUS ; ?For one copy, $2 ; for three copies, $s?or5?orone copy three years, $5; for a club of seven copies,$10; for a club of fifteen copies, $\u25a0_.(.; and at that ratefor a largerclvb?always in advance.

Address MORRIS k WILLIS,Editors and Proprietors, 107 Fulton St.,

New York.

PIJBLJC SALE OF BATH LANDS.?Inobedienoe to a decree pronounced in the cause of

John McCourt and others vs. John Burns' execntorsand others, by tbe Circuit Court ofBath county at itslast term, we, as commissioners of said Court, will,on Tuesday, the 11th of December next, (thatbeingBath County Court,) proceed to sell, iv front of theCourt house ofBath County, at public auction, to thehighest bidder, the several tracts and parcels ofLAND, of which John Burns, Sen., died, possessed,containing about 1700 Acres J situated in thatpart ofBath county known as the "Red Holes," andwell adapted to grass. Most of them are well im-proved ; and as they will be sold in tracts or parcelsto suit purchasers, those in want of productive grassfarms will do well to attend the sale.

TERMS:?So much of the purchase money as willpay charges and expenses ofsale, and the costs ol the

! suit will be required in hand, and the balance upon acredit of 6, 12, and 13 months, or upon 1, 2, and 3years, as shall be most to the interest of the partiesconcerned ; the purchasers giving bonds with goodsecurity, and tbe title retained until the purchasemoney is paid. ROBT L. DOYLE, { Pr>mm .,o

Nov. 6. 1860. DAVID FULTZ, ] tomm rß>

POSTPONEMENT.The above sale is postponed till Tuesday, the 12th

of February, next.ROBERT L. DOYLE, [ Prtmm ,raDAVID FULTZ, j*Lomm rs -

Dec. 18. 1860.James R. Ervin, ITif i In Circuit Court

vs. > ofF. E. Luckett et als, Defts.) Bath County, Va.EXTRACT FROM DECREE ENTERED AT OC-

TOBER TERM, IB6o.?"The Court doth ad-judge, order and decree that thit cause be refened toMaster CommissionerJohn D. Brooks, whose duty itshall be, after having given to the parties notice ofthe time and place by publication of notice in twoconsecutive numbers of the Staunton Spectator,which is hereby declared to be taken as equivalent topersonal service, to take, state and settle an account;of all transactions between the parties, plaintiff anddefendant, pertinent to the matters in issue in thissuit. ********* And leave ishereby given to either party to propound interrogato-ries to the other party to be answered under oath be-fore said commissioner, and to require the productionbefore said commissioner of any and all such vouch-ers and papers as may bt. deemed important for theelucidation ot the transactions between the said par-ties.

NOTICE.?In pursuance of the above order Ihave fixed Wednesday, thh 9th day op January,1861, at my office, at Bath C. H., for taking the ac-counts mentioned, at which time and place all par-ties interested are hereby notified to attend.

JOHN D. BROOKS, Mast. Comm'r,Dec. 18, 1860?2t.

VALUABLE LAND IN MARKET.?Inpursuance of a decree rendered in the cause of

Henton, Ac, against Hen ton's heirs, depending in theCircuit Court of Augusta, I shall proceed, on thepremises, on Tuesday the bth day ofFebruary next, atpublic sale, to the highest bidder, that desirable Tractof LAND, the late estate of Silas Henton, dec'd., onthe Middle River, adjacent to Mt Meridian, and ad-joining the lands of Dr. Walker, Dr. Ewin, Col. Giv-ens, dec'd., and others, and containing about 325 A-cres?about 225 Acres being cleared and in good con-

' dition and cultivation.? balance well timbered,

MT he improvements are a handsome BRICKMANSION HOUSE, large Swisher Barn, and allnecessary out-houses.

It is seldom that a farm possessing so many attrac-tions is offered to sale, and any one wishinga comfort-

able home will do well to buy it.TERMS.?One-fourth in hand, and the balance in

three equal annual instalments, purchaser to givebond witb good personal security and title to be re-tained as ultimate security.

D. B. HENTON, Com'r.Dec. 18,1860. -tds.?Rock Reg. copy.ÜBLIC SALE OF HOUSE AND LOT INWILLIAMSVILLE, BATH COUNTY.?In pur-

suance of a decree of the Circuit Court of Bath county,rendered at its October term, 1860, in the case of Wm.B. Young and Crawford k Cochran against Wm. M.Dill, (in Chancery.) I shall, as Special Commissionerfor that purpose, on Saturday, the ZHth day of Janua-ry, 1861, proceed to sell, at public auction, upon thepremises, to the highest bidder, a TRACT OF LAND,containing 18% Acres, upon which th re is anew and convenient DWELLING HOUSE, in __\which said Dill now resides, and adjoins thelands of Mrs. Lange aud Rodger., and was con-veyed by David Lange and wife to said Dill by deeddated 7th day of June, 1856, and duly recorded in theClerk's Office of Bath county.

I believe the title to said land to be unquestionable,but acting as Commissioner, shall convey oaly suchas is vested in Rip.

TERMS-?Enqngh in hand to pay costs of suit andsale, and the balance upon a credit of six, twelve andeighteen months lrom day of sale ?the purchaser togive bonds with approved personal security, and ven-dors lien retainea as ultimate security.

JOHN D. BROOKS, Special Com'i-.Dec. 18, 1860.?4ts]y*7sfDM_l_ PROPERTY FUR SALE.i-fJL ?In pursuance ofa decree rendered in the Cir-cuit Court of Augusta county, in the cause of McCueand others vs. Farrow and others, we will proceed,in Mt. Sidney, on Thubsday, the 17th day Of Janu-ary next, to sell, at public auptioi>, to the highestbidder, the HOUSE AlfD LOT lately owned by IsaacFarrow, in said town. The property is very desira-ble? ad?irablv situated lor a physician or merchant.

TERMS:?Costs of sale in band?balance in six,eighteen and thirty months, with interest from day ofsale, the purchaser to give bonds with good personalsecurity, and title to be retained as additional securi-ty J- B BALDWIN, |?? ,

Dec. 18,1810. _X- TROUT, jComm "?

~

Central Bank of Virginia, lDec. 10, 1800. [

THE annual meeting of the Stockholders of thisBank will be held at its Banking House on the

9th of January, 1861, at 11 o'clock, A- M-Dec. 18,1560?4t. W- If. TAMS, (Javier.

NOTIC--? DEa CRAWFORD k WALKER,having associated themselves on the Ist of De-

cember, 1860, in the practice of Medicine, offer theirprofessional services to the public. Their Office is iqMT. SIDNEY, where they will oe found wlion «o*professionally engaged. [Dec. 13, 1760.?3t»

HRIST-UAS ~j»RESENTS,?No handsomeror more useful present for your wife at Christ-

mas than a comfortable ROCKING CHAIR, or oth-er articles of Household Furniture whicb she mayneed. Call and get them at "UNION HALL."

Staunton, Dec. 18, WQ-.

JUST I|ECEiyED.?A handsome and fashionable Chaniber Set, with ma i.le.s

L. WADDELL, Jr.,Staunton. Dec. 18, 1860. Union Hall.

FEWMlaskets of the celebrated HEIDSEICKCHAMPAGNE. Also a lot ofAberdeen Scotch

Whiskey, for sale by P. H. TROUT.Stajinton, Dec. 18, 1860.

FRAMES.-Gilt and RosewoodX Molding of all sizes and patterns, ibr sale by 'Staunton, Dec. 18,18.10. P. fl. TROUT.