Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-05-14
. SOLD TO THE DUTCH"

"soLD TO THE DUTCH
This is an expression used IN refer.
cnce to the triumph Of tie, Administra-
ton party in Virginia "Sold TO the
hi" Why ono might suppose we
had been green sscsy. without money
and without price," But not so fast.
gentlemen. Virginia is neither sold
nor given away; the apparent defeat OF
her principles, although il may grieve.
should not disbearten any true patriot.
The Opposition had to contend with
the immense popularity Of Gen. Jack
son. The mass Of the people had a
dangerous confidence in the upright
ness Of his purposes, and considered
the question at the last election as
bearing more upon the approval or
condemnation Of has general course.
than upon the choice Of his success
sor.
As a proof that the true issue was
not between Van Buren, and Judge
White, let the reader mark the caution
and shyness Of the Administration can.
didates. Very few Of them had the
boldness 10 avow their preference for
MIR. Van Buren,. so dubious were thew
OF his strength in Virginia. II is true.
some Of them noic begin to show their
hands, but will the people follow
them?
Another difficulty attended the
movements Of the Opposition. They,
themselves, had no concert or action.
Many Of them, who are scrupulously
devoted 10 their principles, had no al
fiction for Judge White. They knew
he had supported most of the Prcsi-
dents odious measures, and they could
not consistently be active in his behalf.
They were merely willing 10 take him
as "choicc Of evils" They did not
enter heart and soul into his cause, and
IN this their adversaries had the decided
advantage. Besides, many of the old
Jackson party, who were no, for Van
Buren,, were suspicious Of the good
faith Of the Wings. They feared the
latter did not mean to "play them fair, -
but that when the Administration par
ty were actually divided, they would
start candidate Of their own. This
kept together the Jackson party proper.
for the time being. But they are not
all transferable stock, be il remember
cd. Whenever the contest shall be
properly narrowed down to White and
Van Buren,, different result may fair
ly be calculated upon.
Let no Virginian, therefore, dos
pond. The government of the State
is, for a season, in the hands Of the
Van Buren, leaders, but the party have
not the ascendancy. The people OF
Virginia are rot yet ready to give up
e"ery thing TO the dictation of Presi-
dent whom they venerate. They are
not yet ready 10 surrender the choice
Of their highest officer to an irresponsi-
BILE and packed Convention. They
are not yet prepared TO be the dupes of a
mere mockery in self-government.-
They have not yet forgotten all their
.princiPles-the glory of their early
days-thc renown Of their good old
mother in her "palmy state They
are not yet humbled SO low, as to sur
render their right of decision to
"truckstering politicians" We must
not so far dishonor cur fellow-citizens,
as to suppose them capable Of such
baseEess. Their spirit may repose for
awhile in inglorious apathy, but it is
not extinct. Virginia will yet wake
up. The emblems of her honor may
be dimmed for season, but the bright
ness of her character will soon be re-
newed, and the purity of her princi-
Piles indicated and established.
Richmond Comniler.