Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-09-19


Extract OF letter Trom an upland county.
SEPTEMBER H.
"Thc whig cause never looked better in thi,
part Of the State. We have been greatly disheart-
ened since the death OF Gen. Harrison but have not
lost one man-not a single one. Neither can say
We have positively gained one, and yet think we
havs gained almost innumeraby. in the very differ
ent spirit that now anmales the opposite party,
compared with that which aciuated IL two years
ago. Then they were like a snappus turtle, strik
ing at every thing within their reach-frantic with
party passion, and impatient or dsdainfu Of al
argument or reasoning. Now they are perfectly
calm and reasonable disposed for conversation, and
willing to listen TO whatever is said. l never saw
such change. How il has been effected matters
not-whethcr by the hard times, or the divisions
that haze crepe into the Dsmocratic ranks, and
long, will develop themselves more fully, is imma-
teria. The fact is as state, and judging the whole
by part, have no question that this singular
change is universal among the Democratic Party
of the country for like causes every where produce
like effects. Now, therefore, is the time 10 reason
together with the honest and patriotic, but de-
ceived and misled rank and file OF the Democrats
Party. Nsto, is the accepted time, and not after
party lines drawn, and party blood is up, to
array fdefs before their understandings, and to en-
tighten their judgments. There are individual OK
ceptions, but 1t may be laid down ns a general rule
tha, the is universally honest and patriotic
and will 90 right if they know what right is. In
my time I have never known the Demag osuss doing
poorer business than at present. In truth, the
severity OF the times has hushed the voice of the
whole class; and in a season Of religious revival
me- hat all do IN he we'd all
arc now enquiring what is to be done honestly and
consti,utonaIly, to the country from mpe nding
ruin. Il is gratifying to one long convinced
nay is wonderful, TO the extent TO which pre-
JUDGE against Mr. Clay and the Tariff policy has
shawed. OF a verty,-Tsuth is great and will
prevail, in the end.
You may think 1t strange, and so it is strange,
but none the less true, ;hat .urSmsrism should be
lntrudins itself political agent in these settle
ments. The Philosopher OF the Enquirer never
made such a mistake as when he declared himself
convert to that fantas.cal deusion, and seemed TO
demand the assent OF the Democratic party to its
absuFdties. People at FIRST wero staggered, not
whether they should believe or not, but whether he
was in jest or earnest whether Mr. French had really
humbsgged him, or whether he was trying to hum
bug them. His reputation for sense has suffered
immensely since the reading community has dis.
covered that the old gentleman was never more
seriously, and even sadly in earnest in his life
will venture TO say tina; that one act OF philosophical
daring (which observe be compares with CALLED.
for deyoion and sufferins) was the most iniudicous
thing he ever did. II has dssipa,ed at blow, thu
whole treasury OF political tact and talent which he
had been slowly boarding for the las, half century
Never spendthrift made such quick work With his
ancestors hard Accommodations, has this infatuated
Mes"-.'an with the savings of his intellectual hsc.
What he could have ,uIuAiug a bout or WHAT
Mesmerism had to do with his vocation of making
false issues, and humbuggng readers more s,upid
than himself canno; imagine. One thing is GER
tan-he had far better have been the Humbusser
than the Humbuggss. His Democratic friends would
have forgiven him for humbugging them. They
were used to IL, and would have admired the clever
ness and dexterity Of their Editor. But, tina, he
should get humbugged himsef-and that, being un-
der the dominion Of the "Fluid," he should try 10
reduce them to the same ridiculous predicament. IS
a thing they cannot stomach have not seen the
fret Democratic convert to Mesmerism-Tom DIG
gins, one Of their leading men, met me in tho road
the other day, and began laughing ne soon rs he
saw me, guessing was going TO poke fun at him
about Mesmerizng tho Democratic party. We'll,
says L. WHATS the matter MIR Dggins-you seem
to be in funny humor this morning" 0, says he
know'd you were going to laugh at me abou,
Richie and Mesruetism-now want il sol No
saysl MIR Diggns-I give you my word was no,
thinking about MIR Richie, or Mesmerism-but
about the tobacco worms, Of which there are Ger.
Ia'nly more than ever saw before. "Thaps true
too" says Mr. Diggns, "bu, thought from your
looks you were going to ask mo how Mesmerism
and Democracy came on.p What MIR Diggins felt.
the wholo party fesls-s suspicion tina, they are
laughed at-a Jealousy of being regarded as dupel
and asses-one Of the most unwecome and mort
Tying "sensaiionS" &c your Mesmsrian friend will
allow me to borrow one Of the terms Of his new
s;ienee) which can visit tho tosom, OF those espe-
siay who are not unconscious Of some claim 10 the
consideration.
| had comical dream last night. I dreampt
was in the Capitol at Richmond, and hunting and
as it were feeling oil about for the eastern angle,
that from il might judge for myself how like Mr.
Stevenson was TO Gen. Washington, as he is repre-.
senied by Houdon. While thus engaged, who
should come in, as saw 10 my dream, but Mr. S.
himself, with Judge -, surveying the statue in
mute admiration. What does this dream import
Is no, our mex. Governor plainly marked out by il1