Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-08-01
RICHMOND, VA.
Wednesday Morning, August l, 1S49.
The "Elue" Democracy of Richmond.

The Ellie" Democracy Of Richmond
The world has heard good deal about the "Spar-
tan Band" of Richmond, and under that denomina-
ton has learned to recognize small number of De-
mocratic managers collected together in the me-
troPolis of Virginia, who have long given direction
to the conduct of their party and, through its gen.
era ascendancy, to the politics of the State. The
heart and soul of that little Band was undoubtedly
the former editor of the Enquirer, now the senior
editor of the Washington Union, and among its most
influential members were DR.. John Brockenbrough
former President of the Bank of Virginia, the late
Senator Roane, Mr.. Andrew Stevenson, and some
other leaders, aided by rank and file enough to do
all the work which they cut out. "Spartan Band >
however, is an appellation of comparatively recent
origin, and one which the Richmond Democracy
were quietly allowed to assume to themselves as in
dicating the paucty of their numbers and the firm
concert with which they acted AS for their being
more like Lycurguses and Leondases than other
people, we believe they never made any such pre-
tension. But these gentlemen have only enjoyed
their Lacedemonian title by tenure of sufferance
Their true, original and appropriate cognomen was
the Richmond Juno designation borrowed from
the kingdom of Spain, where the course of public
affairs has, from time immemoria been directed bv
the plots and ntrgues petty coteries of politicians
Perhaps sufficient explanation of the gradual dis
use of the name "Juno, may be found in the fact.
that various circumstances have operated to separate
the individuals who made up the Democratic cabal.
some having died, and others having changed their
residence. Their successors have not been able to
keep up an equally efficient organization. or to
manage the party wires with equal harmony of
views; and the result may be observed in several
important crosses which the policy of the majority
has IN late years, been forced to sustain as for ex
ample, in the election of Senators Hunter and Ma
sens and Governor Floyd, by Wing votes and In de-
fance of caucus remonstrances
The "Junto, however, was certainly in active ex-
stence until the present editor ofhe Union removed
TO Washington to take charge of that paper That
it was so, he has himself furnished very curious
proof, in an article Of Saturday morning last, which
besides its giving us an insight into some important
secret history OF political events, is particularly val
liable as furnishing new name, and perhaps the
happiest one of all, for the Richmond MANAGERS Of
Virginia Democracy. Hereafter let nobody venture
to apply to those dignitaiies any such republican
plain, vulgar .epthet as "Spartans." That was
very good name to tickle the public ear in time of
elections; but it was altogether unsuited to the real
character of the personages concerned and to their
own ideas of their position.
The following extract from the article in the
Union, informs the world that henceforth and forever
these managing gentry of Richmond are to be
known as the Elite Democrats and how well thew
performed their Office of leading their party by the
nose, let the Unions "reminiscences of the last stroke
they struck under its editors counsel, attest
John Van Buren, Says the Union) has dragged in the
venerable name OF Sas Wright into his attacks upon rs
ne nI wright as censlrng our want Of stabil-
NY upon one point we have no doubt Mr. Wright was Of
opinion that ne had some complain of U.s. Every
man IN Virginia knows how warmly we supported M
Van Bursn on his election e the presidency in and
when defeated by Gen Harrison determined to stand
up for Mr. Van Buren, in 1874 Every Virginia politician
year against the friends of Mr. Calhoun; and when thew
found themselves in minority in the State Mr. M II
Hunter in the finest and most liberal spirit came forward
in the State convention offer the olive branch and
pledge themselves to support Van Buren, throwing unon
his friends the responsibility Of carrying out our common
republican principles Those who witnessed the scene
will recolec in what manner address the con-
venon to hail the overture and to accept the responsible
iy Although we were subsequently defeated in the spring
stand by Van Buren, provided he should be found true on
the great Texas question The very evening of the dav
on which this pledge was given Mr. Van Burens anti
Texas letter reached 1t decided his lot 1t was evil
dent at least that Virginia would then go against him.
We communicated the true situation OF things to Mr.
Van buren,, with more pain than we are now willino
TO express, backed with number Of letters from re
pnolcans OF high character to confirm the statement
The very next day we made similar communication
10 Mr. Wright, at Washington enclosing very strono
letter from one OF the strongest democrats in the Stae
and showing that we took Van Buren, for our leader we
should be certainly defeated, These letters with The
Shockoe resolutions which had been prepared at an elite
meeting OF the most distinguished democrats in Richmond
and which at their request we presented the e eve
ming TO the Shockoe Association, received with bad
grace by Mr. Wright and he wrote as civil terms as
ne could employ, that act which we should rue
10 the last day OF our life We have repented one
moment from that day to this On the contrary had we
consulted his feelings, had the republicans of Virginia
mady persisted in the nomination Of Mr. Van Buren, at
Baltimore, we should have been certainly defeated; Mr.
C!ay would have been elected and the brilliant ad-
mnSuauon winch adorns annals which has contri-
onea 80 much 70 confirm the triumph of republican pr-
cpes au 70 seu SO much glory upon our country would
nousy took al that important period we have never been
forgiven y the an buren clique and to this cause we are
IN pa oi inc last outburs of the vindctive feel
ing WINCH Wa poured iofth the other day the Cleveland
The Washington Republic handles the new COG.
nomen of the old Junto" in its usual happv stve,
as follows:
TIE ELITE" DEMocRAoy.-An honest oood lool,o,
Democrat dropped into Office on Saturay With cog
Ply OF the Union in his hand, and begged to know # we
could Infom him what meant by an eI;te ,osanrr
OF the most distinguished Democrats OF Richmond He
SAID ne had heard Of the Banbumers and the Old Hun
kers but he had never heard OF the elite and he wanted n
earn what ged idea that He said Heaven
mere were wings enough to the oldparty already that
was pretty nearly split shivers and there was going