Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1852-11-12
From the philadelphia Inquirer.
Before and After the Blection--The Know
q ing Ones. -.

1T is quite amusing, after the results Of great
political struggle are ascerfained, to discover the
many knowing ones, who suddenly make their APP
pearance In the community. They may, be fund
by scores, and ilthey are to be believed, they
mouths aeo-predicted al that mas just occurred,
ever, to the smallest figure. II appears, in some
cases. that this information appears quite novel TO
those to whom it is communicated; but the know
ing ones not whit abashed, and refer to their
astvaticinatons with the utmost complacency and
confidence. TIL. truth simply is that both parties
have been .disappointed-the one painfully, the
othey pleasurably--in relation to the recent con-
test. Before the struggle of the second Tuesday of
October, many Of the shrewdest politicians of the
opposition frankly admitted, not only that the
struggle would be close but that the chances were
in favor Of Gen. Scott. Pennsylvania was given
| to him with reluctance, but stll because the signs
the times were unequiyocally in his favor. It is
therefore an utter mockery, an empty piece of
vanity on the part of the selfsufcient, to take 10
themselves the credit of having predicted with such
| extraordinary accuracy what has just occurred.
True, after the October election in Pennsylvania,
Ohio and Indiana, the prospect became somewhat
overcast. The heavy majorities in those three
States were altogether unexpected and although
they were accounted for, in some measure, by the
lishness of the aggregate vote yet the effect was
disastrous. ItopeIated iniurously in three ways.
| In the first place, it reused the confidence and
stimulated the energies of the Democracy; in the
second, it 5intimidated and disheartened our own
ftends and in the third, it induced thousands of
the neutrals and the fence men 70 go over to the
enemy in body. These consequences were anti
Icipated, and hence we, IN common with our con-
Incorporates of the Wing press generally, made the
most earnest appeals and devoted our columns al
most exclusive TO the business of the camp, ign.
| Our great apprehension was inactivity, apathy
and Indifference on the part of the conservative
portion of the community. And these, we venture
to affirm, now, before the smoke of the battle
has vanished into thin air, the real causes of
the defeat The result in the city of Philadelphia
tells the whole story. We verify believe that there
is majority of six thousand of our fellow citizens,
within the limits of the city proper who are opposed
to the political doctrines of Franklin Pierce and his
party; and yet, on Tuesday last, our majority at the
polls was less than thirty-fye hundred. If SINH
lar condition of affairs existed throughout the State
and the nation, the immediate cause ofthe disaster
is plan and palpable. But why, under the cir
cumstances, did so many American citizens re-
mains at home! Why did so many falter in their
dutya Are Wing principles less important now
than on any former occasions! And is there less
attachment now than heretofore to home industry
and its adequate protection, to river and harbor i'm
provemenis peace and its triumpLs Of civilization,
to progress, but in a spirit that harmonize with
magnanimity and justice? We will not attempt 10
answer these questions at the present time. There
is season fl all things, and with the wounds of
the party, fresh and bieediug, it is neither wise
nor well to say aught that may be regarded as
harsh or hasty Let us rather look over the ground
calmly, discover the false steps if any have been
made, and while applaudidg and commencing the
many who batled manfully, remember that
principles are far more important than men, and
that we have duties to perform well after as be-
fore an election.