Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1853-02-09
GERRYMANDERING.

GERRY WANDERING.
The Petersburg Democrat makes an earnest
and pathetic appeal to the Legislature not to ger
rymander the State. 1t says:
..Thers are two sorts of gerrymanders one
for party, the other for individuals. To both we
are opposed. For the first, there is some excuse |
-mauy good meu differ as to its proprlety; but |
for the second, there is not the shadow of pre-
text, except to crafty the ambitious lodgings
and congressional expectations of hungry aspi- !
rauss In the name of deceney aud propriety, |
we invoke the Legislature not to lay themselves
liable to this charge. Everybody see that |
with honesty Virg mia map, aud due regard |
to the teachings OF common sense, as guides,
there is nothing difficult or even vexaous in this
arrangement of districts And why should the |
. Legislature, by rehearsing the play of much |
/ Ado about Nothing" seek to incur the suspicion
of being composed of men anxious and greedy to
| reap the benefit ftheir own work !"
For the first time in the history of Virginia
politics, the arrangement of Congressional dis
tricts is now treated openly and avowedly as
party question by the Democracy of this State.
Caucus after caucus has beer held by the Demo
cratic members of the Legislature to consider the
subject as though it matter in which the
Whig party OF this Commonwealth had no inte
rest whatever, Our opponents have always de-
MED that there anything unfair and illiberal
In the apportonment oflS43, or that party con-
siderations influenced their action that occa-
sion. But Democracy is progressive and now
boldly throws off the mask which it condescend-
ed to wear ten years ago. Were it within the
contemplation of the dominant party, to lay off
the districts 10 conformity with the obvious
principles of Justice, fairness, common sense
and public convenience, there would be no ne
cessity whatever for holding midnight conclaves
of an exclusively party character to consider
| the subject.
"Young America is threatened with annihia-
+ion. After submitting for long time with
christian meekness and forbearance the taunts.
ieers aud Insults of this aspiring taetion Old Fo-
eyism has at length turned upon its youthful as
saiIant with ierocity of Reorganization that
promises to take ample vengeance for the past
W. published day or two since thundeung
den,nciaton of the Democratic Review by the
Washington Union. A number of Demo cratic
papershave followed in the wake of tha-u1asaa
and EXPRESSED much delight aud satlsfaction al
its savage onslaught on the organ 6f Young Ame-
RIGA Tlsse journals pronounce sentence oil
outlavry ayainst the Review and set a price on
its scan Tits clear that concerted and vigoro us
effort will be made to put down this troublesome
chonnion of The rising generation of Locofoco po-
litcians-this audacious Gaul that Is forever
pIucking the antiquated and august celebrities OF
the Democratic party by the beard. Whether
the attempt will be successful time only can OILS
closa So far the odds aecii-d,y against
Young America but the youthful energy and
salor of thatparty may yet enable II 20 triumph
over its enemies.
The ENQUIRER of this city mngles IN the fray,
taking ND the cudgels against the democratic Res
view. Itreates pleasant litt' hoecdote Illus
.ro,;va of the character of that ppllcatlon which
i,n,rs, hs confessed reflects no great credit on
the editor. nook
1t appears that Mr.. Stiles 1ausnos ore OF Ia.
n.acratic Convention FROM /Io' .sas an,roaohsd
ring the session of that 49,. Psvisu who
by the edl'of o, the go for Douglas, he (the
'oiu '''i' '"as Il n0 Work such favorable no.
eai'0fl "0a:u give Would ensure its entire sue
nee and oflt'c's'g persisted in the support of
ss o"' 'na' Suld give him such a SHINING
. na.uana alh 4his work forever Mr. Stiles
la, "pa.r by asking 1.-the price of his skin
-cp"0D " lie would freely pay, being satisfied
mug WI jlning would do his book more good
than h9 u. or, and nnh,;sbsa .
yeritiune on Mr.. Stiles book in the last
mn Hr of his review.
Xce the above was written, we have received
ne New Y DIRK Herald OF Monday containing let
Ter from Mr. George N. Saunders in reply to the
Unions attack. We make room for several ex-
tracts:
The Union, in its agony, betrays, by its in
temperance of language, that the sore place was
Drobed by the pointed aud unanswerable expo
sura of the Union, in the last issue of the Re
riev. For the venerable editor personally, en-
tertain the greatest regard His high honor aud
generous nature. in private and social life, aud
his distinguished service in the field, shall not,
however screen his paper from our searching
criticism. ! am willing TO accord TO MN, poilt-
caly, that which he seems to be most proud Of
his orthodox Jacksonism some twenty years ago.
The correctness of his opinions in regard to what
was done and finished for their time. by Jetfer-
son and Jackson, fully concede. But what we
demand of the Union is that, like Jefferson and
Jackson, it should give us the lins of action for
the day. Instead of this, the Uaion and its res
frosrade associates present, Tor public considera-
fon opinions good only regards the historical
past. Twelve moths ago the party was in
,rrv and violent confusion, caused by the strfes
between the different aspitants ard their sur-
pounding cIiques. There were quarrels about
she Compromise-as to whose was the merit
and other questions raised, of no object but to
fabsh mortgages upon the party. Our wlsest
statesmen scarcely hoped for reconciliation and
rnonv At this crisis | took hold OF the Re
ae,r and attacked the parties who were urging
heir claims upon the grateful generosity OF the
Democracy. which merely meant asking office
and p0sition for individual profit, not responsible
IL Aso