Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-09-01
In A Dilemma.

Verify our neighbor Of the Enquirer is in dlem>
ma on the subject Of Know Nothingism. No longer
than the 2sth Of last month contemporary gave its
readers to understand that il 4 matter of the
most perfect indifference whether the Democratic
pirsnts for the Gubernaoral nomination in favor
Of or against this order. In reply to suggestion
that it might be proper for the Enquirer to inform
the public how the Democratic candidates for the
Gubernatorial nomnation-Wise, Leake, Letcher,
&c,-stood on the Know Nothing question, our neigh
Dor replied as follows
"Not knowing the views of the distinguished gentle
men above named, upon the Know Nothing question,
cannot enlghten Contemporary and beg that he
Will not take It as unkind when say, have little
curiosity upon the subject that no inclination to
csteehise them in the premises They good citizens
and true men; honestly entertaining and advocating De-
mocratc principles LIBERAL enlightened and patriotic
Such men afraid upon the most impor-
tant questions Of State Federal policy add therefore,
We do not indulge In apprehensiors how they
q stand on the Know Nothing question:"
Up to the date Of the issue Of the number of the
Enquirer containing the above editorial we had been
under the honest impression that the anti. X low
Nothing zeal OF that paper was bold and undsguiSed
So prompt WAS its action-so high toned its indgna-
ton at the efforts Of this "new order of men to
shhe popular sentiment and revolutionize public
opinion that We felt the foreigners had in the Eng-
Ter staunch unfnching and able advocate. How
much were We disappointed reading the above
paragraph may well be imagined. And has it cone
to this complexion at last can it be vertable fact
that we thought, that all the previous indignation Of
the hichmond Enquirer against "the foe OF the
foreigner was mere gasconadet Were the strong
appeals the holy zeal-the burning epithets OF the
eitors OF that paper mere tubs thrown out to the
whale
The Enquirer had taught its readers to believe that
was their duty as good citizens and true men" To
resist to the death this Know Nothing influence To
sschew it as antRepublican anti, Democratic, pros
scrPtive and harsh. But it seemed from some new
hght which the Enquirer had received on or about the
zeth uit, that there was nothing anti Republican
ant>Democratic, proscriptive and harsh in Know
Nothingism, II adopted by such men as Henri T.
HHe, Shelton +. Ledke, ./ohn Letcher, or other De-
mocratic asprants for the Gubernatoria nomination
were lett to infer that in these men and their De-
nocratc compeers there was nothing improper should
1ney become attached to the Know Nothing party
which the Enquirer had taught its readers to regard
rs made up OF the discontinued Wings Of the South
and the Freesoilers of the North For that parer
said on the 2Sth ult ave have so little curiosity ON
Inc subject las to whether they are Know Nothngs
OF no that we have no inclination to cacchse them
In the premises. They are good citizens and true
men, honestly entertaining and advocating Democrat
&c principles, liberal, enlightened and patriotic Such
men@e are not afraid to trust upon the most mpor-
tant questions of State or Federal policy and there
lore, we do not indulge in any apprehensions as 10
now they stand on the Know Nothing question"
Here was plain admission, either that the Know
Nothing question is of no Importance and not anti
republican, anti-Democratic and proscrptive in its
tendencies, or that being so, the Whg side vet
the holy JUNCTION OF the apostles Of Democracy would
purge 1t OF its original tant and render it along with
either Wise Leake, or Letcher, a most attractive
and Republican bait for catching votes in the ensuing
dubernatoral election But in the issue of the
Enquirer yesterday morning. our contemporary spoils
all again. He says:
"The position Of the Enquirer and we are bannv IN
add OF large majority Of the Democratic press upon the
principles rs as as they known of this party has
not been equivoca We have been are out and ON,
opposed 70 them in principle in the application of their
prioeiPe, in their organic alton and in their
amAuon with our own or any party. Weregret 10 see
them oountenanced by any Of any party because
believe they moved and governed by prrudce and
passion and false doctrine with the very found.
tions Of our political fabric and all the maIms taught b.
'n0'e who erected our systems of policy.
we have thus spoken upon this principle Of the Know
So,hings because we believe it OF dangerous Tendency
and vital stab liberty subyersiye Of all tho
sutiona guarantees upon the subject Of reIgion roi
dsd Tor the national and each Of the State governmena
o return to the principles which have been the OF.
Poonum OF the governments Of old world and to fee
ron winch 80 many foreigners have sought refuge 10
this blessed couutry." ="
NOW, we are somewhat surprised that any one who
tn'nks the doctrines of the Know Nothings are of
2 sucn dangerous tendency, and vital stab to our
oerty suoversive of all the Constitutional ruaran
wees upon the subject Of religion &c. should manifest
10 much indifference rs not to have sufficient
upon the subject to enquire Of candidates for the
hghest state Offices whether they hold those doctrines
or not. But will the Enquirer oppose the Democra.
nc candidate for Governor il heis Know Nothing
Our neghbor is evidently in a dilemma, and viii hsyc
70 tune bis pipe again before he can catch and secure
tine sweet German accent the rich Irish brocue