Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-09-27
RICHMOND WING.
no CsnRmPoNoEr.

Lsttsrs on bssins" must DC soate"ea 70 hs "
both :,s:' VI. no.
BE- Departed from Obituary
~ Dissemination viii BE charged the advertise
THE wings AND THE kNow-NoTHNGs.
ave we're encouraged to anticipate from the manly
tone Of denuueasou With which exposed the principles
ana policy Of the Wing party Of the North to popular
scratiou, that the Richmond Wing would be equally
picit and emphatic 10 explaining It's views Of the Kuov.
Nothing organisation. The public will appreciate our
disappointment when they read the article in which the
Wing PROCESSES to respond to inquiry touching s po
s,on; for they will discover that the QuiIoc champion
Of "Protestansm" undertakes TO conceal lie purpose in
manner altogether worthy Of Jesuit coaessor. But,
despite is shallow sophstry and its dsugeuuous dehni
tons the Wing plainly bersys the fact Of secret COM
pact and alliance between the spoilsmen Of the Wing par
~ and the Know Nothing canspiraors The public have
long suspected the coalition. This suspicion will nov be-
universal conviction. There be no msconstruc
ton Of the language Of the Wing When Il speaks Of
tshieding Protestant rights against Catholic domination
and charscte1es the influence Of the foreign element in
population the prevailing evil Of the day"when
it talks Of restricting emigration and Of revising the
position No man eau resist the conclusion that far
at least A. the influence Of the Richmond Wing
oomPlish the thing, the Wing party Of Virgins enlisted
the service Of the "Kusw-Nothngs."
However eager the Wing leaders may be for al
lance by which they hope TO subvert the asceudeucy Of
the Democratic party do not fear that the bulk Of the
Mhis party viii submit 10 auy such degrading association
We have sufficient confidence in the in cllgence and
independence Of the Wing gentlemen Of Virginia to be-
ieve that they will spurn the alliance. They will forbid
the bans The lash of party compel them
the yoke Of this Infamous bondsge Their sense jus
tce, their dignity their honor will revolt sganst league
with association Of political ban titt, who pursue
the work Of riot aud under midnight
darkness. II is here in Virginia that gentlemen skuk
from the gaze OF public scrutiny, aud disguise their po
cal creed BY equvocatou and alsehood. 1t is here
that they refuse submit their principles the OF
public discussion 1t Is not 10 yirgi ia that brutal big
o.ry and vulgar prejudice Of blood stas the voice
OF conscience and suppress the generous impulses Of hos
pitality We much mistake the character of the Wing
gentlemen Of Virginia. If they do shrink from the
Filthy touch OF Know Nothingism," they would from
the presence Of plague or the stigma of dshouor.
"For our declaration that will not support "know
Nothing" for the office Of Governor. the Wig accuses Us
Of prescription. By the same logic mag convict the
Wig oil the same offence, for il will support Demo.
erat Tor any political office thus, according its
gument prescribing citizens for difference OF opip
on But is not Singular that the apo gst of the Know
Nothing should affect horror of prescription That
public journal should plead for tolerence and ioeraty
the name Of the meanest vudictive most exclusive
most bgote malignant faction that ever brought re
proach upon human natures With what face can he talk
Of the right OF free discussion aud Of private Judge
ment who avows sympathy with association Of bigots
and natvistsof who would deny liberty OF consci-
encs to the Catholic and would repuse foreigner om
our shores!"
ITO all this the Wing replies by protesting ignorance
Priuclpts purposes OF the know Nothing
ona plea which is less credtsbe its intelligence than
10 its modesty Is idle this day to set up any such
pretence. methodical exposition of the usture Of
Know Nothingism is not necessary a comprehension
OF It's Vaccinations and desigps 1t reveals lis character
IN its works The riots and assassnatons OF New Or
leans and the recent demonstration against the liberty
speech in Washington sufficiently illustrate its spirit and
purposes.
"The Wing entreats for Know Nohip p.m the same toll
GRAFTON which We extend the Masonic fraternity aud
TO similar MISUNDERSTANDING that the only objection
10 the ormer the secresy in which il shrouds its ope
rations. The Wing cannot deceive the public by any
such sophlsiry. The utmos: candor and publicity could
not render the principles Of the Know Nohings accepta
Die TO the American people, but the association derive.
additional nfamy from the dark and treacherous
10 which the spirit Of religious bgory aud political pro-
ecription seeks TO strike down its victims"
The above extract is the reply of the Enquirer to
our article of Monday, in answer to its enquiries
distinctly put to US in the Enquirer of Saturday We
are sorry to have aroused the ire of our neighbour
on so delicate q subject But we must plead the
necessity OF the occason-and not the intention to
embarrass our neighbour. AS public journalists, we
have ever sought to be explicit candid, courteous,
and fair IL our plain unpretending manner CRATES
on the delicate taste" uncongenia to the fastidi
Gus ideas OF our neighbour We must say, in all candor
shake not your CORY locks at u.s." We do no,
profess to be the keepers Of the consciences of "H
gentlemen" or to constitute our paper their shelC
"from degrading alliances" nor will we presune tc
say hon far "Know Nothing" is gentlemna On
SUCH peculiarly delicate questions, must beg leave
to allow each citizen, whether Wing or Democrat, to
judge for himself Nor are we the quixotic champ IN
oil Protostanism." We have distinctly nUned tn.
Enquirer, against raising such an issue. We repeat
the warning in good faith, and in all candor. We
ara min .io,,rp l,a,,
Inc voice 81 history, the observation of all prudent
men, the experience Of all true lovers Of their coun.
Try teach the lesson OF admonition on this question
and warn US against fearful an issue. Hence our
reserve, our unSillingness to enter sword in hand
Vnor down. with ruthless and un,e,npered heat into
this supposed war Of religions. We say "war of re
hgions-ior, If the Enquirer is right in it, yiewsve
must, at least infer that the Know No,hnys ars w,r
ring to the knife against Catholicism Now if such ia
the TACT uhe Enquirer being the guide requires no
syiogstic argument to prove that the ENQUIRER and
It's candidates are on the side of the Pope aud against
the Protestant faith. Let US not be misunderstood
we 10 not charge this on the Enquirer What We
mean to say is this, if the Know No,hnp. are AZ
the Enquirer says they are eagued against foreigners
aud the Catholics, forming this the basis Of tboir
political organization, and the iquirer denounc.s
them, proscribes them laws them, then il follows
that TO this intent. and with this e5teat The Eaoyir,,
wars on Professionalism just so FAR rs Pedestrians wa
on and combine against Catholicism.
Now this is precisely wha. we do not intend % do
we eschew this ssue-wc warn against it. Wea,a
Wing and Republican journalists the advocates of
true and rational freedom Of opinion, as we'll in mat.
tors OF religious faith as in governmental policy. ",
viii not prescribe for opinions sake-neither on reli.
s'on or social compacts except so far as the candidates
LOT our vor are against those principles and opposed
70 thas line governmental policy which we advocate
We are oppose to all ism,; aud hence our opposi.
sion to the Enqurer's forcing on us and the country
new issues Of this sort The path way of duty is pan
10 Illustrate suppose avowed AJolitioait were
candidate, as Know Nothing, agains, an old. tried
reliable pro-slayery man, who was not now Noto
Ing, would we hesitate which to support9 Cet,ain,,
not Again: Suppose a Know Nothing Democra,
were candidate against ant-Knos Nothing Abo
Iition Wing, would IL not be our duty to suppor, ,b
Know Nothinga We unhesitatngly say that W,
would do this thing In our estimation. tbero ~,