Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-10-24
MONDAY, OCTOBER aa, 1854.
THE DEMOCRATIC STATE CONTEMPORARIES
NEXT CANVASS

NEST CAN| aSS.
With entire unanimtv and in the muin, with com
mendable spirit of conciliaon tho Democratic press
of the State have sguied thcr acquiescence III lie
suggestion of the Central Committee, that the Gubcr-
material Convention be held In Stauntou on the Both
OF November. Thus happily is dispute adjusted
which threatened to fumunt iieeling and teud' ana
To hazard the ultimate success of the party BEFORE
the canvass is begun We have achieved Il tlumph-a
triumph over our own preiudces aud ilsubortilnate
imulscs.-which indicates the prevalence "t the old
Democratic spirit and cheers with sure presaSe
of victory.
In counsel and dsbute every individual of the De
mocratic party claims and exercises the utmost Nner
~ of thought and freedom Of speech; but when once
tho U of tie majority is manifest, he gracefully SUD-
mts and zealsusly co-operu,es III the common cause
When a canddatei is to be chosen and the necessary
organization for is 10 be perfected, there Ii
nlway. an erhihiti"n ~ parsnnnl f""'"g a"' I" d'
versity Of opinion III the Democratic party, which
the adversary mistakes for incurable isuborlnalio
aud discomfort. But, when the hour for action mp
proaches, even the morose and sucn spirit is quellcd
the ukewarn catch inspiration OF enthusiasm nnd
all are animated by common impulse Of fidelity to
party and devotion to duty. The clamorous become
SILENT every unnmiabe nnd unruly passion subsidies
and the Democracy move Oh to victory with the coin'
pact array and stoady step Of invincible phalnnx
mimic combat among ourselves prepares us for the
serious encounter with the enemy. The blood is
stirred the energies arc awakened, and the passions
are chastissd into quesccncc and discipline BY tile
harmless blows which friend inaicts upon. friend.
The Wings may chucke with silent satisfaction OF
exult in boastlu confidence, over the exhibitions "i
selfish and iusuboriuste passion i'll the Democracy OF
Virginia. They may indulge their fancy TO the extent
of even predicting defeat from our friendly collisions
end they may employ their talents for mischief III ART
fully romeuting fcud and faction; but we will NOT oe
in the least disturbed alarmed Present indications
are deceptive far they may be thought to fore
shadow the defeat of the Democracy Of Virginia.
Devotion TO the fortunes Of particular individual
may have led some, in tho excess OF their ZEAL to
tread rpop the brink of the abyss into which every
rccusa,. or rcbcous Democrat is precipi,ated; but
they nro not beyond the hope of rescue and after the
3Uth uf November, they will stand again upon snic
aid suld ground. The candidate Of the purity, Will
receive, lot the passive and reluctant, but the
..!ous and active support OF every Democrat III the
safe Present resentments will be forgotten distrust
Will give place TO cordial confidence, and in the en-
husasm Of the canvass ample atonement will be made
!or u,.iscreo, ebuons Of il.nature. But il s bet
Ter TO keep clear of exclusive attachments lest dsap
pointnent abate the ardor of zca when the time
Tor action comes, und some thoUghtlcsr expression o
momentary impulse betray us into an awkward and
unpleasant position. Ones words are difficult OF
disye.ton, and confusion and discontinue often
the penalty of hasty retreat from fulse position. Ind
vidual preference is not only allowable but praise
worthy it is violent and jealous partizanshp that we
deprecate.
Without Implying the least apprehension in regard
to the result Vf the next Gubernaoral election In this
State, we may entreat the Democracy to maintain
their organic alton in all its ancient vitality and pow
or Numbers count for nothing, without concert and
energy in action. If tolerate heresy and nsubor-
Jipation decentralization and defeat will be the consc-
ouencc. In crisis Of unusual peril the severe sway
of martial law is essential TO the safety of the army.
The Democracy are encompassed by many foes, and
y.x,d bv much strife. Shall we relax discipline |!
Shall we suffer every 10 go his own way, as ca
price or tr.achory may suggest! Or, shall we "draw
tight the res OF party" aud exact rigid conformity
10 ancient usage The Democracy must consider and
settle these things. a struggle il before rs, and we
cannot afford to neglect any precauton essential to