Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-11-22
N. Pr.tfor. -Th.rs the Spartan Decree

As VIC predicted, yesterday, the Richmond Ehqui-
is out in long article against the adoption Of any
platform by tho Staunton Convention. This is the
natural sequence of Friday nights proceedings. The
Spartans are adroit and tricky. They the liucal
descendants Of the magician of Undertook. They
never commit themscves-but pursue a hop, skip
and jump sort Of policy, and, like the Irshmans flea
change their position with SO much facility. according
to circumstances that is impossible ever put your
finger upon them.
We anticipated the determination OF tho Spartans
upon this question. We knew tho facile and dex-
ferrous materials Of whichlths Richmond junto was
composed. We knew they had long sought and
still seek, to rule the rural Democracy with rod of
iron. In midnight conclave they devise their schemes
concert their plans, and promulge the law to their
party throughout the Stale-aad they expect and
exact implicit obedience to all their behcsts. They
tolerate no INSTRUMENTATION among the rank and file
no dissent from their stern DEGREES hesitation even
in carrying them out-but thoy require unquestiop-
ing and accomplishing submission to whatever they
may choose to dictate suggest. Let but an oppo-
site spirit manifest tsel.-let but a murmur or
whisper of dissatisfaction be heard in any portion OF
the party, in any quarter Of the Commonwealth and
what is the instant and inevitable results Why,
against the advocates of free thought and independent
opinion all the terrors Of martial dlc." Submit
they must, or stripes, Imprisonment and hanging is
Che fearful consequence. There is rest, peace
no hope for them but in abcct slavery in desra ling
submission to the wishes and passions of despo,ic
central junto. There is, say other alternative
unless it be that, sckened and disguised at the pre-
sumption OF small clique Of Richmond politicians,
they shall determine boldly to raise the standard of
revolt and declare themselves frccmen, ''uncaring
consequences, unless they shall fly in the teeth of
those usurpations and that tyranny, which would
destroy all spirit and oil independence, Crush out,
the very life Of the mind and heart and make them
vassals and legemcn forever. DO this-reiect scorn
spurn the dications Of the Richmond junto, and YOU
will still be free. Submit, acquiesce acknowledge by
word or deed their right oprescribe what you shall
think, what opinions you shall hold or what course
you shall pursue, and there will be no more misers-
BILE or contemplate slaves on earth than you arc
We care not silver whether platform is adopted
at Staunton or not. But We do fell some interest in
the question whether the voice of the masses is to
prevail, or whether little midnight cabal in Rich
nond is to give law to the Convention. That, we
submit is question about which every freeman mus,
needs feel some degree of socitude, for il involves
that other question: the affirmative side OF which is
SO dear to every Republican heart, whether the many
shall rule, or the few. But the Enquirer speaking
presume, in the name and in behalf OF the Rich
mond junto, has issued its ORDERS and if we are TO
judge the future by the past the simple business OF
the Staunton Convention will be TO tanely accept its
suggestions and register its cdicts. 1t maintains that
the Convention should express its opinion upon none
Of the political questions OF the day-that it should
cautiously play mum, and pass them all over in ST.
melancholy conclusion that it would
be dangerous for it "to rente to re,airn, ercn the
time-hOnorel principles Of Tie party" What's in
the wind3 What can the matter be?-whcn Il .
great Democracy are admonishei by one of its lead.
ing organs, not "to venture to rc-allrm even the
time honored principles OF the party" Let the De.
mocracy throughout the State take warning by the
Enquirer's admonition. We suspect there is n deem
game at the bottom Of it. The Richmond unto are
cunning and selfish. They have some schemes for
their own advantage on foot; and this no doubt is
diplomatic trick to entrap the Democratic party OF
tho State, and make them subseryent to their own
individual plans and purposes. So, we repeat again
let the country Democracy watch them closely anil
vigantly, or they will certainly fall prey to their
snares and wle;.
But listen to the Enquirer, and see how fully
verics our anticpations in respect to the policy the
Spartan junto had determined in regard to the
adoption of platform. Witness how earnestly and
mournfllly the Spartan organ appeals to the Demo.
cracy throughout the State TO put their veto upon
any suggestion or attempt to induce them TO avow
their principles and opinions at Staunton. 1t says
"lf the Stanton Convention bcsdes the discharge OF
]" appropriate function venture to reihrm even the time
honored principles Of tho party, an opportunity will be
Afforded to ev.disposed persons throw
tho party by rssng some question OF omnous rpper,
II the thing be once begun where shah il end, Wbo
shall say, thus far and farthsr' When III. s,;,;,
Of Discord is evoked, by what spell may be
Pitiateds And even II 1t DO driven out il there no. a.
E,r lcst it tear and rend the body by lis mad conyuv
energy There are issues both Of Federal and STATE
policy, respect Of which the Democratic party arc not
81 one MIND IL IL known, for instance tina. Democr
differ In their construction OF Mr. Hunters Lind Bill
Would not be- then excessively stupid or crminaly
regardless oil the interests oil the party bring this sub
ject before the Conveuion,and attempt to make /,
consistent fidelity TO principle? There again IL the Pacific
Railroad, the Homestead Bill, the Compromise of 1850
the Nebraska Bill ard other measures OF Federal pov
in regard to which Democrats differ Shall they too he
thrus, upon the CouventionY'
We were told the other night by one or The ,,os,
dsshing, enthusiastic and eloquent of the Spartan
orators, that tho Democratic party was unit--or
father eunuch, by which latter term, it was sun.
posed by many that the idea intended 70 be conveyed
was that the pcRty Of the great Democratic party
was gone. IL this was the orators meaning. il was
certainly most happy and expressive word he used
-jsst such an one as VIC might expect, a profound
and original genius to employ. But concedinr he
meant otherwise, how does such declaration ,olly
with the admission Of the Enquirer Our neiphbor
hvors us with long catalogue Of grave political
questions, Tin regard TO which Democrats differ" and
differ widely, essentially fundamentally. And be.
cause OF this radical difference Of opinion upon
Issues OF present. vital pressing import, the Staun,on
Convention is invoked to be num,-to open not lis
say not word-to breath not n breath.
Aud why' For the simple reason that the Richmond
iunto might be discounted in Of their cherished
plans aud projects.
We shall pursue this subject further We Jaw the
drin OF the Sparinns on Friday night and we mean
TO let the unsnphisticated masses Of the Democracy
know TO what "lasc uses" the central junto would
devote them