Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1854-10-21
PHILosoPHIZING OVER DEFEAT.

1t appears that the Richmond Enquirer is not at
all disappointed in the result of the elections in
Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Ohio, as it was anti
cipated by every intelligent person. "With the
Wings (says the Enquirer) were united the Adolf
&ionsts the anti-Nebraskaites, the Liquorprohibi-
tionists, the ow-Nothings, and other insignificant
factions of various compilations and diverse ten
denotes" This being the candid opinion of the
respectable print from which we quote, we may be
allowed to ask from phat party all these odds and
ends were gathered? If they have but just now
united with the Wings, who have been long in a
minority in the States above named, from what
party were they recruited? Were not some of them
from that great Democratic district of DAVID
WnMoT which furnished two thousand five hun
dred majority for the present President, and whose
support was accepted with so much enthusiasm
Were not some of them recruited from that party
In Ohio which in 1S49 sent SALMON P. CHASE, a
Freesoil Democrat, to the Senate of the United
States? Were not some of them from that great
Democratic phalanx in Baltimore which has gener-
ally polled large majorities for the Democracy
If they had continued to vote with their party,
would they not have been allowed to take and enjoy
sany fantastic name they pleased 1t is only when
they vote on the wrong side that they deserve
anathemas.
The Enquirer is versed in natural history and
apt in its application of analogies. It says:
There is fable which represents all ravenous beasts
ud birds of prey in league against the monarch of the
sorest-an alliance into which they were driven by
common fear and common hatred. So here all fac
lions and all creeds consented to suspend their mutual
5ealousies and enmities, and to wage common war
against the party under the shadow of whose ascendanc
they have langushed in helpless exclusion from power
and office. But the birds and the beasts in the fable
fell to deyourng another after the subugaon of thu
foe, in like will ambition jealousy, greco
of Office, and the savage instincts of fendsh nature
foment discord and strife among the eagued enemies
the Democracy"
This thought has evidently been elected by the
history of Democratic and Freesoil coalitions during
the last FIVE years in Ohio, Massachusetts, Connecti
cut, Vermont and other States.
But why invoke unpleasant memories at such
! moment as this? We are satisfied the Enquirer
felt its "pride of other years offended by victo
ries obtained for its party by such means, but it
qualms were quoted by the general hurra for the
great victory of 1852, achieved in part by David
Wilmots thorough Democratic district. All the
signs indicate that the Democracy must have been
engaged in this work Of g do~oaring one another
On the whole, the Enquirer is rather gratihed
that the thing has happened, and it declares with
steady that there is nothing in the result tc
Brighten the Democracy the contrary, it reoices
at the issue. 1t is glad the hard knocks have come
so soon for there may be time before the Presiden
tial election to recover from the bruises It look.
for reaction in good time
WE'LL if oil parties satisfied there will be nc
danger to the Union, and we may breathe freely, al
least until the next great contest We too are o
opinion that things will settle down properly il
good time. Those who raised the whirlwind whel
all was peace and quiet deserve to feel some of it
discomforts; but we cannot agree with the Enquire
shat the adjustment of difficulties is to be brough
about under the auspices Of the Democracy. TIL
disturbers Of the peace not always the prope
persons to restore it, For ourselves we are firm il
the belief that in good time the love Of Union ant
the common bonds Of interest and affection will b,
found sufficient to keep us together as great anc
prosperous nation. Let US hoot away the raven O
despondency.