Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1854-09-08
The Gubernatorial Contest.

The contest among the Democracy Of this State,
over the Gubornatorial nomination, wakes warm, and
to outsiders like ourselves, quite interesting
paign that opens with much animation gives pro-
mise, We think, Of stirring times before the contest
Is over The party leaders have succeeded in creating
some interest in the subject among the faithful OF
sundry localities-enough to get up several county
meetings-hear flaming speeches, pass resolutions
cu and dry" for the occasion, endorse their favorite
candidate and resolve to elect him, if nominated, in
spite Of all opposition.
But it so happens, most unfortunately for the pa
trotic purposes OF the Virginia Democracy, that
there is a lamentable want of harmony among the
brethren both in regard to the time for holding
caucus to make the Gubernatoria nomination. and as
to the man they shall confer that honor upon. a
short time ago the prospect was pretty good for
Convention as early as October, but more recent
manifestations indicate that that proposition meets
with the most decided opposition of large and re-
spectacle portion Of the party Suspicious have been
excited as to the game that was to be played in
Convention held at early day, and there has been
determined purpose exhibited on the part Of not q
few Of the friends Of those asprants who had either
kept too quiet, or had not been sufficiently wide
awake, heretofore to 'set back the aspirations of
those who had taken undue start in the race Ii
they can manage to work the wires it is more than
probable that the action of King Caucu will be post
poned until some time in the month of January or
February. recent proposition is to desecrate the
22d OF February with their scramble for spols
Any one unacquainted with Virginia politics would
think, from perusal of the Democratic papers of the
State, that we were just the verge of Gubernato-
rial election, and that it was highly important for that
party to nominate candidate at the earliest possible
day so as to give the members Of the party through
out the State notice in time to their votes
upon the nominee on the day of election Thcy
would he somewhat surprised learn that the elec-
ton does not take place until May, and that the
term OF the esent.incumbents of the offices of Go
vernon, Lieut. Governor and Attorney General. do,
not expire before the lst OF January 1856 But sucI
is the greedness for the spoils of office among the
Democratic party of Virginia that we see them
nearly eighteen months before the period arrives E ,
enjoying the spoils Of the next Gubernatoria eIectin
thrown into most excited contention over their dis
tibuton. They Jared rather badly in the Brig ders
dispensaton of Federal pap and some allowance will
have to be made for the avidy they manifest In sci
upon the State Offices. In Cabinet appointments
foreign missions, &c, they sadly disappointed
and will have, therefore, TO seek be pensioned off
on somewhat shorter allowance upon the State Trco
sury. These things will have to be taken into con
slderat'on by the citizens Of our neighborng States.
AZ some apology, at least for the eagerncss for office
manifested on this occasion by the Democratic pot;
clans OF Virginia. Had not their own nomine. for
President in the late Baltimore Convention traated
them 30 shabby, they might have been saved to
some extent the dsgraceful spectacle they now pre-
sent OF scrambling for the State spos This is the
best excuse We offer for them; and for the credit
oil the State we are sincerely disposed to put forth
the best apology we possibly can. We hope it will
be properly appreciated abroad.
Thus far the Democratic aspirants are having free
hight among themselves, but what is the more dscred
table to them, in the contest is the fact that thew are
seeking 10 devour one another-quarrels bitter and
very unbrothery are going on in the camp of the
Harmonious when not tho least show of opposition
has been manifested by the Wings of the State
With boosted majority Of some tell thousand or
more, and the game all in their own hands, as i,
would seem, we are g,eved to see that the predomi.
nant passion exhibited is to make the public Offices of
the State matter OF party contention for the sake of
the pecunary emoluments they confer, far more than
the higher and nober aim Of triumph of prnciples
But so it is with the Democracy of this State Tbsv
are now showing themselves in their true coIors-
they ale struggling for spoils and not principles, and
hereafter we suggest to them the proprety Of reyers
ing their motto from that Of 'prncipes not men n
th' more appropriate one Of spols and spo, onIv
without regard to principles or men.
nan