Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-03-27

THE DUMB CANDIDATES. IN VIRGINIA.
individuals think it great calamity to be
dumb. But in these latter times class of
politicians has, arisen who think it q great
virtue to be dumb. They remember that Cen
eral Taylor wrote too many letters, and that
Mr.. Clay made too many speeches. Deter
mined to profit by past Wing disasters they
have resolved, cost what it may to shut their
mouths, tie their tongues, and hold their peace
Such are the Know-nothing nominees for the
Offices of Governor, Lieutenant Governor and
Attorney General, in Virginia candid, out
spoken, talkative old Virginia, where public
men have been accustomed to meet the voters
at the court houses, and at the cross roads, and
express the innocent thoughts of their hearts,
The know-nothing candidate for Governor,
MIR. Flournoy, who is said, by his advocates, to
be pious Presbyterian, and who, consequent
ly, ought to be an open man, has lately written
letter accepting the nomination of the New
Secret Order, for Governor of the Ancient Com
monwealth of Virginia. Among many other
things, he says that it is not his purpose to
speak in the canvass. He assigns several
reasons for not doing so. One is, that there
is not time enough to canvas the State ON
Another is, that his business, as Lawyer, will
not admit Of it. He does not seem to appre-
ciate-for he does not allude to-the oblga.
ton that all speaking candidates in Virginia
acknowledge-the obligation to make known
his opinions from the Hastings, to represent
his party, and to meet his competitor face to
face.
He refuses to use the tongue that God gave.
He intends to be as dumb as an oyster and as
silent as the grave. He is not afraid to meet
Mr.. Wise! Of course not No such considera-
ton operates upon him. His legal business re-
quires his attention. He does not even, consci-
entious as he is represented to be, allude to the
fact that the policy and tactics Of the "ignor-
ing" and sitting" party to which he belongs
require secrecy and silence. Not at all. One
reason covers everything-his practice as a
lawyer.
What a strange coincidence "How are
you to-day" Mr.. Patton, is also a lawyer. He
has been applied to, by many persons (he says
so himself) to address the people, but he finds
it impossible. HIS law practice is also so alb
sorbing and SO imperative that he cannot ne
elect it, even to be made Attorney General. He
is not afraid to meet Mr.. Wise By no means! {!
He is not governed by the clandestine and mid
night policy of the Know-nothings. Far from
it. His practice-his absorbing onerous,
his irksome practice That is the reason.
Yet he, Mr.. John M. or rather how are you
to-day, Mr.. Patton" is seeking by means Of
Know-nothing support to increase his profess
sional drudgery. He wants to add to the griey.
GUS burden of his private business the onerous
labors of Attorney General. His mouth, elo-
quent as it is, is not equal to the capacity of
his pocket. He will take office-he will take
fees, but he obstinately refuses to open his
mouth before the people, for nothing. He is
silent. The great oracle is dumb.
We have yet to learn of the Hon. Mr.. Beale's
purpose in this regard. We have yet to learn
that he has either spoken for himself like Mr..
Flournoy, or authorized others to speak for
him, like Mr.. Patton. But really we incline to
the opinion that Mr.. Beale, who is said to belong
to the Baptist Church, cannot contain himself.
He is full to the brim of pent up emotions.
He must shout or burst. He is passed by
and prosecuted saint. He will be obliged to
speak to the people. His wrongs, at the hands
of the Democracy, are too grevious to be borne;
his gratitude to the Know-nothings for kind
and opportune rescue from oblivion, and cold
obstruction" is too intense to be repressed.
Besides, he is verging on that period of life
when men grow garrulous and cannot be re-
strained. But he, too, perhaps, may labor
under those same shocking disadvantages that
so affect his two unfortunate associates on the
State ticket. He, like them, may be cursed
with laborious and absorbing legal practice.
IL so, he will be as mute as mouse.
Until now, we always thought that when
candidates for high Office were nominated by
the people of Virginia, and accepted the can
didacy, they were expected and required to
make some sacrifices of convenience and profit
But now fifteen shilling fee is deemed far
more desirable than any honor that the people
can confer. Know-nothing candidates refuse
even to sacrifice such fee for the high Offices
that have been rendered them
Ifsuch things shall be tolerated by the peo-
pie of Virginia, then will they have experienced
"a most melancholy and disastrous changed
~ ENTLEM ms HOSIERY-of SILK,
VI Isle Thread, white and brown Cotton, fancy