Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-03


Some weeks ago, as far back as the 18th
day of December, we wrote an article headed
"Fusion in Virginia" which was drawn out by
a proposition fromthe Petersburg Iatelligencer,
TO the effect that all the opponents Of the Dem
ocratic State ticket, Of every hue and stripe,
whether Wings, Democrats, or Know nothings,
should hold convention and nominate oppos,
ing candidates for Governor, Lieutenant Gov
ernor, and Attorney General. This we char.
acterized as the first attempt certainly the first
avowed attempt, at Fusion in the ancient Com
monwealth of Virginia.
Our respected contemporary, the Richmond
Whig, in its issue of the LIST of January, ex-
presses much surprise and modification at the
severity of the terms we employed Edwards
the Wings of Virginia. We infer, from the
length Of time that interviewed between the
publication Of our article and the comments Of
the Wing, as we'll as from its illusions to some
structures on the same article contained in the
Baltimore Patriot, that our Richmond contem-
porary did not see the article in question, but
only some detached portions Of 1t in the
Patriot.
Certain il is that the Wing altogether mis-
conceived the design, and was not correctly in
formed as to the language Of that article. 1t
thus quotes us "To obtain power they 1.-THE
Wings Of virginia) seem to be willing to en-
brace any leper no matter how foul his sores
may be" &c., &c. Now, we did not predicate
this Of the Why party Of Virginia. We said
pontedly and plainly that the Wing party of
Virginia was not, in our opinion, SO democrat
lied as to enter into the proposed Fusion, and
expressed our regret that "some" even,. "a por-
ton ofthat party should bewilling tojoininsuch
a Fusion. In speaking of the arguments of the
Petersburg journal, which proposed that all the
elements of opposition should coalesce, we said :
" But we do not belieUe that the sound Wings Of
Virgn.ia will listen tothem. The Know-nothings
Of Virginia will see the trap which is laid for
them-and the honest voters Of Virginia will
frown on the proposed Fusion, in which there is
no place for political principles In other ar
ticles, written both before and after the one in
question, we have repeatedly expressed our
opinion that the old Line Wings Of Virginia"
would scorn to form any unprincipled ALI
ances.
But our respected contemporary, the Rich
mond Wing, fails to practice the charity it SO
eloquently inculcates. After Gliding us for
using discourteous language towards the Wings,
it INDUCES itselfin some very sharp expressions
in regard to the Democracy. II says:
ave consider the embrace of Locofocoism
far more corrupt and far more degrading than
the embrace OF the Know-nothings. If we
are to choose between the two, the course Of
this journal heretofore will show that we shall
not be long in making up our mind. If Know
nothingism is 'leper and an assassin,
the thing you call modern Democracy is q
much .fouler 'leper' and a much more ADAM
doned assassin"
This, however, we can excuse, since TIT for
tat is all the world over, regarded as sound
and established rule. Should the Wing party
abandon its organization, should it refuse to
have candidates Of its own, should it merge
itself in the new secret party-then, but not
until then viii we be prepared to apply to them
the wholesale and indiscriminate denunciations
which have been enormously imputed TO US.
1t has been but few days since our contem-
porary scofed at the idea of the Wing party
Of Virginia abandoning its organization and
submitting to being dictated to, controlled
and led BY the nose, by the new secret party.
Such a fall from their high estate-such humili-
alton Of the proud Wings of the old Dominion,
could not then be viewed by our respected
contempory with any other feeling than that Of
adherence. We hope that the scolding it got
from the american Organ, few days since,
has not brought about a change in its feelings.
We are, however, not without our fears, on this
point, since the Wing in quoting the opinion Of
the Baltimore Patriot, in favor of the adoption
by the Wings of the Know-Nothing candidates,
uses the following language: "This is the
opinion Of the Patriot. Without NOW endors.
ing it, we may say the Democrats, at least, may
expect no aid or comfort from the Wings OF
Virginia"
That little word "nop" looks ominous, yet,
we cannot imagine to ourselves, how so frank,
fearless and out spoken journal as the Rich
mond Wing, that has been for so long period
inaexibly loyal to the organization and the
principles Of its party-that journal which has
been the text book Of the young, and the guide
Of the old--which, indeed, has been and still is
sort Of wing institution in yirginia-we
cannot imagine how such a journal can be in.
duced to lend its influence to build up party
that processes to be as hostile to Wings as it is
TO Democrats. We incline to the opinion that
our friends Of the Wing only threw in that
ugly little word snow to harrass and alarm
the Democrats and to coax and tickle the
Know. nothings.
HON L. M. KEITT.