Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-04-20
For re EI9NUfr.
OSTRAClSM, ALIAS, KNOW-NOTHINGlSM-
OUR COUNTRY IN DANGER.

I'm the musty volume Of ancient history, while yet
the ravs of the risin. sun Of civilization hut ircbIy
pierced the dark chaos OF barbarian and superstition,
we find among the Grecians mn ordinance OF pruscrlp-
ton chilled ostracism, which bears u CLOSE similarity
Ia the know-N utllingisin of the present day. Should
il become nm established and listing party tSm, ana
meet with the success at the South, rs II has at the
North, il must, we think, by gathering ooidn'-S ahd
atfrontrry in its underground sweep OF Vlctory' 60
ing on from bad 10 worse, M the history OF all such
nttrmots 10 cu.ia!l the liberties OF mankind has
proven, ultimately become perfectly Idciltiilcd IN acts
a. well u principles, with the "s:rncisn at barbarian
antiquity. BY the acts OF ostraclsln, the purcot pa
trints &C Greece were cyilrd and dcburrcd the hoi'or3'
confidence, emoluments and qualification OF serving
their country. Plrtnrch says, ut was not II pl'iilsiI-
mept for crimes ard misdemeanors, but was very Hc-
Gently called q humbiing and lessenlng OF some eN.
ccss;ve influence and power. In reality 1t was a mild
ratification D: env:; for By II wlge"e: VGs cllcr'lrd
st the rr1g;... greatness uf another, discharged his
spleen not IL any irreiricyabic infection, bit only in
voting q ter! ysGrs' hanishment. Only those who
were distia Gnislicd by birth, reputation, el"qncicr or
superior Abilities, were liable 10 suffer by II, but "s
soon a. i, began to fall upon The mean and prohiiSa,r,
i. wcs vtc!!y laid hsidc." Those were prescribed who
maintained the most liberal sentiments and the strict
est iul.icc. who, in casas of legal or official cOntr"vcr.
sv between friend and stranger, rnuntryinan ana
t~0rcipRcr, would give the latter his due, and whnt ne
Justly mrrited. For that wac Aristidcs, "thc just,
proscribrd, and, in fnct, nearly all of the honest, con-
spicuous men, and trtirst patriots Of his day, by til.
contrivance Of the arttul and contemplate hH0H.
Nothing Thcmistoclcs AMI hs minions. What could
have been the condition of the government ut ina!
time! OF cour-e it was continually changing ana
fuctuatiuC, and the nation N II continual STATE III OK
citeu:e.t end confusion, drcadiug trcGchcry within
and invasion without, because its component partr,
which by union clone, could have contributed 10 IT.
stability and integrity, were divided and tnctlnilsly
coutendinG with each other; WHICH invited the lhva'
sion and rnpacity Of the enemy. ihc:a is no truci
prnvrrb than that "a house divided Ggaii.5t Istl
must fall" $50. =.
such being the State Of things al-o in thi. country
our enemies are becoming every day more inSnleni
cncroucliing and prcsu'nins. Spain has inflicted
many petty insults upon U.S. almost win impunify
ard, at last, is about to effect, OF has already effected
that which the whole Union 40 much dreaded She
would do-tlc Airicaniza alton Of the fair and priceless
Cuba. England and France, too have allotted, en-
couragcd and bribed her into il, and nsed every I'M
derhandcd rndcavor to thwari or dearest purposes
and interests in all parts Of tho globe. We can nc
LONGER submit to it. Orr honor md best interfs!
compel us to put Il stop 10 it. We have reason IL
SUSPECT that our President If preparing active means
Of defence, redress and indemnity for the future. We
NIL feel ,hat some great crisis IL about 10 take place
All obs,ryant and Intelligent minds, ins:inctiv"ly
feel n resentment, that some great event Ii ap'
pronchinr and we haZaiI TIE hypothesis, that, ui-
less some very fortuitnus event should intervene
in Ter. than two years we will hear tho mighty thun-
der If artillery from the bosom of the CcCan.
In conclusions, I would say, that, it is thought, TIT
old Democratic county, of Louisa, will give a good
minority for Wise. We Were all highly pleased will
Judge Ca,kie's Speech ut last Court, il was manly
bold and eloquent. Mr.. SCOTS, the Know. Nothing
was n dodge, aud subtcrfugr, o jerk, and a malt, iron
beginning to end, pretty much; he does nor speak n
well ms he did in the Presidential canvass the rea
son oiit, I suppose is, that he either irt the weak
ness OF his cause Or the force Of Judge CnskIeS re
mark. lie did his caIsc more harm than good.
HICKORY CREEK LOUISA, April 18th.