Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-03-02
T II NJ
AN APPEAL To THE DEMOCRACY.

Gcn,lrncn:--lf there WAS time that the De-
m"cratic party should rally unanimously around i!s
a!anardbrarcF, 1t is during the present gubernat0
r.ul campaign. If we look around us We see various
elements combined 10 defeat the nominee of the
SRunton Cunv vention and break down the democratic
party of Virginia. The present campaign il unlike
any preceding, one. We have a secret ia 10 contend
with, known hy the familiar name "i knowNo-
things, that has sprung up l., n mushroom. The
democratic party Of Virginia assembled in COnven-
tinu Staunton for the purpose Of nominating,
dLnte for the executive office Of Virginia. And that
has been done. lie is in the field, ani is aivo
eating the cause and principles of the democratic
party with energy and coqucncc characteristic OF
the man; and cannot indulge the thought Tor mo-
nlcnt that the good democrats ot Virginia going
To abandon that glorious standard OF the democratic
party-a standard borne nn to victory in former days
bv tho .alwnrt of Jefferson, and suffer our noiu
nee TO br defeated. Every ,ny brings 10 the glad
tilimg, that the Democrat: party being reused 10
their duty. We That ratification meetings are be-
/ ing held throughout the good old Commonwealth
anH it il light that it should bu When We see Il
party strongly tnctured with ab0litionisn attempt
ing TO establish itself N Virginia il is time TINT every
true firgiian should lie reused sense OF his duty,
rs Il Nirginal. He should ally himself 10 pnriy
that elected man TO the United States Senate, who
| saId that hr would die with unrccnting hostility 10
slavery on his lips A man who is willing repeal
tho fugitive slave law. And Mr.. Burlingame, their
hcal-inan In the Massachusetts Senate wants 10
peal the Nebraska Gli repeal the fugitive slave law.
ana yct we near tile klOw SGT, that
one vi the main features Of their patis. - 10 put u
stop 10 the agitation Of the slavery question.
And still they want 10 repeal. the Nebraska bill
passed by the Democrats and rcnstatc the Missouri
COMPROMISE nc and cause the slavery question 10 be
again agitacd i'll Congress. do think that looks
Ike putting stop I" the agitation pl the slavery ques
ton. But this feature III the platform of tho Know No
things respecting the agitation Of the slavery ques-
ton, l. plank taken from the Democratic platform
Of 1913. But it is needless to argue, TO show that the
A.. ,,t Ill,
the elections tia, have taken place the North show
that the Know Nothings and the Abolitionists have
voted together.
The Democrats OF Virginia have IN important duty
to perform They have 10 battlc with Toe that meets
in secret conclayes at midnht-a party whose prln-
clpes repugnant civil and religious liberty
The Wing party j. no longer battling for the old ~
that formerly divided the parties Like 1910,
the political deep ID upturIed-the Egyptian mantle
| OF darkness is thrown out.
| Tho union of the Democrats for the sake of the
| Cnion, should be the rail- wing words of the Demo-
cratic party. And ii they do unite and support
nominee the Know NothinSs, combined with the
Wings, or vice Versa, cGu 10 more defeat him, than
they could pluck the Moon from It's orbit or hurl The
Andes from toir base This Is age OF progress. oi
nagiCR! yelopmeut, and am not surprised al any
thing that springs up to existence.
But the American people ought TO pause and reflect,
before they yield their to the principles ol &
party that ia laborng to sbvert principle that
stitutea the main pillar in our Republican edIhce.
and but Tor which its ruin E,ight long since have
been its only eptaph. ] mean the principle oil reIl-
gous liberation aud q! atin nauralzcd cIt!zens
TO Office when il due, not conflict with the Constltn.
tion of the United States the CONSTITUTIONS OF the
States. An attenpt is now made 10 destroy party
that has iseH governing this country from IL infancy
up 20 the present period o! time The Whig party
having drspaircd Of ever rallyng under the old s-
suCe, have combined with the Know. N"thIngs 10
heap up and lavish abuse with reckless injustice up
on foreigners. Roman Catholics and al! who do not
ngrc2 with them, order Ia make the American pco-
Ile believe that dark storm is impending from TO-
reign influence and that il will long hurst With un
mitiga;cd severity upon them and swallow up nnd en-
gulph our Republican institutions But this is moth
| ing more than dream of the imagination; and the
name Of Know Nothngism will shortly be forgotten,
while TINT OF Democracy will i've and endure as long
rs the Grande pays iis t,:bu,e to the SEQ.
The people of Virginia ought TO riae up IN revolt
against the policy Of party so rcpugnan! 10 our ma
tonal pride, and deroga,ory to national nstitu
tions. IGe present despair and despordcucy "i the
Wigs, uucxanplrd they are, III. result VI
causes adequate 10 produce them; and the brilliant
triumph which awaits the Democratic party OF Nir.
gnia in May next, will be bnt another testimony to
the in.rr ii political truth the miiu7 ri II re pe".
pe aud another significant guarantee o.. their intel.
gence patriotism and their ability 10 appreciate and
work oct the great political mission OF their country.
And under its control Virginia will remain nGshnkrn
against all the attacks vi Known hinGisnl. The
| Democrats of Virginia, no more than her own etcr
| nal hills are to he shaken. The as true rs the
needle the pole. The fires ot freedom and liberty
will rise high in Virginia. uncont"mnared by the ~
raluiral doctrines of Know nottingham. Let the Dc.
mncra,s OF Virginia then rally around the nominee
OF the Staunon Convention in the spirit Of victory
and bright and glorious run will CLEAN upon the ho-
rzOn Of the coming contest aud lead them to go'
rious triumph. MANCHESTER.