Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-05-29
Il He Fish or Flesh :

10 He Fish or Fiesht XII
The Washington correspondent Of the New
York Commercial Advertiser, abiding to the
Virginia election, truly remarks,
"Mr wise's own vgor and perseverance, as
stump orator and canvasser have contributed
much toward his success. He is not 10 be con-
siderod as merely q Democratic non-entity--s
mere nominee and instrument Of the Democratic
party--but as Henry A. Wise himself running
on his own hook chiefly, and partly on that OF
the Democratic convention. Mr.. Wise, while he
has represented all parties and all opinions with
an equal degree Of zeal, has never lost sight o.
his individuality, and has always refused to take
back anything that he has done or said. He
makes professions 1t Is true, but no confessions.
"The people may take him, II they please, for
what he Is, or for what he has been, but, though
Inconsistent, he Ia nevertheless, infallible."
It seems doubtful, after all, then, whether
tie result in Virginia can DO claimed as an ad-
ministration victory. During tho canvass, Mr.,
Wise scdulously rcfrained from uttering one
word Of commentator Of the present extraor-
binary and unparalleled administration. He
never made the slightest allusion to Pierce, or
Campbell, Marcy or Gushing, Davis or Dob.
bin, Wallach or Forney. He ignored the
whole concern decidedly, and even contemptu-
ously; and, although his antics in the noun
tains Of Virginia were more extraordinary than
tioso Of his prototype, Don Quixote, In the
mountains Of Spain or the cave Of Montesinos,
yet thore was method in his Madness" and
hs mover 80 far forgot himself as to vouchsafe
. word Of approval to the powers that be. I'm
dubtsdly Mr.. Wise regards the administration
with the Same contempt which is manifested
for It by every honorable person throughout
tho country. The Richmond Examiner, his
a5lest organ in Virginia. fearful Of the effect Of
his endorsement by the Union, rebuked that
journal with unparalleled ferocity q few days
b fore the election, and, in SO doing, it is re-
p mted, expressed the sentiments Of Mr.. Wise
himself
What, after all, then, does the election Of
Mr.. Wise amount tor Neither more nor less
tran this: that Henry A. Wise is to be thu
next Governor Of Virginia, with the privilege
Of drawing his sword" as often as he pleases,
for four years from the first Of January, 1866.
1t docs not add particle Of strength to the
administration, which has already been con-
demned by majority Of the American people,
from whose decision there can be no appeal
It may procure the nomination Of Mr.. Wise as
the next Democratic candidate for the Presi-
d,ncy. But how will that help this admins
trationf Wise is not Pierce, nor even Forney
How will the nomination Of Wise benefit the
present administration General Pierce mad.
oil his foreign appointments with view to thu
Q recession He wishes to tread in the foot.
steps Of Old Hickory, and enjoy another term.
But If this Virginia election is to be used a.
pretext for pushing him aside and setting up
Mr.. Wise in his place, he has stultifed him
self to little purpose. He squandered his pa
tronage upon Soule, and Belmont, and Owen,
and other foreigners and filibusters, for his
own bsneHt---not for that Of Mr.. Wise. How
cruel, then, for Mr.. Wise, having conquered
Virginia. to march, sword in hand, up to the
White House and demand Of the Hero Of Con-
treras surrender of the premises on the 4th
Of March, 1857. Mr.. Wise, on Saturday night,
told his friends that conquerors should be
merciful- Let him practice as he breaches
and not eject poor Gen. Pierce too summarily
from the White House. Let him be merciful,
In his hour OF vicuory, to the poor, forsaken
occupant Of the Presidential mansion.