Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-06-19
MIR. WISE AND THE KNOW-NOTHiNG
PRESS

during the recent canvass, the Wing politicians
BETRAYED ranking feeling Of resentment and all
intense personality of hostility against Mir. Wise, by
the fonies. aud most unsparing abuse which was
ever heaped upon any candidate for public office IN
sis State Restrained by fear prompt exposure and
popular execration from alleging any specific accusa-
ton Against his private character, they unidentified
themselves by induging in the Widest lcense and
riot of general reproach and vague vlupsratou. The
respectable portion of the community were scandal
sed ard even the better sort OF persons in the oppo
ston. were disgusted by such shameful violation OF
the dccencies Of society. There ia a eense of right
en- impulse of honor in the human heart, which, how
ever triumphant wrong may seem for the moment,
never fas in the end to revolt against injustice, and
60 le.i its sympathy to tho victim Of concerted ca
;u,aar This noble principle of our nature often
baHi:s tho designs of the wicked and repairs the
Injuries Of the Innocent. Its influence affected the
result Of our recent election Persons who We're
neither attached to ar Wise by any feeling OF friend
ah;p or concurrence OF political opinion, could
bat admire and support him, when they saw how
brgvely he beat off the pack Of bounds that clamored
round his heels and tirstcd for his blood. In pro-
portion as be was calumuiated by tue kpow-Nothing
press he in the esteem and affection OF the De-
Eocracy, and the warmth Of their sympathy was but
increased by the desperate ferocity OF the opposition
The Democratic party is nat obnoxious to the re-
prosch of inGrattude 1t overooks its friends.
Il never depreciatss their service. 1t thinks
the less of champion Of its Interests. because he is
traduced and prosecuted by its foes On the contra
r. his gallantry signaised by the scars lie receives
Gn, mis- desert with the Democracy is determined by
the hatred he rrovokes among the enemy, by the
dor of hs zeal and tho energy OF his warfare. in the
dag Of their prids the Wings had way of attaching
;ke stigma Of personal disgrace and social nicrory
80 every man who CHANGED to provoke their special
hostility; but their supercious sncovs lost him Moth
;n. Of the respect of his party, and exclusion from
t!s arsocra,ic circle was bis sures passport TO po
liticRi promotion. This discerning and just apprc-
citation Of the services of their friends, not only illus
trGtes the maynanimty Of the Democracy, but ac-
counts. in measure for the inteXiblc constancy
Of devotion to the fortunes Of the party which DIS
tinSu;shes its sdherents. A party will neither de-
serve nor secure success when it compromises with
the prejudices Of the enemy and TO his vindictive
hate sacrifices ts truest and most gallant champions.
Rapid will he its decline and hopeless its ruin, when
il cones to distribute its favor, not in reward Of faith
Ia service, but to eo"thc the wounded pride and to
gre.fy the sullen resentment Of beaton foe
The spirit OF political Rninosity which Pursued Mr.
Vice during the canvass, with II howl of obloouy
nor seeks satisfaction in dspara MS services aud
de:cac.ing from the glory Of his triumph II cxpl,s
with infinite delight over the discovery that his ma
crit something less than the majority OF tho other
candidates on the Democratic ticket But this crcuIa-
s;.rce so far from lessoring, really enhances thu.
e;orv OF his trumrh.-Who is it that in battle is the
cho,en object Of the deadly aim Of the enemy1 Is
il, the skulkiny coward snd the harmless ir,becilsl
Or it the Intrepid ohcflsin, whose plume waves in
tho .h;ckes; Of tho fsht, whose vclor leads where
danger invites and whose charge scatse:s the ranks
OF the foe es the whrlvnd scstte-s tee leaves OF tn:
feros:' Il is not purpose odsparags the services
Of o:nes candidates. on the Democratic ticket, eTer1
one Of whom houosahly distinguished his Eeal and
energy in tue ste canvass, whom We stirm that the
lea. and burden of the day were borne By orr gal.
jan, chisftain. His fiery zeal, his incessant activity,
bis blasting Gloquepce the crushing fairy nna energy
OF his charge reused all the resentment OF the oppo,
s;,on and rallied their forces TO arrest biz progress.
Then hope Of victory, and their passion for revenge,
;npelea chem to desperate attempts to parslyzo tho
ar,n that snote them with such effect. He wac the
conspicuous figure in the group Of heroes and against
him tie dsadles: artillery of the enemy directed
Tie .,a.s Of Wise vas the great object of the Know
S9:huss, end to compass that ED they welded ali