Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-02-24

The day is fast approaching upon which the great
est issue presented to the Virginia people is to
be decided. In that issue, it seems to me, the very
independence of Virginia, and the entire Southern
States are involved.
The Wing party of the South, whilst it psofesses
to act party, was held together By great prin-
eipes, and it mattered not whether those principles
were right not, they flung their banner to the
breeze upon which their principles were inscribed
and reason was left free to combat, their errors
ceased to be dangerous. Therefore whenever the
Wing party triunphed it might fairly have been
considered triumph of their principles
But what is the issuenow presented to the people
It is not whether Virginia Democrats or Virginia
Wings shall rule this venerable commonwealth, but
ii is whether we, the people OF Virginia, shall main
tain the proud and lofty position which We have
ever occupiea-making our own laws, managing our
own internal affairs, and choosing from own
bright galaxy of statesmen, such man as we may
think the exgcncy OF the times requires, whether
we shall abandon all notions OF State rights, and
invite the ready aid of yankee bigotry and ianati-
Know Nothingism proposes total and uncondi-
tional abandonment Of State rights, and urges The
right of Virginia to interfere in the municipal Affairs
OF the free Stateshe States in which the evils
planned OF by the Know Nothings exist-if they cx-
list at all. Now, by parity OF reasoning, il Virgin
ia has the right to interfere i'll the Affairs of New
York, New York has the right to interfere in thu
affairs of Virginia SO ALSO il the States have thu
right to interfere in the affairs OF each other, SHOULD
suppose the Federal Government has the SAINT
right. Let this principle be carried out to its tul
| extent, and we would no longer have government
as '.distnet the billow, but one as the sea'-ba
we would have grand consolidated government
ON large scale
/ Know Nothingism is extremely objectionable Oh
account of its oaths and seeresy, il their principle
were good. | have, without blame or unialrhess be
ing attributable to any body, into possession
one OF their oaths This oath is administered, i
seems, to the candidate, upon the Threshold, aud
the unfortunate victim has to take such dreadful
oath as this, in the doorway OF the order, wha
must be the character OF the oaths taken behtad til
door.
The candidate places his right hand on the llol
Bible and cfoss, with his left raised towards Heav
en-, and thus is administered the impious oath =
''lou do solemnly swear ON this Holy Bible ans
cross, before Almighty God and these witnesses
that you will not divuge any question proposed t
you, whether you become a member OF this organi
cation or not-and that you will never under an.
I circumstances, mention the name of any person o
! persons you may present, nor that you kaos
such an organization to be in existence, and that
will true make to such questions shall b
propounded to you to the best OF your kaenleds
and belief. So help you God. There are othe
iormaites to be Observed which deem OF nino
Importance, preparatory to taking the above cath.
Mir. Wise will certainly get at feast the full strengt
of the party in this county. have not seen Dem
ocrat yet who will not support him, ndsupport hi,
as his first choice. And | know some Of the most in
uential Wings in this county who will vote Tor hil
over any candidate the Know Nothings can bring il
the field God speed the good cause.
Yours &e.,
! Pooahontas co. TkANS-AILEGIAAl.