The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-21
ssaiust u. former offence His less criminal than
he-4snss rt~ 1ass~x

against the former offence te ess criminal than
against the latter
There peculiar responsibilities attaching % Virginia
democrats At tbs present time which be satisfied BY
nohing short o. the Eeaous and energetic exertons
in support ofthe regular organization Of the party Fac
on anAtesm and intolerance have combined in the fee
States and defeated the democracy nearly every election
which has taken place Hostility southern Institutions
and southern interests Is the chief element Of the strength
Of tins combination It's strength has heea made eecaa
against the democracy BY Of the perfect oranE
ton which has been given the combination BY the know
nothugs The idea that the whig party was dead has
contributed largely that disorganiaaon Of the demo
cratic party which fails result in its defeat Abo-
itionsm, 10 combination with whigsm know-nothingism,
and Ant-Nebraskaism has like tornado the
free States Whatever claims either 81 these allies
Of abolitionism may make to the late trumphs over
the democracy the imposing fact stands out in bold relief
that opposition to southern institutions is the predominant
sentiment that eharaetezes the common creed on which
the eoatonists have umphed The controlling power in
the northern States whether look to their representa-
ton in the States in Congress- is in the hands Of the
determined foes Of the South Know-nothingism has fur
nished the plan Of organization which has imboded and
concentrated into compact the different component
elements Of the coalition Through the organiEs-
ton thus reduced practical operation the North has
been worked up the point Of making united and de-
ermined warfare upon the South In every northern State
there minority of and reliable democrats who have
proved faithful the constitution and the rights guar
aned by the Soath They have been beaten down b
the irresistible power the coalition they have SUR
rendered either their principles their resolution 10 main
tain them They the faithful allies Of the southern de-
mocraey and they look united South the only hope Of
the conederac If the South ers all is lost il the South
stands firm and maintains its integrity the northern de-
mocracy win be able sufficient strength main
tain the ascendency Of constitutional principles and
the Union from shpwreck.
Such is the real condition of the issue between the North
and the South. know-nothingsm is playing the same
part in the South that has played in the Northts
business is TO furnish the organization which is 10
combine into solid of opposition TO the de-
mocracy all the elements which be made available for
its overthrow in the southern States. The wings
counted the nucleus around which oil the other ee
ments are be gatheredthe recruits sought for
amongst dlafected democrats religious zealots and
dsconented non-saveholders The oath-bound secrecy
of the know nothing organization furnishes the means
for the anticipated overthrow Of the southern democracy
The first experiment is to be made in Virginia and il is
made with full confidence that il succeeds there il will
open the way for easy victories in the other southern
States The responsibility is thrown upon the democracy
Of Virginia present barrier to the progress of the
ton which shall check its victorious career inspire the
northern democracy with confidence animate the de-
mocrcy of the other southern States with increased courage
and the federal Union from the imminent peril which
threatens its existence In former contests the democracy
of Virginia have gored in standing in the front ranks in
defence Of great constitutional principles They have
wavered failed the just expectations Of the
national democracy They have stood in the breach
any former when the responsibility greater
or when victory would them with higher honor Ii
remains be how they viii acqut themselves in the
present crisis They have but emulate the example Of
their gallant champion achieve another glorious victory