, 1855-02-10
The Approaching Contest.

be seen that the democratic territorial cen
tral committee have fixed upon Monday,
the 7th day Of May, as the time for the
nomination Of democratic candidate for
next delegate to Congress.
Olympia being designated as the place of
assembling, and the time selected being at
season Of the year generally propitious
for easy and comfortable communication
by land and water throughout all parts of
the territory reasonable expectation may
be indulged in that full attendance from
all the counties will be present.
That the democratic party, in the COM
ing contest, are destined TO meet the most
determined opposition - an organization,
drilled and thoroughly instructed in every
evolution and move on the political chess
board, which will require unanimity-a
oneness Of purpose on the part of the de
mocracy-a determination and unbroken
front, such as in former contests has never
characterized the action of our party here,
to successfully meet and overcome, no one
will permit himself TO doubt.
The political manGuvers of the opposi-
tion tacticians in our territory have recent
ly underwent q. revoluton-a radical and
entire change. No longer now, as in the
days when the fullgrown lion of British
tyranny sought to fetter the limbs of the
scarcely aedged emblem of American lib
erty, does the foes of democratic rule seek
to meet us in clear field, and fair fight.
No longer now, as in the days when de-
mocracy and federalism met in an open
and manly struggle for supremacy-boldly
avowing their sentiments, and resting their
respective causes for arbitration to the
light Of day-no longer is such a mode of
political warfare considered by the oppo-
stion, safe, expedient, or legitimate. The
order of battle, by the opposition, has been
changed. Ancient federalism, as in the
days Of yore, no longer prides itself in an
open avowal of its distrust in the people
for selfgovernment. The alien and sedi.
tion laws no longer stand out in bold relief
upon the statute book, but being expunged
therelrom by the voice Of the indignant
people, have become part and parcel of a
blasphomous ritual - beftting only the
darkness and unholy combination by which
il is surrounded Driven to the wall in
every open assault, or attempted encroach-
ment upon the rights of free people, fed
eralsm has taken shelter Under every mask
=" wearing all shapes and bearing many
names" until the curtains of darkness, and
the gloom of midnight is resorted to, for
the accomplishment of that which dare not
be openly avowed in the light Of day.
FsllOU Democrats you who have never
deserted the staunch old timbers of the
democratic ark of safety in the hour of
peril, to follow after strange gods, you are
called upon to clear the decks Of that vic
torious old craft, which has ever borne the
party through triumphantly in every fair
contest, for desperate conflict in July
next
Remember, that aside from the old line
federal whig party, an interesting prOginy
Of the old stock, known as free soilers, or
abolitionists, will be arrayed against you
coalescing in their embrace all the young
hatched, new-0edged isms Of the day
prominent amongst which, although am
buscaded in darkness and shielded in sup
posed security behind solemn VOWS and im-
pious oaths, the hand of an unholy secret
combination will be visible in the contest.
That the opposition is thoroughly or
ganized, there is no room 10 admit a doubt.
Their nomination for delegate to Congress,
as also for members Of the legislature in
many counties, are already virtually made.
The combined whig and know-nothing eau
cusing of the present winter, during the
session of the legislature, was not intended
for idle pastime, soon to be forgotten. 1t
was not to satisfy an idle CURIOSITY, or for
the purpose of reforming the political char
acter of all parties, that ALL the whig men,
bers Of the recent legislature, with perhaps
one exception, became members of the or
der of know-nothings. And startling as
may be the announcement to many, the
secret is still supposed to be- within the
vale" how it came to pass, that at the ad-
journment of the Legislature, the House of
Representatives was possessed of nojori-
ty belonging to the order, although we take
pride in saying that not one democratic
member of the Council affiliated with them.