Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-01-06
MIR. Wise

ever polled. In their last issue, Gas is the
case with the Republican. of the I'd inst, J
1t confirms almost two columns of quota.
tops from the speeches of Mr.. Wise in
opposition to what he considered abuses in
ofice OF Democratic officials. What those
speeches have TO do with the present can.
vass in Virginia, we are unable to discern.
If Mr.. Wise believed there was corruption
or mismanagement at the time he spoke,
he did precisely right in expressing that
belief. We think he might have done i,
more mildly but the man is known, and
all who do know him, know that he does
nothing by halves. If Mr.. Wise had
said as much again about Democrats as he
has said, and believed he was speaking
the truth, we cannot see that he has COM
mitted any great crime. And If after years
he has found that he was mistak en-that
the ardor Of his temperament controlled
his tongue and his Judgments he not
entitled TO as much credit in the one m
stance as the other? Surely he is. But
what practical effect OF bearing have the
speeches Mr.. Wise made IS years ago IN
relation TO men, upon the internal policy
Of Virginia, and the duties Of Governor OF
the State Do they disquaIify him FOL
d,scharging his duties 10 the State Of Vir-
ginia' Do they come in conflict with his
ardent attachment to all the great interests
Of the State. and Of the South? Do they
compromise his honor Do they have
any connection with the issues which will
be decided IN May next? Nome at ALL
No one dare impeach Mr.. Wises honor.
No one dare charge him with having act
ed insincerey. He may have erred. He
has erred. But If he was believed to act
with honesty in erIing, why cannot the
same be awarded in his recantation of his
former folly? The Democratic party OF
Virginia, we trust are not so ignorant OF
the Practical issues Of the day, as to be led
away from their party association by such
clap-trsp as burden the columns of the
Spectator and Republican. Ii is perfect
nonsense to deny that Mr.. Wise has been
a wing, and consequently his political his
tory has been inconsistent. 1t is folly to
attemptto conceal that. But what of il ;
Have not some Of the most prominent
wings been Democrats, and rice reysa.-
We admit that Mr.. Wise has changed his
views Of men and measures, but we assert
that he is entitled TO the same credit for
honesty as other men. Adams, jefferson,
Madison, Clay, Calhoun, and in fact near.
~ all the great Statesmen Of the Republic
have at times changed their views on
prominent measures Of governmental poll.
cy, without censure, why then is Mr..
Wise TO be made an exception, aud inc
vies Of patty wrath to be poured upon his
devoted headi We do not understand il !:
and we will be slow to believe that the
Democrats of Virginia, or any considera
bic number Of them, are prepared TO repu-
date Mr.. Wise because he did at one
time in his history belong to the wing
party, and like an honest man acted cut
what he prolessed.
We trust men will remember service at
oae time as we'll as at another. II Mr..
Wise did cabyass the State in 1910 against
that arc,,, arosta,e, Martin Van Buren,, and
in support Oh Gen. Harrison, did he not
also in IS4s and 1862 do equal service in
behalf of Gen. Cass and franklin Pierce !?
He said, it is tue, many hard things about
Democratic men, but he has also sid many
potent and telling things in beliaii.' Of the
Democratic party.
But Mr.. Wise's election at this time j.
important, as an indication Of the sent,-
ment OF the people Of the State upon the
question of Southern interests. The eyes
OF the country are upon Virginia. She
has been chosen as the great battle. ground
between the North and the Souih-the
great barrier to the spread OF the vile spirit
Of ianaticis,n, IN every phase. which
springs hot from the corrupted sentiment
Of yankee impudence. Place MIR. Wise
1t the helm o: affairs in Virginia, and the
North will understand what il means.-
They will know that the spirit of the
South is warm for the defence CT her
tights, and that the forbearanee Of the
South is virtue which is becoming ex-
eeedingly sensitive.
We then appeal TO Democrats to come
up 70 the support Of Mr.. Wise because he
is Democrat--a Democrat who has fought
for the faith that is in him, and Demo
,rat chosen by the party of the State,
assembled IN Convention. If there are
any, and we trust there are none,
who feel hssitancy on that score, let
hem remember, then. that, as Southern
cr, his chivalric soul has ever beat as
VAIN as the warmest for our interests
We confess he has been, as we have been,
and thousands Of others of the Democratic
party, and Of the Wing party have been
in politics. but upon the great