Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-02-06
THE CANVASS.

In calculating the chances of the canvass person
of ordinary intelligence will be deceived by the at.
fectel confidence OF the Opposition. Like the cham
pon of another prostrae cause, the leaders OF tho
ou,cast hosts Of Whiggery and Know Nottingham,
may "vaunt d'oud though rncked with 9"0fd pain
Aud, indeed, We have satisfactory cvdcnc" that
the forces Of the Opposition are in anything
but state of perfect discipline and effective orSani-
| zaton. We know that numbers OF the truest and
most respectable Wings in tho State refuse utterly to
be transferred, like much live stock, To the service
of Know Nothingism; and that rather than soc 'old
Virginia" trailing in the dust after Massachusetts,,
they will disregard the mandates of party and vote for
Henry A. Wise. They are willing TO stand by their
party long their party trne to its principles,
but thew are not bound to descend with party into the
filth and mre Of Know Nottingham. In their concep-
ton the credit and renown Of the "Old Dominion"
are OF moro consequence than the spols Of office and
they know that in supporting Henry A. Wise they
will elect Governor Of whom every Hirginian may
be proud-a man OF splendid reputation OF brilliant
intellect, ofspotless character-a man who vii! cher
sh the honor and promote the interests OF the State
with the vigilance and energy the devoted patriot.
With the alternative Of Henry A. Wise and the honor
ofVrgina, or tho odous principles and obscure no.
minee of Know n othngism, the intelligent and inde
pendent Wings OF the State will not hesitate to es
pouse the cuuse to which every impulse of personal
pride and patriotic duty prompts them to adhere
No nun disputes tho ability Of Henry A. Wise; no
man mistrus,s his devotion to the interests Of the
Satc-In this spirit ofsupreme regard for the interests
and the honor Of the State, many staunch Wing,
driven from bis party by its corrupt coalition with
know-So,hiiKsm, avows determination to support
the Democratic candidates
While tho Wbig politicians, in betraying the prn-
cplss of their party, have thus forfeited tho support
of its best men, they hnve not yet resped any com
pensating advantage from their alliance with the
Know -N"thincs. lti true the parties to the ali-
anco arc animated by q single impulse-a longing af:
ter the spoils and hatred of tho Democracy. but they
cannot agree upon any common plan of operations,
radJus the conflicting claims of the camorous
Plrants tor office Even in their fallen condition, tho
Wing politicians are not altogether bercft Of that
sort of pride which often passes for principle and
which WAS 30 conspicuously illustrated in the coun-
ses of Pandemonuu,. They aro not broken to the
yoke without struggle. In tho extremity Of their
disgrace they contend for some concession that may
still the clamors Of remorseful COINCIDENCE aud sat
isfy the punctllio OF counterfeit honor. They
writhc under the heel of Know -Nothincism but tho
incxorabls tyrnnt exhibits no sign of pity They
must drink the bitter cup to the dregs. They
fused not only the substantial reward of division of
the spos, but even the empty honor Of tribute TO
their pride. The Olignrchs of the Know Nothing Or
dor select the candidates, and the Wing politicians
have 10 alternative, but passive obedience and un-
complaining submission. They protest if their ,nns-
ters will but give them Bolts, Rivcs, or any other
oerable Wing, they will work tamely in the harness.
But Know Nothingism is ineIorable and threatens
to iutiic Srothor upon them-Strother who co.ope-.
rates with Wings Democrats as the interest of the
moment may suggest Strother, who was privy to
the election of William Smith, thnt Democrat SO
hated ofWhigs; Srotber who baked the congression
al aspirations of Mr. Edgar Snowden Stroher Of ale
men the most dstasteful to the high-mnded Wings OF
.'rgn'in Stro,her is to be the nominee Of tho
N"'~'S"thing party, anil the Wing mcrccnaiies are
rNr'e'ed to fight under his command. 1t may be |
a, .ne Mhs politicians of Virginia will submit even
'' 'u'snity, this cruel contempt for thoir relnon-
"a ensreatics They may take Strother, as
LUIS ~ s"p'u "eneral Taylor, with face awry and re-
Oeous '''"'aen' out tho Wing party of Virginia is
Nv .''o ~ a'''" any sort Of physic on compusion
in 'hiS party may oe found men, "hgh.,nindeG men,"
VINO VIII consult the'r own CONVICTIONS of publ;c duty
and Indignantly refuse to be made tho .ar;.b ;,.,rr
uen,s Of the sordid ambition Of corrupt coalition.
This spectacle Of perplexity. embarrassment ord
iiscord in the counsels Of the Opposition, is d,ubIv
by contrast with the unity of aim, con.
,ert Of movement and energy Of effort every whore
'isibls in the ranks of the Democracy. The feel.
ng of personal disappointment with which the nomi-
ations of the Stsunton Convention were at first re-