Southern shield., 1855-06-23

f@5~ It is a mistake to suppose that the chief organs of the American party were confident of a victory in Virginia. The following remarks, published in the Albany Register before the editor had any knowledge of the result in Virginia, shows what feelings and i'm pressions were entertained in that quar- ter. They were entirely rational:
 There are good many people in the world who suppose that the result of the Virginia election is to have a wonderful influence over the future of the American party. They insist that if the anti American candidate, Mir. Wise, is elected, Americanism will be crippled-its prestige gone. This is great mistake. Look at 1t for a mo- ment. The American party in Vir- ginia is less than one year old. A twelvemonth ago. there was no such thing in Virginia. There was not a Council in the State. Virginia is one of the strong holds of Democracy That party has been absolutely there invincible for years. It is the pet State of the administration, enjoying a larger portion of the patronage of the Ganaral GOvarnn,op+ +hop o,1Ir o+1,o,. State of the Union, in proportion to it's population. It is right under the caves of the Capitol, and all the strength of the Federal administration is bro't to its aid. All its officers, and their name is legion, are Democratic. All the organizations, all the discipline, all the drill, are Democratic. The Democratic candidate is not only one of the most popular men in the State, but IS one of the most eloquent speak CTS of the State. He has been on the stump for three months. He has wis ited every county in the State. and has been heard by almost every man in the State. The forces against the Amer ican party have been marshalled and put through the exercises ever since the beginning of March. All the in- 1uence and power of the Administra- tion is eXcrted to the utmost in favor of fusion
 Against all these elements combin- ed, this American party, less than a year old, takes the field, earnestly, boldly, defantly, and strikes for su- premacy It stands alone, unaided by outside allies, unsupported by patron age, with every extraneous influence against it. Would it be singular thing if in this, it's first battle, it should fail to secure victory? Will it be disheartened or thrown into retrogres- sion? Will 1t lose its prestige of final triumph? Will its principles be less dear to the American heart, or less vi tai to the prosperity of the great flu ture of this country?
 Let those who look for such re- suit study the history of parties in this State? The American party took the field last fall, and was beaten by both the other parties. Did Americanism sink under the disaster? Did it sur render to adverse circumstances? Was 1t, one moment, in despair of ultimate triumph? Note what followed the last falls campaign. The American par i ty rose from the temporary overthrow, fresh and strong and earnest as ever. It has gone straight ahead, gathering strength every day; until now, no in telligent man doubts that it can carry the State by majority of fifty thou sand.
 There is power of recuperation in the American party which is peculiar and organic. It enrolls the young, the ardent, earnest, and energetic men of the countrywide native men-and one defeat only rouses them to more efficient action. It will be so in Vir- ginia, even if the American party shall be defeated. It will be but the post ponement of their triumph for another year--a triumph just as certain as that the seasons will come and go.
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 BzS The river IS in fair stage, and