Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-01-02
THE ISSUE OF THE CANVASS.

No Democrat can justify hia indifference and lnac.
tion in this canvass, the pretence that tho essen
tial and permanent interests Of his party will not hT
affected by the result. We know that writers III the
interest Of the opposition repre-" nj the present crisis
US exceptional, and contend that issues Of party are
no way involved in the struggle. They say political
principles are in abeyance, and that this is, in no
sense. Il party contest. BY such misrepresentation
they think 10 deceive the Judgment of Democrats,
and to scduce them from their allegiance TO party.
The asceudancy Of the Democratic party in this State
can never be overthrown but by the cooperation OF
Democrats and they nre invited to the work of self
destruction by appeal to their ignorance and stu
pidity.
The canvass Of 1870, and the consequences Of that
Wing victory, read a perpetual admoution to Demo-
Gratis against condding in the deceitfu pledges OF the
adversary. Misled by the cry Of no-porty'Sm, many
Democrats persuaded then tovote the Wing tick
ct. No sooner the Wing party installed into power
than its leaders revived the old issues, and attempted
to fasicn their abominabc policy upon the country.
All their pledges Of iberality towards political oppo-
nents were forgotten, and Democrats hunted out
OF office by the most sweeping and relentless pro-
scrip,ion.
come chiefly from the Know So,hings the old Wing
leaders are Us bitter and vndictve in their hostility TO
the Democratic party III 1914. They too proud
to dssenLe their feelings disguiae their purposes
They openly proclaim their determination 10 break
down the Democratic organization, and 10 the
sway Of Wing influence and Wing polcyi the State
The Alexandria ,Gasetc talks Of the bondage which
the Wings Of Virginia have endured for long years
and procaims that the day Of their deverancc is at
hand. 1t accuses the Democratic party Of monopo-
zing the honors and offices Of the State, ard urges
their expulsion from power by q coalition of all
the force. of tho OppoStou. Nay, moro, it charges
ha the interests of the State have been sacrificed by
the Democratic policy aud clamors for the restoration
u u wing nouui.,. at,''u and Wing measures. Ercrv
intelligent. Judgment nust be sntiafad 'nt -i~ -P''is
of strict and severe party domination aad discipline
which iufames the zeal of the Alexandria fd:rtsc in
the present canvass will control the counses and dl-
rect the policy of the Opposition in the event OF their
accession TO power. The neutrality affected BY the
Know.Notbngs will not mitigate the ieroclous TEN.
per Of tt, Wings, and the Stato will undergo COM
plete political revolution. if the Democracy are over
thrown. The ,loita; Of Wise, NcCuuas Tad B"cock
NAV involve the loss of several members ci Congress,
the loes of the Legislature, and by consequence the
tho loss Of Sanntor. Wh'g dynasty W.! usurp the
political power of the State, and tho Democratic par
fy and policy be ounawed and prescribed Every mo-
tive, therefore, of pride, OF loyalty TO party, and of
devotion to principle, inpcls ths Democracy Of Hlr-
ginia to the support Of Henry A. Wise.