Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-05-31
STATE SENTINEL.
INDIANAPOLIS:
THURSDAY, MAY 81. 1855.
The Election.

The Election.
More than two months ago, we used the
following language in the Sentinel:
awhen the glorious news arrives that
HENRY A. WISE has been chosen Governor
of Virginia, let the Democracy be ready to
make the welkin ring with shouts of triumph.
This election will signllize the utter rOut OF
our opponents, and the of Austerlitz will
again shine on the victories of Democracy"
Again, in closing an article on our City
election, we said:
"The election of WISE will complete our
satisfaction Nor an We permit ourselves to
doubt for moment that chieftan SO gallant,
sustained by followers so true, will be sue
cessful.'
We have repeatedly predicted that Virgil
MIA woald act as the moral breakwater against
the tide Of desolating innovation which
threatened to overspread the country, and
destroy the ancient landmarks of American
repubIicanism. Our confidence was laughed
at by our political opponents, and some even
of our political friends who were less hopeful
than ourselves But we had good reason to
believe that we were right. Now, We know
that the waters Of fanaticism and knavery
have been rolled back and will continue to
recede at least as far as Massachusetts,, the
only place where they may be expected to
remain.
Our satisfaction is too deep and thorough
to indulge itself in extravagant expressions.
We feel serene, for as faithful guardians on
zErneb-tewsrs Of Democ5sy we may now
proclaim in clear and emphatic tones, "All Is
we'll !"
Experienced politicians have agreed that
the Virginia election was the turning point of
the politics of the country. As the Democ-
racv have been successful there, the next
National Democratic Convention will, I'M
doubtedly, elect the President Of the United
States.
The Know Nothings, withered, shrivelled
and dead, will be scattered like the leaves OF
the forest when swept by November winds.
The places which now know them will soon
know them no more forever. They cannot
rally as a national organization. Certain
Southern politicians have argued that this
Order. though tainted with abolition in the
North. conld be controlled and guided by
the South. and converted into a shield OF de-
Tense for Southern rights. This was both de-
lnsion and deception, and violation of the
maxim, as true in politics as in business, that
"honesty is the best policy"
The arguments of such politicians have
been repudiated by Virginia; and the South
and the Northern Democracy can now fight
side by side, as heretofore, for the Constitu-
ton ami the Union. The momentary alien
alton created in the minds of some Demo-
Gratis in the North by the prospect of defeat
and abandonment will be dissipated The
Democracy of the North have not been de-
serted in the hour of trial. The true hearted
men who, in the passage of the Nebraska bill
stood by the equal rights of the people of al
the States have not been sold to those whose
whole creed is embraced in the words, birth.
place aud bigotry.
A system of prescription founded on birth
and religion stands condemned as unworthy
of the glorious memories of the past and the
bright hopes Of the future.
1t is not without reason that the politica
course of Virginia was looked to with interes
by the whole Union Virginia, it is true, ha.
ceased to be among the first States Of the con
federacy in wealth, population or activity
she cannot even boast of any preeminently
great statesmen, like those Of old. But tn,
illustrious men of the past left to the State
legacy Of moral influence which is not yet ex
hausted because her sons continue to b
guided by the precepts of the mighty dead
Virginia follows no new lights; the spirits o
JEFFERSON and MADISON still rule her coun
ellis; and the consciousness which the con
sentative part of the community in othe
States have of this fact serves to perpetual
her salutary ascendency. Had Massachusetts,
like Virginia, remembered her glorious his
tory, she would not now be the scott an,
mockery of all creation.
The thrilling exhortations of Mr.. HUNTEl
to the people of Virginia not to desert thei
friends, have been responded to in manne
worthy of the State. A short extract from
his great speech, showing that the sacrifice
of the Northern Democrats are appreciated by
their Southern brethren, will close our article
why, then, should Virginia desert tn,
Democratic party, and at this time? Tha
party has met with a succession of reverses il
the free States the tide of battle has now
rolled to our feet, and the eyes of the whole
country are fixed upon us. Are we invited
to leave our posts now because of so many
defeats elsewhere ? Is it the cry " sa,tve qu
Pea" which runs along the line Are We
to desert our friends in extremity to seek fo
personal safety ? or, worse still, TO wheel ou
of line and frcupon them, that we may make
our separate peace with the foe. Perish the
base thought Why is it that our friend.
are in difficulty Because they did Justice
10 us in the Nebraska bill, and refused t.
wrong the South. sthis, then, time to de
sert and abandon them to the tender mercie
Of the cruel odds which are against them p
Ii ouCh siu event. wei HliSut the Oil OOln
monwealth hang her head in shame, and bow
her neck to the yoke of the oppressor; for how
could she hope for the trust of friends or the
respect Of foes, after such conduct?
''Sirs, it seems to me, that no true son o
Virginia, no matter what his politics, ought t.
wish her 10 change now, to leave the iielt
when such deseFtiOn would attach so cruel N
attaint to her shield. If she is to change.
We ought 10 say, let it be at some othe
time; > not now, when the eyes of the Who'll,
country are so intently Fixed upon her, ant
when the hopes of her Democratic brethren
s-t1bere are concentrated upon her, TO re
deem the fortunes Of the fight. Should W,
fail them now, they might well say, as BRUcl
said to his friend at BannOckbum 'Ah, RAN
DoIPH, there is a rose fallen from your chap
let, because his enemy has passed when Ia,