Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1855-06-08
ACKNOWLEDGMENT DENYING ITSELF.

DES1i-No L
The recent election in Virginia was one OF those
adec;,ive battlcs' which determine, for all time, the
fortunes OF the cou,euding parties. Never distrusf-
ing i,s inviuoibility, now-Nothingsm invaded tho
soil of our State, and fearlessly staked IT'D destlnies
Oh the hazard of a single struggle. 1t was beaten
and was driven away in ignou,inious aud disastrous
rout.
II was plain that the progress Of Know othinsism
towards tho South, had been arrested by its de-
f.at in Virginia. Its prestige was gone; the spell OF
II. mower wa broken. Its only hope was to re-coi-
l.rt i,s shattered forces, and strike for success Ill the
State, Of the North. In this aspect only, the victo-
w achieved by the Virginia Democracy, was preg-
nap, with vast consequence TO the party and the coun-
Try.
But this view does not comprehend the full effect
of the recent election. Knov.Nothinglsm has not
only sustained O repulse; and is not only driven to q
more contracted theatre OF operations, but Is annihl-
lated by the blow. Ito own organs confess the fucf.
Th. New York Herald, the Richmond Wig, tho
Baltimore Patriot, and all the more respectable pa
pers in the interest Of the know-Nothing party,
propose the abandonment Of every principle
which distinguishes Know othingism as an in
dep.ndent political association. The machinery Of
il. organization, its secrecy, it's grips, signs, ooth''
and passwords, are ridiculed rs mere "tom-foolery,'
unworthy the dignity Of n great party. But these
Journals 20 further, and advocate the reputation OF
IN, principles of religious intolerance and political
prescription, from which Kuow-Nothiusism takes its
peculiar character.
Now, il the seal Of secresy be removed, and Catho-
lies aud foreigners be admitted into the Order ana DC
held worthy of every political franchise and privilege
will ANYTHING remain of Known othingism Will not
;s essential nature be destroyed, lite whole system be
reyolutionized and it's original aim be abandoned !
BY what principle or profession will the hnow-No-
thing party then DO distinguished from any other po-
h,ical organic alton Z If the radical changes pro-
posed by the Herald and other Journals be consum'
mated, Acknowledgment will disappear, and ON its
rains will rise q party, without any pretence OF prln-
ciule, and of which the only %animating impulse will
be a lust Tor the spois of office.
The victory of the Democracy in Virginia is some
thing more then than q repulse OF acknowledgement
The boast of Mr.. Wisu ia indicated. The serpent ia
not only soo,ched, but is ground and crushed under
heel, The organisation behind which the elements OF
opposi,;on to the Democracy hid themselves, lie bro
ken Nd, and the dark lantern conspirators have been
compelled TO abandon their work ofnischief. They
are struck PROSTATE by the lightning Of popnlarindig-
nation; and slowly recovering from the blow, they
,nce, in P.ndemonium at Philadelphia, to retrieve
thsir falen fortunes.
The Virginia election has accomplished what the
most ardent Democrat did not anticipate 1t hos
driven Know othingism to q confession Of its crimes
aud to the renunciation of its principles.