, 1855-07-20
The late Elections IN Virginia, Oregon and
..s Washington.

elections. The issue joined in each canvass
were very similar,-the results have turned
out much alike. No State election which
has taken place within the memory of men
now living, has excited so much interest be-
yond the limits of the State where it trans
pircd, as that which has just taken place in
Virginia. For three months before the
time fixed for the election, the eyes of the
whole political Union were turned towards
the Old Dominion. The whole press teem-
ed with opinions and prophecies as to the
result. Every political move in the State
was watched eagerly, and every demonstra-
ton was chronicled from one end Of the
country to the other with assiduity similar
to that displayed when our army was march
ing into Mexico. 1t is natural that this
should be so. The cause Of this interest is
evident. Virginia had been democratic
from the day Of her 6rst election to the
present. The principles and policy of the
Democratic party had grown with her
growth, and strengthened with her
strength" until they had taken such deep
root in the bosoms of her proud and patri-
otic people, that we all esteemed these
principles immoyeably fixed, and we had
good cause so to think. These principles
supported by these people had withstood
the storm of humbuggery and deceit which
In 1910 swept nineteen States out Of
twenty-six. They had triumped over the
insidious lull Of the no party policy prac-
ticed by the wings in lS4S. and they had
led the hosts Of Democracy in 1852. For
these reasons We say Virginia had become
TO be, esteemed an inYinciblc fortress Of
Democracy. But before the election Of
which we speak, the enemy to our political
principles had assumed the new, formida-
bic and frightfuI shape of a secret oath
bound political association. This organ-
ration had grown into q numerous and
powerful party. 1t had triumphed in al
most ell the State and municipal elections
which had taken place since its birth. Like
the despotic star-chamber, it struck its vic
tins to the earth summarily, suddenly
and ,efectually, without any apparent
cause or proFOcatiOn. The commanders Of
this political banditti boastcd that they
had the numerical power in the Old Do
minion, That the organization existed
there was known fact. The confidence
with which we were told that the deccp-
tious and politically blasphemous cry Of
"Americans to rule America " had gath
cred to their midnight councils fve-ninths
ofvirginia's independent sons, was calcula-
ted to excite the fears Of the most un-
: daunted 10 our ranks. We could know
nothing as to the truth Of such assertions.
The fact that their plans were conceived
ID the lbosoms Of a set Of desperate politi.
cal aspirants, concocted in the midnight
councils Of an oath-bound assembly, and
eonsummhtod in our party's most unguard-
ed hour, gave ample cause to believe such
assertions, however unwilling we might be
to accept such faith. Many good demo-
Gratis did reluctantly believe such reports.
This added to the interest we would natu-
Sally feel in States election-and then to
make this interest more intense, we all saw
and feItIthat the issues joined in Virginia
were national The tendency to national.
ize that election was plain TO every one.
No casual observer could doubt but that
a triumph Of Know Nothibgism in Virginia
would ohaxei given to that organization a
clear distinct and formidable nationality.
The leaders Of that party said and conf
IDENTIFY believed o triumph in Virginia
would be an earnest Of their success in the
south and on the Pacific coast 1t might
have been to some extent. AS it has thus
far proven an earnest Of their fate, may
we not hope it will continue to be the fore
runner Of their total humiliation through
out those States where elections are TO be
held this summer and fall : "
In Oregon as in Virginia, the same
6ght has been made. and the same victory
won, with this difference only. In Ore
gOn there was desperately enYiOus and
malicious effort made to defeat the person
in addition to the principles. The nominee
Of our party,in our sister Territory was an
old and tried veteran in the ranks of de-
mocracy. His triumphs heretofore, his
known opposition to all the isms and fac.
tons in the political world, his strict adhe-
renee to principle. his firm and steady past
history, and his bright and promising fu.
ture, made him high mark for all the