The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-03-21
THE VIRGINIA ELECTION.

tons and issues possessed BY other member Of the con-
cdeey The reasons for this superior influence exist in
abundance in her past history aud although her et
may fully appreciate the Importance Of their posi-
ton as We must confess sometimes fear they DO not
yet the democracy Of the other States fully understand the
moral weight which attaches her verdict all great
political issues They have habuated themselves 10
terrain for the political results in Virginia that respect and
confidence with which they wont to receive and adopt
the recorded opinions and sentiments Of the iustrious
statesmen who have achieved for her the proud distinction
o. being she mother OF States and Of statesmen Demo
Gratis in every State listen for the voice of the Old Dom
ion with as much eagerness and interest If they regarded
il as the voice Of Washington, Jefferson and Madison
speaking from their tombs If this be Of past polt
cal contests there are circumstances connected with the
present which make it more mpressvey than any
former occasion
The Virginia democrat who regards the pending cleo
ton in the light Of ordinary local or STATE contest
wholly msundersands and undertakes It's real importance
II is emphatically contest NATIONAL not only
because the nation deeply soeitous 10 the result but
especially national because of the influence which the result
viii upon the future prospects Of the national demoe
racy and the future destiny Of the Union 1t behooyes
Virginia democrats weigh well the responsibility which
rests upon them becomes each and every who pro-
sses democratic principles TO inquire carefully whether
he dischargng his whole duty those principles in the
pending canvass II is time for supneness inder
ence much less the indulgence personal dssatsctons
and eaousies In view Of the fearful consequences that
threaten 10 follow defeat it little less than
TO the cherished principles Of Virginia to be lukewarm
indifferent and be acuated by personal pques and ea
ouses were little short Of the Union But for
the evidences Of the contamination of startling coalition in
the nomination of opposition ticket in that State
we should hesitate intimate the possibility OF either
ukewamness dsaection the part Of any portion Of
the Virginia democracy But these evidences call for plain
language and the democracy of the whole Union
concerned deeply the result should not do duty
if we failed 10 express ourselves with and free
dom.
II cannot be that democratic principles less dear
Virginia democrats now than formerly. Those of them
who have indicated disinclination sustain the regular
party nomnations not less loud and apparently
less earnest in avowng their devotion to democratic prn-
cpes than heretofore and yet with the perfect
that the defeat of the regular democratic ticket
win not only overthrow Democrat principles 10 Virginia
but endanger their success in other States and probably
in the Union we have the painful spectacle Of oppos
IOn cothuou liChtt euAposS1 VI ucioSaa,
know-nohings If Virginia did not stand Of
political beaconght the democracy Of other States
should feel less the strange and unnatural ANAL
gamatiop which witness II may not be inappropriate
to remind the democrats Of the Old Dominion that past
times she had great rival in political influence in the
State Of New York The present condition Of the Empire
State brought about by divisions in the democratic ranks
may we'll be held up as a warning example
If democratic principles dear to Virginia demo-
ever it is difficult comprehend why they
to exhibit that solid and unbroken column with which
they have heretofore marched battle and victory II
be that there is dsaecon amongst their trusted
champions towards the present administration
OF any failure to adhere TO democratic principles.
Such an mputation would come with poor grace from
Virginia democrat in view of the fact that one of the chief
grounds which the administration is assaied 10 the
free States is its alleged devotion snd adherence the
Virginia school Of politics We hesitate affirm that
if President Pierce has thus far administered the gov
ernment upon those great principles which southern dem
ocras and especially Virginia democrats regard as
sound and orthodox, then the South can never have
a Chief Magistrate with whose executive policy she
be satisfied In the distribution of the public pa
tronage he may have failed 10 meet the wishes and
expectations Of democrats in Virginia as in other
States but the democrat who allows such consideration
diminish bis attachment his principles much less 10
engage in open hostility the regular organization Of his
party is unworthy TO claim fellowship with the faithful
followers or Jefferson Madison and Jackson and will find
bis natural association with the opposition If the Old
Dominion has enjoyed her high reputation for attachment
TO democratic principles upon the professions such dem
ocrats the country has long abored under gross delu
SION We believe that the result win show that this class
OF rencgaaes not less contemplate from the smaness IL
their number than for the looeness with which they wear
their principles We well understand how good demo
Gratis may be disappointed in the action of their conventions
and may give vent 10 expressions Of regret the failure
have their preferences gatfed 10 the nominatons made
by their party but with true deocrats these eyanesceni
feelings allowed interfere with the great para
mount object Of democratic triumph. We are aware
that such feelings existed upon the announcement Of the
democratic nominations in Virginia; and we doubt not
that this fact has given rise TO very much Of the doubt
which has been indpsriousy circulated the fnal re-
suit whilst has encouraged the few dsa6eced demo
Gratis 10 enter into the coalition which have alluded
but have the best for knowing that those dem
ocrats who disappointed BY the action Of the
democratic convention amongst the active ensr-
gec and influential supporters Of the regular nominations
They at that there was much a stake to at
low any such disappointment 81 personal preferences 10
endanger the Of the party and they are now en-