The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-03-11
Our Virginia Csrrcspondenoe.
RICytnoyp. March Q, 1Sb

NsSAiag 6rgsatsdtson Andtyseo-Aeoesss0Hs % He
Local Newspapers to it, Interest'-W1s IN Western
V1gsnid, &C., de-
Every one Is aware that the system Of voting in Virgil
ia in BY tho voice, not the ballot. There eonse
suenty be shutting, no lodging no ooncealment
Everything connected with the Virginia elections for
sr psrtook Of the same open, aboveboard character
There time when Virginia ''knew nothing OF eau
suses-of secret midnight, wire working political con-
saves Of mysterious, understand nominating conven
tsns Of any kind. Sometimes there many as
dozen candidates in each county. Each man announced
himself canvassed the county for himself, and on the
DAY Of the election took his seat the judges bench in
The court house. bowed pleasantly to tho voters as they
came up Was full sight of everybody, 80 that the
vsters could judge of the nominees, physically as well
Is intellectually and take their pick circumstances
dictated. II was eminently bread daylight, twelve
o'clock meridian proceeding; and Virginia was never as
well governed at home well represented abroad, as
1t that identical period. Now who 1t changed this
spes above board republican state Of thngsf Who
first took the power of selectag their agents from
the hands Of the people of Virginia. where it had always
been deposited up to that Time and i to an
irresponsible and oftentimes q secret caucusf Why 1t
was the very men who are now making such potaer
about the anti republican character Of Know Nothing
hands, they VIGOROUSLY and undenAey nrst introduced
the caucus in the state; ana now e anas the people
Shek own Weapons, they raise q tremendous outcry
sbout ssDsriracy against the popular sovereignty.
What prcdigies of patriotism and constituency The
only conspiracy of the people themselves against the
OAtslnes who introduced the Virginia. Just
compare the two syftems-the caucus AID the Know
Nothing societies. Judging these latter by the state
neDs which appear concerning them in the loco foco
must rest os the authority Of
dIes for they have solemny sworn never to dsclose
tie very things which they now shamssssy profess to
to their accounts OF them the whole people are Assem-
bled in the most democratic FORM Whatever there may
DO OF TO the world without there is nothing Of
sesresy between the members The opportunity placed
In every mans hands of easily and readily making
him in the choice of candidate. The system
10 complete that member feels hmsefa part Of
whole and completely identified with ell its
and movements Whatever else may be charged against
Knew Nothingism it cannot be averred that there
the slightest chance of little clique in any county
toistsg its avore into office against the viii Of the
jorty. Yet this violation of cardinal republican priR
sipe has been the grand distinguishing characteristic
Of The caucus from the hour of its down
republican system introduced in Virginia. the people
Of both parties have been deprived Of their former
preme agency in the selection Of their
almost efectually as II the nominating power had
been taken out Of their hands by an act OF the Lesla
30 o. sSs have
the wires that their favorite and else, should
receive the nomination. The central junta in Rich.
Richie, DR.. Brockenbrough &c, composed garchy,
h fact which governed Virginia as completely Louis
Napoleon governs Frauce But few weeks ago secret
lscofoco caueus-emphatcaly secret-was held in
satofthe way nook in this city of Richmond,
fr the purpose Of putting down the progress Of secret
Why the very convention which nominated Wise utterly
s s
BY the egerdeman by which the time and place of the
ssnvsnOn hxed scarcely to give the ghost of
chance to the rival candidates. the large majority Of
those actually present were in favor Of Leake and OPP
posed to Wise but by virtue of various invisible proxy
more fragrant instance of UTTER total and
temptuous disregard of the popular wll-of the win Of
ne vas sistssefui to svery conservative democrat in
Virginia, to every naked basis man in the Common
wealth. and to the whole rank and file Of the old jackson
democracy whose principles and whose leader he had
often and SO ruthlessly assailed He had no friends
POLITICALLY, meant he the choice of except
to all the rest OF mankind, but whose bodies not
numerous enough to garrison chicken COOP Yet these
the men and their organs who terribly dis.
tressed about the conspiracy Of Know Nottingham
against the popular sovereignty.
The Richmond Enquirer has lately made prodigious
saohng mares 1t processes to have discover
ID in disclosure Of the whole organization pass words
&C. Of Shs kn"r Me1hnss 81 x xrsG sboa a
injuIe its health, which would be dreadful thing
it's party considering the services has already rem
dered them In procuring the nomination Of Wise. Let
Pryor hold on, and he may save Rome yet; But
question much whether the publication in the Enquirer
10 faithful transcript Of the constitution Of the Know
Meetings. Of Virginia. have Of tho most intel
gent gentleman OF that Order, and whose word would
a. Ss the Il
grossly It is true, the disclosure is in substance
disclosure at all but who can receive any statement
made by lips which, upon the Holy Evangelists have
sworn never to disclose anything connected with the
Knew Nothipgs7 Or is 1t admitted that the donor Of
this marvellous mares nest to the Enquirer IL not
Know Ncthingf Then, how does he know anything
about them3
The Enqurers disclosure has produced no Hu.tering
except IN its party. 1t is the false alarm OF hen
Who pre.ends sne has laid egg and sets the whole
barn yard to caclng big rooster and all over an ina
gfDcc achievement Nobody is scared at all excited,
except the loceocos No. only do the old Know Nothings
including the democrats stick fast but they gaining
steady accessons The people at large must naturally
think that there Ia harm in of band
ing together to preserve America from foreign rule than
there 10 in another set Of banding together TO
psuate the ability OF foreigners to hold the balance of
power in this country and to decide who shall and who
shall not be President.
One Of the most amusing features in this canvass is
TIE pyonuneidmentos Of sundry small beer road
village politicians of the focofoco school, setting forth
hat they have been represented Know Nothiugs,
have been solicited to allow their puisant to be
used by the Know Nothings for Office other and
utterly refusing to identify their great regulations with
any such political wicsedness, or to desecrate
Their sapsismal appell.tions by uniting them with
THESE mnnsws taking the air Of whales upon them.
Thousands Of these little fish sailing about at this
VINE, With as much mock dignity each Of them had
b getting to be little stale however need not say
that when the Know Nothngs do pitch upon man, he
viii not be enc OF the political animalcula whom the
NEST powerful microscope scarcely make visible.
They are not so hard run ~ all that BY manner Of
Of virgins. they Vii realize the responsibility which the
pswer imposes and prefer the place to none but man
Who would confer honor upon it. The day of small men
The Know Nothing cause inds able champions in the
sppostiOn press Of the State and the political press of
Virginia Ia at this time with some exceptions ADLER than
any previous period. It is true that the resplen-
dent genius Of Peasants the side, and the
Nestor Hike wisdom Of Richie on the other longer
inspire and guide their respective parties. But
i question much whether the Enquirer, in its
panest days, exhibited such specimen OF massive ele
giant competition the Erdminer OF 10 day, whose ed
ter must confess is freeman worthy Of the steel OF
The proudest and best OF the Know Nothing knights He
Yields battle axe heavy as that OF Richard, and sharp
the sabre Of Saladin On the Know Nothing side We
have jealous advocate In the Richmond Wig which
paper and the Enquirer have locked horns in the most
Ancctionate manner The Lynchburg Vtrg1ri1n always
renswned for 10 sterling ability Is exhibiting high de.
gree Of talent and energy in It's opposition 70 wise The
Pefersbnry Trei9encer the Norfolk Herald the Saun.
Ton Repuboan, and Others which might be named are
combating the lonely knight Of Accomac with plenty OF
ylgsr, and, at the time with all knghtly courtesy
Niae out AZ A