Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-04-13

MIR. Wiso's Canvass.
The accounts given in the Western Virginia
papers, represent Mr.. Wise, as being exceed
ingly abusive, and lavish Of epithets, in dis
cussing the principles Of the American party.
He assumes that all the maxims Of the Ameri-
can party are rotten, and all its members,
lousy, Goddess, and Christless," and declares
that, {" some Of the first objects Of his ven
geance, would be traitors here, at home, whom
he would hang higher than Hannah" if elected
Governor, and il II should become his duty to
suppress instructions, &c, &c. We believe
that under the constitution and laws of Virgil
mia, hanging is matter which Jotlot0s, and
does not precede conviction, in capital cases,
and that trial by jury, Is guaranteed to the ac-
cused. May We not at least hope that Mr.
Wise, if elected Governor, win allow the laws
to be administered in the customary mode, and
not abolish judicial tribunals, repeal legisla-
tive enactments, and overturn the constitution
Mr. Wise helped create the present constitu-
ton Of Virginia aboutfour or Ave years ago, and
it is rather too soon to Kick into non-entaty I!
1t will be destroyed quite soon enough, by pro-
gressiye causes, should Congress adopt Mr.
Wise's suggestion, and allow foreigners all the
rights Of citizenship, upon their taking the
oath of allegiance, without probation But in
sober earnest, we are amazed to read the news
paper versions of Mr.. Wise's harangues in the
West The Abingdon Virginian closes long
review of his recent speech at that point as
follows:
ave do not regret Mr.. Wses visit to Abing-
don His exhibition of himself, better than all the
arguments and descriptions that could be given on
paper, proves that he Is every way unit 10 be
Governor of this staid old Commonwealth 1t Is
evident that where he rules, reason Is drowned in
passion the sage deductions of wisdom cast aside
for wild vagaries of speculation, and conservatism
drowned and destroyed in the turbulent maelstrom
Of radicalism We repeat, therefore, that we are
glad Mr.. Wise came here. He has done his own
cause harm, and the American cause much good
The wavering have been confrmed-the undecided
have heen driven to firm stand in favor OF the
American principles. Verify, Wise has been taken
in his own crattiness."
In commenting upon this review of Mr.
Wise's speech, the Richmond Wing submits
the following sensible remarks:
!" A loss Of temper, and disposition to indulge
in abuse and elimination, unerring signs either
of the weakness of ones cause or its probability
Of defeat. 1t Is true in all contests, political
well as personal that the winning side never loses
its temper. As the canvass has progressed, Mr. Wise
has thought proper not only to denounce the polit
ical principles of the American party, but to assail
their motives and indulge in unmeasured personal
abuse of them. We regard this as an nfallible
sign of his anticipations of defeat. He would
hardly 60 out of the way to question the purity of
motive of Virginia gentlemen, did he not have a
fearful apprehension that those OF them who are
determined to uphold the principles of the Ameri-
can party, are also determined to nip in the bud
his aspirations for the Office Of Governor.
"What end does Mr.. Wise propose to effect by
his indulgence in such epthets as lousy, Goddess,
and Christiess, as applied TO the members OF the
Know-Nothing partyY What does he mean by
saying there are traitors in Virginia whom he will
hang as high as Haman,' If there should be revo-
luton or insurrestion2 Can he suppose that such
unmeanng terms, applied to sixty or seventy thou
sand of the people of Virginia, will dislodge them
from their position in the American partys Does
he believe that the people of Virginia are so much
afraid of epithets that they will be frightened from
their propriety by his abusive languagey Does he
expect by these means to win back those who have
rebelled against party dictation--or to prevent
others from assuming any political position which
their of right may suggestf If So, he greatly
mistakes the temper of Virginia gentlemen. he
viii find that tho only effect of bis vituperative
language viii be to cultivate among them a sterner
determination to assert their freedom Of action,
and more earnest resolve to tear from them all
former political shackles.
1T has been made, by Mr.. Wise's friends, a
boast, that he was the impersonation Of Virginia
honor and chivalry. The people generally have
believed II, and still believe IL. But can they con-
tinue in such belief when these offensive and in
sulting epithets are continually sounded in their
earsf
THE political issues Of the canvass, 1t appears
to us, afford a sufficient field for all of Mr.. Wises
eloquence and defamation. These should const-
tute his theme The hot temper, the hayward
passion, which Mr.. Wise exhibits, viii not with
the moderate and sensible people Of Virginia, re-
commend him to their suffrages. The office OF
Governor requires cool head ands quiet and firm
demeanor. As to the result, we feel an assurance
that Mr.. Wises course Is daily injuring his own
party and increasing the strength Of the opposi-
ton; but even this cannot reconcile to tolera-
ton Of his abusive language applied 10 the honest
and patriotic people Of the Old Dominion