Washington sentinel., 1855-03-20
THE VIRGINIA ELECTION.

THE VIRGINIA ELECTION.
The Know nothings of the North are max
ing every exertion to influence the pending
gubernatorial election in Virginia. The mem
bers of the Order in this city have been and
are now particularly busy. They seem exces-
sively anxious to entrap the good people of
Virginia into the embraces of an organization
which is at war With republican institutions,
and which has already passed under the con-
troll of abolitionists.
: These gentry must fail. They do not under
stand the temper of the people Of the Old Do
minion if they think that they can erect a
secret conclave there strong enough to rule the
fortunes of the old State. Many, very many,
of the Whig party-and they of the best and
most influential Of that party-will never con-
sent to abandon their party name for the pur-
pose of cooperating with a set of men who
skulk from the public gaze and are afraid to
meet the light of day.
The political morality of New York has not
yet gained, and in our judgment, never will
gain the ascendancy in Virginia. The voters
of Virginia cherish the idea that politics is not
mere trade, and that the ballot-box has a
hoier purpose than that of determining who
shall fill particular offices, and who shall re-
ceive particular emoluments. They have o
lingering idea that it is absolutely necessary to
sustain certain principles, and to cherish GER
tain habits and customs, in order to preserve
our institutions and they cannot but perceive
that the new order, hatched in the North, is op-
posed in all its essential elements to those
principles and habits and customs.
We have been told that the Know-nothings
count largely on the support of desperate men.
They see that their secret system is the very
thing for men who are damaged in character
and reputation, and who wish for Office, but are
afraid Of the exposures which an open canvas
would bring about. The secret game cannot,
however, succeed in Virginia. There is no
such thing known in that State as the secret
ballot. Every vote is given openly and record
ed openly; and the record, when completed, is
public record, open to the inspection of every
man.
1t is impossible, therefore, that any one can
desert the Democratic party in Virginia with.
out the fact of his desertion being known at the
moment and being susceptible of proof at any
time hereafter. 1t is useless to talk of the
Whig party of Virginia now. 1t has no candi-
dates in the field 1t is waste of time too, to
talk of bank and tariff and distribution. The
Iat,,, Al a..
and a secret Jesuitical order which wishes
to dispose of the public affairs of the States
and of the Union at night and with closed
doors, where sworn sentries keep watch. The
issue is plain and distinct; and we believe
that the people of Virginia understand it, and
that the Democracy of Virginia will hold every
Democrat who votes the Winchester ticket to
be deserter and virtually member of the
Know nothing order.
No excuses we feel confident will be received.
They who vote against the Democratic nomi.
nations will try in vain to justify their conduct
by specious pretexts. The Democracy will
not listen to them. 1t will hold that the po-
litical position of man is fixed and deter
mined by his vote more surely and more accu-
rately than by any other thing. Every Demo
crat therefore, who votes the Winchester
ticket must be consi dered deserter-he must
always hereafter be regarded as Know
nothing-either member Of the Order, or a
slave of the Order. We do not believe that
when the election day comes there will be
many deserters from the Democratic ranks in
Virginia; but whether they be few or many,
the Poll Books will tell their number and con-
tain their names, so that the people will know
them, and will always be able to identify them
when they ask for place and patronage.