Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-11-23
From the Charleston Mercury, Nov. 9th,

The returns above published show that William Z
| Miles, the anti-Know NOthing candidate tor Mayor
is elected by majority of 42O, and that the whole
ticket for Aldermen run by his friends, is successful
We need not say that rejoice in this result But
it is in no sort as triumph over men. Whatever
bitterness others may have contracted, we have not
felt it. From the first we have considered this X
Nothing organization a necessarily temporary
thing in South Carolina and not few among It's
leading members have been personal and political
friends They thought it might be directed to good
purpose. We differed from them, We never could
see any good purpose 10 which 1t would be success
fully directed
The Editor of the Evening NeaCs (K ny in re-
marks which we copy has correctly indicated the
three fatal obi ections which the "American Order
has been condemned in the recent eectlon-1st reli-
gous prescription 81. secret proceedings and obi
cations Sd hostility to the enjoyment OF the rights
secured to them by law the part of adopted citl
zens These three points really embrace the pih OF
the whole controversy, and we glad to find that
on all of them agree with our contemporary OF
the Nes But in these respects he is far in advance
of the party and is the party which has been con
demned in this election.
| We regard the Judgment OF the community on The
points we have stated as conclusive and final. New
| er had party greater preliminary advantages. They
had been organized for more than year, and organ
lied in the way most available for success. They
had by concealing their support, given decisive ma
iorities to every whom they had chosen to Sc
cond, and in this way they had gained prestige o.
invincbility that was in itself great political cap
ilal.
The organization opposed to this party was made
but a short time before the election. Not few o.
the warmest opponents of the Know-Nothings regard
ed it as premature-as bringing it into contest in its
very infancy with party mature in organization and
confident from success 1t was argued in its favor
that the longer organization delayed the more
strongly would be fixed in the minds of many the
idea that the Know Nothings had really the control Of
the city, and that the true policy was to present, a
the earliest moment, platform on which their oppo
nents could honestly rally. This was the policy
adopted but, under the circumstances, it was con
sidered by most persons, nothing more than acknoW
lodging the challenge for future Few supposed
that the recent election to be the end OF the
test Most of US thought it would be the beginning
With all these advantages, the ''American Order
came before the public on Wednesday, But they had
the fatal disadvantages of unmasking themselves ol
the first time, and inviting trial of strength on the
sole merits of their principles. Even here they had
their candidate, and the many warm friends which
his estimahle qua tiles had secured him, gave him
support much beyond the strength of his party The
Editor of the EUeniug Ne,uS intimateS that even one
third of his votes from those outside of the par
ty which nominated him. Whether this be exagge
rated or rot, we know that many voted for Mr.. Rich
ardson who had sympathy with the obnoxious prin
ciples mentioned above. They voted for him because
they thought him true South Carolinlan, and al
honest, capable, and faithful man. That he wal
beaten, was because he was regarded as the avowec
representative of party who offer to the public, al
their platform, religious prescription secret and ire
sponsble political organization, and the practical de
NAL of legal rights to naturalized citizens.