Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-05-29

the many Incidents of daring and fidelity, 10 de-
tai the revolving carnage which marked the
struggle, and 10 tell the unholy desertion Of
"Sam 5" best disciples, were no easy or grateful
task This must be left TO the historian whom
lac writes OF the eternal pillars of Virginia De-
mocraoy, which neither the open foe nor the foe in
ambush, could weaken Of a.adermine. The en-
gagement lasted twelve hours, and as the sun was
dipping his broad disc behind our native hills, il
was apparent that ''Sam's'' forces were giving
way before the undated energy and superior
Numbers of bis enemy. .sOh that aigAi or Blu
cher would Gomez but alasi for Sam his Blu
cher never came; and when darkness, his wished
and himself bleeding corpse
mot drum was heard nor Il funeral note
AS his corse DER the ramparis they hurried.
Not soldier dis, harged his farewell shot III
Oer the grave where their Hero they buried
II Is written of the great Marshal SAKE, that
when told by his leech he must die, he opened
his eyes upon the bright world he was leaving:
..They say life is unreal-then | have had a fine
DREAM" And so poor '.Sam' il is with you.
You have had ''fine dream,' but all hut a
dream at the best!
Such is human life, and such the vanity Of
human hopes But he has gone1as for man his
days are as grass-as the flower Of the field So
he fiourished, but the wind passed over it and it
is gone, and the place thereof shall know i, no
more forever!
But, to be serious The triumphant success OF
the Democracy of Virginia, and tho consequent
overthrow of the Know nothing Order, is preg-
nant with great results. First. 1t has plainly
shown that the principles enunciated by them can
find ne root in the South for il has been long
given up that, as Virginia went in this trial Of
strength, 80 would the whole South go. Second.
That it receives its whole ritality from success,
and hence one signal defeat, like the late one in
Virginia, is decisive of its existence in the South
Third. That, il this be true, the Order al the
North have but this source of nutriment to their
unprincipled organization there. Fourth That
the principles of the Democratic party are as per-
manent they are true and just. Fifth That
Abolitionism has received blow which, God
grant, may prove fatal; in the fact, that the pso-
pie of the South viii not only continue to detest
it, but will refuse TO have any thing to do with
it, for the accomplishment of any purposes what
ever
But, last and not least, this result evinces
resolute determination upon the part of Virginia
and the South To stand united, and present an
unbroken front before the wicked Vandals who
compose the next Congress. We do not mean to
be understood as charging any sympathy with
Abolitionism in the Secret Order in the South, for
we would not think so badly Of that most de-
testable thing, Massachusetts, Abolitonist him
SELF as we should have to think Of such man or
society of men. in Virginia. By no means; but we
do say, that the Northern Abotionists have been
kept alive more by this hope appearance of
things in the South, than by any thing else. We
believe now their cloven foot will be shown, and
apparent.
One of the avowed objects of the Know
nothing Order, is prescription Of all foreign
| ers and the Introduction of them from holding
Office. it's of the most sweepinSaharacter, and
therefore we have expressed our entire dissent
from it. We are free to say that our naturaliza-
ton laws may be either too loosely drawn in them
| selves or too loosely administered, and hence we
| are in favor of their revision and modification If
found to b. necessary. Our success, therefore,
over the Know-nothings may result in our ex-
animation into this question, and the suggestion
of some less intolerant plan for modifying the
laws, with equal justice to the native and foreign
born citizen. This is an important effect, and an
effect which can be produced peacefully, calmly,
in good temper, and in fairness to all parties.
But the most dangerous element in the organ
Il IA af II m ofh e fha
ton, which is, we believe, put to rest by their
failure to establish successfully their order in the
South. This is cause of great rejoicing for if the
| spirit of religious intolerance should become an
element in our political contests, our institutions
must topple to the ground. We have never had,
however, any fears upon this subject. We have
always believed in the ultimate defeat Of religious
prescription, and the eventual success sf free
dom. The Divine hand has been laid with bless
ings and conservation upon the fair and beautiful
head Of Freedom, and-her battle ''once begun
"Bequeathed from bleeding sire 10 son,
Though baffled Offs erer won.'
Neither principalities nor powers, nor things
present, nor things to come, shall efectually sta
her march
al obstacles shall be ground in dust beneath
her impending tread, or brushed aside like cob
webs in her mpetuous sweep. In pain, in an
| guish, and travail she may suffer and endure, but
the eternal years Of God" are hers, and He, in
his own good time, will vindicate the divinity of
her origin. Freedom Of thought-feeedom OF
conscience, freedom of trade, freedom Of the
press, and all the emblazonries upon her banner,
are facts fixed from high, and wo be TO that
man, sooner or later, who Its his hand against
one Of these.
| May we not look to another good, which must
follow the defeat Of the secret Order in Virginia
Was ever there such necessity for unity in the
South Was ever there period when Demo
Gratis and Wings should, for a season, at least,
forget old party lines and party rancor, and stand
shoulder to shoulder in resistance to common
foei Does not every consideration of honor,
good faith, and gratitude, impel them TO do for