Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-10-07
FoRT CLARK, TEXAS, I

August -, lSjG. !
My DEAR SlR:-When | had the honor "f I'D
dressing you, in January last, ln,inated that The
first 81 ep taken towards the preservation OF tbs lhnh
was by the State Of Virginia, i'll thc election "i MT
Wise as Governor OF our Common" eAith III OPPOSE
ii IN 10 the Know Nolhings, and the re.eecth tome
Senate of Mr.. Mason, the author OF the Fugitive
Slave Law. .,e
ro.e the intense energy the sndieIly devotion. n"r
the brilliant capacity exhibited by Henry a WISE
the leader vi the successful storninE party on 'S
OCCASION
was felt averywhere-it the first great check il
had received-and it never recovered from u: non
eat Democrats should feel forever grateful 10 irgia
that citadel of truth and pariosIn tor the trst ana
greatest victory vet VIOLA victory destined 10 pear
nhea,inp on its wings throughout the land harpn-
ger of such triumph TO the Democratic party IN Mo-
velnber next rs will place it permanently III power
for wears 10 come and enable H. not only to PRESERVE
but to strengthen the Union against the attacks o Ia
naticsm and treason, which 1t will always be found
will shrink before the virtue and power al aroused
| and indignant people,
of the Unon lis only safety for by II, alone, will be
scattered to the winds, the various factions which
have brought the country to the very verge "f rum
| More than twelve months since thought the lime
! had arrived when every American citizen, however
humble should "show his flag and lay upon
the altar of his country the errors, prcudices, the
prepOssessions of party.
| had been Whg-a conscienscIous WhIg-but
for many years past had become satlshed that III lie
great issues between the Wing and Democratic par
tes the Wings were in error. Time the great teach
err of mankind had demonstrated 1t beyond the posi-
bty of doubt still, prepossessions III favor OF old
political associates and old personal rI-ds remained
| and should have passed on quietly in my career,
| without disturbing thein had my cpuniry remained
prosperous and hupetu-but the armament Of our
| hopes became darkened with the most Portent"u'
clouds that ever threatened destruction to the liner
~. & ind md
true man should ask only one question, allow can 1
serve my country, III this the hour OF her distress -
What have political associations and personal
friendships TO do with the onswer TO such question
| az thisl An American citizen who would permit them
to stand in the way between him and truthful, health
full action, would be unworthy OF the very assocla-
| lions lie would rish aatished myset that
| no other than the Democratic party could
save the country, and l became Democrat
| in name us | had been, for years, i'll prin-
cipe. l have examined the Wing platforms,
recently adopted in Kentucky and elsewhere and lind
no differences between them and that Of the Demo-
Gratis, that justify for n moment separate organl-
zauu Of parties, which are alike patriotic aud THINK
alike on the great question Of slavery and Union,
now, by the action of the Abolitioniss, become CO.
relative terms and am satisfied, organization or no
organization, that, at the Presidential election III No
vember next, every old.line Wing South of Mason
and Dixon's line, aud largo number of the North,
whatever they may say now Will be touhu casting
their votes for buchanan and Brt ckinrdSe. For my
part however, did not whit Tor indications OF 80
happy result, but long since publicly avowed I" the
people of Virginia, rhert belong, my sentiments as n
Democrat aud my determination as all American clti-
zen to advocate IN every legal md honorable man
nell the continuance i'll power Of the Democratic par
ty with rs great an increase Of influence as can pos
sibly be bestowed upon II. Ii has mighty task To- ac
compsh. Not the election Of Democratic Preslden,
that is only tho first stepGmf TO Sare the tnto" ana
strengthen against future aitdckS Let Union men VI
all shades Of opnoion give loyal, cordial support
aid it, not grudgngly. but with will that It may come
tIn 49,.
party triumphs-a majority which viii speak to the
heart of tn. dying patriot saying oe contoried there
is still power on earth TO save yonr beloved com
try and to punish her wicked enemies; aud that pow
VI liz, under God, the virtue, the intelligence, The pa
triutism Of the people. ~
What higher personal sanctions can W higs have OF
the propriety of this open honorable earnest support
of the Democratic party, than Is to be fouhd III tht
course of such men The flour of the Senate as FRAT
and Pearce of Maryland, md Benjamin OF Lon's"n"
all firm Whigs-nOw strenuous supporters OF Inc
Democratic party-and why because Il eva patr,'
ots and rW not surrender to party Thai gd' '"fth"'
ed for mankind. There are few men now living who
have higher claims upon the honorable OF all parties
than Governor Pratt Of Maryland. When repuda.
ton and it's bsneful spirit rife throughout the
land, and every honest man bowed his head Wt'
shame for his country, Governor Pratt, then Wing
Governor Of Maryland, opposed by numberIeSs enc
mics, recommended and strenuously advocated thu
passage Of laws extremely unpopular, but absolutely
necessary to save the honor of the State and alter
wards caused them to be executed under circum.
stances OF great difficulty presenting himself person.
ally at points where The difficulties were greatest and
compelling obedience by his personal as well "a moral
tirmuess That State, thus rescued from disgrace,
occupies 40 proud position as any earth. Hide
your dmiplsi,ci heads ye miserable regulators
wherever t0rpd, or turn aud worship the sun.
Mr. Pearce is, perhaps, better know out Of the
State of Maryland than Governor Pratt. At all times
practical patriotic and wise, he has always endowed
the confidence of the Senate az statesman and its
admiration as a scholar.
But perhaps no gentleman has ever achieved so dis.
tiugushed reputation and position in the Senate of the
United States. in so short period as Mr.. Bn'!amin
the Senator from Louisiana. Profound an jurist
consummate as an orator, he has given such ev
dence of still higher qualifications as to have com
manded universal respect. Mr.. Benjamin Is still {
young man, and it may be hoped for the sake OF I'M
country, that he has long life before hm for she vii
often stand in need of the utmost devotion OF sucf
men. These are few Of the many distinguished
Wings, who have frankly joined the Democratic par
ty ca the party of the country, aud proclaimed the
determination to act with it. They will all be OF
the right side at the polls in November next
The most extraordinary spectacle of human delu
sion, which has ever been presented in the history
parties in our country, is that exhibited BY iht
Native American party Know Nothugs Of tn
Sonth. They appear willing indeed TO sell the
brth.right for MSS Of potsge." Such seems to b