The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-03
Our Richmond Correspondence.

RICHMOND, Va, July 81, 1885,
Press Personahties--Tne Kettle Calling the Poi
Names tadfast Democracy of the Old Domi
nion-Despotic Influence Of the Old Richmond
Junta-Ignorance and Superstition of the Masse,
in the State Paucity Of Schools, &c., &c.
Political parties are waxing warm in this old
State, and before the canvass is over we may look
out for some severe jarring particularly in the edi
torial fraternity. Already the Enquirer and the
Wing Of this city are beginning to employ language
towards their opponents not very complimentary in
it's character, and not altogether compatible with
the rules OF fair discussion. The Enquirer is so bit
ter and gross in its personalities, that the Hhig,
though inclinsd to decorous and respectful Ian
guage, is sometimes compelled to deviate from its
sense of proprety, the principle Of fighting the
devil with fire. It is needless to say much about the
Examiner, for the shameless indecency Of that
paper has been proverb among the people for
years past. Nobody has any respect for its opinions
for they are as variable as the winds and are given
always more from selfish calculations than from po
litcal principle. At one time ii was the bitter,
compromising opponent OF Henry A. Wise denounc
ed him. in its accustomed style of billingsgate, as
political renegade, unworthy of democratic support
and ntmated pretty distinctly that his only motive
in desertiag the wing party and going Sver to the
democracy was 10 obtain Office, and 10 promote his
own selfish ends. After INDUCING It's ferocoas
Trades against Wise for two thee months all al
once the crv Of presto, change" was heard, and
from that moment the Examiner became the most
seryile and sycophantic follower OF Wise in the
State laud;ng him as q statesman, as the fearless
and incorruptible champion Of popular rights, &c.
This old State il democratic 10 the backbone, and
could not be mace 10 change its party complexion,
though one were 10 rise from the dead and warn
the people Of their error. The old Richmond
limit hos
over the masses OF the State, and IL Is
truly astonishing 10 the might Of their influence;
one explanation OF ii. and one only can be given
Old Virginia i enveoped in clouds OF ignorance
and darkness. There are seventy thousand white
men over twenty one years OF age who are unable
10 read or write their native languages aud these
legal voters who exercise the gre II prero-
gatye Of tree men, although they are No better qua
lfed to do so than the slaves who cultivate our
wheat ard tobacco. Even among those who can
manage to read and to scrawl their names, their
ignorance IL 50 profound, that the hope OF enlight
ening them upon political questions i past prayiag
for In fact they are tit subjects for the dema gogue,
and 10 him they are made over, body and soul.
As long, therefore, as the democratic party re
ceves such material aid from this class Of soyeregns,
IL will not be overaDxioUs for free schools OF which
the State IL now comparatively destitute. We have
some excellent colleges among US, where the sons OF
wealthy farmers are educated; but for the poor
class which 50 largely prepondetste, there i hard
III any provision worth mentioning They are left
TO grow up in groraDce and are never cared about
or thought Of until election days, when they are
taken under the special guardianship Of democratic
leader,
The old Richmond Junta is composed Of set Of
men, every one OF whom enjoys the heavy bounty
q government, either State or federal; they are
the best paid men in the community their
Offices are generally sinecures aud the incum
bents, therefore, have ample leisure 20 devote
70 the cause Of their patrons. To see these
old fogies bobbing about the city, spending their
Tine chiefly In political trckery. one would be apt to
a.
would, at least, become weary and disgnsted with
them and their oficious intermeddling. But not So
The democracy OF Virginia are the verest
slaves on earlh-the most Ignorant, superstitious
and bieoted creatures under the sun, not even ex
oeptng the priest-ridden subjects Of Spain and
Mexico.