Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-08-22
EiehmeBd Wing rs. Know Nothingism,

During the whole career of Know Moth
ingism it was painfully visible that it was
without internal strength, and depended
upon that hatred to Democracy which had
taken such deep root in the minds Of its OPP
ponents. It was that hatred which nursed
the infant party in its cradle of Northern
fanatieism-whieh attended it in its marvel
Gus career Of victory and crime-which
planted it upon Southern soil and threaten
ed to subvert with it the Democracy Of Vir-
ginia and, which at lest received it as i.
fell beneath the death blow dealt by the De-
lnocracy. Notwithstanding our joy at this
well-deserved end, our pity is excited when
We read such articles from the Richmond
Wig;
Americanism, az party organization
is essentially and eternally tlefunet and the
sooner the members of this party, leaders
and followers, recognise the existence of that
fixed and simple fact, the better it will be
for them and the country. 1t may be re-
piled that Whiggery is just as dead. We
are willing to admit it but Known thing-
isrn is not only dead but stiuketh. From
the tomb Of the latter no fragrance will ever
come and its unfortunate life supplies no
pleasant recollections. Whiggery is totally
unlike it, therefore, in this respect; for it
smells sweet, and blossoms in the dust.
In all seriousness. then, we advise what we
have heretofore advised, an abandonment of
the lifeless remains of the American party,
and the substitution in their stead of new
and living party, with just and comprehen.
rive principles
We trust, therefore, that the riaa men
Of the American party will put their heads
together, and they will undoubtedly reach
the inevitable conclusion, that Ame,leanism
as respectable and formidable oreaniza.
ton, is dead--dead forever beyond the
prospect Or the hope of resurrection With
only five or ten members Of Congress IL
bath branches, what Of cheer does the future
promise for it? We commend the ,nelan-
choly subject to the calm and praverfnl
consideration of every American in the
Union"
And it was the Whig which was foremost
IN cheering on this same party when in lis
pride-which condoled with it in its nlsfor.
tune-wept at its fall, and endured the dead
body until it became offensive 1t was the
Richmond Wig which hung over the CORPSE
hoping that it would exhibit some sparks Of
life, and thus to desert the dead-alas alas |
When Know Nothingism seemed about to
o'erspread the land, and the proud fortress
e democracy wes thought 10 be already
nodding 10 the fall, it was with surprise that
we saw so many of the cid Wing party,
blinded by their hatred to the principles, or
perhaps to the men alone, who had SO often
rode vigorously over their dearest prejudi,
ces, deluding themselves with the idea that
they saw their own principles iu an organi-
ration, whose similarity to ancient Whigge-
~ was opposition to the Democracy, which
goes about as far towards making them one
as opposition to the Catholic religion goes to-
wards asimilating Protestant and Turk.
Some Of the deeper politicians. who joined
that party, saw just enough Of likeness TO
cause good Wing to be an American and
enough Of difference to excuse g Democrat
for the same step. Nor were they satisfied
that they should see this happy mixture but
forgetting their secresy they blazed it out in
the papers, and managed to convince the
most of mankind that they had adopted just
what both parties had been carefully avoid.
ing, and of which. as the last mark OF 20.
litical degradation, they had ever bc,n cbarg-
ing each other.