Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-09-29
AN AsToIjNnINn nIscovEp,

times talks about with evident interest and most ma
tura earnestnsss. II the Democratic party in Vir.
gina is "taned with anti slavery prejudice,, 1t is
strange that the State has not been aboitonzed long
ago, tor Democracy has reigned, triumphant and
preme almost from time whereof the memory of
man runneth not to the contrary. There is a large
number Of slaves In Virginia, and large number Of
Democrats also. very considerable proportion of
these slaves must be owned by Democrats. Ne.
groes are very valuable; and it is most remarkable
that their owners should be opposed to the insttu
ton Of slavery. II one half the Democrats Of Virginia
are "taned with aptslavery prejudices," the aboli-
tonists, occupation will soon be gone. The principles
OF the Democraticparty in Virgins also the princ
Piles Of the Democracy OF the other Southern States
They are all now Democratic except Maryland; and
according TO the astounding discovery Of the "Whg"
We should suppose that Maryland alone, the border
State Of the South, is safe and sound the slavery
question II Ia strange that the Virginia Democracy
should be "tainted with anti slavery prejudices,"
when their numbsrs have multiplied amazingly as the
dangers of abotonism have drawn nearer and grown
greater. II either two.thirds or one half the Demo.
cratic party of Virginia is tainted with antslsvery
prejudces," the peculiar institution" is in imminent
danger. The Wing" will surely not deny that the
last Presidential election turned upon the slavery
question. Why was it, then, that the whole South,
Maryland excepted, sought safety under the Demo
cratic banner Why was that the old line Wigs
adopted Democratic principles, and nobly enlisted
with the Democratic party This astounding dis
oovery of the "Whig" niue: be the result of most
minute analyss Oh the part OF that paper. Such ali
idea has never entered even into the dreams Of the
most astute and vigiant opponents of Democracy
before.
The Richmond Wing" has, however, made the
discovery that 'iuly one-half, and probably two
thirds Of the Democratic party of Virginia are tainted
with anti slavery pr.judces." Our contemporary
must be in indsputsble possession of the philoso'
pher's stone. The "Whig" may consider the Democ.
racy of Virginia unsound on tho slavery question.
We doubt that its readers will. Our neighbor ia
incautous For the sake Of the Southern people,
irrespective Of party, We regret that the Richmond
Wing" occasionally INDUCES in expressions calcu-
lated TO induce the belief abroad, that the Old DO.
minion is rapidly becoming Indifferent if not opposed
10 slavery. We demonstrated with the "Whg"a few
weeks ago on the improperly of Its language with
reference to the dssensions In the Democratic party.
surely did not mean TO intimate that there was any
portion Of the Democratic party in the South un'
sound on the slavery question 1t seems that We were
mistaken. The "Whg'' now boldly declares that it
he's adduced evidence enough to prove that "fnlly
one-balf and probably tuo.thirds Of the Democratic
party of Virginia are tainted with antslavery pre-
iudces." Such an assertion can be productive OF no
harm in Virginia anywhere in the South. But IN
the North IT will be caught at, and dlaed upon with
real enjoyment by the Abolitionists. II the black
Republicans can find sympathizers and allies in the
slave States they will, of course, be encouraged to
continue in their course Of opposition 1t has been
boas,ed by the Northern press that there were
opponents of slavery in the slave States
The declaration Of the Richmond "Whig" that
fully one.haf and probably twotbrds Of the
Democratic party of Virgins are tainted with
anti slavery prtjudces," encourages that tone
and would seem to corroborate that boast.
Wehsye often accused the opposition with unsound
ness on the slavery question But We charged itupon
them. as a consequence Of their principles, which
would lead Southern men to oppose their
own interests. We have repeatedly pointed out the
suspicious spots on the political records Of the oandi-
dates Of the opposition. But we will not we cannot
charge upon those Southern men who differ from ns
10 politics. that they are not true to their own and the
intere.ts of the South The slave States have one
interest in tho conduct of our government above all
others. WhiR principles und Democratic principles
per Sc. both sink into ntignifcauce in comparison
with the absorbing Issue of slavery, Would the
Richmond "Whig' contend that the people oil fm
vins are really freesoiers in sentiment' we most
heartily hope not. Such declaration from tho
"Whig" would be injurious to the South. The biack
Republicans would shout over it, and aoolltlonlsm
would advance upon as still more boldly.
The "Whig" says "fully one.half and probably
two thirds, of the Democratic party in Virginia are
tainted with autslavery prrjudIces' Ii Is wei
known that in Virginia the Democratic party
constitutes a majority Of the people OF tn
Sto,c. The inference, therefore, from the as
sertion Of the "Whig," would be that the Oh
Dominion is most decidedly leaning to abolition
lam. Does the "Whig" mean to say sof We hav'
ernostuated with the "Whg' before, on its indlscre
ton in this respect. 1t has been but few days snc
ua a,,incy declared that We would accuee no part.
~ n,ner in the South with disloysyt to the institution
If s,avery and yet, the DEMOCRACY OF Virginia ar
onan,v charged by the Richmond "Whig'' with beinE
i
ui.;nted with anti.savery p.eudices." Our neighoo
might a, we'll attempt prove that the suu rises il
the West, or that Know Nothingi'm is not humoug
The South has enemies enough in the Northi aud nov
that :, I. absolutely necessary for US to be united,
:. r.,v 70 be regretted that We should fnd SoursER
;on,n.,, endesvoriug to convince the country tha
VIRGINIA {. unsound on the slavery question. Trul
the prsjudices of the "whig" override its reason
The democracy Of Virginia sustain the same prln
c,nle, and the same policy that are advocated an
upheld by the Democracy elsewhere, 10 the Mort
and in the south. If then "fulIy onehalf, and Pre-
b.by two.,hirds of the Democratic party of Virg
MI. are tainted with anti slavery prejudlces," II TO
lows a. an inseparsble sequence, that throughout t
Union the Democratic party is unsound on the slave
20 ousstiou. is strange then, indeed, that the OF
moments Of sbolitionism should be fighting under h
Democratic banner.
1t 10 strange thst the Wbig party should have son
down and disappeared in the South while the ~