The Washington union., 1857-06-13
THE VIRGINIA ELECTIONS.

elected The contest in the Wythe district between
Judge Hopkins and Mr.. Martin very closeso
close indeed that for some time the matter hung in
doubt but the latest and most reliable accounts
sure us that Hopkins, the regular democratic nomi-
nee has been elected by a small majority The
talented and accomplished Tucker has been elected
attorney general by some thirty forty thousand
majority indeed it could scarcely be said that he
had any regular opposition The Legislature is over
whemingly democratic. On joint ballot the demo-
Gratis will have about four to IL is known that
Mr.. Garlic, in the Parkersburg district the only
know-nothing member in the last Congress from Vir-
gnia started the question Of distribution the issue
for the campaign in that State Wherever serious
opposition made to the democratic ticket it
on that issue Its advocates supposed that the
condition of things in Virginia peculiarly pro
pious for the success of their schemes. The State
had embarked in large system Of railroad and
other improvements, and taxes had got up to an
unprecedented amount Upon large portion Of the
honest and meritorious working classes these taxes
were beginning to be felt as somewhat burdensome.
AT any rate, it was supposed that it would be an
easy matter to persuade them that these contribu-
tons oppressive, and that those would be CON
sidered benefactors who could point out some mode
of relief-some source from which they might obtain
the means Of lessenng the amount of their contribu-
tons. AT this particular crisis, and with these OBJ
jects to accomplish the know-nothing and demo
cratic dstrbutionists presented themselves as can
didates to the people, and assured them of succor
and relief by looking to the treasury Of the United
States for their portion Of the surplus which
there awaited them. Artful tables were prepared,
showing specific which would be payable to the
State to the countless and to individuals out of this
tempting distribution fund. All this enforced
by appeals to every sordd and selfish sentiment, and
to all their hopes and desires of speedy relief But
the record of that sinister and mendacous appeal has
been made up through the ballotbox and the result
is already known tothe country. The scheme utter
ly failed. Its authors and advocates have been
overwhelmed and beaten; and the last remains Of
know w-nothngism, with it's prescription and intole-
rance, have been driven from the field in the Old Do
minon in dishonor and defeat.
And thus have the Virginia democracy again signal
lied their devotion to principle and the usages Of the
party In the midst of detection, error and heresy
she has ever stood firm. No temptation could move
deter her, no power earth could influence her to
swerve one hairs breadth from the path of duty and
of principle Great crises have occurred in our po-
litical history, fraught with danger to instu-
tons and the peace of the country, sufficient to
cite the anxiety and alarm the fears of the patriotic
heart of the whole people. When national con-
stitution scarcely ten years old, the ntoerant
spirit of early know-nothingsm displayed itself in
the enactment of the odious alien and sedton laws.
This practical exhibition of despotsm and oppression
struck the whole country with alarm, and filed the
boldest hearts with amazement and fear. Did Vir-
ginia then quail? Did she falter for a moment in
this hour of danger and difficulty? No. In all the
dignity Of her sovereignty she stepped forward with
the violated constitution in her hand sho announced
to her coSates and to the world her Interpretation
of its powers and conditions she mboded that in
depreciation and her opinion those powers in those
immortal resolutions of 1T98 and those that subsc
quently followed she appealed to her sister States
and to the patriotism Of the people to stand by her
in that hour of Imminent peril to their peace and well
fare, and the appeal was heard and needed. The
people were aroused. They rallied to her support.
concentrated public opinion made lffelt through
legislative resolutions, through the public press
through public speech, and by all other effective
means till the authors of these violations of public
faith and peace were driven from power by the
democratic party, and confidence and tranquility
again restored to the country. For long period
after that she continued to give Presidents, ,iplo-
matists and statesmen to the country, whose wis
dom, patriotism, and power have never been sur
passed
Again, in l840 crisis in political affairs presented
itself Ancient federalism had merged itself in mod
ern whiggery A new required new system of
tactics Hard cider came in the place of soft princ
ples Log cabins were substituted for obsolete meas
ures And ribald songs the logic, and dog
gerel poetry the rhetoric, of their public orators
They assaulted the democracy of old Virginia with
yehemcnee unknown till then. The storm of opposi
ton was so strong and furious that even the san
gunc and the stouthearted almost despaired Of sue
cess But still majority of her people, true to their
principles, and true to themselves and their State
cast its electoral vote for the candidate and the meas
ures OF the party
Then again. in the gubernatorial election of 1855,
her devotion TO the principles and the policy Of the
democratic party, and her fidelity to the consti-
tuition and the law, subjected to the severest
trial. Know-nothingism had swept the whole North