Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-06-30

The Virginia election has resulted just as every one expected it would result The tri- umph of the democracy has been overwhem- ing. The Persians who brought their marble for triumphal monuments to the field of Mara thon have justly been the object of the hiSto- rian's ridicule; but the democracy of Virginia would not be liable to the charge of presump tion if they always prepared the ovation before fighting the battle Yet democratic successes are so common in Virginia that her democracy may be excused from the labor of celebrating all of them. But, although the issue has been just such as might have been anticipated with certainty, the election presents some suggestive points. ltis important not for its consequences, but for its indications; not for what it produces, but for what it proves. In the fist place, it proves that Know N othing organization is dead Virginia dug its grave, and Virginia has buried it. In the mean time, it has been wandering through the land, with the marks of death upon it's brow, and with it's shroud hanging loosely on its trembling limbs. For the last two years it has resembled the unquiet spectre which refused to rest in peace until it found the spot where 1t had left its bones. Since the memorable contest of May, 1855, there has been neither bone sinew in Know Moth lnglsm. It parted with them and its life to- gether in Virginia, and we are glad that the democracy of that ancient Commonwealth has al last seized the restless corpse and tumbled it headloug into the grave which the gallant Wise had devoted to its use. Since that time it has presented little likeness to the mailed and armed knight who went forth with sounding proclamatiors to battle against the democ- racy. Virginia met the dark warrior, and gave him a mortal blow. He threw down his arms and doifed his wiser, and while
 The they crept in, and the worms they crcpt
 out,
 And they sportol hi. temples and cyebals about,n He has been altogether most hideous specta- cle. The country should be thankful to Vir- ginia that she has relieved us finally from the disgusting sight.
 Another point of interest in this Virginia election Is presented by the tactics of the op- position. The whig party expired and went peaceably to rest some years ago. Know Noth- ingism was found so unpopular, and especially so unprohtabe, that the opposition did not dare to risk another trial on that platform. But it was necessary to have some platform. The opponents of the democracy, though they are capable of many wonderful feats, could not ex- actly stand on nothing. One plank, if strong one, could do better than none, and perhaps, even better, than a whole platform of such rcketty and rotten material as that on which they had previousl trusted themselves They, therefore, took up the question of " Land Dis trlbntlon." They were no longer the whig party; they were no longer the Know Nothing party-they were the redistribution rarty." The consequence has been just such fall as would happen to person who should try to dance on the tight rope before learning to walk ou the floor. The distribution issue has turned out to be a complete failure.
 We doubt if more than two members out of the thirteen to which Virginia is entitled are distributionists. Of course 1t is needless for us to tell our readers that this distribution ques- ton is an old question not even disguised with a new name. That it has been revived, at this time shows both the desperation and the folly of the opposition. That our adversaries have grown desperate is not at all strange; but It Is certainly rather remarkable that they should attempt to seduce the people of Virgi- ma into the support of a measure which had long ago been repudiated and condemued by tho democracy of the whole Union, and by none more emphaticaly than by the dcmocra- cy of Virginia herself Those who had not been dazzled by the glare of the new lights of hnow-N othiHgisin, could look, without being blinded, on the tarnished form of distribution. Know Nottingham was novelty; yet such a novelty had no charms for Virginia; distribu- ton was old and worn out. Could it be sup posed that she would grasp with aviGity at what she had long ago rejected? None but the most foolish and the most desperate of par ties could be guilty of such stupid blunder When the question of distribution formed a part of great financial policy, when 1t was one of the leading principles of large and powerful party, it was clothed with some m- portance. At that time it was a favorte idea of MT. Clay, and was advocated by him in connection with the American " or protective system, to which he made distribution subsi- diary. To create an apparent necessity for a high tariff he proposed to give to the States the proceeds of the sales of the public lands thus deprivlng the federal government of what It was supposed, would be a large portion of its revenne. Of course the scheme was supported by all those great and influential interests which clamored for protective tariff. And thls indeed gave 1t all its strength Now every thing IS changed. The protective system has been abandoned. Approximate free-trade has been adopted. Instead of clamoring for high tariffs, the people are clamoring for low tariffs. Instead of seeking pretexts for increasing du- ties, we are seeking pretexts for diminishing them Instead of having too little money we have too much. It is very evident then that the reasons exist no longer which once caused large and powerful classes 10 favor distribution Of course it stands alone; and standing alone, 1t never had and never can have any strength Yet to this weak and trembling ground the Virginia knowN othings have returned. Every one who has studied politics knows that the opposition to the progressive party can only maintain itself by imbibing something of the spirit of progress. It must follow the democ- racy and occupy the ground over which they have passed. The Virginia Know Nothings, forgetting this obvious truth, have gone far backwards~to point where they are actually out of sight. Can it be wondered that they have been So far lost from view that they ap- pear to have really no existence at all