The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-12-09
NORTH AND SOUTH.

The Washington Union of the lst of Decem-
Der pays the following official tribute to the
intelligence and character of the Virginians;
"a great many circumstances concur to give
unusual animation and interest to political
nominations in Virginia. In the first place,
almost every citizen of Virginia is a thoroughly
informed politician. Nearly every citizen is
independent in worldly circumstances; and but
few can be found who do not subscribe to a
newspaper, and make politics the staple OF
thought, study, and conversation"
We will not stop to reconcile this statement
with the disclosures of the Census returns, or
with the reports of Bible and Tract Societies.
According to the former, there were 1888 ma
tive-born clearwhite ignoramuses in Virginia in
1850, in white population of S94, 800, or one in
ten. AT the same time, there were in New Eng
land, New York, Michigan, and Wisconsin, only
1880 native-born illiterate persons in a total
population of 6,453,247 the proportion being
as to al. We might show similar dispar-
ity in the circulation of the newspapers of the
two sections. But let that pass; our present
object is merely to lay before readers the
TtldllNG SldiulllS vi anu INC ANOitAt 40
weighed in the official scales of the Washing
ton Union The Union is said to be edited by
"a Northern man with Southern principles"
and he can doubtless reconcile the facts we
have given from the Census with his assertion
that nearly every voter in Virginia is a man of
independent circumstances, well versed in the
politics of the country, and takes a newspaper !
OF the North the Union says:
"What a howl was sent up when the Mis-
souri, Compromise was repealed and who has
forgotten the deafening shrieks of the fanatics
when Northern men refused to sustain the Will
mot Provisol 1t has required fifteen years
Of earnest, selfsacrifcing controversy in the
free States to convince the people that it is
lust and fair to consult the Constitution for
remedies as well as for rights-in fact, to con-
vince them that the Federal compact is the
very best chart TO steer by, and the highest
guarantee of equality among all the States of
the Union"
Who has convinced the people of the folly Of
the Wilmot Proviso, and where is the evidence
of it? Were the brokendown demagogues who
have one by one been cast aside by an indig-
nant and betrayed people, the selfsacrifcing
missionaries? Aud do the recent elections, or
those of 1856, furnish the evidence of the fif-
teen years missionary labors
THE NEXT PREsmENcY-HoN.J JOHN J. CRIT
TENDEN-The members of the New York Whig
General Committee and of the Ashanders' As
ISOLATION waited upon Senator Crittenden, of
Kentucky, at the St. Nicholas Hotel, to tender
him their respects. Addresses were made in
behalf of the Wings by Mr.. Jennings, and by
Mr.. Dodge on the part of the Ashlanders. The
sentiments advanced were devotion to the prin-
ciples and the memory Of Henry Clay, regret
that the Wing party had been disbanded, and
hope that Mr.. Crittenden would come forward
as the standard bearer of the National Union
party, upon the basis of the principles repre-
scented by the old Wing party, as Illustrated and
expounded by Henry Clay. The Journal Of
Commerce says:
" Mr.. Crittenden, who was much affected by
the kind expressions of his visters, thanked
them most cordially for their continued esteem
and confidence. He said that he had come to
the city on private business, with no political
intentions whatever, and had expected no such
greeting. He thoroughly agreed in the senti-
ments of attachment to the old Wing party which
had been enunciated, and spoke feelingly of his
political connection with Henry Clay, to who's.
lofty patriotism and disinterestedness he bore
an eloquent testimony. He was no candidate
for the Presidency, and it was with regret thai
he had seen his name mentioned as such ia
several papers. He should never seek the posi-
ton, for it was laborious Office for any mas
who truly desired to administer it for the best IN
| terest of the whole country He wished it, theirs
fore, to be distinctly understood that he was Aoi
a candidate, but he would gladly cooperate witI
| all those who desired to restore the Government
to its former standard of purity and patriotism
| with the moderation which became man of hi
years. He thought it time for agitation L,
cease he was sick of it. 1t would be better fa-
the country if the negro question, in all its forms
was put back to the DAYS when our fathers LIVED
together in peace, and not one word was saic
on the subject The result of the agitation wa.
strong sectional feeling, which might lead to sec'
tional division. He believed in the coming res
direction Of the Wing party, in body and soul, /
not in name. But he positively declined to ac
cept the Office of leader, so generously tenders
| to him. He preferred to act as an humbL
worker in the cause of reforming the GoverR
ment. He had rather be President-malie.
than President.
" After some general remarks on the necesSit.
of change in our Governmental policy, and II;
glory which awaits the Republic, if her rulers d,
their duty, the speaker again emphatically ar
nOunced that he was not a candidate for IA.
Presidency, and that he had visited the city witt
no political motives whatever.
AT the conclusion of his remarks, which w,r
listened to with deep interest, Mr.. Crittenden ie
ceived the personal congratulations of thos
present"
"Not candidate !" OF course not Blu
could not Caesar be persuaded to accept tn
crown?