Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-02-18
FACTS FOR THE CONSIDERATION OF THE DE-
MOCplCY


M0CRACY.
IN APPEAL For 7HOROrGH ORGiSIZiT TON
We have laughed at and ridcucd the re-or
ganization Of the Opposition long enough; it i
time sober reason had been consulted, and ar
ti9" begun. It is folly TO deny that there i
danger to the Democratic party from the rcccn
enthusiastic and thorough organization Of TIN
Opposition. Let any candid man look at the con
dtion Of the two parties and he will scarcely "a,
that there is no danger. The Democracy hold
majority Of about eight thousand in the State
Under the leadership Of such public speakc
as the present Governor, aided by the activ,
efforts Of warm personal friends, our majority
reached ten thousand But this is not expec,
ed by any sane man, under circumstances dis
similar to those Of 1855. At present there i
the same antpathy to Democracy oil the par
of the Opposition that rallied them in ls5j; tht
same organization binds them together without
the odious element of secrecy; active canvassna
Of the State. Instead Of silence aS in lS5j.--
Compact organization confronts liSorgan
iscd, divided and qIarrelling mass. Oul
leaders throughout the Union are fighting
each other; no harmony; not even platform o
principles sanctioned by the Federal Executive
upon which our candidate, can stand -
With one portion oi the party standing with
the President i'll the recommendations Of his
late message; with another portion Of the party
contcndng for the ancient faith of our fathers,
We have no test put forth by the Petersburg
Convention 10y which we can try and prove a
Democrat Onr party is u huge, unwicldy,
di,organscd mass with no electors; no cvi.
dcncc Of party organization save the candidates.
On the other hand, the Opposition are no
longer divided-not even has name been
given to the Ticket nominated in Richmond
Eschewins every circumstance that could
initiate diSscn.ion in the Convention, one
of the ablc,t. most dgnitied and respectable
bodies Of politicians that ever assembled in
the State. has nominated three gentlemen Of
repucd abilities and admitted worth. Com.
pact and enthusiastic, they have gone home
determined to fight good fight, and once
more contend with their ancient enemy. the
fierce Dcnocracic i've have published
full details Of the proceedings Of the Convcn-
ton, selected from their own organs, in order
that the Democracy may see where the "Oppo-
.tion" forces intend TO strike. and the cnthu-
sasm which animatcs them.)
The Democracy, trusting 10 the weight of
numbers, utterly failed to initiate any plan Of
organization but, claiming for Mr.. I.etcher a
popularity so great. that no opposition would
be offered him. his friends have left the party
unproyidcd with electors. His friends have
wholly failed 10 provide for the exigencics Of the
campaign; but. trusting to the name of John
I.ctchcr and the promises Of no opposition,
they have left him. solitary and alone, to fight
a battle TO which, unaided, he is not competent.
Now, in view of the present state Of the
party-it> unorsani>cd condition. its want OF
electors, the absence of harmony defeat is
imminent unless active exertion be at once be-
gun We have already exposed the pie-bald
platform Of the Richmond Convention. and we
now propose to cali attention to the organza.
ton of the Opposition.
All the strength and conpactness Of the
Know Nothing organization exists, at this mo.
mcnt. in the same efficiency that it did in
1855. The odious element Of sccrcsy is in
allowance, to lie rcsortcd TO or not, as necessity
NAV determine. The ro'l Of the party, in 1850,
exists at this time. and affords means Of more
thorough organization than the Democracy
ever can possess. Sxty-cight thousand one
hundred and >cvcnty-cight Know-Nothings
ufre booIm in lSj5, and they will re.
sponl To the call Of the Richmond Conyen-
ton with an aacrity and enthusiasm even
greater than in ls55. Without any secresy,
these men can be- reached even more efficiently
than when banded together in the culvert.-
Active speakers in every county, ''at every
cross road (aS distinguished member Of that
party has Just informed us) the Democracy
will be met. by the best men Of the Opposition.
Never did a Convention adjourn, with more
enthusiasm, than did the recent Richmond Con-
v-nton.
a careful examination Of the vote, for 1870
and 1856 will throw much light upon the con,
dition Of parties at this time
In 1855 Mr.. Flournoy'S vote was. 1851
In 1856 Mr.. Fillmnre's vote was .5S, %"
American loss. l4,3sl
In 1850 Mr.. WiSc's vote was. s3,275
In 1856 Mr.. Buchanan'S vote was. ,OGi
Democratic gain. his"
Thus. while the vote Of the American party
fell Off 1881 votes, the Democratic vote in.
creased ONLY 4.7s9 In 1856, l5G,f29 votes
were pollcd in Virginia, while in 1856 only
l46.oa7 we're poled, which shows that, in
&C.. "A -,,o y,,.S wcrp NOT nollcl There were