The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1859-06-21
sTRAws FOR DROWNING MEN.

to rally their scattered forces and keep themselves
above water in the last final storm, which is to
sweep them, party, into the great receptacle
of things lost on earth. They catch at everything;
and, unlike the man struggling for life in the
watery element, where no straws exist they have
the wonderful faculty of creating them. They lay
the f1atterng JUNCTION 70 their souls hat the Dem
ocratic party is coming to pieces, because few
EXTREMISTS in the South have denounced the Ad-
ministration They do not reflect that these de-
nuncations, North and South, spring from disap-
pontment in Mr. Buchanan's not having commit
ed some reeating act to accelerate dissolution of
the Union.
We have been somewhat amused as we'll as
surprised, at the comments which the Opposition
press have made upon the result of the recent
elections IN Virginia. They characterize it as the
"death-knell of Democracy" brilliant triumph
of the opposition" ''rebuke to the Administra-
tion,'' 'mighty rising of the people," &c. They
glory over the fac that Mr. Letcher didn't get as
large majority, by few thousand as Mr. Wise;
and many thousands less than Mr. Buchanan in
1856. But let US see how much cause they have
for rejoicing far the result "foreshadows the
overthrow of the Democracy"
Mr. Buchanan's $4,000 majority over Fillmore
is not to be taken into the account; for that was
simply an uprising of the people to save the Con-
stitution and the Union. Let US look at the votes
given for other candidates: In 1910 Martin Van
Buren, beat Gen. Harrison only 1900 votes. In
1874, James K. Polk carried the State against
Henry Clay by majority of about 5000. In
1S48 the State only gave Gen. Cass 800 MAORI
ty over Gen. Taylor. In 1851 Mr. Johnson dem
ocrat, was elected Governor over Summers, whig,
by 5000 majority. In 1852 Pierce beat Scott,
for President $4,000 votes. In 1856, Gov. Wise
Letchers majority is about 5000.
Now, let reflect upon this 1t will be re-
membered that the party divided in opinion
as to who should receive the nomination of the
State Convention. And to such an extent was
this preference for personal friends carried, that
it created dissentons and ill feeling in the party
throughout the whole State; so much so, in fact,
that one side were heard, in public meeting call
ing for groans for the favorite of the other side.
This was the natural sequence of Wises large ma
jorty. In addition to this, the Opposition poled
their full strength; their working night and
day-straining every sinew and making every ex-
erton to elect their man. Yet, notwithstanding
all notwithstanding the silly and unguarded
insnuations of abclitionism made against him by
those of the same political faith with himself
Mr. Letcher beats his opponent about Sic Thous-
and ootes equal to Folks majority in the State,
four times large Cass majority, and nearly five
times as much as Van Buren, beat Gen. Harrison!
Does that look like defeat? Does that " fore
shadow the downfall p" of the National Democratic
party? We think it "foreshadows anything
else Virginia is safer for the democracy hereafter
than she ever has been. We would rather have
5000 majority for safety than $4,000. Very large
majorities jeopardze the success of party in two
ways:-by creating internal dissentions, and by
producing political inertia-either of which may
prove fatal in the hour of trial. We satisfied
the opposition are welcome to the straws.