Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-08-24

rhIDAf MOlsNISG, AGGCST "a, 1860
The Prospect I'm Virginia.
The late election in Kentucky has opened
the eyes of the people Of that Stale. 1t has
demonstrated beyond doubt that the Know
Nothing candidate has triumphcd over his
Democratic competitor only by means Of d
large accession Of the supporters Of Mr.. Doug
las-a clear indication that the division be-
tween these two classes Of Coombs' supporters
will necessarily throw the State for Breckin
bridge and Lane in November.
We have much reason to hope that this
example will not be lost on the State Of Vir.
slnia In this State the contest is undoubtedly
confined to the Bell and Breckenridge tickets.
Only in a few scattered localities does the
Douglas ticket make any material exhibition oil
strength. With all the means Of authentic
information within our reach, and by the most
liberal calculation, we find that Mr. Douglas
cannot count an average Of so Supporters in each
county of the State. Such an average would
give him in all about 1900 votes. General
consent has fixed the usual Democratic mujori-
ty in Virginia ut about 10000. Thus slppo.
sing that the entire Opposition vote shall be
concentrated on John Bell-and surprising,
too, that the entire Douglas vote shall be ab.
stractcd from the Democratic ranks, the above
figures would leave the Breckenridge ticket Il
plurality Of $500 votes
But past experience has amply proved to
the wrc-workers who have attempted to pledge
the Opposition men in Virginia 10 the support
Of Bell and Everett, that there are at least
G,o0O men among the Opposition party win caI,.
not be led into the support Of ticke, tainted
with anti-slayery. Thus the contrast between
The perfectly conservative position Of Breckin-
ridge and Lane and the utterly obnoxious anti
slavery records of both Bell and Everett, will
bring over TO the former ticket about 5000
votes from the Opposition ranks. This will
give Breckenridge plurality of l+,j00 over
Bell and 4 clear majority Of 1000 over Bell
and Douglas combined
1t is confidently stated by many that the
prime object Of the present perpatetic mission
of the Hon. Henry L. Foote contemplates the
fusion Of the Bell and Douglas leaders in Vir-
ginia Such il result is much to be desired by
the supporters Of breckenridge and Lane. By
the very force Of the pride Of consistency, it
would drive off from such fusion that large
body of oppostionists who are SO firmly pledged
to unrelentng opposition to squatter sovereign
ty; and there would scarcely bc Il corporal's
guard Of Douglas men found in the State to
fratcrnizc with the abolitionisn Of Bell and
Everett Such Il step on the part Of the Dou.
glas and Bell leaders would undoubtedly give
the Breckinridgc ticket majority in Virginia
fully ns large as that obtained by our electoral
ticket in 1856
But there is, VIC confess, 10 possible pros
pcct of the successful negotiation Of such fu-
sion. Few, if any Of the Douglas leaders
in Virginia, will so far forget what is due to
principle and to party. as to give aid or comfort
to the Abolition hercsies of John Bell, of Ten
neSSee.
This feeling peryades the mass Of Douglas
men, followers and leaders, and upon this we
confidently rely for oil important accession to
the vote in favor Of Breckenridge and Lanc.-
There are very few among the Douglas men in
Virginia who differ from the principles Of the
Breckenridge platform. Most Of them are sup
porting Mr. Doug because Of his squat
ter sovereignty doctrnes-but IN spite Of them.
Long before the day Of election these inen
will realize the fact, that Mr. Douglas is only
a nominal candidate in Virginia, and that erery
r0te cast ,f"r DOugias is rirtualty rote cast
for EeH. Under these circumstances, we can
not doubt that these men will rally, in masses,
to the Breckenridge ticket-under these cir
cumstanceS we can reasonably hope that the
breckenridge and Lame ticket in Virginia will
carry the State by the old Democratic ma
iority Of Ia, ,00O, 0ycr the combined yote Of Bell
and Douglas.
Vt all events, it is now Il fixed fact, in the
minds of intelligent observers, that Breckin-
ridge and Lime will carry Firginia-not by i
plurality, but by a respectable mgjority
Victory is safe. Let every true Democrat
strive to swell the triumph. The county which
bears the palm, as the banner county Of Virgi-
mia Democracy in this day Of trial, will win
the noblrst guerdon ever yet offered for politi-
cal competition in Virginia.