Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1860-02-22
The virginia State Democratic Com
NentiOa.

We confess to disappOiRsment- We had
pinned our faith to the skirts OF HENRY A
WISE We couldn't think il in the hearts Of
Charlestown campaign in which the Cover
nor won his gTeea6st laurels, to pass over bis
superior claims for the Presidency. As q
statesman, he had, previous to the extinguish-
ment of JOHN Brown, achieved distinction
such as falls not more than once n a century
to the lot of mortal man; aud after the latter
event. the halo of the soldier eclipsed even
the glory of his craftsmanship. with such q
man in their midst, willing. perhaps anxious,
TO honor the chair which Washington digni-
fed, We could not believe that Virginia dem
ocrats who have so keen q relish Of what is
good and great of Virginia birth, would ig-
more the claims of HENRY A WISE When
we read in his organ at Richmond, from time
TO time, the progress Of public sentiment in
his favor, as developed in the primary meet
ings OF the democratic masses called to ap-
point delegates to the State Convention, we
regarded his nomination by that convention
as inevitable. The public meetings almost
invariably proclaimed him the popular favor
tie, and pointed to him as the chieftain to
lead them in the war gaiHst the republicans
Jubilant were the strains Of his organ when
these things were the subject of remark. No
other aspirant could begin to supplant him.
HUNTER had given up the chase in despair.
His friends were like mOurners in the streets.
But truly there is no telling "what a day or
an hour may bring forth" The State Con-
ventiOR has met. spoken, and dissolved. From
the topmost pinnacle of citation it has hurled
HENRY A. WISE. No more does he occupy
the dizzy eminence whence his light ilIumin-
ed every nook and corner, every noun
tain and valley of the Old Dominion. He
is down, down, his laureIs begrimed with
the mire of the Slough of Despond-his light
extinguished by its foul waters. We who
had been watching his bold flight into the
upper heaven of Presidential aspirants, are
shocked by the sudden descent. We are
chagrined- Never more will
We put our trust in appearances. Most de-
voutly do we sympathize with the Inflated
statesman and soldier, and his friends. All
of them are now prepared to appreciate the
wall of the poet when he wept--
sob, ever thus from childhOod's hour,
I've seen my fondest hopes decay,
never nursed a tree flower,
But what twas sure to fade away;
Inever nursed dear EazelIe,
To glad me with its soft black eye,
But when ii came to know me well,
And love me, ii TO die -
Does some prosy reader ask what all this
means I? We tell him: The democratic State
Convention which met at Richmond last
week, after a stormy session, refused to NOM
mate Gov. WISE. 1t nominated no one; but
declared its intention to support the Charles
ton nominee. This most unexpected
result to Gov. WISE and his friends. who
claimed a majority in the Convention, and
boosted of it. II must have the effect of
shelving him. He can never recover from
the blow. A dead cock in the pit, he must
console himself by cursing the Fates which
are against him. The party could not have
selected a truer man-in party sense-nOr
one who would as President, il elected. have
been holder defender of the faith. But
this is not the sort of man that is wanted. 4
wax figure would suit them far better A
man after the order of the present corrupt
head of the government may win. All 9TH
ers, with Gov. WISE, may chang their harps
upon the Willows