The election.
The election yesterday in this city was one of the most exciting that ever occurred. It has resulted in the election of one of the State Rights candidates, Mr. Randolph--and two of the so-called Union ticket: Messrs, Johnson and Macfarland. But it was seriously designed at one time to have nominated Mr. Macfarland upon the State- Rights ticket; and, in the speeches last night, in acknowledgement of the honor conferred upon them both, Messrs. Johnson and Macfarland made decidedly Virginian, State-Rights, and anticoercion speeches.The whole State-Rights ticket would have been elected but for the influence, 1st, of the cry of secession; 2nd, of the alarm excited among the foreigners relative to their oath of allegiance; and, 3rd, the rigging up of the rump of the Douglas party, and its introduction to take part in the election. The last cause was the least; but it was not without its effect. The foreigners have been misled; but the election is over, and they can have time to reflect, and examine the motives of those who flattered and deceived them.
As to the cry of ‘"secession,"’ which had a powerful effect, it was altogether unjust.--Nobody was for secession per sc. As we understand them, the leading candidates, except the lowest on the poll, all avowed the principle, that unless the rights of the Southern States were acknowledged and proper guarantees for the future given, they would go for separation from the Union. Indeed, Mr. Macfarland was one of the committee that framed and reported the resolutions adopted by the great meeting in Richmond last month. They place Virginia on the proper ground, and there we now regard Messrs. Macfarland and Johnson as now standing.
The principal event of the day will be readily recognized by all, and will give great satisfaction here and in all quarters of the country.
At an early hour the distinguished leader of the Douglas party — the only party, by the way, brought into the campaign anywhere that we know of — retired from the field. His career was as fleet as Gilpin's, while it lasted, and, like Gilpin, he got down where he had gotten up. He rode so rapidly that he could hardly recognize his friends, and hardly had time to pay the Dispatch a compliment as he sped on the wings of the wind. It is a pity that a race so speedily begun was so soon concluded.
"But when he next doth ride abroad,
May I be there to see."
