The daily union., 1854-01-06
From the Richmoad EnsslTsr.
senator Hunter.

6GnAtOf hunter.
OF all the public men Of this county, perhaps there
none who has escaped with less OF political obloquy and
personal detrachon than Senator Hunter, OF Virginia
This might possibly be thought an equyocai comphms
II We did not know that the unusual immunity which
Mr. Hunter enjoys is in respect due 10 obscuriy OF
position or medioeriiy Of character Though still 10 The
maturity OF manhood. be has long od the political stage
and the conspicuous part he has played has attracted
him much Of public notice and consideration AS chair
man OF the Committee on Finance and as Speaker, be
was long leading spirit in the House OF Representatives,
and, when transferred TO the Senate, he Immediately
sumed the same commanding position in that august body.
His weight has been felt in every important crisis aud
his voice been heard every question affecting the in-
teress OF The county II IS, indeed, remarkable that
politician, with 50 much emphasis OF character and so
high pos,ion should have been entirely exempt from
the shafts Of political detraction
The explanation OF the anomaly is found in the personal
character OF Senator Hunter Without reproach in pri-
vate life, he has illustrated the principles aud the bearing
OF gentleman in hrs public He has been
implicated in any transaction of equivocal character,
much less OF positive crmnalty No suspicion OF dis
honor attaches TO his He has risen TO the emf
nence which he occupies by no devious path, and nd
unworthy means Ii we search his record. shall inC
/
no compromise of pIincple--f we read his history, WI
shall see no instance OF unworthy motive unmanl,
conduct He has ever maintained his personal dignity
and he nothing Of his to the arts OF tn,
demage que or the intriguant His ability and high char
acier command respect, while the modcsy and courtes,
his department dsarm the resentment OF po,ica
faction. This is the secret Of the esteem with which MIR
Hunter is regarded by the country and of the respec
manifested towards him even by political advcrsaries
is high but not exaggerated praise Of Mr. Hunter Il
say that he holds position second TO that OF no othe
man in the country Who is his SUPERIOR either in rep
ualion or influence If we measure him by the stand
ard OF senatorial ability, shall find none OF hghe
.~."-~ L~~.s,. -.... .-.- di-s"r--. r.adins
higher culture in literature and art, and polish
ed and persuasive rhetoric-Cass has OF pub
lie hle and is of ripper experience--Badger is subtle
dalec,cian, and is more skul in the of the weap
ons Of excmpore debale--Seward is more consummatt
in the science of political sra,egyDougas possesses
greater power OF popular eloquence--Mason is mor'
deeply read in the techncaes of law but there is no
oil the various gifts and attanments essential TO h
character Of The statesman and the orator, which Mr.
Hunter does not possess in all but the very highes
measure. In odr judgment. the eoquence OF Mr.. Han
Ter is of higher character than that Of any other OF ou
senatorial orators Ii is less ambitious and ornae thar
the eloquence of Everett for instance, but II is forme
on a purer model, and exhibits much vigor 0
thought
The position OF chairman OF the Committee on Finance
which MIR. Hunter occupies. not by the caprice of AM
one man, but by the unanimous and oft-repeaed vote
the Senate, acsls in what esteem he is held by his
socales This is the post OF honor and influence in th
Senate. and this is the post TO which Mr. Hunter is
signed by those who are most competent 10 appreciate
| his abilities.
Although Mr.. Hunter has been thus exempt from th
viiuperave criticism which freely assails the publ
men Of the country, within few days past he has bee
made the mark OF ungenerous attack by Democrat
paper and j. is this attack which provokes an aliusio
to the esteem in which he is held by the country
and especially by the people of this State MI
Hunter is democrat on principle, and will do nothin
10 impair The ascendency of his party. He has conf
dence in the administration, and will give it the suppo'
of his grea, ability and eminent name.