Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1854-11-07
.HE RICHM0ND ENQUIRER,
4 WORD OF WARNING

Reflection strengthens orr conviction Of the mis-
ch;eyous tendency "f the movement which propose.
TO ex,ort from the Democratic Convention n reSolu'
ton condenna,ory Of Senator Hunters Land Bill
and its advocates. On the contrary, III whatever re-
Ation we view the proposition, 1t presents the Same
- menacing and repulsive aspect.
This Convention could not presume t" pronounce
judgment in the matter, without mourning the re-
pra<8h Of 3 fragrant usurpution OF authority. The
delegates are commissioned to perform Il particu-
lar service; and everything besides the n"mina-
ton OF candidates.. will be without warrant and
consequently without obligation. If we refer
to the proceedings OF the primary meetings, we
will find that in every instance tho duty of delegates
is clearly prescribed and limited; and that the people
only authorize the selection Of candidates for the oti-
ces OF Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and At
torney General. What prctencc Of authority
can be alleged Tor anv other acti The Con-
vention possesses no inherent, original power
to bind the party. II is but a representative body IS
accredited for a particular purpose, and must strictly
adhere ~ the letter Of its Instructions.
Ii It had been anticipated by MIR. Hunter and
his associates. that this Convention would under
take TO pass Judgment on his Bill, they would
have invoked al expression of opinion from
The people. Should the movement against them
be successful, then they will DO condemned
by u tribunal which neither has jurisdiction Of tho
matter, nor extends to them an opportunity to vindi-
cato their conduct. They aud the people will be sur
prised by Il clandcstino conspiracy, which regards
neither the rights of the one nor the just authority OF
the o;ie-. The Convention may assume to dictate to
tho party, and 10 instruct Senators and Re
preseutatives in Congress, but its resolutions
will be 5rutum tuimra, i'll 50 far Ms they are
without authority. Ii the Convention should
.tismatize the public character of Senator
Hunter, tho Democracy Of Virginia would not
sanction all act of such gross injustice. They
may not approve his Bill, but they will never suffer
him to be stricken down by a tribunal which has no
authority to impesch his conduct, uud which con-
demns him without u hearing.
There has been some appeal 10 the past in justiiica-
ton of this movement against Senator Hunters Bill,
but it is equally condemned by precedent and by rea-
son. In the last Guberna;orial Convention there was
some talk Of adopting" q platform" but the inpro-
priety of the thing was 81 manifest that it WAS never
publicly proposed. The Convention nominated can
didates, but passed no resolution. And, indeed, We
might suppose, the principles of the Democratic par
~ are sufficiently well known 70 dispense with the
e~rpedient Of Il periodical publication. The Dcmoc-
racy of this State have already defined their position
in regard to the Public Lands, a..d on this subject es-
pecially there is IL" necessity for another 'rcsoiuti"n."
Against precedent and against reason, this move
ment is pregnant with incaiculuble evil 10 the Demo
cratic party. The persons who propose it, are not the
mcn to submit quietly to repu;se. On the other hand
il is not probable that the associates of Mr.. Hunter
and the advocates Of his Bill will suffer themselves TO
be condemned in so illegal and unjust Il manner
Thus, whatever be the issue Of the struggle, IL blow
will be inflicted upon the party, which may ~s"impaIr
its strength as to insure its defeat. Gun any Demo
crat contemplate this contingency with inditlrrcnce!-
We invoke the int,rpositinn Of the party-we appeal
10 the loyal Democracy Of Virginia, who have never
faltered under any reverse of fortune, to arrest II move
ment which can result in nothing but deplorable dis
.ension and possibly in Unbelievable overthrow
Shall a Convention which meets in the Interests of
harmony be perverted to the purposes Of schism and
strife : Or, shall the ancient policy ofthe party pre-
vail, and dissension be avertcl by forbrarnnce and
mutual concession Regarding Cnlv essential princi-
plea. in times of peril the watchword has been TO agree
TO disagree on measures of inferior Importance; and III
the spirit Of this pledge, We entreat the democracy Of
Virginia to repress every disposition 10 controversy,
and to cultivate fraternal feeling by all the gentle arts
OF Cancellation AMI compromise. Beaten in the North,
the Democracy of tho country look to Virginia to re-
trieve the fortunes of the day, and 10 maintain Il proud
and defiant front in the midst Of pros'ration and
defeat. Shall we mantuiiy meet tle emcr-
geucy and nobly justify tho hopes of the
country, or shall we, hocdlvss of tho wrecks
around US, steer straight for the breakers upon which
our friends were LOST Is the harmony of our party
TO be destroyed by the zeal Of the iadi.creet, or the
trenchery Of the false Inevitably, unless the De-
mocracy rise up in their majesty, and arrest the mis-
chievous attempt of a few sullen spirit. to introduce
their own jealousies into the party, and to make the
Convention the instrument Of their criminal ambi-
ton. Fortunately, the voice Of the party is heard
through the public press, couaseliing peace, cncOur-
aging the faithful, rebuking t~r-achery. This is the
language of the Democracy OF the ''Ien:h Legion"
When the Convention meets, it will be tho duty of
those who attend "a cultivate a spirit of harmony,
and 20 pursue such a line ri conduct ~ will be most
likely to bring shout unity aud concert OF action
Questions involving no priiciple, aud the Introduction
OF Which are likely 10 provoke excited discussion,
ought to be kept out of that body. Everything like
~ 10 lead to dissension, or 10 engcndcr strife. should
be Indignantly frowned down. We have difference
enough to reconcile, and it should be the policy, us it
Is the duty oi all, To allay rather than ioinent strife.
htltG II y, NsfN We AHPN'a'N'A " WV WYNN.
in the selection uf delegates, {" commission those
whose past conduct had shown them to be true. rcl.a-
BILE and steadtast Democrats, distinguished alike for
pvli,jca, consistency, and for prudence, discretion and
sound Judgment. If such men shall compose the
body, we may reasonably calculate that their action
will be characterized by wisdom. aud will promote
the great ends of unity, harmony and concert. We
shall then enter upon the contest with the night spirit,
and a reasonable assurance ot success.
We have been led into this train ot remark from
having heard it asserted, with great apparent conf
dcnce, that il was the design Of some OF those who arc
opposed 10 Hunters LaEd Bill, 10 make an effort 10
secure the passage of u resolution Condcmnatory OF
the Bill, and ccnsu-ing its author. We have not been
able 10 bring our minds to the conclusion. that any
larra portion of the party designed Ia pursue 40 sui
ciial n policy, and for the simple and plain reason that
we can perceive no good result which is likely to fol-
low such action. The introduction of such Il rcsn.u-
tiun would lead to au excited AID bitter discussion
would bring about q serious diviSion-and would end
perhaps in driving the defeated party from the Con-
venrios. We feel persuaded that no man whn really
belongs To the Democratic party, who desires 10 pro-
mU,c iis interests, to perpn;uate Us principles, aud t"
give success to its struggles. would on such an occa'
sion BE- instrumental in the introduction OF an issuo
which would produce results 30 lDlschicvous. Still
there may be such amongst Us, who have III other
days belonged to the Wing party, and whose zeal,
like that of most new recruits, outruns their dlScre.
ton. Ii there are such amongst US, rely upon it they
are not "9t rs" md they ought not 10 be placed i'll a
position where they may play Il part which will
involve the Convention in difficulty, and .ieupardize
the success OF the iickc; wl!ic!, il may present to the
people.
Suppose such a movement Ia be- made. and, after a
fierce and angry debate, the resolution To br defeated,
will those who were instrumental in bringing il for
ward be likely to submit {" the nomination. oi men
favorable TO the measure, ar even yield 10 them a
cordial support /! Ia il not more likely tha; they will
leave the body, and nominate II ticket OF mcn who
think a. they do on this question! Or take the other
side, and suppose that such a resolution shall he
adopted, what course will br left 10 the friends "i Mr..
Huat.r and his bill, but to retire from :heC "iHrnt,"n'
Ii thew are to be denounced rs uutuithIul Ia the De-
.mocratlc party and it, principles, self respect Will
compel ID Ism TO Withdraw from Conventions, u m!l"ri-
~ Of which thus stiginatiHc and ici"uncc them