Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-08-11
THE RICHMOND EXAMINER
TOR HUNTER.

\
wound that he inhicts. So sincere is his sor
row that he almost washes out the blood-stains
with his tears, and atones for his crime by his
heartfelt sorrow.
| He, on the other hand, who Stays robber
or smites a foe, exults with proud delight. His
hate is satisfied, and he is happy.
The Richmond Examiner has recently taken
up the notion that the Office of executioner has
devoved on it, That Office is generally an
odious Office. 1t shocks the refined, and dis
gusts even the vulgar. But fanaticism or pri-
vate hate will sometimes induce man OF cul-
tivated mind, digni6ed demeanor, but strong
passions, to take upon himself the bloody bust
ness of the axeman. Caesar had his Brutus,
Charles the First his Cromwell, and Robert M.
T. Hunter has his Examiner. The only di-
ferences are, that the first two succeeded, while
the last has failed; and the first two gave all
the indications of discharging painful duty,
while the Examiner enters on its imagined duty
with evident relish.
| 1t may be proud thing, and noble thing,
to slay usurping monarch, who is hated by
the people, because he has outraged their
rights But it cannot be proud or noble
thing to enter the Senate House, and endeavor
to slay one of the truest tribunes Of the people,
and one of the most honored guardians Of the
| States.
| Robert M. T. Hunter is known throughout
the United States. He is known, FIRST as a
gentleman, for that is the highest character that
any man can boast. Next he is known as an
able and enlightened statesman, who has won
fame in every public position that has been
assigned him--as member of Congress, as
| Speaker of the House of Representatives, as
| q member of the United States Senate, and as
chairman of one of the most important COM
mittees in that body.
| Robert NJ. 7. Hunter may, for aught we
know, be an ambitious man. We take 1t for
granted that he is. No statesman, with great
abilities, high capacities, and lofty position, can
be insensible to the charms of ambition. But
| if ambitious, he has never manifested that am
bition in any improper or dsagreeable form.
He is honored by tie people of the United
States. He is more than honored by that true
old State that he epresents-Virginia. So
consistent, so modest, so unobtrusive, and 80
gentlemanly has he been, that, in all the
changes of parties, in all the fluctuations OF
politics, in all the asperities Of rival coteries
Robert NJ. T. Hunter has lived without an
enemy and prospered without a rival. But
these latter days have brought ont, what past
times failed to produce--an enemy to Senator
Hunter. This enemy is not in the north, not
in the east, not in the west He is from the
south He is from Virginia, that senator
own State. We might say from his own door
and his very household. That enemy is the
Richmond Examiner. The alleged cause OF
its enmity is the "Land bilr' recently offered
by Senator Hunter to the country and to the
national legislature. Now, we shall not elab.
orately argue here the merits Of that bill, for
we have already, on several occasions, pre-
scented our views on the subject at consider
able length. Moreover, we publish to-day, IN
connection with these remarks, two able and
elaborate articles in support of Senator Hun
ter's bill from two newspapers, published in
different secti:ns of the country-the Rich
mond Enquirer and the Boston Post.
The Examiner is unkind. 1t manifests to
wards Mr.. Hunter degree of bitterness tina
we are unable to accountfor, except on the ny
pothesis that our distinguished senator is sup
posed to be the rival of some pet of tina
journal.
The Examiner does Mr.. Hunter injustice
The Examiner exhibits great gusto in thu
performance Of its assumed Office of execu
TONER It seeks to Stay our senator, nor doe
it confne itself to one weapon. 1t attempts t
frighten him by demoniac grins, to pierce hin
with sharp-edged wit, to suffocate him witt
learned, historical lumber, and to damn hin
by contrasting Robert NJ. T. Hunter with him
self and with John G. Calhoun.
], We have great regard for the Richmon'
Erop,incr-we like the Richmond Eraminer
We are sorry to differ from that journal-bu
despite its solemn protestations, that it doe
!. not mean the slightest degree Of unkindnes
or disrespect" to Mr.. Hunter, we are forced
the belief, from the whole tone of its article
the 9Th instant, that it never undertook NOR
lcongenial and agreeable Office than that of a.
). sailing Mr.. Hunter.
!, The Examiner is fond Of historical lore. A
!. the college boys say, it has time ito cram,
for It is tri-weekly paper. 1t has avale
\ itself of the opportunity, which, as tri-week
!. paper, it enjoys. 1t has opened all the con
: pendiums and epitomes of history, and wit
!. pedantic scholarship, it arrays against Senate
!. Hunter and his land bill the historian
. was poet) who was choked by grape see
!, the conqueror who was bruised BY toothle
\ bag, William, Of Normandy, who was destroys
!, by the pummel Of saddle, and Richard, Il
&c lion-hearted, who it says was extinguished
by an arrow.
:. What it means, we presume, is, that senat
!. Hunter will be destroyed by his land bill. dc