Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-05-20
nv rt,r NOV JAMES A Seldom,

zen who with the accord Of the popular suffrage. shall
he elevated the highest elective mnglstraGy IN the
world. is an honor which might be highly appreciated
by tiuse of greater pretensums than NINE ou' inc
honor affords 10 me even peculiar qualification
us Il renewed manifestation from my former coisttu-
ency nf the partially and confidence which they nave
ever heretofore 50 generously extended 10 me ihe
liheraty of trust, too enhances the value Oh lis
| bestowal. Yuu have imposed 10 tramnes, cxactcd
no pledges but, cuniding i'll your knowledge vi my
character and principles, and relying on the Devotion
which trust my past life has evinced 20 the veal Oh
our State and Unlon you have committed TO my dis
erection and judgment, i'll conjunction with those Oh
my esteemed colleague the delicate duty ot conpar'-
son and selection your behalf among tho dstih-
guished expnuents Of our party aud Its princip'eS;-
In this think you have acted wisely as generously
For human sagacity foresee the numerous W.
luences and varying contingencies which may Dc
presented at the National Convention, 10 EXERCISE
judgment and determine choice; and the eHort 10
bind BY previous instructions must either DC Whoiy
futile or embarrass and perhaps dIsappoh' lh tne
selection of the person who, under the pecuiIar CIR
cumstances would most inset your wishes aud EN-
body Your sentiments Ii is, besides, Directly opposeu
to the nature and lending object ct such con'eh
tion-a free conference and determination OF the re-
| spectve claims, qualifications anu PROSPECTS Vi inc
distjnuuish. statesmen of our party-to have MEM
bers so bound by Instructions or pledges that tno
privilege of weighing all CONSIDERATIONS and e1ercl.
sing the fullest latitude OF choice may not be exercised
| by each.
to coudnr your trust from seeking pledges or avow.
| ais on the pnrt of your delegates yet understand,
from tho nature Of the invitation extended 10 Inc 10
address YOU aud from the request ct your excellent
chairman, that it will be gratifying To f"u now 10
have an exposition of the sentiments ana preferences
with which, under the circumstances OF the tiines
| shall proceed rs your delegate to the approaching
Convention. Cheeriully responding to that wlsh'
proceed to declare, fairly and frankly my opinions
aud predictions, rs existing in relation to the
proposed nomination. with my leading reasons there
tor but YOU WILL of course, understand thar, whlle
possessed Of such hopes anu convictions now. re-
serve to myself the fullest latitude OF odhcat'on or
change, according TO my best perceptions ana JUG
amid the actual occurrences anu 'a'y"b phases
Of the Convention. -, ,,
Amid the contingencies that will exist, rs south
ern man. and Eirginian cherish lively hope that
the opportunity may be Afforded consistently WIN
the hi.h interests that should CONTROL 10 elect the
nomination of u Southerner and Nlrsinan. Such
contamination would be most OF all gratifying tn in",
and may not confidently ask, would It not be to
each and all OF us Our fullest measure OF confidence
in the critical aspect of the times must naturally be
accorded to statesman who Is not merely GHh us IN
principle but n nS-one OF ourselves III nativity, IN
terest and convictions. With the numerous States
that nov compose our great coniederacy, and the
many sons of eminent merit each may DO Hbe 10 pre-
sent it Gun but rarely, aud high honor, be the
privilege OF a particular one to give President TO
the Union. Our native State, in times past, has not
unfrequeny enjoyed the proud Distinction ana
where is the Nlryinlan v hose heart does not swell
tb exultatiu IA he reads tho roll of her ilustrous
sons who, as chief magistrates OF the Union, have
contributed largely IN establish the iuuraaohs,
administer the powers and advance the dtstinies ui
this great Constitutional Repubc-the wonder OF tho
present the hope Of future generations To the ser
vices and reputation ot such sons how much .! the
prestige and influence she ccntessediy enjoys may not
be ascribed. WHO, then, among us, would not rejoice
inscribed on that glorious roll another hume
assured to yerpetuity of fame-another intellect of
Virginia nurture dedicated to the nobest service OF
the Union, and reflect with pride on the added lnnu:
ence and reuuHn thus secured To LIS naive STATE anu
on the increased Incentive 50 Afforded Tor generous as
pratons and lofty deeds 10 oar sons aud our sons sons
for generations to come | eau have no hesitation
in pointing my first choice should the Chance occur,
to a distinguished statesman of Virginia She may
Justly boast more than capable and worthy TO
grace even such high fortune; but ia the one, certain
IT, whose name has bsen most widely bruited III con.
junction with tue nomination., ! recognize III full
measure all the equisie NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ana
abity-lnrge experience aud eminent servoes-zeal'
Gus devotion to the principles ui the Democratic par
ty To the rights OF the States the Interests OF the
South and the Constitution of the Unoh-lotty IN.
tegfity and rmness of character yet so attenpered
by anenity of disposition aud manners as to c0ncl-
ate ever opponents, and al consequence Oh such
merits, belieye him to enjoy larger degree OF IN
huence and popularity external to the State, and
which would be essential tC selection and subsequent
election than any other OF her distinguished SONS. II
will mot dctract from such grounds OF preference,
ack nowieGred with pride TO be- my personal friend
and has nv fullest confidence and esteem. You read
ly understand refer ~ the Hon. i. VI. L. Hunter,
and that he is undoubtedly my first choice
Despite thia decided preference, recognize III the
uIcture Of tn. times that amid the Contingencies oi
the Convention there may be- paramount obligation
on me, even primarily, 10 vote aud labor Tor othcrs
and those candidates from the Norm. Mhhe III
MANY RESPECTS the present aspect OF AFFAIRS IN the
Uai6n is olninnus and menacing, III others there is
room for z. atplaon and hope Inc neiarioua as!ta-
ton of the sa very aston at The North seems yerglng
To- crisis More completely thnn at any time With
in nv memory, have No the great Democratic parry
OF the North and South. Low pu.ihoG 81 d. ?'aVe,
nv usu;c..s identified in feeling and principle, ana
Withdrawn from: IL. fnsy refugees of transient com,
pacts and compromises - oe established III '"e sou
t.mple of the CONSTRUCTION. iTe Aortherh Denlocra-
cy nov stand arruyel openly, and wthGrt equ'voca-
tnn. On 1is principles of the Constitution rs c"l"'
dad in The crest measures of the Kansas Nebraska
bill aud the fugitive oiay2 oct, ~ oelehce VI 'he
equality Of the States and tGe rEEW " t'e ooui'i;
rney have been battling aud arc tatiInG stu, ior
the most part, with fidelity aEd la'sahiiy worthy oil
oil praise in this cause-Gus, even more tGcn thes'
against the banded forces q! itse sos;D ana aDoIi'
t0nisn. With the latter, too iavs oeeH ~elaea oy
yuob!e fusion whatever greedy factions Or sinister
associations could be seduced or brlhed, and the
whul formidable combination has been incessant ~
its appeals lc the lowest passions and prrJudiceS III
the North to its iyst Of acquisition 70 nsoted ~
tolerance and snti.slavesy ;rnaticism. Cnuer Such
I'LL
tn. North who were wcakened by hat 'gE treach-
erous clements in their midst, Should lave nIsGlncd
very gene.al!y temporary rcvarses' hut 'E"s t'e" \
willy and uuscruppGrs adversarles should nave been
deluded Into the iuagi pt assured and perma'
uegt triumph.
Under this confidence they have thank GOO. CLAN
doneL tie srtt4l game Of battle they hnye long
PLACED with as much iusidiQusness rs success Ihey
no longer Huge guerrilla War-~lurKinS III covers
and firing frula Misunderstanding cyrry chance,
n.
They no longer play bet"aaH party aud perty-
changing here and shifting there"jdlRlpg now one
side, aud another, tantlns anu de'nofahiI2 JILL
wLile .hdir assumption OF the balance OF power
bribed to | tulsrgDce OF their infamous opinions
The demon has sprgug from his lurking place in lis
full demensions, and Edw cpony aspres to rule aud
ruin. He is embodied IN p<'ay, &c BACK kepuo'
licans who, under the guidance Of taeF hg4ers Sc
ward Wilson and others, now grown hold to ipu'H dis
rise prea<e 20 meet in open field, anu ,lrsc' con-
Act on the arena ~ TIE North, the great Democratic
party of the CuiDn. The .1ust be- met and dealt
with effrcualIy, and for the future. That !. the
first aid greatest duty Of the Democracy. within
the linlits Ct the South, indeed such conflict Gan
race-a periies eyGp the btterust opponents Of pe-
mocracy, concur in unmipgied disgust and nbhor. \
renee Of this wicked organ alton hut! at the North
unfortunately it IL far otherwise. t-eSe FS:t 20.
tent inllucnces-d uusuIs TINT clun the saGcty oil
religion pharsacal prrtsi,lGhs II humanity and !
neutrality-suspicious. conceptions al liberty, ana
prpudicps Of class aud section, Invoked with Idt
toe ruCh success Ufentmes to oppose the just prln
ciules and Sicer constitutional obligations on which
the Democracy res,. in this picture of affairs,
cheeruy ack uU~ leds ~ be the first and highest
duty Of the Southern Dcrocreey t. g!"" all possible
aiJ aud encouragement 10 their gqent rieIG! q Inc
North. Too rnanv have airaady been SACRIFICED po-
Itcally-have molly preferred lu.tas 6ni principle
to preiernent and place ut the cost OF honor ana du'
ty. 70 rho rescue, with ali OF heart and help we
have 5s tie CIV aud the effort OF tho Southern Demo-
crazy.