Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-12-23
For tho Enquirer.

THE LATE ACT OF THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE
Its Consequences and rhat Mr. Buchanan ought TO de-
Me.srs Editors plain country people, who have
not lost all State PRIDE and who have the good OF the
country at heart than the success OF politicians
have been shocked at the announcement OF an effort
made on the part OF the Electoral 70 aictae 10
Mr.. Buchanan who shall BIZ his confidential and con-
stitutional advisers. Such proceedings are cupaole
enough in Legislators, but intolerable in Electors
Apart from the indelicacy Of The thing, We would Ike
particular and siuguarly important trust, should
step beyond the responsible duties assigned them
aud use the influence of their position to bring odlum
on the people Of the State, by manesting zeal Tor
office without precedent, | venture to say, IN lts
annals1 Whom did they REPRESENT If themselves
only why seize the occasion of the assembling OF the
College, US if TO give the act the sanction OF ON
cial authority The people would be pleased to
ty, and who were faithful, that they may know IN
whom to conide In future. 1t is rumored that the
talented Elector from this, the seventh District was
"paper holder the occasion, but we are loath to
believe it, for we are persuaded he must have known,
that both in the act itself and the thing DONE wrong
was perpetrated on his constituents, We.
hope no Of the independent three who are
said to have turned their faces against it,
We are free 10 admit that Gov. Floyd has mind for
any station, but there is a fitness in THINGS and we
have been unable TO discover any peculiar reasons,
beneficial ~ the State or the country Tor urging MS
name the occasion referred 10. Nor are We aware
4
| Democratic party, or on Dir. Buchanan individually.
Very true ne fought gasuty in the late contest, and
SO did Hunter, and Mason, and Leaks, and smith,
and host Of others in and out Of the States yet II
hoped that higher and pober motives Influenced their
conduct, than the mere expectation OF office But
we are not mistaken Gov Floyd, on the occasion oil
the last meeting of the Legislature Of this state and
| while msmbsr Of that body, placed himself in hos
tile array against the will and organization OF ms par
~, and voted against its nominee, James NJ Mason.
for the u. .. Senate. II our memory does not a!!
US. his vote the only exception, ard II we ever
heard any satisfactory reason for Dis course We can
not call it to mind We, moreover "speak iaet we
know when VS. say, that ;u the convention which
| nominated the present fathtg chief magistrate, We
! served with Gov. Floyd aud can safely affirm that
! M. Buchanan had not more bitter, uniform ana
able opponent not only in the national convention
but in the State convention preceding it. On both
occss:urs he foud foe verify OF Ills steel in Hen
rs A. Wise, than whom Nj. Buchanan bad no warm
e, o. more ac5fas' friend. We shall never forget Inc
contest between these two intellectual giun., or both
occasions but especially in Richmond, when clada-
tor like they strobe tee i.ls CT the old African
Church with flashing eyes, defiant l'en, each con-
| tending for the mastery, End the biends OF each
claiming the victory.
Although we frankly acknowledge that Governor
Floyd is not our arst choice Tor e seat IN Mr. Bao
chanaus Cabinet. if were selected from Virginia.
which we do not desire, yet our objection ia not 80
mucn 10 the man US To the proceeding. We had
hoped ths. the politicians Of Virginia, like the peo
pie OF Virginia bad been eDgag"c in contest Tor
principle rather than miserable struggle Tor
spoils. Nothing has so contributed to the proud po'
ston she has heretofore occupied ahd the influence
she ha, eIerted supposed Tins
act SO savors Of demand for services rendered that
we enter our solemn protest against 1t, os en- un.
founded imputation on the honor aud patriotism Of
her sone. We reerate the sentiment, If not the Ian
guage OF Ii. A. Wiser uttered little moro than four
years ago. which, by the way, he seems more recent
" to have repudiaed, flor reasons which every one
will explain in bis own Yay,) bat which we still hold
to, "hat Virginia wants noth!nghe only reward she
seeks is the Conscientious feeling OF having dig
charged her duty to the country. TIE tisinterest'
ed patriotism OF this sentiment is true reflex o! the
aeniirnents of the people of Virginia now; and not.
tho assertion of small squad of restless spirits to
the contrary empiiatically repeat, that outside OF
few politicians, who always s;nnd With mouths
open, ready 10 receive "the crumbs that iail fom
heir maeters table," the people Of Virginia want no.
, thing, ask nothing, and feel that they deserve no
| thing for what they have done, but fair aud
impsr,ia! administration Of the government, at
tue hands OF the President OF their choice.
the name of proptiety aud sboss 81, do not eubar-
ra,s IN, President elect, by ob-rdiIg suggestions.
on subject of muo! deicacy as the formation OF
his cabinet. Rely it. ON thar true nert in inen, IKE
mode,ty in women, though cay and shrinking from
! the public gaze, will always be a"Ight after and
If Mr. Buchanan really desires, he no doubt does
to crafty tho wishes Of his friends and supporters IN
virginia, ne cdEnOt "hH ~
same time preserve the integrity Of tho Democratic
party. than by looking 10 the noble sons Of Illinois
Indiana his own faithful Pennsy ivania and sven to
California for deserving recipients Of his favor lie
will there find patriots with hearts big enough to en
brace the cause Of their brotes every section and
who did more than their duty while We :yere merely
fghtng for the affairs Of sircs and the hrc sldes OF
our families. II s from among the citizens OF these
States that the people Of Virginia would select for the
bs.towal Of Office, il they had its disposal We feel
that they deserve the hgisst seats in ;he temple
1t said; and with come .hoss Of reason too that
Governor Wise is 20 be the ruling spirit in Air. Buc'
| hanan's administration. He deserves much ct his
hands and eau no doubt. suppose. command any
position which no might himself think proper 10 ac
cspt. hut il he should attempt &c gse his influence
for or against ohers it would be fats. aGlpsiop for
the President elect to labor under to suppose, inst Gay
oss psn, or combination of men, hold the people OF
Virgins IN the palms Of their hands.
may rscurte this subject again, and show that
Virginia, If she wanted. yes not entitled to additional
F; ohce, having too full ministers representing u' at
foreign courts, unless il is part OF the f42 TO recall
them aad II this BIZ So may urge the claims o{ ope
uho ne DeS:o,rat without guile, aud one Who has
never bean rswaEde! for his services. ALTO.