Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-11-10
THE SENATORSHIP.

A few days ago, our neighbor Of the Examiner
published an editorial article, with reference to the
next Senatorship, which thought capable Of being
construed into intimston that there exists per-
sonal contest for it. We considered it error of in.
advertency and therefore took the liberty of saying
go. The Examiner Of yesterday, as will be seen
from it's reply, which We subjoin, confirms our i'm.
preston:
1t had not occurred to that our article was open
TO this construction, until the criticism OF the
Enquirer" and We srs very glad that our contem-
porary has called our attention to the subject.
The truth is, that We do NOT know single proml'
nent member Of the Democratic party who has con-
sented to allow his name to be used as candidate
for the next Seuatorship in opposition to the present
incumbent, who is presumed to be q candidate Tor re-
election as matter OF course. Ii is very certain
that the next Senatorship belongs to no indivldna
whatever; but belongs to the Commonwealth; ana 10
to be filed at the proper time by the vote OF ner
Legislature; all the leading men OF Virginia standing
by equal right of eligibility before that body; whose
choice is limited neither by present tenure, nor py
personal claim of any sort whatever, but may range
through the entire throng OF our distinguished cit
zeps and rect upon whonsoever its sound discretion
or arbitrary choice may designate for the position-
II was neither our intention TO intimate even oy I'm
pcation that any candidate was engaged IN actusi
contest with any other for the position; nor that IN
case any candidate we're engaged his conduct was
per. .,.,.s.,. o., .da.o..
ourselves was this that the friends OF gentlemen
who are esteemed prominent by their talents ano
public services for the next Seuatorship were bring
ing about, without their agency or permsslon wnat
seemed personal contest for the position-in sprt
very different from that OF the motto eperysa'ng Jor
the cause nothing for men; and our oo)ect was, mas
much IA We had been ceusured for not eepouslng one
mans cause or anothers to set forth our reasons Tor
not doing 80. We stated, moreover, as TO member
of the Administration, some OF whose triends nad
thrust him unwsrrantably into the melee ~nat we
were confident were his feelings on the suoeot ana
wa should have gone on aud denied also that aDotner
able statesman of Virginia. had ever allowed ~.
name to be used in the newspaper oro ~hlon al,no:s
all the political Journals in the State have go INTO, "
we had not felt that II might be regarded as onc'ous
on our part to do 80.
In transferring The Examiners artloe 70 our GU
lumns wish to upon high authority OF that
able paper, as we'll as upon our own opinion express
ed more than once that there Is no contest Tor the
Sepatorship. Mr.. Hunter is of course, candidate.
But we are not aware of his having an opponent
Gov. Floyd has been mentioned. But the "E1a'
MINER puts that rumor rest by stating that be will
not allow his name to be used in any such connecton'
II also slludes to another distinguished gentleman
who has also been spoken Of the probable competl'
tor of Senator Hunter. Gov. Wise, Judge Broken
brough and Hon. John Letcher, we believe are the
only other gentlemen whose names we have seen
suggested.
We presume the Examiner" alludes to the Gov
ernor as the rumor has been rife for some months that
he would probably be brought forward Tor the Sc
nate 1t should however, cay to which othe three gen.
temen it refers, that he may have an opportunity
of placing himself either in the position OF dov'
Floyd, or acknowledging that be would be willing TO
aocent a seat in the Senate. We not authorized
to speak for either.