Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-11-13
THB SENATORSHIP.

Our neighbor of the Examiner" in answeg %
our Question: having stated that it of ant
to include Governor Wise among those gentlemen of
Virginia. prominent by their talents and services for
the next Senatorshp, whose friends throughout the
State, in and out OF the press, had connected with
that Office, without their authority or consent, in
manner which seemed to indicate that there was
personal contest for the Senatorship" and not be.
ieVing that there is any personal contest in the mat
ter We have thought it best to nterogate, with all
respect, the Governor, in the same manner that we
interrogated Mr.. Hunter.
We are conducting an independent press, solely
with view of sustaining the great cause of the De.
mocratc party, without being responsible for the
views of any men, or set of men. Wesaw, or thought
We saw, Immediately after Mr.. Buchsnsns inaugu.
ration an organized opposition raising its head not
only against his Administration bnt all the promi.
mont oo- ~r tne Democratic party, who were tore
most in sustaining it. We believed, unless this party
we're foiled in its ncipient opposition, it would be-
come dangerous foe to the pesce of the party, and
sap, finally, its foundations.
We did not hesitate, therefore, 10 pour hot shot
into each and all Of the presses which, in our opinion
were affiliated with this improper opposition. We
exhibited their assaults with all the power of which
we were masters, and we are proud to believe that
we have had some agency in inducing decided
modification Of the opposition. They have softened
down, and scarcely now show the front Of bold de.
fance which at one time they assumed. They are
confined now to occasional mutterings and low
meanings, which are suppressed beneath their teeth
until some other occasion shall present itself for
raising their bristles again. We went further. We
koa hat tho I'd
porters Of Mr.. Hunter for the Senate, and that to
some extent they set themselves up as bis mouth.
pieces. We. therefore, openly, but respectfully asked
Mr. Hunter If he had ceased 10 be friend Of Mr..
Buchanan's Administration, and If he sppauded
these affiliated presses in their opposition to it. Mr.
Hunter did not choose to respond to our respectful
enquiries. We over and over again complimented
his talents, his services to the party and stated that
we did not desire to see him discarded by the party
bur if he still adhered with the friends Of the Admin
stration to the principles, which had been advocated
and maintained in the election of Mr.. Buchanan
and were the tests of party orthodoxy, we had no
opposition to make to Mr.. Hunter; but, If not, we
should look out for some other standard bearer.
During all this time the nsne Of Governor Wise
has been banded about the person to run against
Mr.. Hunter. We never stated that he was csnd.
date, never that be was our nominee. We had no
nominee-we did not know whether we should op-
pose Mr.. Hunter or not II depended upou his
course and his position. Finally Mr.. Hunter, not
choosing to respond to our interrogatores, responds
to thoas propounded by Mr.. Leake. In these re-.
sponses he did not touch the principal points which
caused the difficulty with Us, aud expressed our
dissatisfaction.
This is the precise position of affairs. How this
has made personal contest between Mr.. Hunter and
Governor Wise, we are at a loss to know We do
not believe that Governor Wise has ever authorized
his name to be used in opposition to Mr. Hunter
do We believe that be will permit such use Of bis
name. We are iguorsnt Of his position in this whole
matter. We have not interrogated him, are not re.
spousible for the position be will assume, nor is he
responsible for that assumed by u.s. but it would gra-
mocratc party, ii he would frankly stste his position,
what are bis views and what is the course he has
marked out for himself.
The Senior Editor Of the Enquirer is happy to an.
noance to the readers Of the paper that he has re-
turned 10 his post somewhat improved in health and
| he takes the present occasion TO make respectful
call upon Governor Wise for his views upon ques
ton which has attracted so much public attention.
He also takes greet pleasure in expressing his sat
isfacton with the fidelity with which Mr.. Baker
Lee, the assistant Editor, has conducted the Enqu
! rer, during the absence of the Senior.