Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1857-11-21
Letter ffo1a Gov. Wise.

Letter hon Gov. Wise.
Tho Richmond Eeg.siysr q Tuesday contaipsa
long letter from Gov. Wise. 10 reply to questions
propouhded % him BY that paper, defining his posi-
ton in relation 70 the national Democracy, Sem
ator Hunter, -the Kansas question, &c. We re-
greet that cannot make room for the entire letter,
but We giveths substahe4pf II &Te 94g
Gov Wise sets out by fsv,ewing the circumstan-
ces which preceded and characterized the nomina-
ton of Mr. Buchanan-gfses his opinion as to the
nature o the contest and the great issue in 1856;
and in this connection says
"Pennsylvania decided that issue but for time
u was extremely doubtful And in the midst OF
that doubt there was heard low muttering in the
South Of subdued, but cullen dsscontent among
some teu Of those soho coted eoen for Mr. Buehanans
election. The feeling, grum5led rather than openly
expressed by them, was OF hope that the Black
Flag might be raised over us, to rouse the Southern
people to revolution which would throw off the
bonds of the Union. 1t is we'll known and proudly
admitted that had that flag been hois,ed over the
Capitol Of the United States, under the open pro-
CARNATIONS of the election, for would have
waited for other covert act" Of aggression or op.
preston; but was therefore, the more anxious to
secure Democratic triumph to prevent revolution
and to preserve the Union. This separated me from
the extremists South.
I doubt whether they would all have followed me
to the lengths would have gone, had cause for rev.
oluton been given but whilst was for warding off
extreme issues by electing conservative Democrat
who could unite all patriots and save the Union,
they, small and very exclusive clique, were for dr
wing US upon ENTHUSIASTICALLY supported the
Democratic nominee and at heart disappointed
at the Democratic triumph which saved US from all
last extremities." The horse and the rider of black
Repubcansm were overthrown, but in the general
rejoicing there no shout from the hearts of the
EsclusiUe Extremists. They, however honest were
the midst of general congratulations and smiles that
the national Democracy had saved our country once
more from extreme peril"
The Governor then traces this feeling of discon-
tent, expressing the opinion that it has been the
cause Of much of the opposition to Gov. Walker,
and that the great object of the extremists is to
destroy the national Democratic party, and then the
Union. He says:
"And this is the National Democracy which this
Opposition, openly developed early as April last,
in the South, assails. If this be stricken down,
what have we to rely to ally with in the Northr
And, yet, it was to strike al ths-it was to follow
up, not to begin the blows, that the moment a Gov
ernor was sent to Kansas and he moved in his of.
fee, his speeches were seized prctext to as.
sail the Northern Democracy and the administra-
ton and its friends. Destroy confidence in these,
and then the riot Of ruin would begin. 1t was then
that conservative Democrats began to skis this
opposition moi? IF this be scAat Is called the
backing Of triends what Is the oppcsition Of foes?
Is this opposition dangerous or not? Whose Is it?
Who responsi6ls for it, Who 6acks it,
Whence does 1t come ?-to Dhat tend? It was no
time to stop and daily with the minor matter Of Mr.
Walkers stump speeches-delivered with what mo-
tive, 20 what end-pro con slavery-with good
or bad design, no one could fairly decide, without
knowing all the surrounding circumstances and diff.
6culties in which he was involved He had been
Mississippi Senator. He had been honored and
trusted by the South. He had done more for the
annexation of Texas than any Southern Senator
He had been Secretary of the Treasury under a
Southern President and had done for free trade
than any before since his time in the cabinet
Surely the President could trust him not to betray
the South which he had thus served and which had
thus honored and trusted him, and not to betray
the North which had borne him. And he is an able
and sagacious too, whose talent might be trust
ed to form the best judgment on the spot as to the
best and most polite movements. But whether he
acted wisely or foolshy, sagaciously or had blum
dered, or his intentions good or bad his acts
and motives were nothing compared oith the ,oeigh
tier matters Of the country inrolred in this sudden
and insidious opposition. which gave no time for
developments, or for dispassionate examination and
proof even for just condemnation of him, if he
had done wrong-but began = hot and heavy war
upon him as a corrupt "satrap," felon traitori-
This could not but reflect upon the administration
and the party which appointed and retained him in
place. 1t was not ingenious to pretend to discrim-
mate between the President and the Governor of
the Territory" Like man, like master" If he
was this criminal, Mr.. Buchanan bound to know
it, and If he knew it. he was better, but rather
worse than Gov. Walker. This reasoning this oppo-
siton knew would seize on the public mind, and
would, funcontradicted impair confidence in the Ad-
minstration 1t was making an adverse impression
rapidly when the Enquirer interposed with its trench
nnfno Of MD md aSroAf he r,,cho IF Tho
charge the National Democracy and its represen-
tatives in power. 1t took up the enquiry Is not
this rank hostity1 Is not this prepared and pre-
mature opposition before the Administration has be.
gun its course-before has its first Congress
sent it's first message? What does it mean Who's
is it? Who backs itY THANK the Enquirer for that
blow The shade of the Old Napoleon of the press
smiled in his parental lowering the Enquirer,
when that sturdy blow fell in its stroke for his dar.
ling Democracy. In my Utmost heart felt right we'll
when that brave blow struck. 1t was brave and
bold to strike it for the Public Printing, as well
the Senatorshp, at stake, it seems The activi-
ty in the elections last spring. looked not only to
the incumbency of Mr.. Hunter, but to the ineum-
bency of the Enquirer too; and, doubtless, to oil
the great interests involved The Enquirer assn.
redly, has saved the Democracy of Virginia from be.
ing involved in this Porcupine opposition"
He then alludes to Senator Hunter as follows:
"All this time, it not known whether Mr..
Hunter took any part in this opposition, though
many of his most active partzans did and hence il
was suspected that if he not participant in it.
he to be the beneficiary of it, if it should sue
coed. Certain it is that what at first rumor and
surmise about my alleged design to contest with
him his seat in the Senate turned at last into
taunt to me and my friends. Ran, If you dare
yon cannot beat Mr.. Hunter" 1t vain to reply
II do not desire to beat him." The taunt came back
"You do, or you do not desire to beat him. If yoa
do, zoe are failing the steps to defeat you and, u
you DON'T you s0i be defeated any hoao. In either
euet it soiU be seemingly nansst that he Is strong