Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-09-29
THE COURSE OF THE ENQUIRER.


There are manifestations of much interest, on the
part of the press Of Virginia, in the reputed contest
between Governor Wise and Senator Hunter
Bone Of our Democratic contemporaries express a de-
cided disapprobation Of the course Of the Enquirer
with reference to it's earnest objections to the silence,
and it's urgent circumstances against the equivooal
attitude of the latter gentleman. We deem it our du-
ty to the Democratic party, not only in Virginia, but
throughout the Union, to continue the course
We are now pursuing, until Senator Hunter
svows . purpose either to support tho Admin.
istrstion or to affiliate with the f%actionists
who have been or are now opposing it. The E
ouirsr" recognizes the services Of Senator Hunter to
the Democratic cause, with qualification and pride
It socords to him craftsmanship, scholarship and emi-
nsnt intellectual ability. But unless he dispels all
doubt % to his friendship for the Administra-
ton, by an open and manly disclaimer, or e1'
presses sympathy with the ultraists in terms
not to be misunderstood, we shall be CON
strained to Withhold the compliment Of candor and
boldness, which We would fain attach to the public
virtues Of oil the representatives of Virginia. Wehave
been somewhat harshly rsbuked, In an occasional in.
stance, by Democrats who desire the re-elec.
ton Of Mr.. Hunter. They have the right to
express their preferences in any' event; and We
admire the ingenuousness aud independence with
which they give them u~tterancs. But they
should allow no personal prediction on their
part, to induce Thorn to suspect the Enquirer" Of a
disposition to advance the claims of one Democrat
against another, where there is no good ground of OBJ.
jsetion to either q. a party man. The editors Of this
Journal may admire Senator Hunter more than
Governor Wise, or they may admire Governor
IT,
natural that like oil other mortals, they should
have their preferences among men, aud esps.
cislly among tho statesmen Of Virginia. But the
"Euquirer' owe, II to itself, to the Democratic party
and to the Administration not to allow it's political
course to be affected in any way by other than pa.
triotic considerations Such hos always been its poll
cy, and 20, We trust, it viii continue. 1t Is true We
not unfrequently refer to Governor Wise IN highly
complimentary terms. But the illusions are never
i~nspposite or irrelevant. They are always associated
With his services either to the nation or to the State,
and ere illustrative Of events or respondent to lnaccu'
rate representations. He is the Governor Of Virginia,
and the "Eoquirer"i is a Democratic organ In the caPi
tai OF the State. He ia a man Of mark. OF genius and
energy; andsoch msn always attract public attention.
The name q Ar. Buchanan 10 quite az often men.
tiesed 10 our columns, end with the highest praises.
And yet. We presume, we are net inspected Of be-
Allowing compliments upon him, because Of our per.
sopal attachment 10 him or to hs fortunes, when the
writer who has been the acting editor Of the "En-
auirer," for the last seven m 'uths. has mover bad the
pleasure Of even looking upon the President.
In concluding an article in disspprobation of the
eourss Of the "ELcuirer' the fredericksburg "Re,
cordsr" says:
Aast batting Mr.. Hunter oside, and looking mere
~ TO jts eject upoo the general good and harmony q
he party, vs think that the course OF the sEnqat
rsr," while il eanaot forward the prospects of Rs f.
vorite for the United States Senate, must NOT only
1esien its eaoiency a . party orgsp, but sill exas
perase and DISTRICT the party at large who vai not
su6erss old and vslssd servant 70 be srrsigusd and