Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-09-29
THE NEXT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. HUN
TER, &c.

THE NEXT NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. HUN
TER, &c.
The next Legislature oil Virginia having to elect a
United States Senator 10 fill tho vacancy 10 be crea.
ted by the expiration of Mr. Hunters term Of ser.
vice, there is no time to be lost in the discussion OF
side issues, and / ABB therefore gratihed to perceive
that the Richmond Enquirer is devoling much OF its
time aud space in demonstrating the necessity at this
%iuucture for q full and frank disclosure OF the renti
lnents which the candidates for that important office
entertain upon all the leading questions Of the day.
With the utter overthrow Of that miserable Know
Nothing faction, commonly called the dark-tantern
conspiracy, it was to be hoped that the element of Sc.
crecy and concealment which gave to that organlza-
ton all the energy and life it possessed, had been 60
signally rebuked and repudiated by the country, that
in our day and generation, at least, no public man
who seeks the confidence Of the people would ven.
ture upon the same sort of tactics to compass the aims
of his ambition. But what more or less IL Senator
Hunter doing at this time, when he obstinately resists
every effort that is making to elicit a knowledge OF his
position in regard to the present National Democratic
Administrations He cannot surely justify his refusal
TO answer the Undergraduates that hSve been pro.
pounded to him on the ground, either OF the source
from which they have proceeded, or of the manner
in which he has been interrogsted. The Richmond
ENQUIRER has ever been regarded "a the leading ex-
ponent Of Virginia Democracy, and as 1t embodles
and expresses the wish Of ths Democratic party Of
the whole State, in subjectiDg him 10 the sans ordeal
through which every other candidate for lts favor has
to DaB6, no proper OD1bCtlUD Cdu U uTS0u ny ullb
to the character Of his catechism. On the score OF
responsibility it occupies equal footing with himself,
and on that of authority il ia Infinitely his superior.
Neither can he object to the mauner in which It has
exercised its cstecbetical prerogative, because II has
never charged, nor is il true, that there has been
ANYTHING in the bearing of its editors or Of the phra,
ssology employed in putting the questions, at all ga
voring. either of disrespect or the slightest dlsposl'
ton TO do him injustice. On the contrary, the course
of that journal has always been as courteous, respect
full and even complimentary towards Senator Hun.
ter az it has been firm and decided in insisting upon
is right to demand a full and explicit response
to the questions il has asked.
Senator Hunter, however, still persists in declining
10 speak out, and as he cannot jusrify bis eiience up.
on either Of these grounds, it is obvious that the real
difficulty in the way has a more intimate connection
with the answers to be given, than with the questions
that have been asked. An explicit response to the
interrogatories propounded may elicit information
prejudicial 10 his chance foI reelection, and II 90,
tbsre is no mystery whatever in the reluctance no be.
trays to make the required answer. Senator Hunter,
il will be remembered, has been called upon to say
whether, if hs is elected TO the Senate, he Will support
the Administration OF President buchanan 10 It's eiort
TO maintain the nationality Of the Democratic party
and preserve the Union; or whether he prefers to cast
hs lot with thoee ultraists of the South and the North,
whose objects and aims can only be accomplished oy
the utter destruction and overthrow OF our glorious
confederacy. This, il will be perceived, IS a most
momentous and vital inquiry and although an IN:
reserved response to it may involve the defeat OF
Senator Hunter, that would be q consideration
Of but infinite proportions, when compared with
the evils that must result from his success-achieyed
In despite of a refusal to define his position. His
election, under such circumstances, would place Vir.
ginia in d false position, and utterly destroy her moral
bower in the Union. Like a proud column, she now
stands erect amidst the crumbling elements OF ma
tional decay around her; and Us she was Inc hrst 10
lay the cornerstone of the lofty temple consecrated
to the freedom of mankind, she will be the last TO
strike the fatal blow which is to level lite foundations
with the dust. Having ever proclaimed and often
proved her devotion to this glorious Union, abe can
not afford to have her integrity suspected, even If ito
maintenance shall cost her the sacrifice of her most
gifted and gallant sops. The refusal of Mr.. Hunter
to define his position, justihes the inference that his
sentiments are in conflict with the Democracy OF the
State, and if he shall be elected, the proud old Com
monwealih will have to display her colors at half
mast in token Of grief for ber departed glory. The
flag of secession will then float ovr her bills
and valleys, and when the great council OF the ma
ton shall assemble to select a representative for
the National Democracy, her voice, once potent
10 defence of the Union and the Constitution would
be bushed into silence, and the National Convention
of 60 will move on 10 the nomination OF President
irrespective alike Of her wishes or suggestlons.-
Virginia, thus denatiopalized aud dragged down from
her high estate, will bring around her her sitter States
of the South, and the first act In the appalling dra'
ma OF dissolution will then have been performed
When the curtain Rises again, she will appear in a
new character upon the stnge. Virginia, once the
acknowledged leader OF Inc NatlOnai democracy,
will come forth with the laurels of nationality stripped
from her brow. aud a sickly garland, the emblem OF
a shattered Union, will take its houored pace. Sc
much for the empty glory # such an achievement
But what pen can pic:u.e the realities tina; must ensuel
or what heart will not bleed at even q distant view oil
the carnage that must follow the disruption of ihi.
noble Confsderacy 7 South against North will loom
10 in the distance, and the angry passions of men,
heated to an intensity Of hate unparalleled in the
warfare of alien enemies. will be content to Stake
Ali. ILL., IL, in tho hl0nH of pnurdora1 L;pArad
and friends.
Virginia is not prepared to undergo this humiliation
or assume this responsibility; and before che takes the
fatal leap which il At once 10 rob her Of her renowr
"a the leader of The National column, and place her
in the van of q Sectional organization she, will give
ear to the counsels of her tried, and trusted organ
the Richmond Enquirer, and peremptorily insist that
the gifted son who has been so long bonored with bel
confidence and respect, shall comply with the usages
of the Democratic party, and explicitly declare the
| relation which be- sustaips 10 the Administration oil
her choice.
But Senator Hunter may deny the business Of the
inference here deduced from bis refusal to respond &c
the important question that has been pressed upon
him by the Richmond Enquirer.
After all, he may claim to be a friend and supporter
of the Administration, and whilst he is willing and
waiting to furnish the electoral body with the desired
information, he does not choose 10 recognize the au
thority Of the Enquirer to put him on the stand. II
this be true, and Senator Hunter is not in utilization
with the disunionis,s, the :aot oughtto be made potent
bfors the Legislature assemblies. DIrectness sud
~prupriety both demand that this should be done to
avoid, ous of two thlpgs:-Either that those members
of the Assembly whose inclinings may be with the
seceders, shall not be e%ntrapped into giving their "a
vor to one who lie vicariously claimed as a CO laborel
/, with sn union Administration; or that the supporters
of that Administration in the Legislature OF Virgins
shall not be betrayed through an unmanly, however
Convenient reticence into continuing 10 power an in
cumbent, whose afinites and aims are supposed te
have ceased to be their sfiniiies and aims.
The silence Of women is sometimes held to be az
eloquent consent to one of the most endsaring conneo.
lions Of life; the silence Of Senator Hunter, we fear, on