Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-11-18
The senatorial Contest.

If a suggestion on the part of an outsider would
not be considered an impertinent interference in
matters belonging exclusively to the Democratic
party, we might venture to propose remedy
for all the difficulties that just now beset that
fraternal organization in regard to the election
of United States Senator. If not sovereign
remedy which would permanently heal all the
dissensions in their ranks, it would at least az
ford temporary relief, and give ample time for
the arrangement of treaties of peace and other
honorable adjustments between the contending
factions We feel deep interest in the Demo-
cratic party, and trust that our motives will be
appreciated, when we propose postponement
of the Senatorial election. We should be pleas
ed to see this course pursued, not merely for the
benefit of those to whom we have sometimes
been politically opposed, but we would urge it
upon the general principle that it is unwise to
elect public servants to offices ofhigh trust years
before they will enter upon the discharge OF
their duties and especially when there is no sort
of necessity for hasty action. Times change and
men change with them. In the last Presidential
contest the highest ambition Of Gov. Wise was
to be esteemed the leader-the head and front
of an extreme Southern party. No one can
have forgotten his legion of letters-especially
the last of the series, that famous "ebo-shin" e.
pistle. Every body will recollect the Congress
of Southern Governors at Raleigh, and the terri
bic things they meant to DO in the event OF Ere
mont's election. Now, however, Gov. Wise
would occupy more conservative position, and
Mr.. Hunter would be ostracised by the Enquirer
because of his extreme Southern sentiments. The
manner in which Wise and the Enquirer have
shifted their position since the Presidential cleo
ton, proves that it would be entirely unsafe to
elect him to the United States Senate two years
in advance. Mr. Hunter has always been consi-
dere6 one of the most conservative politicians in
the Democratic ranks. But now it is declared
by members of his own party that he is run
mad fire. eater,n league with traitorous faction,
who are amining at nothing short of a dissolu-
ton OF the Union. 1t would seem equally I'M
safe, then, to trust the stability of Mr.. Hun
ter's principles for two long years. In fact, in
the present condition of political affairs, it is
hard to tell what may be the changes in party
policy before either Mr.. Hunter or Mr.. Wise
could take seat in the Senate as the RepreSen.
tative of Virginia. New issues may arise, grow.
ing perhaps out of the financial embarrassment:
of the country upon which either of those gen
tlemen might miserably misrepresert the people
of the State, matters of far more Importance thar
any which now separate their respective friends
Men cast aside their long cherished principle
with so much facility, that, in all oandor, w
consider it unwise to contide in any public maj
longer than is absolutely necessary.
Let the election be deferred, then, until 1859
If elected now, no one can tell upon what poll
tical platform either Wise or Hunter will stant
in December, 1859, when perhaps new issues o
sll-absorbing interest and paramount importanc
to the country may have swallowed up the lit
tie Kansas bone of contention over which thei
respective partisans are now growing and fight
ing. If elected by the Virginia Legislature o
1859, at the opening of the session, the Senate
might be in Washington before any business o
Importance came up and the views of contend
ing aspirants upon issues likely to come befor
Congress at that time could be known by tn
people and the Legislature.