Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-11-25
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InelOriOus Retreat.

pluck, who, to use phrase current in the trad
inc world. ssnever backed" When we saw him
recognized on all hands as an aspirant for the
United States Senate, and read the daily diatrioes
of his organ, the 'Enquirer," upon the friends
of Senator Hunter; when We heard the rude IN
terrogatories propounded to the Senator himself,
without an explicit answer to which the "En-
ouirern could not lend the potent aid OF Its
"trenchantn pen to forward his election; when
wa found that Senator Hunter had failed to sat-
isfy the Enquirer" in either of his letters as to
TO his position in regard to the Administration !;
when the charge daily and boldly made that the
Governors own son was the real editor OF the
ENQUIRER, met with no denial, we and everybody
else considered Mr.. Wise fairly and squarely in
the ring. When, therefore, the Enquirer po-
litely requested the views of Governor Wise
touching Kansas affairs, we presumed that ne
shared in the dissatisfaction still persstently ex-
pressed by the ''Enqurer," and expected see the
glove flung de6antly into Senator Hunters face
1t is needless to say, then, that we were amazed
beyond measure, upon perusing hisresponse to the
"Enuuirer'sn respectful call, to find him beating
a clean retreat from the contest and yielding the
field with the best possible grace to MIR. Hunter
and the opponents of the Administration. We
say the best possible grace and yet it is very far
from graceful specimen of "craw-ishing. =
To conduct successful retreat is q sure mark Of
shrewd generalship aud is nothing to be asham-
ed of. But to tuck the tail and run like clip
per, leaving the enemy in the enjoyment of all
that they conld expect to secure BY the success
full issue of an actual battle, is not generally con-
sidered very creditable.
1t was painful task to read the Governors
letter. At every successive sentence we felt that
he was humiliating himself more and more-en
deavoring to squeeze himself through hole en-
tirely too small to admit of comfortable exit,
and suffering excruciating pangs in the effort
The public regarded him as the rival OF Senator
Hunter. The Enquirer" believed by the public
to behis mouth piece, had placed itself in an att-
tude of hostility to Mr.. Hunter; in anevil hour OF
conceited omnipotence, when it was confidently
supposed that the Governor and the "Enqu-
rer" could WELD the Democracy at pleasure
1t did not take long to dsabuse their minds OF
their mistaken notion. The interior press be-
gan to speak out and it was found that the
course of the Enquirer" in its opposition to
Senator Hunter was not sanctioned by the peo-
pie, if the tone of the press afforded any indica
ton of their sentiments. Then it was that the
first step toward retreat was taken. The Gov
IL 4, .,,tN h. md hA
question arose whether it was better to put the
otherin too or draw back altogether. lnview OF
the gloomy prospects it seems to have been de-
cided that it would be good policy to get out OF
the scrape, aud the Enquirer" Immediately be-
came doubly anxious for Senator Hunter to re-
spond to its interrogatories. 1t was really ex-
tremely anxious to support him, and piteously
implored the Senator to remove the obstacle
which in moment of mistaken influence 1t had
placed in its way. Mr. Hunter finally wrote his
letters, but the Enquirer neglected toconsult the
Governor, and foolishly refused to be satisfied.
That was bungling piece of business, and thetw
heads were rubbed together for weeks, concoct
ing plan to remedy the blunder. The scheme
is now transparent. The Enquirer" called on
the Governor for his views on the Kansas troub
les in order that the Governor might express his
entire satisfaction with Mr.. Hunters letters and
disavow any design to oppose his re-election-in-
asmuch as his reelection was seen to be inevi-
table. The Governor promptly nibbled the bait,
and published the lengthy epistle under consid-
Grafton. He undertakes to become the interpre-
ter of Hunte RS language and is careful so to in
terpret it that he may slip out To aid him in
the matter he evidently had before him Webster
Unabridged. See how he labors to work him
self out of difficulty:
81 think their [the letters meaning is: that
he does not express any warm or strong CONF
dence in the Administration that he does not
wish to be understood as being one OF Its espe-
cial friends or partizans; bat that he does DIS
claim the opposition TO it, by saying that he
hopes and expects to be able to support the Id
aninistration in the main' Now, hope is
made up of desire, Alliance and appreciation. He
desires, then, and doubly expects to be able to
support the Administration in the main. And
this being so, he cannot of course, desire or ex-
pect the opposition thereto to succeed. Saying
that he knows of no practical tests at this time
which will bring him into collision with the Adj
,ninistration, he distinctly disclaims, for aught
he can see at present, both the intent or will and
spirit or purpose of the opposition. lie, in u
word, ignores responsibility for this opposition,
which has risen so suddenly and which is so
sweeping in the South. With Ais declaration Of
has so understood, Ihace no issue lcath Mr.. Hun
ter"
But the Governor did get through and Mr..
Hunter has cause to congratulate himself upon
his lucid diction. But for the researches of Mr..
Wise the public would, doubtless, remained ig
norant of the Senator's meaning until the crack
of doom. The enquirer" too becomes marvel
lousy enlightened, and after all its brave talk
comes down the tree after the following fashion:
"He mfr. Wisel examines Senator Hunters
letter and gives it somewhat different construc-
ton from that placed upon it by rs, showing
that by hoping and expecting to support the
Administration he, in effect, hopes and expects
not to support the opposition, and says that, If
this is Mr.. Hunters meaning, he has no oppo
sition to make to him. We, too, join the Gov
ernor in this view and, il he is correct in his
construction, at once withdraw any objection,
which might have been raised to Mr.. Hunters
course upon different construction of his let
ter. and unite with his friends in sustaining his
reelection"
Was their ever more ridiculous farce enact
ed The whole plan of retreat is patent TO the
meanest understanding and presents both the Gov.
and the Enquirer" in most humiliating atti
tude. How the latter is to find out whether the
former is correct in his construction" does not
appear.
The friends of Mr. Hunter would do well,
however, to keep sharp eye on Wise and the
tru,.:-v TLo Co,,arror may have acted nm