Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-09-29
THE n M ENQUIRER.
muir .wuIc, ON THE SENATORIAL ELEC'
TIoN-GOy. WISE NOT A CANDIDATE"

-n.,..-.y .rpTEMBER 80, 1S35
1.-THE .WHlG' ON THE SENAIoklAL ELY
TIoN-GOy. WISE NOT A CANDIDATE"
IIndar the above caption, 1.-THE South" Of yester.
d.v. issues an article containing the following:
Sour neighbor 1.-THE '.whig') is positive that Gov.
wbs is not only a candidate for the Senate, out IL a
no. resolute and formidable candidate to boot:
Sinoularly enough, while the "Whig" is encouraging
lie party with these assurances OF discord among tne
Democracy, the enquirer comes out with a PoeitiVe
declaration that Cor. Wiseis not a cdndldae I0r tae
Senate. That settles the matter. Ths enquirer -
known to speak by authority of his E1cellency; ana
the Enquirer Of Saturday announces mat G0r. vase
IS not a candidate for the Senate
The assertion that we ''are known to speak by his
Excellsncy's authority admits of so broad an inter
probation that we see fit to furnish our readers with
an explanation. II 10 true that We are cognizant OF
the fact that Coz. Wise has. before and after the
spring elections. repeatedly denied the assertion
which q number of Mr.. Hunters friends have chosen
to circulate, tina: the Governor Yves DESTROYS to GUST
Mr.. Hunter from the Senate. We can also say that
we have never yet met the first person who would
bring forward the first act or word of Gov. Wise, 70
prove any such desire or intention on his part.
Aud other facts 20 strongly to corroborate our a.
sertion that Gov. Wise is not q candidate for the Sem
atorial election. 1t 10 we'll known that Gov. Wise's
name has been placed in prominent connection WIN
the next Presidential election, and the srshtees ~
tsntion to the circumstances of che case, 10 eumcien'
TO demonstrate that Gov. Wise has every motive OF
expsdiency to Withhold him from a contest with Mr.
Hunter for the Senatorial election. Should he inVNe
such q contest, it must, in any event., rebound to the
injury of his Presidential pospects. II elected to the
Senate, he would thus embittsr against him the
friends and ~partizans of Mr.. Hunter, and as Mr..
Hunters present Senatorial term endures until the 4th
of March, 1859, Gov. Wise would not even gain the
vantage ground Of a seat in the S.nats until every
~effeotu.l movement had been completed which could
be brought to bear on the Presidential nomination.
Moreover, q Senatorial contest with Mr.. Hunter
would be an unequal contest-rsndered 90 NECESSARY.
ly by the fact Of Mr.. Hunters incumbency In the
Senate. 10 it then to be believed that Gov. Wiser
weak enough to seek q contest. which offers the risk
of sdsfsat on the ono haad, aud, in any event, would
ensure the enlargement and opposition OF all Mr..
Hunters friends 10 1881 And it is also evident that
Mr.. Hunters reelection with Gov. Wise's concur
renee, would by no means ipjurs the PRESIDENTIAL
prospects, of Gov. Wise. We can find then no mo-
tive on the par, Of Gov. Wise or his friends, to justify
the assertion, lately denied even by THE South" OF
an attempt on tho part of Gov. Wise to supplant Mr..
Hunter.
Indeed another view Of tho subject demands en-
Quiry and explanation. Have certain friends OF Mr..
Hunter, in giving credit to this unfoundsd assertion
as to Gov. Wise's intention, relied 80 implicitly on
the fact of Mr.. Hunters incumsency, a. to seek to
place the Governor in the position Of apparent or &C.
tual defeatl Have they been so thoroughly assured
Of the certainty of Mr.. Hunters election, as to at
tempt to render such election a means of injury to
Gov. Wise, by promulgating the assertion that the
Governor is restrained from a contest only by the
fear of defeatf Ifso, these gentlemen are implicated
in an ungsnerous and unfair movement Of political
ohicanery, which seems intended to crush the politi-
cal fortunes of Gov. Wise, so as to leave Mr.. Hun
ter without a rival in Virginia for the next Presiden'
tial nomination.
We will not follow the example OF "The South so
far as to inquire whether its smoothly written article
of Thursday last may be construed ITO speak by au'
thority'' Of Mr.. Hunter. We only call attention to
the fsct that in both it's articles on this subject, "The
South" stops short of the real question at issue. The
4sct that Gov. Wise il not a candidate, does not "set-
tie the matter" The question OF the Senatorial elec'
ton 10 still an "open question" Before Mr.. Hunter
can command the support Of the Virginia Democracy
he must define bis position with regard to the fac
tious opposition which for the last six months has
been wsgsd against the present Democratic Admin
~istration. This opposition has claimed Mr.. Hunter
for its partisan. We have seeE no denial Of this
claim. 1t has operated to secure for Mr.. Hunter the
favor of the opposition, which he still receives with
out accepting the corresponding responsibility. If
he does not intend to renounce the benefit, it 10 but
fair that be shall assume the responsibility. And
Doth the benefit and the responsibility on his part are
incompatible with q claim for the renewed sufrages
of the friends of the Administration. The friends OF
the Administration are strong enough to elect their
own candidate, without counting the votes of the op'
position. Mr.. Hunter can be that candidate If be
chooses. If he does not choose to accept this posi-
ton, We are forced to seek for a candidate elsewhere.
Virginia Democracy will choose a candidate on its
own terms. 1t is not dependent on the fortunes of
ann N noEtinian