Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-09-08
THE APPROACHING SENATORIAL ELEC

THE APPROACHING SENATORIAL ELEC-
TION.
Tho "Whig'' of Wednesday contains an elaborate
rehearsal of the statement which has more than once
PASSED the rounds Of the Destruc:ionst and Know
Nothing presses, that desperate conflict ID now wag
| ing between the Governor of Virginia and the in
culnbent Senator for victory in the approaching Sen
storla election. How ia it that this rumor has reach
ed such a stage OF positive assertion BY what
means, and by whose connvance have large pro-
portion Of people been led to presume that such
contest is pending For nearly two years, the
rumor has been working its way gradually into the
public credence. Thus are not at liberty to at
tribute the initiation of the report to mere effort of
the Know.Nothing party to SOW dissension in our
ranks Thereis scheming at work elsewhere. Has Gov.
Wise, or have his friends, or both, been engaged
| in 4 scheme to oust Mr. Hunter2 or has movement
been made by Mr.. Hunter and bis friends to provoke
the gratultous assumption Of such scheme on the
part Of Governor Wise In either case, it may well
be assumed that there is higher stake at issue than
the seat in the Senate. Public opinion points to both
gentlemen as prominent asprsnts TO the Presidency.
Indeed, if the next Democratic candidate is to
prominent with those of the two Virginia statesmen.
Governor Wise has given no public assurance Of his
intention or desire to oust MIR. Hunter. Has he ex.
tended such assurance privately TO his friends If
80, let them speak out. If to have contest,
let it be open, and let us have at the grounds
and motives Of the contest explained. We confess
that until this is done, at loss to determine
the motives which could dictate opposition on the
part OF Governor Wise to the reelection OF Mr. Hun.
ter MIR. Hunter holds the vantage ground Of incum-
bency, and Governor Wise could lose nothing by q
voluntary cooperation in the reelection Of Mr.. Hun
ter His political fortunes must be desperate indeed,
should he make the unprovoked attempt TO oust an in
oumbent with whom he has joined no issue on any
important political question II he really possesses
the strong hold which his friends claim for him, on
the confidence Of the people of Virginia, then it s
surely imprudent for HIN to risk in unprovoked
contest with Senatorial incumbent.
This view OF the matter certainly ssems to lend
strength to the assertion which We hear from Govern.
or Wises friends, affirming that the Governor
did intimate deare to oust Mr. Hunter.
II the attempt, real or apparent, to excite conflict
has been the work of Mr.. Hunters friends is it TO be
supposed that they expected to fortify Mr.. Hunter
claims to reelection by arraying against him the
friends of another prominent statesman Or are we
to look for deeper laid scheme and refer the matter
to desre for the advancement Of Mr.. Hunter Q
Presidential prospects Has the unsupported ss.
sumption that Gov. Wise desires to suppant Mr..
Hunter been employed to undermine the popularity
Of the former gentleman Have the friends Of the
distinguished Senator, while relying on the incum.
bency Of their favore to prevent or TO defeat any
competition ventured to employ this same incum.
bency as an mpreguabls fort from which to assail
Gov. Wi,e's popularity, by proclaiming that the Gov
ernor doss desire to oust Mr. Huntersnd that il he
does not back this desire with contest it is only be.
| cause he ia too weak to venture conflict Is the
movement intended to deprive Mr.. Hunter Sf a COM
petitor-not IN the Senatorial election, but for the
Presidential nomination. Are to believe the sug.
geston that it is feared lest Gov. Wse the leader
of Mr. Buchanan's forces in 1885, has placed him,
self in position which may ensure him the same
/ strength in 1866 and that Mr. Hunters friends find
it necessary 10 defeat the Governor with or without
contest, this account Is II found saier to fight
Governor Wise, whether he will or not on the side
issue Of the Senatorial election, than on the direct s
sue of the Presidential nomination Arc We to 70
further and believe as haa been asserted, that 1.-THE
South" newspaper has been expressly established for
the furherance OF Mr. Hunters Presidential aspra.
ions and that its abuse OF Mr.. Buchsnan's Admins
tration ia one means by which this end is to be &C
| complished?
| Such are the various suggestions which we hear
frequently uttered. Which Of them, If any, can bear
the test of investigation The time has past for
silence on this subject. II there is to be contest,
it is time that the people should know it; and whe.
ther we TO have contest or not, ii Is incumbent
on all parties to prove disprove The mputations
which have led TO this supposed contest or which
have grown out Of its discussion. We cannot agree
with the "Whig," in deducing from present sp.
| pearsncts tho actual existence Of a contest. As
| il appeaSs TO US, the most that be predicted
under present circumstances, is the possible even
tuality OF a contest; not, however, as the Wing "
seems to suppose, Of contest which seriously
| threatens division in the Democratic party
| When the time for decisive action shall arrive, il
will be found that the great majority Of Democrats
in Virginia will not allow the personal claims Of any
man to embarrsss obedience TO the principles which
guide their conduct, but will acl harmoniousy on
principle and in firm opposition to all destructonisi
1
mics, or by seceders from the Democratic ranks.
To all true Democrats who arc troubled with ap'
prehensions of dissenson in party, we feel that
we may confidently extend the assurance that we
have nothing to fear on that The attempt has
Indeed been made by the destructionists now op
posed to the Administration, to create a dssension
by means Of exciting personal contest for the seal
in the Senate. The assaults directed against Gov
Wise from under the assumption that he is desirous
to ous the present incumbent, were we'll calculated
to disturb the harmony Of the party but the mode
ration and wisdom Of the great body OF the party
have prevented the intended result. The conse'
auence ia that the dsorgauzers have stepped beyond
helms of prudence in attempting to raise an issue
against Gov. Wise, and have placed MIR. Hunter in
position which requires explanation.
But can we assume that this outcry against aga
ton proceeds only from sterling Democrats who
over anxious for the welfare of the partyl May il
not be surmsed that some Of these quietists have
separate object to be attained by bushing the Demo
cratic party into the false security Of enforced ST.
| lencel How would the election OF Virginia Sena
tor pledged the earnest support Of the present Ad
mustration effect the interests and projects OF the
dstructionist factionl How, on the other hand
would the election Of non.committsl candidate al
feet the interests Of the friends Of the Admlnistra
tionl Would it he safe for them to support cand
date, equally claimed by their opponents as e" can
didate, and who would be at liberty 30 soon as his
election should be secured, 10 disaVow the friends
and openly cooperate with the enemies OF the Ad
minstration1 Does not this course Of silent acqui
escence afford the only possibility OF strengthening
the destructionsts by the apparent endorsement o.
their views and conduct by the voice of the State
Virginia. Ia there any necessity requiring that the
friends OF the Administration should incur the rsb
Of even the renotest possibility Of such consum
mation
Look at the present position Of the question o
| tho sonotor;al elec,;on Mr. Hunter is known to bt