Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-11-10
established ,he nr;ncinle Of ,bs K.nsss.N ebrsska

established the principle Of the Ksnsas.Ne Nebraska
act, aud obtained common ground upon whlcn am
member, might s.aud in regard tn a disturbing CUES
ton, it overcame the greatest difficulty. Its success
in this respect encourages the hope tina. when the
time for action arises, and its representatives get TO-
gether, they will he able to reconcile satisfactorily
any differences which may have arisen in regard 20
the application Of their principles. l say this LOT tne
self. So far as l am personally concerned, l sh9n
none of the responsibility which attaches to me lnui'
viduelly for the opinions which I have expressed.
In this connection. too, l must return to you ana
those whom you represent, my thanks for 80 mucn o'
good will and confidence as you express In the reso'
lutions which relate TO myself personally. 10 WIN
fairly and Justly the trust and confidence OF the pso'
pie of Virginia, has been the highest object OF my
political aspirations. There ia none other wh'ch !
placs in competition with it. But it is their trust ana
confidence, and not the office, that I value. If ave
not the fret, l do not desire the latter. Office, unless
it is bestowed in that spirit, can have no attractions
for me. Entertaining these sentiments, l have been
reluctant to appear before the public in any commu'
%nication which might wear the air of solicitation, or
place me in the apparent position Of advocating my
own claims and interests. I hold no such position
prefer no olaims-I make no solicitations. 1t my
past course has failed to SOW the seeds of confidence
in the public mind Of Virginia, it is my misfortune,
perhaps, my fault. Nor are the people to be blamed
and duty in bestowing their Offices where they place
their trust. Assuredly, they will not be disturbed by
me, either with solicitations before their decision is
made, or by complaints to be uttered after be-
cause of the manner in which they may have e1er.
cised their powers. according to their own sense OF
duty. Neither do i propose to trouble them farther
by any public communication in regard TO my sentl:
ments and opinions, as | have answered as fully IS l
am capable of doing, upon all the various subjects OF
inquiry. l will not conclude, however, without ven.
turing the prediction, that if any serious attempt
should be made in Congress to reject the application
of Kansas, for admission as a State into the Union,
because the Convention did not submit the Constl.
tuition for a farther ratification by the people, it will
only occur in the event of the adoption of q pro-
slavery organic law.
Is Virginia, then, prepared to reject the application
of a sister slave State to be received into the Union,
merely because Its Convention has exercised its M.
doubted powers in the same manner with many other
States, which have acted similarly, without prejudice
to their claims for admission into tho Confsderacy7
do not believe it for a moment, and I am sure that in
such o contingency, the gallant Democracy of the
time .honored Tenth Legion, which has never yet
hung are, nor asked even for time to "peck the flint
and try it again." will be amongst the FIRST to cry out,
"Never! no, never!!"
With great respect, I have the honor to be your
ob't sery't, K. III. T. HUNTER.