Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-10-24
From the Charlottesville J-ffersonian, Oct q.
Letter from Hon. r.. M. T. Hunter.
CHARLOTTKsYILLE. Oct %. ls57
= SHNNIsO No v ILBE, OCT
To the Editor Of the Jefersonidu


To the Editor of the Jefersonian
DEAR Sir: received last night the enclosed
letter from Hon. X. NJ. 4. Hunter. which ask
you to publish. ! kept no copy of INV letter to
rogatories propounded will be readily gathered
from the answers
have only to say that I never doubted. myself.
Mr.: Hunters attachment to the principles Of the
for Mr Buchanan's Administration; and 1t was
no distrust on my part that led me to address him
with view to elicit his views for publication
never doubted that Mr.. Hunter condemned
the course Of Gov. w alker in X ansas, and have
been (and am now equally confident that nine
tenths OF the Virginia Democracy concurred in
never believed that either he or thew had the
slightest idea Of making war upon Mr.. buchanan
on that or any other probable ground.
very hastily, your friend, 5. F. LEAkE.
LLoYD's, Essex Co, Va, Oct I6. 1857.
DEAR SIR: i received on yesterday your letter
piopounding to me certain interrogatories, to
which, without further delay, 1 proceed to re- DIV
They are in substance nearly the same with m.
questions upon which the " Enqui.er,' for some
time past has been demanding NV answers But
TO these last ! have not replied because they
were either acconpan ed with threats, or what
were so considered, which made an answer on
my part inconsistent with self-respect or else
they were founded upon my presumed RESPONSE
blllty Tor which the editorials of certain news
papers within and without the State of Virginia
which were not only not authorized TO speak for
me, but which claimed no such authority. was
| to he held responsible for the course of newsna
pers unless came before the public with a criti-
cism OF their course aud disclaimer of all SYM
pathy with them-a responsibility which shall
never acknowledge, expressly or implicitly, by
any act OF mine TO admit such responsib lity
| would place II In the power Of any third person
who chose to impute to Inc sympathy with the
course of any newspaper, within or without the
\ course upon any question Of morals or politics
| which might be IN discussion, or else fix upon
me the charge OF concurring in the views Of that
| paper. No power could force upon me the Office
of censor Of the public press Certainly shall moi
assume 1t voluntarily. When any paper claims
| authority TO speak for me, then II may be In.
time to question me In regard to it, but not be-
| foe.
b But to proceed with the answers to your inter
| rogatores. have to say, first, that the imputa
tion OF hostility, on my part, towards the admin.
| thing that have either said or done voted for
him as President, and not only entertain no feel.
| ing OF hostility towards him, but 1 wish him
success; He has only to carry out the principles
| OF The Democratic party, as we understand them
| In virginia, TO command my cordial support -
These, so far as applicable, will afford the test by
| which shall Judge his administration, and sup
port or oppose its acts as they conform depart
| from these principles. Nor shall I be disposed
to apply that test In any capious or unkind spirit
but as justly and fairly as ] can. More / could
| not say for an, administration or man never
would commit myself to support unconditional
| ~ the future acts Of any man, but will Judge
| them as they arise, To sustain them when be-
lieve they are right, and to oppose them when
think they are wrong My opinions upon all the
| great political issues may be known through nv
votes and speeches to those who feel enough Of
interest In them to look at my past course; and
| these will afford the best evidence Of the tests
which shall be likely to apply in Judging OF
| the conduct OF public affairs. Whilst l remain
In the Senate Of the United States I shall stand
there as the representative Of the primo plies and
interests OF my state, so far as can understand
them, and In pursuit Of these objects L should
ho. seIupie 10 diiier, II necessary, with any adj
! ninistration. In saying this 1t NAV be prrbap,
ialI 10 add, that hope and expect to be able 10
| support MI Buchanan's administration in the
nam, Entire concurrence in the yi-ws Of an,
| man II would he too much to hope or ex pect
/ In answer to the other interrogaior which yor
propose az to the conduct Of Gov Walker I'm Kan
sas, have little hesitation In saying that disap
lsprove IL. The Kansas Nebraska act was passed
under the hops that this the last Of the terrioria