Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1857-10-09
From the Leesburg (Vs-) Democratic Mirror
THE SENATORIAL CONTEST.

The Senatorial contest in Virginia still continues 10
excite much interest among politicians, anu nhe ,ne
late Kansas bubble is a fruitful theme LOT ne"ePapei
paragraphs. This interest 10 not oniy manlaes.eu
within the limits of our own State, out II ID aiso al,
tracing the attention of thu press in other seciions oi
,hs conntrv. Willis. the action Of the Old Doinin
ion has ever been regarded as giving tone anu .em
nor IN all the important movements mat ba'e from
fine to time engrossed the pubic m'pu' we a nasu :
~ supposed that the election by her Legislature VI "
Senator in Congress would ns'e ne rsssrdsd ss w
INFO the politics of the day and been regaloeu as ="
ind.x 10 future events of much greater magntuoe
and imnortance. But such seems 10 De !he case, ahd
# therefore becomes the Democracy OF virginia 10
deal with it accordingly. an,;.o,;
,bs sEa;,s of the nation will have been III the hands
Northern men for a number OF years; 80 long, indeed
that Southern men begin to thlnk tnat d. is ciose -
matter should alternate-that there should % a rec'
PROBATION of favor, and that the oouln. WIN ne. III,
inensa s.vsnns paving commerce, which has infused
life and yigor and energy into every department OF
the Government, should once more be honorea WIN
the Executive head, nor forever serve az 'hewers OF
wood and drawers of water for their brethren OF tue
North; and already the public eye OF inc Ilana naS
glanced over the statesmen of Virginia for one upon
whom the mantle may possibly fall. Two gentlanen
have been prominently mentioned in connection with
the Senatorship, and to each OF them IS attrlou!ea
strong Presidential aspirations. 1t IL this fact that has
given 10 the approaching election OF Senator 30 much
of its Importance, the friends of each regarding their
~fayorite's chance Of success in 1861 either heightened
or diminished by their bearing before the Legislature
the coming winter. u,
In this condition of affairs, then, the Legislature
should weigh we'll the claims Of each man brought
before them for Senatorial houors, aud support no
one for that position who does not support the pre-
sent Administration or at least declare wherein he
differs with it. The Enquirer" says Gov. Wise IL
NOT a candidate for the Senate-that may be, though
wa presume that neither the Governor nor any other
equally qualified member of our party, would throw
the honor over his shoulder were 1t %protered by the
Legislature. We have heretofore expressed our sat.
isfaction with Mr.. Hunters course in the Senate, and
our belief that he would be re-elected; Dut q ques'
ton has been raised between members OF our oW:
party which We can but think should Dc answered.
by those seeking to represent the State IN the united
States Senate, and particularly when there are In
yolyed in its Issues, which it may be, will enter pro-
minently into the campaign Of '60. We allnde TO the
Kansas policy of President Buchanan. Inc times
are omiuous and we want none but brave men IN the
councils Of the nation. Mum candidates are at Il
discount and should be suspended-while the man
who e~ntertains an opinion regarding q matter OF pub.
lie interest, and refuses to make it known when called
upon to do 80, either from fear OF damaging his own
political prospects, or any other cause, Is not the OBJ
iect that we should choose upon which to bestow so
coveted an honor. Senator Hunter owes it to him.
self, no less than 10 the country at large, 10 define his
position on that point, and il he fails to do 30 should
be made to abide the consequence. Neither his pre-
sent position nor past fidelity to the interests OF his
party, ought to be allowed to exempt him from 50
reasonable demand. He is the publio's honored
servant, and they have a right TO know his sentiments
upon all matters Of public policy. We hope that this
fact may yet force itself upon his mind and induce
him to yield compliance TO the oft expressed wishes
of a majority of his constituents, many of whom did
much toward securing for him the seat he has 80 ably
filed for the last IL years.