Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1857-10-22
The Senatorial Election aid The Presidency

We remarked in our issue Of Tuesday morning
that 10 conseq ucncc OF the extraordinary panic in
the monetary wold the Senatorial contest had been
almost forgotten, and that Wise. and Hunter had
nearly vanished from public view. But we were
mistaken in suppostion. The Senatorial
contest is Of more general and absorbing interest
with the Democracy Of Virginia than the crisis.
AS proof Of this assertion, need oay refer to the
fact that the Richmond Enquirer Of day before yes
terday contained another article over a column in
length, discussing the question Of the Senatorial
election in Virginia ard the hext Democratic nomi-
nation for the Presidency. tr '---.
This last article in the enquirer is more signif.
cant than anything which has appeared in its col
umns since tho commencement OF the Senatorial
controversy. 1t exhibits n determination on the
part of Wise aad his friends to extort from Hunter
definition OF his real position towards the Admin
istaton, to expel him from the Senate, and blast
all his hopes Of political prefsrmsnt in the future
Tnere is an evident purpose to make the sly and
noncommittal Senator speak out, to him tor
in the good opinion and regard Of the Virginia
Democracy. The skill, energy and courage display
cd by the Enquirer in pursuit Of its obj worthy
of all praise, and indicate with terrible dstuctness
the ignomnious downfall OF Hunter, unless ike
wise, prudent and respectful man. he should respond
repeatedly pressed upon his attention. The Senator
has evidently most interesting and useful lesson
vet to learn. He has to learn the peril which De-
nocra;ic politicians invariably incur, who needessly
otherwise, provoke the opposition of the Rich
.-1rd Enquirer. That paper is the political Bible
}! three fourths of the Democracy OF Virginia. II
has long been in the habit Of setting up politicians
md pulling them down at its pleasure. Among the
Democratic journals Of the State it is King. No
Democrat may defy its wrath with impunity. No
man in this state attain to political honors with
out its concurrence and aid II Is even more formi-
dible at present than before in all its history
Old Father Richie was great creator and great
destroyer OF men, so far as political promotion
concerned. He made and unmade them ut will
But the Enqairer now derives its inspiration from
greater than he-from man sho has achieved all
his distinction and all his influence from the magni
hcent and terrible ''rule or ruin" qualities with
which Nature has bountifuly endowed him
The genius the courage, the perseverance,, and the
wild and restless ambition Of the redoubtable Henry
Of Accomac impars to the columns Of the En9 uirer
an effect and power which prove irresistible with
with the rank and file Democracy OF Virginia The
eloquent and indomtable Henry possesses, in an ex
traordnary degree, the admiration and the love OF
his party followers in this State In this respect
and in all respects he stands head and shoulde
taller than any other Democrat within the limits Of
the commonwealth. He is bright, bold, defiant
daring and driving; with all Inequalities of popu-
lar leader; with all the elements to make him the
Nogul Of his party. He be second to no man
lie must be first, and all others must implicitly fol-
low and obey him. With such personal character.
istics and with DID, faithful, admired and inhuen
ual Democratic organ at his back, what may he not
State, no matter how high he may stand at presen,
with his party, may he not destroy and deliver over
TO worms and the dust
Under these circumstances isit not the very height
of folly and madness Tor Hunter to be provoking
the enmity and opposition Of Wise and the Enqui-
rrf What can he expect to gain by such a course
Does he in reality court his own Instruction. Else
why should he not speak out, and either confirm or
dssipate the suspicious which rest upon his fidelity
10 the national Democracy and the national Admin
istraGonr Docs not the dull and spir.less Senator
know that he has neither the talents the skill nor
the courage requisite in hand ohAnd contest with
the chivalrous and disciplined Knight Of Accomac ,
With his little pocket pistol does he expect to con.
tend successfully against a competitor whom nothing
short Of regular Sebastopol seige could jar in his
shoes! We pity the miserable short. 81 ghtedness
utterly without resources. Instead Of coming out
in open field, and sgniying his purpose to measure
swords with his adversary at whatever peril he
ignohly skrnks from the contest, and in silence
in paleness and in tremor sits him down at home in
the little county Of Essex, far away from the er.
elements Of the battle and the post of danger
md Of glory. Is such conduct becoming in n
mani Toe reproachful and jeering voice of the
world proclams not 1t may suit women and chill
dren; but no man, with the spirit, the courage the
pride, the selfconsciousness Of man, would submit
20 be tainted by his enemy, from day to day, and
week to week, and month TO month. On the con.
trary, he would promptly call him to account, and
make him answer for his prosecutions But Hunter
declines the combat-remains silent and inactive
and thus becomes the laughing stock Of the nation
Would for his own sake and for humanity's sake
nat has blood were less cold ana his spirit less slug
gil.
But notwithstanding his persistent and inexcusa.
ole silence, Hunter will be compelled TO show his
hsnd, or retire forever TO the shades Of private life
The Enquirer Is still after him With a sharp stick
and Wise approves its policy. II again re-states the
grounds upon which IL bases its call uponthe rehac.
cory Senator saying 1T is feared that Senator
H1nter will not defend Mr.. Buchanan against the
attacks Of the factionists Cthat IT, Of the SouN the
UveHry, the Deifa, and other Southern Rights iour
nails nay more that he will give them the aid and
comfort Of his influence, and Dsrlaps oThis aefi,,
opposition 70 the Administration lie has becn "a.
specially called upon by the Enquirer and otbs,
Democratic journals in the State and also bv cores
pondenb whose communications have appeared in
our columns, simply 10 inform the public whether
the suspicion upon his fidelity is totally nnroupdsd
whether II will be subsiantiatod by bis coprss #,
t'ic Senate during the remainder Of his term H..
preserves, We may say, asigNidcqnt 81 Snee on N,
syhiert' Thus stands the Eagairc,a Allegations
against the Senator. And what Democrat. true and
loyal 20 his party. does rot sustain the Eq9ui,e, in
iu call upon Hunter, ifhe believes with that psper
that the SENATOR ifre-elccted Twill not defend Mr.
buchanan against the attacks Of the fiotion.ts nav
that he VIII give them the aid and oornrr, Of
lns Influence. aud perhaps Of bis actiye opposition
the Administration We repeat the question
csn Any friend or supporter Of the Administration
concur IN the election ola gentleman to the Senate
who Is sdspcclod-and upon good grounds--of hos
tlty 70 the Administration and the national De-
mpcrucyP
In our Judgment, there Is but little doubt Of the