Arkansas true Democrat., 1857-12-08
NO. g..

them or knew of them; but judging from them- selves alone, they seem Co me to agree with Mir. Hunter m contravening the ideas which were at hrst started by his own friends that only par ucuiar class Of voters, at first defined by act of Congress, were to be allowed to decide upon the adOpuOn of the constitution, if submitted to the people. MT Hunter takes ground with the Enquirer from the start on that point, though, think, he had no occasion to take it in com- batting the Rockingham resolutions which don't controvcrt it at all but, on the contrary contend Tor the principle of the Kansas bill itself-that the people must be left to govern themselves, without the intervention of Congress or any other power.
 When Gov. Walkers nomination shall be made to the Senate of the United States, if made at al it will go before Mr. Hunter as one of the Sen1tOrs who are to try it's fitness and propriety. And, if upon full and far eXami- nation of his course and conduct in Kansas he nnds that the Governor has exceeded his autho- rlty, has violated his oath of office or his duty ln offlce, or has betrayed the high and sacred trust reposed in him to see the laws, and espe- clally the Kansas bil faithfully executed, and to see that all the people from all sections were alike, equally and mpartally protected-then Mr. Hunter will be reprehensible. indeed, if he does not vote to reject his nomination, and to rebuke the mal-a administration. If Gov Walk CT has really attempted to dictate to, and to threaten the convention or the people of Kansas. ln any form or to any extent, he deserves the severest apprehension. But, before he is con- demned, he ought to be heard by his judqes who are to sit officially upon his acts. If am not greatly mistaken in the ability and motives of the man, he may be able to show that the very words of his speech, quoted by MT. Hunter are capable of far different meaning and are anything but unfrieudly to the south or to slave ry. He may have meant to throw upon Topeka partisans the responsibility of not voting that II pro-savery constitution should be sent to Congress the plea could not be put up that the people were not mpored to vote and decide the tissue for themselves And, instead ofmeuu- ing to dictate or to threaten, bis very words quoted may have meant simply to remind the convention that their work was to be submitted to q body-CougresS S-whiCh had solemnly set- tied the principle, that the people of the Terri tory were to adopt or reject their civil nStitutu- tions for themselves, without intervention from any quarter.
 This may have been and seems to have been an awkward way of conveying the meaning as it Is so easily misunderstood; but if that turns out to be the true meaning, Mr. Hunter might ind he had mistaken a friend for foe. But surely. it Is not expected of Mir. Hunter or my self, at this distance, with total want of correct information to his motives or measures, 10 condemn the Governor of Kansas with pur- pose prepense to reflect the administration, aud to damn all who honestly doubt and defer ! judgment to fair hearing. know Mr. Walker | very well, and have seen his nerve tried. I l would have preferred that he had acted in his office rather than have made speeches on the ] stump, but he wil in due time l suppose, 1 mere y-ior l am not informed of his inten- l tlouS-make his defense, and then we shall | know better how to find our verdicts. If he be guilty, as charged, shall join strongly in his condemnation. And if hud him void of of- fenSe, clear in his ofice l will respond not | guilty" without fear, favor attection so help me, when l ask for justice, in spite of all politi- | cal clamor, though 1 shall stand alone on the panel. have been too long tried in my truth to the south, and to slavery, to fear any false imputation upon my motives, though my iudg- ,ment n the case may be erroneous when ren- dered. It is not rendered yet
 So, then. these points beng though material, l open, some of them to fair difference of opin- ion, and others to further investigation and 1 proof; and Mir. Hunter disclaming the spirit and purpose of opposition, by expressing the 1 desire and expectation to be able to support the | administration in the main, l make DO issue | with him; and with my understanding of his ! pledge, l cannot allow my name to distract and | divide the Virginia democracy in opposition to ! hls reelection. 1 can have personal issue with Mir. Hunter; our relations have ever been too friendly to admit of any other acts on my part than those of kindness. He is an eminent ly able and long-experenced statesman, and cannot be well spared by the democracy of the State, as long as he desires and expects to sup port the party which il So triumphantly put into ! power against the foes Of the south. And the south needs, at this time especially, to be united and cannot afford division on immaterial or personal issues. Whether there be disposi- ton to sacrifice me or not 1 am ready to be made victim, if it will unite the south, bind to our affection and confidence the true patriots of the north, defend the constitution and state rights, preserve the Union, and keep the peace of the contry in the bonds only of an equal and amlcabe contederacy.
 You say right, in saving that am not re- sponsible for the editorials of the Enquirer, nor is the Enquirer responsible for my opinions or course. No paper has been authorized to speak for me on the subject of this letter. have or 1 ganized no presses, and have exacted or asked | for no pledges of candidates for seats in the | Legislature. Much that have seen in your pa- | per do, and some things do not approve. Some | of your editorials have rather too sweepingly de- nounced 'secessonists'' and " "fire-eaters | You have explained whom you meant, but wish you had called other names than those with which your humble servant himself has ever been denounced. 1 am one of those who believe in the rightful remedy of separation from the conieieracy, whenever the exercise of that State right is demanded by good and suffi- cieut cause. And, if the exercise of that ri ght is no peaceaby permitted, it may be enforced by the appeal to arms. The farewell address | of w Washington is the old and the Virginia reso- lutions of '98-'99 are the new testament of my | political faith. 1 will maintain the Union to the last extremity, and fight for it to the last inch of ground left to stand on; but when there is no other alternative but subjugation or dis honor, from either palpable infractions of the constitution, or from intolerable oppression un- der its forms, care not which, 1 will, if must, fight out of the Union, if T can. "If that be treason, make the most of it."
 Mir. Buchanan and his administration have my most cordial confidence, and I shall support them So long as they do no more wrong than they have as vet perpetrated. But I will not pledge my support blindly and implicitly, with out exception, and l require no such pledge from Mr. Hunter.
 In conclusion, let me aver that do not de- sire seat in the Senate of the United States and if did 1 would not desire it at Mir. Hun- ter's expense. Itrust that he and his friends do not desire his reelection at my expense, and that in the future may be relieved from the penalty of being deemed his rival for that place.
 Whether the Legislature will make the elec- ton this coming season, or postpone 1t to a time nearer the termination of the six years of the present term, it does not become me to speak. They will decide that question in their own way and time without my presuming to intefere.
 Having as fully responded as my severe la- bors will allow just at this time, hope to be allowed to work on, undisturbed by any con- trovery respecting seat in the Senate of the United States involving the name of
 Yours, truly
 HENRY A. WISE.
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