Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-10-22

MR.. LETCHER AND THE TENTH LEGION
Some members of the press, engaged in the uin
dieiiue advocacy Of Mr.. Lstohers nomination, hav.
been very busy in urging the claims Of the Tenth LIE
gion to the Gubernatorial candidacy. We even re
member to have seen In of these threat TO the
effect, that should the Congressional District which
he represents, be sighted vicariously through Mr.
Letcher-the stronghold Of the Democracy may be
inclined to leave their brother Democrats throughout
the State unaded in the severe struggle with the
enemy.
Now, We do not suppose for a moment that this
sort of argument Is tolerated by the loyal host
of Democrats who compose the strepgh OF Nj. Letch
era District. We have no fear that the Tenth Le-
gon will, in any event, play the part Of suky
Achilles.
AL honor to the gallant Legion. We dip our en-
sign TO the sturdy efficiency of their efforts. Always
ready, always faithful, always untiring-they will
never fail US 10 the hour of need.
But this attempt on the part Of certain editors to
identify preference for some candidate, other than
Mr.. Letchsr, with supposed negligence Of the high
claims of the Tenth Legion, admits of discussion on
points than Is Mr.. Lstoher the fret choice
Of his own district for the nomination On this point
we are doubtful. Among the politicians there, he
certaiuyls Most OF them aspire, each to place him.
SELF or some chosen friend in Congress, when.
Mr.. Letoher shall vacate bis seat in that body.
But We know that many OF his constituents would
prefer another man for the Gubsrnatoral nomipse,
and have no means of determining whether a major.
ity would not be in the position, we're the ques
ton presented to them unoonnected with all plans
and aspirations for the Congressional succession.
Or if the ground OF Mr.. Letch=r's claims Is found
cd merely his residence In the District certainly
another prominent candidate for the nomination Is
honored with the came distinction and can urge the
same claim.
But apart from this, we know that the Democratic
of the District are not go forgetful Of what is due
both to policy and propriety as to claim for them
selves the power of debating the selection of cam
didate without reference TO the preferences of the
party throughout the State. A passing examination
Of the question ia sufficient TO demonstrate this, and
a more particular examination evinces that the
ground upon which Mr.. Letchers advocates now
base his caims, ia equally unfortunate with the nu-
merous other pretexts at which these "adherenis
have excessively grasped during the last few monhs.
1t has been the policy OF the party to distribute
candidates for the higher State Offices among Con-
gressional Districts. We fear that II il were, we
should be tied down TO regular end successive pro-
motion of thirteen members Of Congress to the Chief
Msgistrscy of the Commonwealth.
Bat it has become precedent to select candidate
for Governor successively from the Eastern aud
Western sections of the State. 1t to be agreed,
in the present instance, that the West shall have the
candidate. We now ask Mr.. Lstchers advocates
whether they will agree to the policy indicated by
their own argument WI they agree to defer TO the
choice of Western Virginia We believe that We
can answer for them. They wiH not. The reason
ia obvious. From present unmstakeable Indicators,
Mr. Letcher will obtain In the Convention, the roe ot
bu, one Congressionat District in Western Virginia;
one Congressional District in the Valley, and none
In Trans-Alleghany. In one Valley District, MIR.
Edmundson will certainly outvote him, and Mr..
Faulkner will as certainly outvote him 10 the other
Judge Brockenbrough's Overwhelming strength In
Trans Allegheny, together with the forces of Mr.
Hopkins and other asprans in that section will car
ry decidedly against Mr.. Letcher. Thus counting
by Congressional Districts, Western Virginia, will
vote against Mr.. Letcher, at esst FIVE to one.