Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1858-11-23
The Enquirer on Letcher.

The Richmond Enquirer grows more ana
more violent in its opposition to MIR. Letcher, as
the time for the meeting of the nominating
Convention approaches. In its issue OF TUESDAY
last it declares that he ''has scarcely page OF
his record free from the suspicion OF unfaltnfni-
ness to the Democratic party and the South.
The action iu Bedford, Boone, Isle of Wight,
and Henry shows, says the Enquirer, "tha'
the Democracy of at least four counties IN 1ne
State, regard John Letcher as entirely unu'
to be nominated for the Office OF Governor
of Virginia" The meetings in Williamsburg,
Marshall, Hampshire, Harrison and Powhatan'
which endorsed Mr.. Letcher, were, according 10
the Enquirer, managed" by wire-works; and
we are left to infer that unfair means were used
in all the meetings which adopted resolutions in
his favor. Indeed, the Enquirer says, "t MIR.
Letcher is nominated, it must be by such man
agemeut as his adherents have resorted to In
Williamsburg, Marshall" &c. What melan-
choly picture of the state of morals in the Dem
ocratic party of Virginia Although opposed
to the party politically, we had never imagined
that it was made up of such dsreputabe charac'
ters. The Enquirer is presumed to know the
party better than We and We should at once &C.
cept its testimony and settle down in the conVic-
ton that the Democracy, collectively and lndl-
yidually, were most unmitigated scamps, but for
the hsllucination under which the witness evil
IDENTIFY labors. He believes, without doubt
that all the county resolutions against Letcner
are the free, uninhuenced sentiments OF the PEG
ple and that all in his favor were procured oy
trickery and corruption. Sitting as an Impair
tisl Juror in the case, We should be obliged &c
render verdict precisely to the contrary. Ii
seems to US much more probable that the poll
ticians were at work in the four anti-Letcher
counties, than in the twenty-eight or more
which have given him votes of confidence, es'
pecislly when we reflect that the Estate Of
Boone" with its 1873 slaves, is particularly aux
ious to obtain thoroughly Southern man.
The Enquirer of Wednesday adopts differ
ent kind of tactics, and seeks by species OF ca
iolery, more offensive than denunciatlon' to IN
duce Mr.. Letcher to withdraw bis name iron
the canvass Says the Enquirer:
"He is already in the line of high promotion
a representative in Congress, theatre where NJ
has won laurels, and where he may win more
His constituents are devoted to him; no oppo
nent seeks to or can GUST him from The affection
of the people he has served so well-why shoul'
he suffer those who care not for him to dlstrac
and divide the party by urging his namef MIR
, Letcher himself must admit that his former
, pinions, in Js47, ought to disquality him, IL
, view of the canvass of 1850"
OF course Mr. Letcher will yield to this per
suasion. Of course he will admit that "his Tor
f mer opinions" sought to disqualify him!" Y
course he will retire and allow the Enquirer
dictate who shall be Governor. But what is
become of him then? The Enquirer advise
him to continue in the service of his devoted
D constituents; but we earnestly protest that
= his "forlner opinions" "disqualify" him for tn
S office of Governor, they also dlsquality him 10
1 representing the Tenth Legion in Congress.