Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-11-19

COulu Nppc Will oiiu hO NOuiDAhosASh VI
politicians and presses could defeat him. He
won the nomination in spite Of tho claims of
all competitors, in spite Of political combina'
tions, in spite Of traitors in the camp who
sought to defeat the party, by defeating his
nomination; he won it, not in spite of weak
ness, but by his own sheer strength before the
Democracy of Virginia, which excelled that
of any other man in the State.
We are not disposed to dispute the high es-
tinate which the editor Of The South places
on his own services to Governor Wise and to
the Democratic party. And, ifas "The South
states, these services at one time really exceed
ed those of "any other hundred men in the
State no ono can deny that Mr. Pryors infu-
ence and efficiency were certainly of the most
extraordinary character; nor, did We intend to
imply suspicion Of his professions Of friend
ship" But We do say, now, that "The South
should have waited for some expression from
Governor Wise, before it vcnturcd to discuss
the possibility Of his proving ''insensible to the
I
services We can assure "The South that
Governor Wse's gratitude for Mr.. Pryor's ear
nest efforts, both before and after..the nomina
ton, is even more than equal to his regret that
Mr. Pryor should have since forfeited all claim
on his friendship. Whether the Governor
places quite so high all estimate on the efficen-
cy ofthcsc efforts, as Mr.. Pryor himself does,
We will not attempt to determine. "Thc South
has to deal now with the assertions and impli-
cations, real or supposed, of the Enquirer. y
Governor Wise has not chosen to enter into an
editorial discussion with "The South" and we
have no reason to suppose that he can possibly
be induced to do 30.
What we mean to say is simply this: that
after years Of professed friendship and admira
ton for the Governor, Mr.. Pryor suddenly
appeared as his bitter enemy; TINT We know
OF no just cause for such cnmity; and that Mr.
Pryor has never declared the cause, whatever
i, may be- directly or indirectly, to Governor
Wise. Certainly, if any act Of Gov. Wse's
ever ncccssitated an apology, he has never
been asked any for apology or explanation
Whatever may have passed between Mr.. Pryor
and mutual friends" those friends have never
conveyed to Gov. Wise any intimation that Mr.
Pryor waited for or expected such apology or
explanation.
We have, perhaps, fallen into an inaccurate
expression. when we stated that Mr.. Pryor
discontinued Gov. Wise's acquaintance" The
fact is, that the acquaintance continued until
Mr. Pryor's encmity became apparent, after
which time the avoidance was mutual.
1t is true that neither tho Enquirer nor
"Thc South" was authorized to drag Governor
Wise's personal relations before the public.
We chose to refer to the matter, on our own
responsibility, for the purpose Of explaining the
animus which dictated "Thc South's" attempt
cd exposure Of Governor Wisc's alleged want
Of popularity.
Governor Wise was wholly ignorant Of and
irresponsible for the remarks in the EN-
quirer" But We can assure The South
that Governor Wise knows of nothing in his
relations with Mr. Pryor which need seek any
conccalment whatever. Whenever Mr.. Pryor
shall choose to publish at length an accurate
description of any conduct on the part Of Go
vernon Wise, to which Mr.. Pryor may attri-
butte the occasion of his own enmity, Governor
Wise will, We undertake to say, make no OBJ.
lection to such publication Governor Wise
has not word to say. lie has no necessity
for publication-no motive for concealment.
He has never furnished occasion for any apollo
gy-hc has been asked for no apology-and
has made none for any conduct Of his towards
Mr.. Pryor.
That Mr.. Pryor's course during the last two
years has been pcrsistently directed towards
Gov. Wisc's injury and in cooperation with
his worst enemies, admits Of no doubt what
ever. The same spirit is manifest, even in the
manner in which Tho South" meets this
charge. 'Thc South's" own supposition that
Mr.. Pryor's support of Mr.. Hunter for the
Senate, may be considered as an act inimical
to Governor Wise, pre-supposes the assertion
that Gov. Wise was at least a competitor for
the soat in the Senate. This insinuation is
altogether unwarrantablc. When appealed to
by numerous friends, in 1852, to permit his
name to be used in opposition to Mr.. Hunters
reelection to the Senate, Gov. Wise persist
emily refused to do so, basing his refusal,
too, partly on considerations of personal friend
ship to Mr.. Hunter Notwithstanding this
we'll known fact, Governor Wisc's enemies have
since busly circulated the report that he
was desirous to supplant Mr.. Hunter in 1857.
That this report is utterly false, is evidenced
by Governor Wise's own announcements, pub
lie and private, as well as by the circumstances
of the case. Had Gov Wise desired his own
election to the Senate, in 1857, he could have
obtained it without difficulty. From the first,
he disavowed all desire to succeed Mr.. Hunter
in the position Afterwards, he expressed
willingness to oppose Mr.. Hunter for the Sc
nate, only in case Atr. Hunter should openly
identify himself with selfish and malignant
opposition, then wagins against the Admins
tration. This Mr.. Hunter refused to do, and
Gov. Wise, consequently, made public an
nouncement of his unwiingness to permit his
name to be placed in opposition to that of Mr..
Hunter. Such are the facts-and yet, unless
We arc deceived to an extent which we believe
impossible, Mr.. Pryor has persistently lent his
aid to the circulation Of the assertion, that
Gov. Wise intrigued to oust Mr.. Hunter from
the seat in the Senate, and was competitor, a
defeated competitor, for the position. Indeed,
we can see no object in "Thc Souths - last
allusion to its support of Mr.. Hunter, unless it
be intended to encourage similar impression
Mr. Pryor's inimical course has not been
limited to an opposition to Gov. Wises views