Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-06-18

ABUSE AND POLITICAL CONSISTENCY.
| In our article of Tuesday, when we met the mis-
representations of the above mentioned sheet in the
manner which seemed 10 us best suited TO its bald
and lasrant calumny We omitted to do justice &c
some friends who happen TO be included in the on
slsught OH ourselves
| The false charge that Governor Wise has ever al
tempted to control the editorial management Of ths
Enquirer" deserves an especial notice. Who it il
that has helped MADAM Rumor" and the "Adver
tlssr" to coucoct and publish the falsehood, We dc
not care to enquire. That any such intermeddline
on the part of Governor Wise, had any thing 10 dc
| with MIR. Pryor's dsconnection with the paper nc
one is better able to deny thun il MIR. Pryor himself
He bear witness that such existed snd
that he never alleged the existence of such reason
at the time. If the Chattanooga paper, will apply to
Mr.. Pryor, it can doubtless, obtain information OF
this subject i'll the most authentic form.
Not less slanderous is the assault on Mr.. Lee. W.
can vouch fully for the independent and honorable
character of this gentleman. The statement that HI
wss the "principal' editor of this paper is untrue
We were proud to admit him to all editorial equality
but his course Of management was always the resul
Of cordial understanding with the senior editor
the Enquirer" The statement that he accepted his
editorial position for the purpose of becoming the
"mouth.piece' of Gov. Wise, or Of anybody else il
worse than untrue. Ii il gratuitous cslumny agans
a warm hearted and honorable gentleman, who hai
never wfully wronged human being, and who has
never suisd his reputation by single mean or ques
tionable action. This msligu attack on Mr.. Lee
is evidently the resul. OF wilful untrulh. During
| 4,
tIemau repeatedly expressed in his editorial contrbu
tions. decided dissent from Gov. Wises published
opinions, and expressed regret at the political
course of the Governor with regard to the most ex
citing political question of the day. If at all scquaint
ed with the editorial columns Of the Enquirer
during Mr.. Lees editorshp, the person who preteDds
to be 80 thoroughly acquainted with his political and
personal conduct, and who has prepared the nexcus
able article for the "Advertiser.' must know that the
assertion with regard to Mr.. Lee is false.
AZ for the assault on the Enquirer" We seriousy
| believe that we shall survive it. When the "Chatta
noogs Advertiser shall succeed in convincing the
| people of the South that Governor Wise is an "abo
tonist," then, and not till then, may it be able TO
! make good its assertion that the "'Richmond Eu
quirer' deserts the Democratic pnrty and the South "
| Until them will not apply to the editor of the
weekly sheet the choice language which he devotes
| to some unknown sccuser We will not say that he
is 'liar, back biting sauderer, all Infamous sneak
| and coward" The OF such Wholesale vitupers
| ton on our part would be uud!gnfed, and We quote
il only for the ediSoation OF those who may be our
GUS to know what strong accusations can
bring against man whom he does not pretend to be
acquainted with, either by name, sight, or reputa
| ton.
The Chattanooga paper Displays the portrait of An
drew Jackson ita title page, and attempts to read
| US lecture from the example of Thomas Ritche.-
ApropOs of both, we point to the fact that thc
| enquirer occupies at this moment the ve5y same
position which it held twenty five Yesrs ago. Then
there was fierce struggle tot|ren Multiplying Dem.
oorats" and Union Democrats" SO intense was the
struggle that multiplying paper was started at Rich
mond, for the avowed purpose of breaking down the
"Enqurer.'' And there was some division ever
| among the Union Democrats" scRs OF whom ap
proved, while 3 majority Il Them disapproved the
| sentiment Of PRECEDENT Jackson's Proclamation -
| Thomas Richie, with the address and courage which
| distinguished him as the Napoleon of the Press, sUc
ceeded in uniting the forces and husbing the dssen'
siuns of the Union Democracy; and led them to vic
| tory against the "nullifers per &C.
| Now mark how we ara striving TO follow his exam
| pie. The Union loving States rights Democracy o
Virginia ara divided on the lscompton question. IN
tho hottest OF the dispute we have raised our voice
sgsinst every attempt to render this subject o hna
division among brethren of the same faith. We have
constantly deprecated every exhibition Of partisan
| malice pretentious arrogance, rebuking every ef
tort Ia Tread men cut Of the party In these IN
deavors, We have fortunately met with decided
success. Even neighbor, "Tbe South" few
months since employed in the most virulent per
sona abuse of Senator Douglas denouncng hi
anti Lecompton friends as renegades and traitors
even this violent journal has a. sst called out loudl,
| for cessation of partisan hostility in Illinois.
To complete tho analogy, we too have need TO Leaf
the Union Democracy against little squad in on
rnidst, far dangerous than the ultra nulli
iers of 1898. There is little faction of slave trad
fanatica and disunion sympsthsers, who are endea
voring to obtain the control of Democratic organza
iion. We are battling against these with all ou
might. This ia what the advertiser" calls "desert
ing the South" We bsg pardon. but we conceiv
that our contemporary is led into this gross mistake
principally by All infection of the came fanaticism t.
which we find it our duty TO apply wholesome re
medy. We humbIy pretend to understand a tll
better how to preserve the dignity Of Virginia. tn
independence Of the South, and the instution o
slavery, than can be pretended by the advocates 0
slave trade and disunon.
We are following consistently the wise teaching
of Thomas Ritchis. Nor do We stsnd alone in thi
desirable consistency. We are happy bear witnes
that twenty five years ago, Henry A. Wise was, 70
the first time, candidate for Congress in the Acco
mac district. He snti.procamation Unio
Democrat, heartily cooperating with Thomas Rchie
and was trumphanty elected over An able competition
of the multiplying school. Gould any one desire NOR
admirable consistency And the Democracy of Vii
ginia are consistent loo. Lecomptonites and ant
Lecomptonites, they firmly united against the ad
vocates aud partisans Of disunion.
| BIZARRE.