Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-01-22
urNpy WINTER DAVIS

~ HENRY WINTER DAVID
III, ,,n.,amsn. whose bold declaration OF political
o,inons obnoxious to the sense of the Southern peo
~. ;,v...ed him with an ansnvable notoriety during
ths Last Presidential campaign, is again, we observe
at,rsctingthe attention OF papers OF all parties anu
IN both sections of the Union. The occasion now, is
hIs assault upon the public press, in the House o.
REPRESENTATIVES a few days ago. He declared that
..no man held the political press in more contempt
than hs did He stood In fear of 1t, and held it IN
such utter contempt, that he should take no notice of
il, except to carry before the grand jury vile libel
When charges are made by the press he deemedthem
unworthy of investigation. He regarded his reputa-
tion and of every gentleman here more than enough
n look in the face the whole combined press OF
n. country" Brave words and boldly spoken.-
Mr.. Henry Winter Davis must have been
visvipe himself lately in a magnifyng mirror. He
seems TO Imagine every member of Congress to have
attained an eminenoe too high to be reached BY
sb.ft, fsathered from editorial goose quilts, albeit
.hsv nav bs hurled by the best Psrthians of the
press. Mr.. Davis, we think, esteems too lightly the
Influence of political journals in this country. But
vabsye no idea that bis Elimination against them,
will totally destroy that influence, or-we may ven
ture to say--very seriously impair it There once
lived in France an individual Of whom the world has
sometimes heard, who regarded the press as muon
more powerful than bayones and bullets 10 directing
the des,Inies of nations. And that he had no very
ooutemptuous opinion of the potency OF these
las, mentioned agents, bic history amply at.
tests. Tho individual in question was, We think
With all imaginable deference-a person equal in
importance to Mr.. Henry Winter Davis
We may be allowed to suggest also that in
Judgment and experience, at least in trivial matters,
be was, perhaps, somewhat superior to Mr.. Davis
His name was Napoleon Bonsparte. 10 adducing
his opinion OF the press would not be understood
Of course, a. intending any invdious distinction be
tween him and Mr.. Henry Winter Davis, to the dis
paragement Of the latter gentleman. 1t TO- however,
striking evidence of the wide differences that in
eviiaby exist between great men-a philosophical
fact to be attributed, We presume, to that inconsis
teacy of intellectual organism, which, in the inscruta
bls .isdom Of Providence, was doubtless designed
for the educdon Of truth aud avoidance Of error
M Henry Winter Davis holds the political press In
"u;ter contempt" Napoleon Bonaparte once said,
ho would rather have hundred thousand bayonets
against him. wide difference Of opinion, truly
Mr.. Davi, deaes what the great conqueror feared
Mr. Davis must be a remarkable man. he must be
not be unamlabe. We might be allowed to intimate
that perhaps, he has higher opinion OF his own Ca
pacities than is as yet entertained by an unappreca.
ting public snd-the political press"
Il Is true there are journals ID this country that
grossly abuse the high prerogatives with which they
are invested. 1t 10 true there are newspapers that
prostitute their columns to caumny and meanness In
many forms. 1t 10 true, that partzsn Journals some
times heap up abuse when argument ia to be expect
3D. substitute misrepresentation for facts and employ
vulgar vituperation, when courteous rebuke would
b. better. And although their moral and political
weight thus impaired these journals even, exert an
influence, which public men In this country-Mr. Da
via, of course, excepted-dread, even though they
dare TO defy.
But it would seem that Mr.. Henry Winter Davis
cutter contempt" for the political PRESS 10 not con
Aued to papers that vilify men, and vugarize them.
selves He makes no distinction, but embraces all
10 his desperate denunciaton. But, in truth, the at
titude of the honorable gentleman, is rather anu
sing, than otherwise. Henry Winter Davis hurting
defiance in the face CT the entire political press of
the United States, we'll represented in wood.cuts,
would be admirable as an embelshment OF "Hsrpers
Weekly" or a comic Almanac. We hope the sug.
see,ion will be acted by enerprsing publish
or. He would doubtless be richly remunerated.-
Upon the same principle that negro mius,rels and
monkey shows attract crowded houses. any publica-
tiou containing accurate illustration Of Mr. Henry
Winter Davis hurting the thurderbolts of bis wrath
against the whole press Of the country, would be
bought up with avidity by all who have have any
TASTE for the grotesque and ludicrous.
But We have not done with Mr.. Henry Winter Da.
Wis., In addition to the honor he is now enjoying Of
bainy 90 extensively noticed by the political press,
which he holds in such utter contempt we observe,
also that he has been invited and has, of course, ac
cap,ed the invitation to deliver address before the
literary societies Of the University Of Virginia, at
the close of the present session. Now, Mr.. Henry
Winter Davis may be most marvellously proper
mau 10 oficate in such capacity and on such an
occasion, at the College tina, hs, Professor Silliman
ia he faculty But that he should be selected by the
students Of the University of Virginia. betrays. We
think on Is. part of those young gentlemen, an Ig.
norauce of his political CAREER which is as pardona-
bic. perhaps commsndable in them, as it is uu'
complimentary to him, who modestly proclairns
In the Hall Of the House of Representatives, that hs
has reputation moro than enough to look in the
face Of the whole combined press of the County
M Henry Winter Davis is, We believe graduate Of
the University of Virginia. and that fact, doubt
le.s had s influence in determining the literary Sc
cie,es to select him.
We do not deny that he is a man Of more than o.
diuary capacity; nor are We aware Of any objection
to him per.onay-but politically, he is, perhaps. OF
all the alumni Of the Uliversity most odious to the
Southern people.
The young gentlemen who selected him have made |
: mortifying mistake.