Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-01-07
Aitbmon0 Enquirer.
RY RrrcHIR, pUNNAvANT, TYLER & WISE
FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY

c. .
BY RICHIE. DuNNAvANr, TYLER & WISE.
FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY 7.
The 'Examinsr' thinks that all Virginia aspirauts
must probably be excluded from competition be-
fore the Charleston Convention. The Examiner"
is sorry for it-of course.
The leading article of the "Examner" OF
Tuesday last, is much more easily understood
than explained AS it seems to embody some
thing like new move on the chess-board of
Presidential aspirations--and since despite its
characteristic, length it may easily be con-
dcnsed, we think it advisable to communi-
cate its import to the readers of the "En9ui-
rcr.'
Tho EXAMINER credits the runor that Sc
nator Douglas has declined to be q candidate
in 1860, and thus leaves the field clear for
Southern aspirants undisturbed by Northern
competition. The justice Of this assumption is,
perhaps, questionable. The little giant has
made no public announcement of such an ill.,
tcnton, and unless such announcement shall
; uc Ulduc, Nc Will uuuOuutcuis Nhi.
strength to the Charleston Convention.
The main burden, however, of the "Exami-
ner's" article consists of demonstration that it
is very improbable that Virginia will furnish
the candidate of 1860 We are first informed
Of fact which. if it wants the spice Of novel
ty, may at least be regarded as automatic, un-
der the Constitution Of the L. s., viz: that ''the
field from which to select ia Presidential nom-
nec) is not confined to Virginia" Moreover, the
idea that Virginia is the only slave State with
statesmen OF the proper presidential dimen-
sions" is popular delusion of a very danger
GUS character" The Examiner also all
nounces that Virginia has no less than five (?)
presidential asprants in the field, while Missis-
sippi, Louisiana. Kentucky. Georgia and South
Carolina have but one a piece, each Of whom
will be "Me enthusidxtir 0Ad unanimous
eAoirs of his o,ea state" This. the "Ex-
aminer' thinks looks ominouS; for "a State
that presents to National Convention two
candidates for the Presidency, stands poor
chance against a State presenting single
candidate, who commands the enthusiastic
support of the whole State Convention" The
"Eyaminer" evidently does not think that
this objection to Virginia statesmen can he
met by the fact that some one Of them can
command the choice Of majority of delegates,
and thus be entitled, by the traditions Of our
history and the wnbroken usage of Virginia
Democracy. to receive the vote OF the State as
unit As for the possibility Of Virginia as
pirant being the unanimous choice of the delesa-
ton, the Examiner considers it II contngen-
cy entirely too remote to enter into tho calcu-
lation.
The Southern ;Spirants, who. in the opinion
Of the Examiner" have the vantage ground
of all Tirginialls. are McsSrs. DAVIS. SLIDELL,
BREcxlSRlpGE, CoBB and HAXsoNp. Three out
/ Of the five, however. our coteinporary presents
as liable to some exception. Mr.. Slidell is a
dangerous mana 'dextcrous and adroit politi-
cal Manager magician "a sleight of hand
HERR ANDERSON. of political diplomacy" y
who, albeit he possesses more warineSs than
all the foxes of Sampson, must concoct some
very sudden and mysterious strategy before
he can floor his enemies, SorLE and BESJA-
MIN" Indeed, the Examiner" is by no means
complimentary towards Senator SLIpELL As
for DAVIS and HAMMOND, they are described
as furnishing ''instanccs of very sudden con-
version from apparent sectionalism, and excu-
sable only ON the. ground that they have recently
intensified so rapidly and vehemcntly in their
conservatism and nationality"
The "Examiner" finds but one man in the
Gulf States altogether free from ohjection-"thc
astute and sagacious COBB, Of Georgia, with
his nationality of ancient date, and his present
orthodoxy on the Tariff question, who will
probably loom up in Charleston the unanimous
choice Of the great State Of Georgia. State
in population and resources fast gaining on
Virginia"
The Examiner" finds yet another unexcep-
tionable candidate Turning to the South
Western States, BRIcEiSR,DGE, the popular
Vice President, with hands unsoiled by Kansas
quarrels (?) already attracts the attention oi
the Democracy of the entire West The III
variable success of that young statesman. his
conservatism, his unboundcd personal popularl-
ty, his brilliant career in Congress, his tri'
,unphs in Kentucky. and his admirable private
virtues, place him high upon the lists Of pro-
bable candidates"
Apart from the assumed superiority of posi-
ton maintained by Messrs Cobb and Breckin-
ridge the Examiner has yet another ohjec-
ton to Virginia aspirants. Virginia has al
ready been five times honored in the enjoy
ment of Presidential honors"-snd our cOtcm
porary seems inclined to favor the policy O
an equal division of Presidents among tho
States We must admit that. if such policy
is to prevail. the present and the next five
generations of Virginia statesmen are altogether
precluded from Presidential aspirations. II is
fair to presume that within the next 1914 years
the Union will include at least SO States. Civ,
to each State five Presidents, of one term each
and subtract from these the nine Presidents
already furnished by States other than Virginia
the resul will be that Virginia must wait al
least 1874 years before she can furnish another
President Happy is the man whose father
has gone to the devil" has already become
proverb. Adopt the policy indicated by the
Examiner" and we will soon have converse
maxim, to the effect-'Wo to the politicians
whose ancestors have done honorable service t.
the nation.
The Examiner" further urges that there
have been .'tissensions and factions which have,
for two years past, diminished the influence and