Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-03-11
WHAT WILL TIIE "rNQrlRrK. sAY Sow:

thcr column. that Lc:ciicr IL. lis speech Il; Wool
stock, in SheEnndoah: OF Monday. a.i,rGti ;!c Adj
m!n!-t-at:cn The "EuGuir--." q: coJirsc--a,co-cn
70 is own solemn Hvowg!-:, no. obliged 20 o?po-e
hi, election.
There De dorh, OF The ac gsc presume la:
le;c-r "!!l defend the Administration ia the re-e'.;
canvass. \ letter ic:"rc received vc-.cr.y c"c
ming from friend who Travelled on me car, viii. Gl
on Saturday last. Informs tia: i.c;ciicr tod :uc
writer :ta: &c meant ~ defend the Administration
,i.s,. the EElu!rcfs ord-rs, c mc:.it To d"
he pcascl-..l tha. lie wcaid Ike 20 scraIv >uuth-
crn nni: a-rnign this Administration
"hr: wil! the Enquirer" rai :l"w -. WHiy.
The "Whig" shall hear at once what tue
Enquirer says.
That Mr. Letcher should defend the present
administration or every point where such de.
fence would not contrnvene the principles Of
the Democratic party, is exactly wha, The I'm.
quirer" expected. ard the Virginia Democracy
required A proper support Of tho adininistra'
tion is not only necessary to preserve intact
the organization Of the Democratic party, but
also TO prevent the election Of Black Rcpubli.
can President in 1860
If Mr. Lctcher had attempted = factiouS OF.
position to the President the Enquirer would
have felt obliged to utter word OF admonition.
Defend the Administration - Yes, we are
prepared IN defend to the last every measure OF
sound policy which it has recommended or
urged; we are prepared to fight every inch Of
ground against Black Republican attempts TO
withhold necessary appropriations :or the
proper conduct Of the Government; we arc
prepared to say well done" whenever the
President hurls an able veto at q latitudinarian
scheme for new public extravaganza But when
the President. or anybody else, attempts to
urge upon the Democratic party resort 10
specific tariff duties. the construction Of inter
nal improvements by the Federal Government.
and the adoption of n Federal corporation bank
rupt oct. we make hold N treat him like NJ
Talleyrand wished to Serve His Holiness the
Pope. we will respectfully and ii necessary to
tic his hands
More than that when the Opposition attempt
10 a,sal the federal alterations OF the Prcs
dent VIC tell them Gatiy that although we
choose to complain. they shall not. The Prcsi-
dent has committed errors, indeed, but they
are errors endorsed and Wanted as great and
useful political truths by the Opposition party,
who are iesirous to push their application
much further than the President ever drcomt
Of
So long. then. as Mr. Lctcher shall contine his
defence OF tho Administration TO i thorough
,ndicatum Of every sound Democratic uica-
sure recommended BY the President. 10 lust
rctorts Oh the Opposition, whenever they
choose to carp at Presidential recomucnda-
tiuns which they have endorsed in spite, or by
rcuson Of the dcnunciation Of such measures by
the Democratic party, TO complete rc'utaton
of all the trumperv charges which the Oppo'
siton arc vampins up against the Administra
ton. 10 the manifestation Of an earnest desire
to defend the Administration wherever It's posi-
ton admits Of Democratic defence. the I'm
ouirrr' will find everything 10 approve in the
course of the Democrats candidate. Indeed,
such is the only course left to the Democracy
at all compatible with the great interests Of the
Union. Any other course would inevitably
strengthen the hands o! the abolition party
and their confedcrates, and ultimately lead 10
the dread question Of Uncn or Di'union. re.
smiling from the election cf Black Republican
President.
The "Whis" evidently recognises but TIVE
political alternatives for the Enquirer fac
tious opposition or serviie submission to the
present Administration. Our cotepporary
must he reminded that there is a great conscr-
vativc ground OF policy which the Enquirer
has maintained from the day Of IT'S foundation,
ground which, iii point Of eSpediency as we'll
as morality, contemns both the extreme alter
natives now offered for our acceptance. While
we offer an independent and cordial support to
the representative men Of the Democrat par
ty, we are bold to renounce aud dcnounce each
and every departure, by any ono or any num-
Der Of them, from the strict rule Of Democratic
faith. Otherwise. we should be found at t!mos
in the very reprehensiblc position OF giving aid
and comfort to the advancement OF those disas.
trous dogmas OF political creed which the
, Wing" has inscribed on its banner.
AR Letcner has. 80 far as we arc informed.
followed out the same course towards the prc-
sidcnt which we have adopted. How, then,
can the "Whis' find nrctcAt Tor the assertion
that the enquirer according TO 'ts own
solemn avowal, is now obliged TO oppose his
tMr. Lc,cher's) cection:' 2
We have indeed, avowcd, that IN case Mr.
Lctchcr should be driven by the Opposition to
the advocacy OF Internal improvements by the
General Government, Protective Tariff and d
Federal Bankrupt Law, he would Leave his par
ty crly choice "i evils as between himself
and Mr.. Gossin.
Does the "whig" pretend that Mr. Le'cher
has taken the position above supposed: With
ou, having seen line Of his speech at Wood
stock. We feel guaranteed to say not only that
Mr.. Letchcr has not taken sach position, but
| tha, he cannot ami will not.
As for the little item furnished ny The
wings" rail road friend, it weighs not a
feather. If Mr Letcher does really entertain
unkind feelings towards rs. because OF our
Jealous efforts to [eevent his nomination, sucli
feelings. whether expressed or rot, cannot avai!
! in any degree TO shake tic steadfastnesS Of our
supper, Q! ihc Democratic ticket.
But we are wcll assurci. that whatever per
sonal feelings Mr., Letcher may entertain To-
wards Us. ne has too much go9i taste and s"-
rOir .tairs to evince them by any Spiteiu' ut
,srance intended for newspaper publication.
The ..rall road" report admits of a very easy
explanation. So faT from INDUCING II Satur'
nine yindictiveness. Mr. Letcher must be in
yerv good bunor With all the world. Any
man would be, with the certain prospect OF
election to high position before his eyes In
this comfortable state OF mrd. nc indulge' a
f.li a-.cl