Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-02-08
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CAPTAIN HIRAM MARTZ.


CAPTAIN HIRAM MARTZ.
We extract from the Buckingham Regis
ter" the letter which appears in our issue of
to-day over the signature Of Hiram Martz.-
From this, it will be seen that the accountpub-
lished in the "Whig," of the discussion at Rock
ingham, was very inaccurate.
We have no complaint to lodge against Cap
tain Martz. But it is due to ourselves that We
should explain one or two Of his references,
which might otherwise lead to misapprehcn-
sion The Captain makes an important mis-
take in dating the commencement of what
he calls war" made by the Enquirer"
on Mr.. Hunter When it occurred, and what
was the nature and occasion Of the 'war" can
be explained in a few lines.
Early in the Spring Of 1857, portion Of the
press, calling themselves Democratic newspa-
pers, commenced systematic and insidiOus
course of attack on the Administration, even
before the President had the opportunity to de-
velop q single feature Of his line Of policy
The "Enquirer" forbore TO notice these attacks,
until the month of June or July. Then we
opened fire, with hearty good will, on this
sheer attempt at dsorganization. Sorely press
ed, these papers began openly to claim alliance
and encouragement from several distinguished
statesmen. Among others, they referred fire.
quently to the name Of the Hon. r. NJ. I. Hun
ter Such being the case, in September, 1857,
l.. ipf.
tories to Mr. Hunter, asking him whether
his name had been used, by his authori-
ty BY the adyersarics Of the AdminiStra-
ton; further desiring to know what was his
real attitude towards the Administration, and,
avowing openly, that We desired this informa-
ton with view to determiningour own course
with regard to the approaching election Of u
United States Senator.
Mr. Hunter refused to answer our interrog,.-
tories, under the pretence that they were coup
led with threat-but took early occasion, on
the receipt of very complimentary commu-
nication from Mr.. S. F. I.eake, to write letter
for publication, the expressions Of which were,
for the most part, much more general than en-
plict
We did not insist OIL the point of courtesy,
or rather, of right, which, entitled us, as coll
stituents, to a direct reply from our representa-
tive. But We considered Mr.. Hunters letter
wanting in the explicit precision, necessary to
complete avowal of his political position. and
we said so, openly and at once
A large number Of political and personal
friends, upon whom We have been accustomed
to rely for advice in political matters, while
agreeing with us that the letter manifested
much reserve, still considered that it contained
avowals sufficient to pledge Mr.. Hunter TO
loyal support OF the Administration. They
were also very desirous that we should offer no
plausible pretext, even, for charge of personal
| yndictiyeness on our part towards Mr.. Hunter
We were further reminded that the extreme
caution and reserve manifested by the Senator
on this occasion, had characterized his political
course for many years; and could not now be
considered moro Objectionable to us, than when
he was elected by the voice Of our own friends,
in 1852 Moreover, it WAS contended that
contest for tho senatorship, at the time, would,
in any event, embitter portion OF the Demo-
cracy against the Administration, and should
not be resorted to. if it could possibly be
avoided with dignity by the friends of the Adj
ministration.
Swayed by arguments and appeals like these,
we finally agreed to join our friends in their
cooperation with the especial supporters OF
Mr.. Hunter, who were urging his reelection to
the Senate, BY very strenuous efforts.
Such is the history ofthc "Enquircr's" war
on Mr. Hunter The people Of Virginia cal,
take it for what it is worth. As for US, we
stand upon thcrecord, fearless ofconsequences
We can easily forgive our old friend, Capt.
Martz, the accusation that We have waged "a
violent, malignant and unrighteous war upon
Mr. Letcher. We are we'll satisfied that this
denunciation has its origin rather in his devo-
ted personal friendship for Mr.. Lstcher. than
in any malice towards our humble selves. Wo
will not prejudice the cause Of the Democratic
candidate, by entering into any minute discus
sion of the merits Of this question, at present.
Suffice it to say that so far as the whole tenor
and spirit Of our opposition to the nomination
of Mr.. Letcher is concerned, We have no recan-
tstion to make, no qualification to add. If it
has really deprived us of the good old friend
ly feeling" previously entertained for the I'm
quirer" by Capt. Martz, We sincerely regret the
consequence, though we in no manner repent
the cause.
The manly frankness with which Captain
Martz points to the Tammany letter, as the on
Is cause Of his change of preference from tiov
Wise to Mr.. Hunter for the Presidency, de-
serves especial commendation. We are we'll
assured that the Governor himself will not DC
disposed to quarrel with political opponent
who takes ground against him iii such spirit
of fairness and candOr.
And yet, We venture to suggest that II Capt
Martz will bestow some additional reflection on
this matter, he will discover that the Tsmmany
letter does nothing more than to rei;erate the
same doctrines Of popular sovereignty, Of equal
voices at the polls, and equal representation in
every legislative body, for which Governor
Wise toiled and contended during eighteen
months of conflict in tn. Reform Convention
Of 1s5oc51. for the vindication Of which he
occupied the floor of the Convention on a SIN
Gle occasion, for FIVE consecutive days, winning
the grateful appreciation and enthusiastic HP'
plause of every man West Of the Blue Ridge
II is the remembrance Of this same conflict o.
its utterances and its victories. which has serv
ed to embitter against Gov. Wise the vlndlctlve
assaults Of a certain class Of Eastern polltl
Clans and to add especial virulence to their de
uuncistion of his efforts for popular sovereign