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


it of partisan revenge.
There is another point Of view in which TINS
matter must be considered. Whatever may
have been the original difference Of opinion
with regard ts the policy or impolicy Of the
Tammany letter, it must now be admitted that
the course followed by Gov. Wise and the lead'
ing men who co.operated with him in the sup
port of its doctrines have reserved for the De-
mocratic party its only opportunity for trl-
unph in 1860. The late elections ut the North
arc al-sufficient to demonstrate what the re-
suit would be, had the Democratic party agreed
to accept the Presidents Lecompton policy as
a party issue The passage of the English
compromise is significant Of the same thing.
Moreover, the very man who was regarded
as the great oratorical leader of the 1ecomp'
tonites on the floor Of the Senate-Senator
Hammond, Of South Carolina-has since de-
nounccd Lccomptonism in terms equally Sc
we're with those applied by Gov. Wise. Espe
ciallv does he concur with the Governor in re-
cognising Lecomptonism As involving an anti
Southern policy.
And Senator Davis, of Mississippi, has con-
ceded the very ground Of States Rights occu'
pied by Governor Wise, as one main objection
to Lecomptonisn,. Witness the very words o'
the Senator from Mississippi:
Not for all the lands in Kansas-not for all
the land between the Missouri and the Pacific
Ocean-not for all the lands Of the continent
of North America, would agree that the Fed
era Government should have the power to CO.
cree State, by imposing condition with I,
mandate, that it shall be subsequently iulhllcd.
This is very strong language for Senator,
who, few months ago had voted with the en-
tire body Of Leeomptonte Senator'S, to I'LL
pose the Lecompton Constitution and schedule
upon the people Of Kansas, by an act Of Con-
gress, and that, too, after Congress had under
taken to nullify clause not Of the schedule,
but of the Constitution ITSELF which purported
to incapacitatc the people from changing the
constitution for limited period.
When leading Lecomptonitc statesmen are
thus openly denouncing their own course and
that of their partisans, when they frankly give
in their adhesion to the doctrines Of their oppo
ncnts, and when popular elections have just
given practical demonstration that antl-l.e
comptonisn is efficiently repairing the serious
injury done to the strength Of orr party by
means Of the Lecomptonite views OF one divi
sion of the party, surely, this is not the moment
at which to oppose the advancement of states
man, merely because of his anti-1econpton sen
timents.
Prom the Rockingham Register.
Messrs. Editors: noticed communication
in the Alexandria Gazette, copied from the Rich
mond Wig purporting to be report OF dis
cusson which took place in Harrisonburg, on
Monday. the 18th inst. That communication
is q perfect carcaturc of what took place.
am free to admit that am impulsivc and
excitable, and OH the occasion alluded to be-
came very much excited, and cannot recolect
precisely what did say, though | am perfectly
satisfied that many Of the remarks attributed to
me never uttered. therefore feel it to be q
duty owe to Gov. Wise and to the Editors ol
the Enquirer, as we'll as myself to give con-
cisc account of what did say, as far as can
recolect. cannot recollect the precise order
in which made the declarations, but ! will give
the substance Of what said in relation to Gov.
Wise and the Enquirer, and in many instance,
the precise language. should have made this
statement sooner. but absence from home pre-
vented
will premise. that my whole object in
addressing the people Of Rockingham on that
occasion, was to urge upon them the necessity
of holding Convention to nominate candi
date to represent this district in the next Con
grcss. | stated the disastrous consequences
that might result to the Democratic party from
these free fights" that the party would be
liable to be cut into factions, every candidate
would have his friends which might result r
personal collisions, &c.
stated that an effort was now being made
10 divide the Democratic party Of Virginia into
Wise faction and Hunter faction, which if per
sisted in would result in complete dsorgani
zation of the Democratic party. That although
was free to confess that would prefer Mr.
Hunter to Governor Wise for the Presidency
vet was no Hunter man-that was no man )
mani was Democrat upon principle, ant
that was willing to support any man whom
Democratic Convention might nominate.
stated that the Richmond Enquiries" has
commenced war upon Mr.. Hunter early il
1857, and continued the war up to near the
time of the meeting Of the Legislature, ant
then ceased its opposition. That shortly atte'
the adjournment Of the Legislature it com
menced violent, malignant and unrighteou'
war upon Honest John Lctcher, the favoritc o
the Valley, and continued the war up TO the houl
of his nomination. | did not say who was thu
editor Of the Enquirer" rs stated by the cor
respondent Of the "Whig;" if | did have n;
recollection Of it.
As it relates to my remarks concerning in
trigue, management and corruption, had NJ
reference to Governor Wise. The whole o
nv remarks in this connection, had reference
to a clique which stated existed in this colln
| t., and which was composed Of emigrants Il
the county, who had been intriguing and man
aging to distribute all the offices Of the count,
and district amongst themselves. That there
was in their estimation 10 native born son o
the county capable or worthy Of filling an,
office within the gift of the people. Ny re
marks upon this particular point were somewha
extended, but made no allilsion to Governo
Wise.
SIdtcl LIlht u NbS ~ ulspuSSh, S"NiN
tale unfold that would make any honest maj
blush. hut did not feel disposed to do so
that time, but might do so during the can
vass, or at some future time. This remark ha'
direct reference to the clique to which ha'
made allusion.
! also stated that had been to Washington
and that he'd ascertained, to my satisfaction
that it was the policy of the Wing or 0ppos:l
ton party to get up Democratic opposition II
every Congressional District in the State 70
the purpose Of distracting and disorganzln
the Democratic party, the effects OF which the.
expected to result to their advantage, &c.
/ never stated at any time that the ''Enlu'
rer' was opposed to Conventions, as | kne'
! we'll it advocated them with zeal and ability.
Mr. Walker stated that had been an orig
nal Wise man, and he would like to know villa
had caused me to change:-to which ] respond
ed, his "Tammany Hall letter" have no n
! collection that | uttered another word in thi