Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-03-23

Of a~vailing themselves Of the opportunity thus
fairly offered to procure a count of votes fol-
lowed their opponents out Of the hall, and thus
broke up the meeting in disorder
Our correspondents inquire: Who nave
been guilty of 'disordcrly tactics and iactlous
violence ." The connection in which this
sentence appears renders its significance some
what doubtful. 1t may mean to intimate u
charge Of "disorGerly tactics" &c. against the
friends and supporters of Gov. Wise who op-
nosed the substitute. If so, we must protest
that we find no ~scintilla Of evidence to support
the accusation. 1t may be intended to demand
whether we have meant to cast insulting impu'
ta,ion on our two correspondents. If SO, NC
answer that we had no such intention; that we
regard them both rs honorable men; and, how
ever We may disapprore and regret th:ir cen
duct, we are well convinced that they acted
from an honest, though mistaken, view Of the re-
Quirements Of their position, and no, from any
ungentlemanly impulse or unworthy motive
This we can say, sincerely, from The know
ledge we have, aud the estimate we have form
ed, of the character and reputation OF both
gentlemen. And even were we totally unac.
quaintcd with them, it would require more,
much more, and more conclusive evidence mar
that before US, to convince US that the SONS OF
one William F. Gordon Of Albcmarle, or the
brothers Of another William F. Gordon OF AL
benlarle, could Intentionally resort to anything
like political trickery for the purpose Of sitting
an honest expression Of the peoples will, or TO
deprive n personal and political friend OF q tri-
| butte Of popular favor TO which he was justly
| entitled.
That both our correspondents ere the per
sonal and political friends Of Henry 4 Wise
we arc well assured nor does the fact that
they are now cooperating with those OPP
posed to him, personally and politically,
prove them a, all wanting in the good
faith and good feeling Of friendship. They,
unlike many of their present co-laborcrs, are
striving, not for the injury Of Gov. Wise, but
merely for the promotion OF another friend
whom they prefer to him. So much in justice
to the motives Of our correspondents. How
many or how few Of the men who acted with
them in the Louisa meeting were actuatcd by
| similar motives, we know not. 1t is enough
for us to look TO the result Of their conduct,
and we can find bui one result. The voice Of
! the majority Of the meeting was suppressed,
because the minority a7a;led themselves Of an
opportunity to break up the meeting in dlsor-
der. And VIC still repeat it-,his was not fair
it was not just-it was not right-whaterer
may have been the motive, the intention, or
the mistake. The act itself was one Of dis
orderly tactics" and 'factious violence vi
olence done by i minority against the rights Of
a majority.
Our correspondents appeal 10 usage oVin-
dictate the "p-inciplc' Of popular silence. This
is a mistake. We have never yet seen the day
when the Democracy of Virginia have acknow-
lodged any usage Of binding obligation to
silence the expression Of the peoples will IN
their primary meetings, or elsewhere. VIZ
ginia's moral power in the councils Of the
u%ation' is due not 10 diplomatic silence, but
to the open expression Of the vii! OF the
majority, and IL tic acq uiescence cT' the min0ri-
ty in the ascertainea riN o. the mgiortty.-
And it is only Of late years, it is only Since the
attempt has been made 10 hush popular cx-
preston, that the minority has ventnred to
menace the majority with DISCRIMINATION. 1t
was no longer ago than 1856, that u Few OF Mr..
Hunters friends threatened to split the vote of
Virginia al Cincinnati. Il was no longer ago
than the 18th day Of February last, that a
leading friend Of Mr.. Hunter threatened TO cali
a minority together in separate organization, |!
the majority should dare even TO express BY
resolution q mere opinion MS 70 The choice Of
the State.
While protesting against any instruction
which shall pledge the Democracy Of Louisa
to support Henry A. Wise for the Presidential
nomination., our correspondents remark: VI
prefer the triumph of the Democratic party to
the qualification Of any mans ambition. -
If this is not intended to signify less than it
obviously imports, il conreysa very bitter and
unmerited taunt. Apparently It means that
Gov. Wise INDUCES an ambition. the gratiica.
ton of which will ~cndanger, if not prevent,
the triumph OF his party. We trust that our
friends lave said more than they intended.
But if they mean what their words import, we
can only cndcavor TO correct the III justice done,
by referring 10 q few obvious facts. Henry y.
Wise has spent more than a quarter o: a CEN
fury. not in efforts to satisfy personal ambi-
ton, hut i'll selC:sacrifcing, arduous labor, for
the sake OF the great principles Of the Demo-
cratic party. Ncglcctiog very tempting pros
poets Of professional success and emolument,
he has chosen to live ~irugally, to economist
constantly both time and money, in order that
he could devote his best energies 20 the
public service. Ito has never hcca ,imid
or chary Of popularity. lie las never
waited cautiously till other men tried the I'M
certain ice OF popular favor or dIsfa"er with
reference TO new measure. lie has never al
lowed IL cotcric OF politicians TO dictate his
policy or to silence his thoughts. At every
step he has advanced boldly in the direction
indicated by his own prompt judgment as To
the best interests Of his party and his country
And the step taken, he has never allowed pop
ular clamor, the timidity Of friends, or the men
ace Of foes to force him to q backward step.
Whenever the interest Of his country or his
party has requiredit, he has never shrnnk back
before opposition, or avoided competition, how
ever trying or formidable. Yet, when nc saw
no special good TO the country or to the party
to arise from his acceptance of Office, he has
repeatedly refused to allow his narue to be used
in connection with office. Once, while yet q
young man, he refused = place in the Cabinet
of the President Of the United States, when il