Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-03-23
Mr.. Hunter from the Senate-that

recommending &r. Hunter for tho Cabinet ,uov.
Wise had refused to accept the seat IN the Sen
| ate which would have been loft open to him with
out competition. Gov. Wise's offence against
Mr.. Hunters especial purtizans was not that
| Gov. Wise desired the seat in the Senate, but
that he refused to take the seat in the Senate
and that refusal, TO Gov. Wise's regret, cost
Mr.. Hunter the seat in the CABINET which his
friends were very DESTROYS to secure Tor him.
So much on the score of ambition"
There is Il further significance in the unfor-
tunate expression of our friends. If it means
ANYTHING, it means that Governor Mises
friends are seeking TO obtain L just expression
Of that popular choice which exists i'll 'lr
ginia for him, only TO crafty his ambition,
without regard to the triumph of the Demo
cratic party" Much rs the Democracy OF 'lr-
ginia love Henry A. Wise, we would suggest
that their enthusiastic desire for his nominal
ton to the Presidency is rather due, llrSt 10
the fact that they believe him to be cm'nentl!y
fitted for the office; next they believe that, II
nominated, he will certainly be elected; lastly
they believe that the election Of any one OF his
competitors, if nominated. will be, at least,
doubtful.
As for us, we do not look upon him as one OF
those pigmy statesmen who need official station
to raise them to greatness. Put him in private
life, and he will command popular atte.tion
and admiration in the same degree as when
elevated on the curulc chair Of Executive dig
nitv. The highest Office cannot add Il cubit to
the statue Of his fame.
Finally we must call the attention Of our
correspondents 10 4 marked INJUSTICE they have
committed towards our humble selves. We
have invoked no torrent Of public indisna-
! ton" upon the course of those who, by vote or
argument, fairly oppose tho policy OF open and
imperative expressions Of popular preference.
We have only meant to express the opinion
that attempts to stille popular expression, by
resort to riolen: and unfair means, will as
suredly and dcservedly call down the torrent
Of popular indignation" referred to.
We speak thus plainly 10 our correspondents,
with the conviction that they will receive
what we say in the same spirit Of candor and
good feeling towards us, which we entertain
and indulge for them.
To The Editors Of tho Enquirer:
conference.-the have seen, in the "Enqui'
rer' Of This morning, an editorial commenting
with severity upon the proceedings Of the De
mocratic meeting held in the county OF Louisa
on Monday last. The charges contained III
that editorial, that those whom the "Enqulrcr'
chooses to term the minority" eiidcavurcd 10
.weary out the majority by long discussion
and "~factious violence" IN order to prevent all
expression of the public will, are alike unjust
and unwarranted by the facts. 1t was about 1
o'clock when the meeting was broken up--aS II
unqucstionaJly was, by the advocates Of in
StructionS." No regular speech was made
against the substitute offered by Mr.. Watson,
and those made in its favor were short. II II
not true, that l. large majority nf that meet
ing were in favor Of instruction. Our opinion
is, that those who voted against the substitute
were a minority of the meeting; and although
the Chairman decided otherwise. we think he
was mistaken.
1t was generally thought by the friends d
The substitute. and by many Of those who
voted against it, that it was carried upon the
first vote. 1t was admitted by Mr.. Waddy,
the Secretary Of the meeting and the mover m
the resolution Of instruction, that it was very
doubtful upon which side the minority had
voted. So strong was the conviction anon"
some Of the opponents OF the substitute that II
had been adopted by this vote, that one Of
them, at least, called for a division before the
opinion Of the chair was Known. Alter this call
= 49,. c,.,n1 lno;l,l Ella,
the substitute was defeated, although no lorna
enumeration Of this decision WAS made, or il
made was neither heard by US, nor those near US.
The friends of the substitute being Of the
opinion that it had been adopted, did not cail
for n division until they learned that the chair
man thought that it WAS lost. When they did
call far division, q proposition came from the
opponents Of the substitute for another vote,
1t being alleged that probably the question mad
been Inexperienced by the meeting. The
question was here stated to be upon the sub
stitutc offered by Mr.. Watson 10 the resolution
Of instruction offered by Mr.. Waddy--a friend
of the substitute advising the meeting that
those who favored instructions could vote
against it, and those who opposed instructions
could vote for il.
The opponents Of the substitute veheincntly
denied that this was the question, and, AT
the same time, called upon all the "Wise
men to vote against it-a course OF conduc;
calculated to place those gentlemen in y false
position who, although friendly to Gov. Wise,
were utterly opposed TO any Instructions. BY
the unanimous consent Of the meeting a second
vote was now taken, and, as We believe, with 4
similar result. We understand that the chair.
man again decided that the substitute was lost.
/ Dab, ID, ,l,i,nnl thu ,Dninritr nurinp thp
confusion consequent upon this, several Of the
onponents of the substitute called upon the
Wise men, TO leave the house. This proceed
inc not being sanctioned by the Chair, both
parties left the Court House, the meeting broke
up and the Chairman vacated the chair.
We beg to ask who have been guilty of "lis-
orderly tactics and I" ~factious violence" We
Indignantly repel the III MUST and grount1ess &C.
cusation, and have no fear that the people Of
| Louisa will refuse 10 sustain lifelong Demo.
Gratis in their efforts 10 preserve the integrity
of the Marty. We acted here nc we shall act
elsewhere, in vindicalion Of a policy that looks
alone to the supremacy of principle. Expe-
ricncc has demonstrated its wisdom, for it has
given to Virginia n moral power in the coun-
els of the nation and the party to which her
numerical strength, would never have entitled
her. We prefer the triumph Of the Democratic
party To tie qualification Of any mans alnbl-
ton. We shall continue 10 oppose this effort
to instruct the delegates 10 Charleston in every
form it may be made to assume, in defiance OF
that torrent Of public indignation which the
Enquirer" invokcs upon such a course.
We diSclaim being iniInical to Gov. Wise.-
If he be the nominee Of the Charleston Con-
~vcntion, we shall support him with zeal and
a~lacrity, and although VIC dcprccatc the course
of those who claim to be his peculiar friends,
as i,npolitie and unwise, contrary to the usases
and hostile to the interests Of the party, we de-
sire no triumph ever them that does not carry
with it the advancement Of those principles Of
which we arc the common advocates.
We ask you, gentlemen, US an act OF justice,
to publish this letter, and remain,
Very respectfully. your obedient serY IS,
JAMES l.. GORDON,
Ernprr C,oppaS