Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-09-20
For The ENQUIRER.

foT he inquirer
MesSrs Editors In the leader of the EN-
qurcr" OF the 10th instant occurs the follow
ing:
"THE CONFEDERATE STATE PRESIDENTIAL ELEC.
TIoN-PREslDEST DAVIS AND VICE PRESIDENT
| STEPHENS.
ut seems to be understood on all hands that
the present incumbents Of the first and second
offices Of the Government of tho Confederate
States will be chosen for the first regular term
of six years, commencing on the 22d February,
1862. The indications all are that each Of the
Confederate States will give them an undivided
vote in the election of the 18th November,
1851. For the Presidency we have heard no
name suggested except that OF Jefferson Davis,
and for the Vice Presidency the demonstrations
in favor of Alexander H. Stephens are so decl'
sive and overwhelming as to silence the little
expression Of opposition which at one time wus
heard. The people of the border Slave
States, as well as those Of the Cotton States,
arc in favor of his election for the full term-
a fact which settles the question beyond con-
troversy"
Again
"Oppositon TO the reelection ofStephens has
been suggested by some newspaper writer's, on
sectional grounds. They say that as Davis,
the President, resides in one Of the Cotton
States the Vice President ought to be chosen
from one of the border Slave States; hence
their suggestion that some other man than
Stephens, OF Georgia, should be taken for the
latter Office. This objection 10 the reelection
of Mr.. Stephens we regard as unworthy Of 4
moments consideration, whether viewed in re.
ference to principle or policy. In the present
| ..o1f tta f-I, IA
States are thoroughly identified with each
other in interest, feeling and destiny"
do most cordially endorse every word you
have written, and had no doubt that your ar
ticle would have received the prompt approval
of all in Virginia, unless, indeed, there and
there little clique might not like it," who
would not venture "on any opposition beyond
now and then q foolish effort in some third
rate newspaper.
1t seems that some Of our would be ''dc-
Tenders have suddenly become peculiarly
Mortified at the bare idea Of Mr.. Stephens be-
ing the Vice President and would view his
succession to the Presidency. in the event Of
the death of the President-whic!l the Lord
forefcnd-''as a great public calamity IT.
deed, these would I've Strongly opposed to his
election, even il his elevation t. the higher
lice was absolutely impossible" am very
much inclined to the opinion that this cass IS
diminu,ve IN numbers, AID altogether power
less in Influence.
Let nc, hy Your permission, call attention to
some Of the reasons offered against his elcc-
! ton
lst. Ho Was Douglas mal,. Well, I'm
sorry frr this | was 4 Breckinridge man,
and do sincerely regret that so distinguished
n man as Slep lephens-distinguishe for talents,
at,ainnents, experienc:-hut far, ycrg far
abave all, for exalted purity Of cha! a;'er, pub
lie and private, should rot have lent us in the
last mcInnrablc struggle, the mighty influence
OF his na.nr. Did the Congress Of the Coned-
crate States, when they formed the Provisional
Government, conceive that Mr. Stephens was
unworthy Of the confidence of the people, ard
unworthy to Le the second officer in the Govern
ment-and, perchance, to exercise the functions
nl The first /: Did Mr.. Stephens ask this office
10 Compass his ambition 2" Did this Congress
| think ITO have Mr.. Stephens for our PreSl-
! dent would be to make our revolution, logically
speaking, nm aosurdity |" Did not TocinbS,
! Cobb and 1.-The lamented Barlow" endorse
Mr.. Stephens to the Confederate people by
! voting ior hin. us the second in the Provisional
Government? Did not the President himself
jefferson Davis, the noble Knight Of the
| Bloody llccl-put the imprinatur of MS con-
fidence upon this "public calamity" when he
sent him to Virginia as his commissioner to
negotiate will, the sovereignty Of EirGnil:
But again: are party lines thus speedily to
DO drawn? Are the Douglas men to be set
asi1c-th the seventeen thousand who voted for
him in Virginia-the many other thousands II
the other Southern States who voted for Doug,
lass-what is to become of them !? ostracscd ?
And you call this "inauguralng pure and
si,nple Republican government" We'll, you
put these under the ban, and they are to have
no "part Or yarce" in the government Of
course they are not expected to do any OF the
ighting-ch? But if the Dougasites are to be
ignored, what is to become Of the Bellites-ig.
nored too? All is to be reserved for the Brcck-
inridge men. Hoo. upon "the little clique. "
The people of the Confederate Government,
and especially Of the State Of Virginia, will
stamp this effort with their honest rcprobation,
and the man who will dare to head such I
movement will bc crushed under the avalanche
Of their Indignation.
But, forsooth there is aEothtr rcasoA why
Mr.. Stephens should not be Vice President
because both he and Mr.. Davis are from the
Cotton States. Well, Messrs Editors, | Go
humbly confess that this is a reason above my
comprehension, and am very sure the people
will feel it to be beneath their contempt.
do trust, Messrs Editors, that we will not
commence a system Of chickering's. Let peace
and unity distinguish our course. Let us ex-
c, else forbearancc to one another. Let us be
determined to drive away all petty jealousies.
and above all, LEI US work for the causc and
not for men.
1t is proper to say that never had word
with Mr. Stephens in my life, and so far as |
! know, never expect to know him. ain Fir.
gilman, who worked for and voted for Breckin-
ridge, and was secessionist from The word go
-~4-9.S---
From the Army oil the Potomac.
! Correspondence Of the Richmond Enquirer.
FAlRrAx G. H., Sept. lG, 1861.
! We have no news here as yet. Our pickets
"rcnpy four heights-Munscn'a hill, UPton's
| Mason's and Halls. We burned the houses
an Halls hill on Friday night. We look of
the Federal Capitol, Arlington Heights, Alex
I ,rd-in poto,uar lirpr the Yankee vessels