Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-09-17
8nBn1on0 Enquirer,
MONDAY MORNING, SEPT. 1e, 1851.
BY TYLER, WISE s ALLEGRE.

MONDAY MORNING, SEPT. 18, 1851.
The Confederate State Presidential Elec.
tion-President Davis and Vice Presi.
dent Stephens.
1t seems to be understood on all hands that
the pRsent incumbents of the first and second
Offices of the Government Of the 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,
1861. 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 deci
sive and overwhelming as to Silence the little
expression of deposition which at one time was
heard The people OF the border Slave States,
as we'll as those of the Cotton States, are in
| favor of his election to the full term-a fact
which settles the question beyond controversy.
We need not say that we cordially sympa-
thise With the popular feeling of the Confede,
rate States in favor Of the continuance Of Davis
and Stephens in the places which they now hold
4 few weeks since, we expressed hope that
their re election would be matter Of form and
not Of contest, and it now affords US sincere
pleasure to state, as our opinion, that such will
be the fact. Respecting jeff. Davis, there has
not been at any time, the slightest difference Of
opinion, so far as We are advised, no opposition
to him having been suggested, either by poll
ticans or BY any portion fthe people Opposi-
ton to the reelection Of Stephens has been sug.
gested ty some newspaper writer's, on sectional
grounds. They say that as Davis, the Presi-
dent resides in one OF the cotton States, the
Vice. President ought to b= chosen from one OF
the border slave States; hence their suggestion
that some other man ti,an Stephens Of Geor-
ala, should be taken for the latter Office. This
objection to the reelection of Mr.. Stephens We
regard as unworthy Of moments considera'
tion, whether viewed in reference to principle
or policy. In the present contest for sei.gogern-
ment the Confederate States are thoroughly
identified with each other in interest, feeling
and destiny The cotton States and the bor-
der slave States are fighting together, shoulder
to shoulder and arm to arm, for political and
commercial independence of the exacting and
tyrannical North. While the battle is raging,
they will not be guilty Of the superlstive folly
of Withdrawing any tried and true standard
bearer from the field upon no better reason
than that another chosen leader comes FROM
the same section Of the Confederacy. Davis
and Stephens were chosen for the offices which
they now I'll when the Southern Ccnfederacy
consisted of only portion of the Cotton States.
They were entirely acceptable to the States
that subsequently came in, and their official
conduct is endorsed and approved By all
| Hence the general, we may say almost uni
versal, desire on the part Of the people for their
election to full term.
The several States Of the Copfcderacy will,
we hope, be duly consulted and honoTed in the
selection of future officers, civil and military.
But We hope the Confederate government vii!
never appoint men to high office upon the
mere fact that they are residents of particular
sections or States. We hope to see the selec
tions made from the most suitable men OF the
Confcdcracy without regard to tho particular
State from which they hail Under existing
circumstances, We think it advisable to take
both the first and second officer of the govern.
ment from what is denominated the cotton
States. Acting upon the same consideration
Of duty and policy, we may, in soFoe future
elections deem it proper to urge the election
Of both the President and Vice President from
the border slave States; indeed, under the rule
which we have laid down, we would be willing
to take both officers from the same State
Virginia might reasonably ask both, il she
could furnish the Confederacy Jefferson and
a Madison; Tennessee the same, If she could
present Jackson and Polk South Carolina
the same, il she could .low Calhoun and q
Hayne; North Carolina the same, if she could
give a Macon and a Castor; Georgia the same,
! if the could point to Crawford and Troup.
We might continue the enumeration through
the entire list of States, bu. let these suffice.
We hope she people d the Confederate
States will set their faces resolutely against
mere sectional tests in the choice OF their
chief officers.