Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-12-31
Er tk Engairsr.
II. n. r. Hunter, EsG.

favor, which appear to ue to have an impor-
tant bearing upon the subject
submit them for the judgment Of the
public.
The true matter in the question of the elec.
ton OF Mr. Hunter is not as to how it may of.
feet hlm-how agreeable and fattering to his
feelings 1t mxy be, but what would be the Of.
feet which it would most likely have upon our
political interests.
We propose this in view Of the solid fact
that the best men are as necessary Us the best
measures in the progress Of the political his.
tory of every people, because their success or
their failure Is determined Iy tho character Of
these men roho haue charge. ef their aationcl
affairs. 1t is the rule which will be applied
to our position by foreign nations. They will
judge OF what will bs our future by all the
combinations presented to their view. which
form the constituents of the strength. the
hope, and the character Of q people attempting
the mighty task OF establishing their indie
pendence. In such a struggle, therefore, not
one of the elements which carry the impress
sion OF future success must be disreearded.
Let Us endeavor to understand them. They
are various. The numbers of population do
not comprehend the who!s. Nor is it com.
plete by adding singly the high quality of the
greatest heroism 10 battle. An these NAV be
misdirscted. But abuva End beyond everv
thing else, II is the ex experience, knowledge aud
ripened wisdom of wcll.tried statesmen, which
torm that lnvlncible power in a nation. that
throughout the world, inspires confidence in
their success Every enlightened people has
Oil Instinct, instructed by the teachings OF the
past, that "a single man, or set Of men may
give character aud success 70 AL AM, su aye, or
a nation"
it ~ the Law vi our race That the iaith vi
maj rsposes upon the tried #i,doln OF his
fellow maa. The iAith, too, that . thing can
DO done, a'id that Z tried sut Vi ,nsu are sure
+" DO II. IS certa!" l. Aid, iuorr or les, in ti.cl.
Ing the achievement proposed.
II ls ta!S which gives IL US st hoine tile AZ
tual stamina OF strength. Abroad it juslihas
othef natloos IN assigning IL Us q political
status, according 10 which, by the law OF pa.
tons, We have u claim ~ tho rights Of Justice.
"a 4 is the philosophy Of history, such the
facts and principles 10 the workings Of humuu
society, which have had their iull share OF
agency in the success or failure Of nations. In
other words it might be said, the success or
failure Of rulers. Or the terms might be
changed, and it could be said, that in the tim.
of success it was under wise rulers, and ID
failure under bad
In ourown case these facts have beso larec!y
ielt. AS our struggle progresses they will in
crease, Instead CT diminish in influence.
The rnsn who began out present resistance
of Northern deSpot!sm found themselves in the
bands OF a faithful, earnest, brave and uatr.-
cite people to start with They we're known
to the world SIS statesmen possessing The
1 tn1apk, 49, aNru.iopon 1.r- Ex
| sion. Their gooc repute ~on !GT US an early
position in tue policy Of the must noted king.
| doms of Christendom. We had sLr impsiua.
tur of Spain, OF Englapd, und Of France,
i that va were recognized as belliserents, and
not to be treated as outlaws and rebels. it
was the very thing we needed. We owed it 10
the character Of our leaders. 1t was not be.
lieved abroad that they were ucnr who would
engsge in G ~facsious iusurrection.
10 this instance the truth is apparent Gsiore
us, that the absence 81 d. men Tor great political
occasions has often Murdered the success 81
nations. Fh4le, RON, the time for revolution
0aI tie men haze met, and be whose bands e..
cludes the man whose talents and experience.
are important for tho SUCCESS c! bis ccu1TT,
assumes a responsibility which w,!i recoi: upJn
him 10 the hour Of her trials, cad ~;eariuiiy so,
if in the hour of her misIoriunes.
With this suggestive platform presented,
proceed to finish, briefly, eli that have to say
by applying it to the case OF Ar. Hunter.
He comes within the range Of the pce iced.
ing suggestions. His zane a1G fama are his
toricaL His country oonadeS in him. lie has
O European reputation as q statesman. he,
also, took al early and decided part in Vii tre
~counsels and discussions which led TO this great
revolution, and, we now having our all q:
stake, assert the right to demand bis services
within that sphere where our difficulties will
be very great. where they will DO hardest to
encounter, and where his experience has been
large, profound, and most successful.
10 the Office Of Secretary of State VIC can
see no possible demand for his special services.
There is nothing difficult in its routine. We
have no complications in any of our foreign re.
ations, aud none are likely TO nrise. As 10
the organization of our consular system, that is
= subject for the special action of Cor
gress, and will be discussed and finally adj.
justed there. We shall hardly try to introduce
the absurdities of that of the Uuited States;
but whatever is done, there will be no necessi.
ty to attempt to originate an entirely new
| plan. The long experience Of England, .hs
wisest and most commercial nation ~ ID:
| WDIlu, tidO PipouSNh el ~ oDC.I 80
subject which are bit TO DC regarded hs lights
for our guidance.
| do not mean to underrate the Importance
| of the Office, but to consider ii ia It's practical
| character for the times aud circumstances III
which we are placed, and to add, that there
| arc many men in our Confederacy who sre
we'll qualified to discharge its duties.
But who, Of all the ambitious throEs that
court distinction, ca. better I'll the place We
propose for Mr. Hunter in toe. Senate of tue
Oonfederacy: We take for example g single
branch Of senatorial service, and respectfully
ask, who, with the same well known skill and
ability, can take charge Of the important con
| mittee of Finance? Who has an equally long
aud treasured experience Let US allow that
that body will be composed Of men ofhighly dis.
tinguished talents, of knowledge drawn from
the rich fountains of the past, and the present;
! still, is there one single mau in all the Con.
federacy who has his minute acquaintance with
the best mode of conducting the fnances OF
our country, considered either in relation TO
systems or resources? 1t is no depreciation of
any man, taking into view the long services,
and the advantages Of position heretofore pos.
sessed By Mr.. Hunter, TO say that there is not
one single man.
The great interests which will be involved
in the action of that Committee, in this partic
| ular crisis, which will necessarily be extended
| through o series Of years, will make everything
| which is done by it vital to the whole cou":ry,
perhaps for generations to come 1t is certain
that whatever it may do will be for good or
evil for a iong-long time. 1t ,nuy be called
the Sital producer Of pce<r, frcm which, as
| the fountain Of our life blood, must fo~ the
current Of wealth TO supply the demands Of
the Government. Who, I repeat respectfully,
has the experience Of Mr.. Hunter2 Not
ons man on cur Continent Who has his
reputation fer that special and difficult
service, and which will constitute the most
trying feature Of our lcglslation-the most
complicated OF our civil affairsf That expa-