Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1861-1862, 1861-12-28
RICHMOND. VA, SATURDAY.
RICHMOND wHIG.
TIE SENATORIAL ELEOTloN.

uE OrsNAtOhl AL EA-ASAtNt''
To the Editor Of the Whig:
An Alabama gentleman, who takes care to let us
know that he in Congress once undertakes through
the columns of the whig" to instruct the Virginia
people TO their duties in reference to the senatorial
election. think as Alabama has already elected two
Senator's her cd politicians might permit Virginia to
have two without their interference Blu. what are the
potent con,dsraions which this exCopgessman presses
upon the Virginia public! 1st That Mr.. Hunter WELD
cd immense power and influence in the Councils Of the
old Government Copcede this, and Il strengthens the
argument OF those Who oppose Mr. Hunters transfer
from bis present national position where h, counsels
be impressiyely commu aicated TO the whole Con-
federacy, where they can ia the weaker branch
of the Confederate Congress- be bu fcebly enforced
1t precisely because Premier of the Administration
he can be mo,o influential than in any other position
that some of Mr. Hunters warmes. admirers earnestly
protest agains. the influence of thoe Who for some un.
explained reason are trying redacs him to the lees
controlling position Of Oonfederats State sefa,or j
confess however, that sm one Of thcs, who have
been skepica about the vast abilities and Influence Of
Mr. Hunter. The course which little band of his fol.
lowers now endesvoring to make him pursue would
more than coufrm all the doubts which have enter.
tanned this point. No Of really grea. abilities,
and of that true ambition which great abilities inspire,
could be induced to exchange the place which Mr.
Hunter now holds in the Executive Department OF the
Government during its first Administration, for seat
in the Senate The fact that he consents such coure
ia conclusive that he is defective In high intellect or in
that strong nerve without which high inteec. Is of
value. The allegation that Mr.. Hunter exercised any
controlling iraeuce in the cid Government is easy to
make, but hard 10 prove. Afer fifteen twenty years
service in the old Congress- what great measure promot
ing the interest Of his country, do to Mr. Hunt
err his Land Bill was the measure upon which he
stakCd most-and his friends never feel pleasant when
that is named. Wherein has the old Commonwealth Of
Virginia. Alabama derived material benefit from
the power and iufuence Of Mr. Hunterg Pshaw! NJ.
Hunter has shown good deal Of shrewiness not as
statesman but as politician. He's his little set are
always very kind and liberal to his political opponents
When elections imptnd The suspicors Of their own
friends which they then incur are always removed by
the strict and rigid fidelity wh.wh they obey rary
rule after they accomplish their purposes Virginans
have memory, If ex Congressman from Alabama have
none.
2l. The mex: point which quond,m Congressman
from Asblma presents TO the NIreinians is that Mr.
Hunter has so much character and u fence throughout
the South that his absence from the Senate would be
national calamity. This would be gooi tsrd Il had
not been often played. Upon this cry the Virginia
democracy carried in the Presidential contest for.
Hunter, ever Wise. When brought to the test in the
Charleston ConveIon do no. remember that Sou hern
admiration for Mr.. Hunter bis I'd very freely Upon
this assurance Virginia prevailed upon to present
NJ Iar .Ja,o Il. ~ D.. III
Southern support of Mr. Hunter was so small tha. the
pride of every Virginian was sung at the exhibition
Nov this old song 3 again on the plAoard.
Sd. The "Sccretaryship OF State" is sinecure one
in which Mr.. Hunters abilities cannot Rnd play Is our
Goveramen. thus be pronouucedin our own pub.
lie action, nuliy9 Is the Virginia Legislature thus to
declare its expectation that the Southern Confederacy
to con u TO o.cupy Insignificant place Ia the great
family Of nations that Mr. Hunter Is bettleI by con.
tihuing any farther connection with our foreign a,rsY
WhA more sang declaration of dtrust Of our strength
and permanent nationality, could be made than will be
mlde by the Virginia Legislature, when |, elects Mr.
Hunter TO the Senate this reasoning? The fact that
his freI d. venture to press him upon this ground is
conclusive argument against bis election We have no
faith in our position ration and herce Mr. Hunter
must be taken from the State Department This is worse
than weak argument 1, is a; tho origin Of natidn,
its first outset in life that is foreign relations require
the ablest management. Thomss ffsrson was sscre-
tary OF State when the Federal Government was in ia
infancy If Mr. Hunter undertakes the value Of the DC
siton which he now holds he has the consolation to
know that his disrust is shared by gentleman from
Alabsma, who sat in Congress for four years. But this
gentleman and Mr. Hunter have the misfortune 10 fer
in their estimate Of the Importance of such position,
from some OF the first men whom America has produced
As said Thomas Jefferson Secretary Of State when
the Federal Government. was.n its infancy In the car
ly days OF the Federal Republic, that plac, was fled
siccessyely by such virginisns Edmond Randolph,
John Marshall, James Madison, and James Monroe In
later days it was filed by John O. Adams Henry Clay,
Louis McLane, Daniel Webser, and John @. Calhoun.
IL the position could employ such abilities those 1t is
curious that it should be too email for Mr. r NJ T.
Hunter. Let gentlemen who urge kr Hunter fss the
Senate obcar to do upon grounds which are 30 OBJ
nOxiCu' to just criticism as this Whether Mr.. Hunter
wants to get out of the iusrous place. which he nov
fills, is his matter. But that he should use the
moral power of Virginia, 50 as 10 uaict blow on the
public confdsrce, in the stability of our Government, IL
the matter OF the people.
If Me-. Huater seeks TO jump from his present high
place into the Senate, simply to exclude some ore who
is not Of his clique, that, too ia movement which to
people will forbid, in oses not to be misunderstood
think see body OF young talented and vigorous men
assuming control in this State, who will not Per.
init professional politicians around Mr.. Hunter to rud
them. The hand Wriing is on the wall The engine
moves swiftly, and the Fsgies had better keep eff tie
track.
AyfRGISiAS WHO SEvER CONGRESS.
TIE DEFINITION AND PUNIsHsENr OF TREl-.