The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-12-22
Sfr. Hunter.

To the Editors Of the Dispatch:
Ina recent issue OF the Dispatch, under
the caption of "Granrs Party In Virginia"
you print the following from Mr.. NJ. D.
Ball:
81 understand they are both DANES Bar
bour and r. M. 4. Huuter) in favor Of The
policy, we have steadily insisted Oh as the
true one, in the Sentiuel--to wit, that Of ac-
cord uiM the Administration. Such man
alone can, l think, exert In the Senate the
influence we should like to see welded by
Virginia's senator's"
How far the above may be right in regard
| to the position of MIR. james Barbour | have
no means of knowing, but | do know most
positively that it is not correct as respects
Mr.. Hunters position. dr. Ball has been
| misuformed on this point. Mr.. Hunter is
not Gin accord with the Administration"
| but, Oil the contrary, Is most heartily In ac-
cord with tue Conservative party Of Viz
ginia. speak advisedly when say that he
sets the highest possible value upon this
noble organization as the great bulwark OF
Virgiuia's safety and honor, aud that he
you'd oppose any movement to transfer the
! state to Grant as being almost certain TO
rupture that party. III the speech delivered
by Sir. Hunter at New York in the Greeley
campaign of 1872 he arraigne2 the admins.
tration Of Grant and the Radical party for
their tendency to Capitalization and impe-
riali;m; fer their kukux laws; for demand
Ing martial law on the eve OF presidential
election for their support Of the carpet
bag governments Of the South, aud for in
citing the blacks to hatred against the
white race. These and other bad acts Of
the Administration were exposed in what
the New York Tribune and other jour
mails rightly praised as one of the most
"inportaut and authoritative ' addresses OF
that canvass. lam sure that Mr.. Hunter
has In no wise changed the general line OF
views and policy enunciated in that address.
Nor has the Administration done anything
since then to aba,e Or modify the Just cen.
sure which he then pronounced. On the
contrary, we behold Louisiana pinned by
Federal bayonets under the rule Of carpet
baggers and thieves, the Federal Offices in
the South generally filed by unworthy men,
q movement already begun by Grants para.
sites Tor third term, and finally, as
symbol of the spirit of the new empire,
President Grant welcoming to the White |
House the muatto %inchback and Fred |
Douglass, and publicly assuring them Of his
desire to have Congress pass the civil-rights
and socal-equality bill anu this. too, just |
after the negro convention had demanded
mixed schools rs a part of the ciyil.rights
Mr. Hunter is not the man to
approve any Of these things.
But, air, have no idea that Virginia
Legislature will repeat the error of clectiDg
4 senator who Is sin accord" with the Adj
II their choice should happen
to be Nj. Hunter, be would stand forth at
Washington, as lie did at Tammany Hall in
1872, the advocate of cancellation and peace
bet Heeu the sections and races, Of, reform
md an economical administration Of the
and Of fair and generous
policy towards the South. If President
Grant can be induced, as some still hope, to
mend his ways and deal more literally with
he southern people, Mr.. Hunter is not The
nan TO embarrass him by tactious opposi-
ion. He is by fur too considerate, prudent,
and conciiitory statesman to lose sight Of
great practical results, and he is also too true
and honest, for the sake of any position,
however elevated, 10 approve the course
pursued heretofore by the Administration
IN respect to the South. 1t Is certain that he
does not belong to "Grants party in Vir-
yinia."
Whether 1t be wise to elect senator /" In
accord With the Administration or not
shall not discuss. South Carolina, Missis-
sippi, Arkansas, and Louisiana have had
senators of this description in Congress for
some tune. How much good it has done
The unfortunate people OF those States
leave to others to compute. ! will add, to
avoid any misrepresentation, that my sole
purpose is 70 set Mr.. Hunter right where
know he ;as been misunderstood, and not
to allude directly or indirectly to any of the
other eminent gentlemen whose names havas
been suggested for the senatorship.
CONSERVATIVES