Washington Sentinel

HON. R. M. T. HUNTER.

It affords us much pleasure to copy from the Richmond Enquirer of Friday, the following well-merited tribute to Mr. Hunter, of Virginia. At any time, and under any circumstances, it would be a source of great gratification to us to see the merits of a statesman whom we respect so much and esteem so highly as we do the senator from Virginia, properly acknowledged and appreciated by the press. But recent occurrences, which good taste forbids us to mention specially, imparts more than ordinary gratification, when we see such significant articles as that which we present from the columns of the Richmond Enquirer, which has recently attempted, with but indifferent success, to read us out of the democratic party.

"Of all the public men of this country, perhaps there is none who has escaped with less political obloquy and personal detraction than Senator Hunter, of Virginia. This might possibly be thought an equivocal compliment, if we did not know that the unusual immunity which Mr. Hunter enjoys is in no respect due to obscurity of position or mediocrity of character. Though still in the maturity of manhood, he has long trod the political stage, and the conspicuous part he has played has attracted to him much of public notice and consideration. As chairman of the Committee on Finance, and as Speaker, he was long a leading spirit in the House of Representatives; and, when transferred to the Senate, he immediately assumed the same commanding position in that august body. His weight has been felt in every important crisis, and his voice been heard on every question affecting the interests of the country. It is, indeed, remarkable that a politician, with so much emphasis of character and so high a position, should have been so entirely exempt from the shafts of political detraction.

"The explanation of this anomaly, is found in the personal character of Senator Hunter. Without reproach in private life, he has illustrated the principles and the bearing of a gentleman in his public career. He has never been implicated in any transaction of equivocal character, much less of positive criminality. No suspicion of dishonor attaches to his name. He has risen to the eminence which he occupies by no devious path, and no unworthy means. If we search his record, we shall find no compromise of principle; if we read his history we shall see no instance of unworthy motive or unmanly conduct. He has ever maintained his personal dignity, and he owes nothing of his success to the arts of the demagogue or the intriguant. His ability and high character command respect, while the modesty and courtesy of his deportment, disarms the resentment even of political faction. This is the secret of the esteem with which Mr. Hunter is regarded by the country, and of the respect manifested towards him even by political adversaries.

"It is high but not exaggerated praise of Mr. Hunter to say that he holds a position second to that of no other man in the country. Who is his superior either in reputation or influence? If we measure him by the standard of senatorial ability, we shall find none of higher stature. Everett may boast a more discursive reading, a higher culture in literature and art, and a more polished and persuasive rhetoric—Cass has seen more of public life and is riper in experience—Badger is a subtler dialectician, and is more skillful in the use of the weapons of extempore debate—Seward is far more consummate in the science of political strategy—Douglass possesses a greater power of popular eloquence—Mason is more deeply read in the technicalities of law; but there is not one of the various gifts and attainments essential to the character of the statesman and orator, which Mr. Hunter does not possess in all but the very highest measure. In our judgment, the eloquence of Mr. Hunter is of a higher character than that of any other of our senatorial orators. It is less ambitious and ornate than the eloquence of Everett, for instance, but it is formed on a purer model and exhibits much more vigor of thought.

"The position of chairman of the Committee on Finance, which Mr. Hunter occupies, not by the caprice of any one man, but by the unanimous and oft-repeated vote of the Senate, attests in what esteem he is held by his associates. This is the post of honor and influence in the Senate, and this is the post to which Mr. Hunter is assigned by those who are most competent to appreciate his abilities.

"Although Mr. Hunter has been thus exempt from the vituperative criticism which so freely assails the public men of the country, within a few days past he has been made the mark of ungenerous attack by a democratic paper; and it is this attack which provokes an allusion to the esteem in which he is held by the country and especially by the people of this State. It is not in the power of the Washington Star to affect the character or position of Senator Hunter, and if the Richmond Whig had not seen fit to re-publish the article, we would suffer it to pass without notice, as it assuredly will pass without effect. It is sufficient to say that the allegations and insinuations of the Star, in regard to the position and designs of Mr. Hunter, are absolutely false. The base intrigue of which Mr. Hunter is accused, originated in the prolific invention of the scribbler who set the story afloat, and is as revolting to Mr. Hunter's nice sense of honor as it is antagonistic to every obligation of party fidelity. Mr. Hunter is a democrat on principle, and will do nothing to impair the ascendancy of his party. He has confidence in the administration, and will give it the support of his great ability and eminent name."