Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1848-08-02
To The Editors of Richmond U'hie::
WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS. July Is.

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGs, July Is, '4S.
Gentlemen,-A friend placed in my hands last
night, your paper OF The l4h instant, containing
letter purporting to give account of a political
discussion between Henry A. Wise, and MIR. Jo-
seph Segar, at Hampton, on the | lth inst The
writer says, .'Nlr. Wise charged Mr. Fillmore
plumply and fatty on his own knowledge, with
being abolitionist. MIR. Segar offselted this
charge with the counter testimony of DR.. Mallory
and Alex. III. III. Stuart, both of whom, as well as
Mr.. Wise, served with Mr. Fillmore in Congress
and speak like Mr.. w. from personal knowledge
Mr.. w. said in reply that he did not expect such
thing from DIR. NJ. but he did from Stuart whom
he pronounced 10 be, like Mr.. Fillmore, an aboli-
ZIONIST"
! take it for granted that there has been some
misconception of Mr.. Wise's meaning, by the au-
thor of the letter. as cannot permit myself for a
moment to believe that he would have made a
statement so entirely unfounded.
The charge that /, Virginian and STAKEHOLDER.
am an abolitlonSt, is so preposterOus upon its face
that should not have thought it necessary to no
ce it if no one else but myself was concerned in it,
But my relation to the public, as one of the Wing
electors of Virginia. cOnstrains to overcome the
repugnance which feel TO appearing in the news
papers, and to give to the charge a prompt, cate
gOrical, and emphatic denial.
! | am at loss 10 conceive upon what basis such
an imputation can rest, unless it be the fact that
voted for the repeal of the celebrated Dist rule of
| the House of Representatives. That vote know
was much misrepresened at the time, but | gave
| to my constituents an exposition of my reasons for
it, which was entirely satisfactory TO them. and
| believe TO candid men of all parties. Those rea-
sons are contained in short card which was oripi-
nally published in the National nteligencer. about
the middle of June, lS4 , and which | must BEG
the favor of you to republiSh part of this note
| t,fo re f, ba dol
charge OF aboIltiOmsm against me, common Justice
will require that the Democratic party-Mr. Wise's
new alles-should stand convicted of the same
charge, upon the same evidence for all who are
at all cOnyeTsan, with the history of the matter
know that the DIST rule was mol repeated whilst
the Wings had the ascendancy in Congress; but.
as soon as the Democrats acquired decided ma
jority of probably thirty or forty, in the House OF
Representatives of the 18th Congress, They repeal
! edit And l think that experience has proved
that they acted wisely in doing for since its re-
! peal we have found that the agitation of the sub
Ject in Congress has greatly diminished
| | have long been of the opinion that the nstitu-
tor of slavery has been made the subject of spe-
cies ofPolltlcai game, which has been played for
selfish purposes, by fanatics, both at the North and
at the South. Near four years ago, l was called
upon to deliver the anniversary address before the
| American Institute in the city of New York, and
deeming the time, the place and the circumstances
appropriate for the purpose, took occasion TO ex-
press my sentiments in regard to both of these par
ties, in terms which could not be misunderstood
After adverilng to the secret purpose to dissolve
/ the Union, which was at the bottom of the move
ments Of the ultraists on both sides, and intoxicating
the necessity of adhering to the compromises Of the
Constitution, said, cit is time that this spirit, in
whatever form it may exhibit itself, should meet
with decided and emphatic rebuke. The people
in all parts of the country should speak out in a
voice that cannot be misunderstood. Those who
talk of dissolution Of our glorious Conicderacy
must be taught to know that allegiance to the Go
verDment, is not thing to be put on and put of