Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-10-13

We are, very respectfully,
Your friends and fellow citizens,
V. w. SOUTHALL,
II p. IRVING,
DAVID PATTERSON,
JOS. SEGAR,
Hon, G. w SUMMERS.
KANAwuA G. H., Oct 3d. 1851.
GENTLEMEN received yesterday your letter of the
18th ut., informing that the Convention held last
week at Charlottesville by its unanimous vote, had
nominated me as d candidate for the office OF Governor
OF Virginia, under the Constitution of the State.
1t is perfectly well known, That have neither
sought for, desired this nomination ; the con-
trary, nothing would have been more gratifying to
me, had 1t been the pleasure Of the Convention to
present some other citizen for fhis high station My
has been fixed upon, in opposition both my en-
treaties and my protestations; and did feel myself at
liberty to follow my own incnatlons. and my decid-
ed views OF personal interest, and domestic comfort
should, without hesitation, decns the position,
which the Convention has, under circumstances so
haterng, been pleased to assign me.
Recognizing, however, as of the canons of re-.
pubicansm, the doctrine that individual interest and
persona preference, should give way TO the general
wish, and that The sovereign has right to command
the citizen, yield obedience TO the call which has
been made upon me. Should it be the will OF the peo
ple-the only sovereigns who bear rule in our happy
country-to confer upon me the office referred to, will
endeavor 10 discharge its functions and its duties, to
The best of whatever ab lilies may possess. and in
such manner shall in my Judgment most tend pro-
mote the interest and prosperity OF the whole State,
and the welfare and happiness OF all her citizens.
In expressing the dislnc inaon OF my mind, to
become candidate for this Office, beg you TO be
sured that am not insensble to its Importance,
mlndful OF the distinguished honor implied, in being
thought qualified to occupy it. To be elected the
Chef Magistrate OF Virginia, by the free choice of her
people, ls distinction worthy the aspirations of the
NEST gifted and exalted citizen within her borders and
Tar peYond any calm or deserving of mine.
- MY ANXIOUS desire that Our beloved and venerated
commonwealth In her illustrations Of popular supre
macy, under the new Constitution, shall call into her
SERVICE ana employ IN every department OF the State
government the very best material which she possees
tle consciousness OF my want of qualification for
and adaptation to this elevated and responsible
statioh; the great difficulty and Inconvenience of so
sudden termination of professional enpapements "a
~ond De brought about in the event of nv election;
ana the unavoidable change and arrangement of my
private ana domestic affairs, all conspre induce the
reluctance, which l have intimated
LII yielding my own wishes to the desire of others If
must, however, be distinctly understood, that cannot
consent to become candidate for mere party purpo-
ses, Il tnefe be any such to be accomplished by my
eecuon; and that, it elected Governor of the State
VIII moi accept, or exercise the office political
partiZan
In reference to general politics. have decided opin-
IONS not now to be made up for the first time and to
sun the OCCASION But it strikes me, that the Chief
magistrate OF Virginia, now to be elected, will find
othef work to 90, more important and profitable to the
state, than Inditng essays Tariffs and Currency
or aolng IN the contests oil party for federal offices
We have great commonwealth of our own wor.
my OF our best affection and highest skill We have
now arrived al a new and interesting epoch in her
history degree of popular energy hitherto unknown
IN her councils Is about to be impaired to the State
government Let the occasion be seized to Law deep
and broad the foundation OF her power and her pros
perity, by wise system OF State legislation, having
Tor lts object the retention of people at home the
gradual and economical development OF our internal
resources the improvement of The popular mind and
the establishment of the public credit. These 10 my
estmatIon constitute the surest basis upon winch 10
secure the happiness and welfare of the State and to
the attainment OF such ends, all efforts should be
directed
In relation to the great questions which now occu-
Ply, to some extent, the public mind, and which are
calculated to affect the tranquility and integrity of our
federal union, need only say, that my own sentiments
ana OPINIONS are IN accordance with the resolutions
adopted by the Convention, whose organ YOU are
While regard the Constitution of the United States
as the strongest and safeguard OF the liberty and
happiness OF the American people,, in order 10 be eff
GENTLY protective, its guarantees must be carried ont
and executed not grudgngy, but in the ample snjrt of
@raterna kindness and good faith, in which the union
sefhad its origin That constitution will cease to he
OF any value, when dlsempered lanatcism shall be
permitted to escape the obligations of its direct prov-
slons, by invok Eg the behess ola Shigher law .
The compromise measures ofthe last Congress were
not all acceptable to me but king the in combination
and regarding them together as final adjustment of
the questions which they embrace, / should be op-
posed to any attempt to disturb them now or hereaf.
ter The union OF the States squte too essential to the
public peace and the public happiness to have it endan
gered by undoing that settlement.
have not been able to perceive anything, in the
measures alluded 10 that can Justify the determined
hosIlty which has been nantes ed by portion of the
southern people, or which excuse their threats
and attempts to dissolve the Union More ipexcusa-
Die still is the opposition and open resistance by por-
ton OF the people OF the NORTH to the execution of the
ugtiVesave law law enacted in pursuance of plain
and positive provision OF the Co stituon, and of para
mount authority on the people OF all the States.
While causes OF disturbance exist outside of the
Commonwealth, it s matter of heartfelt congratuIa.
ton, thatthe people OF Virginia about to be drawn
closer together and to be made united and com
pact lor The reception of any untoward shock from
without Under the present Constitution we have viz
tually four Commonwealtfs, suudered from each other
by geographical lines, and alenated by imaginary d.
verslties OF interest. The constitution, rejecting
all divisions of her territory, only knows Virginia
Ridge" and the Allegheny named in the in
strumnt These rowning ridgessno longer cast their
gloomy shadows upon the organic law.
Let the strife OF sections terminate with the expiring
constitution and forgetting all past questions ofdiscord
let US look forward and onward 10 bright and prospe-
rel, except traternal contest, who shall do most to
promote and pepetuae the peace prosperity and hon
or of Virginia.
Accept gentlemen, my sincerest thanks for the yery
kind terms in which you have announced the nomna-
ton OF the Convention and my best wishes t0r vour
individual health and happiness.
With the highest respect,
Your obedient servant
GEO. w. SUMMERS.
To Messrs V w Southa Irving, David Pat
terson, Joseph Segar, B Semple
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Sept. 26, 1851.
SIR:-Ihe Wing Safe Convention, now in session
al ms place. has assigned to U.S. a Committee the
pleasing duty of communicating you your unanimous
= tho n1Ia trrt,lI ttIn at