The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-11-21


msrs in 1882 BY attrbutng them to the temporary panic
caused by the Southampton massacre and by charging
prominent democrats OF that day with entertaining the
same sentiments We not in any manner OF degree
surprised al the course pursued by the wing press OF Viz
GINA; but surprised that Mr.. Summers should
give his sanction and endorsement to that course We
have not heard Mr. Summers on the huslngs, ana we
have full report of any one OF his speeches IN
the present contests but have seen sketches OF MS
remarks. made at different points, IN various wing prints
which we receive. Those sketches Indicate most clearly
that Mr. Summers left his home with prepared speech
and that he has repeated from Kanawha TO Alexandria
The Richmond Republican gives account OF the utter
ances OF Mr. Summers in that city, just week ago. lhe
Republican Thoroughbred party Journal and we quote
from il the following passage:
"Mr Summers next referred the charges which had
been brought against himself in connexion with the sub
ject Of slavery He said that difficult TO speak with
prudence Of such charges against one who Was perfectly
conscious Of their utter want OF foundation lie called
upon people mark the attempt which is making
try the opinions of 1882 by the opinions OF 1851 lie
ered the great excitement which then existed In Viz
ghia and the feeling manifested in all sections oil the
State in favor OF enamel patton mt future period IL was
Virginia treated of by Vginians in their own leGis-
iave body and having conneYion with political aboi
lion in other States for such thing political abolition
did then exist The subject brought up by Mr.
Jefferson Randolph, OF AbemaIe in scheme similar to
that recommended by Mr.. Jeerson having in view,
the daie abolition OF slavery, but the emuncipa
on upon certain of those born after certain
Rod Aud this be done by the legislature bur
be submitted TO the people as proposition for them to
decide IL true thai lie did on that occasion express
opinions like those which then entertained through
all sections of Virginia. and by the leading men OF the
democratic pany--by Roanc Randolph, Mcdowell, and
others"
This sketch of Mr.. Summerss remarks at Richmond
agrees with the sketches OF his remarks elsewhere
the topic We beg the reader TO mark the points
MIR Summers controver the facts that in 1882 he
denied the right Of the master to his slaves that he af
fmed that the slave afflicted with moral ep
rosy that he advocated immediate emancipation that he
characterized the slave title as founded crong,
outrage and and that he defended the right Of
seruue Instruction Yehe comes forward and asks the
people OF saveholdng State TO elevate him to the high
est office in its gift Notwithstanding the sins of his early
life Time when humility was considered neces-
sary companion Of repentance, and when repenant
of great crimes amply satisfied with acquiltance
forgiveness, dreaming OF honos, rewards, and the
chief seats of authority. But it seems that Mr.. Sum
and the wing party have new ideas OF repentance,
and manifest i, in ways. MIR. Summers, if he is
rightly reported does not humbly confess his sins and
beg forgiveness. SO far from that, he becomes indig
nant, and, according to the Republican, finds it difficult
10 speak with prudence when his msdeeds Of 1882
charged upon himmisdeeds which be cannot deny and
which prove way OF life which he Processes 10 have
abandoned.
The reader will perceive from the extract we have
quoted from The Richmond Republican that MIR. Sum
mers coun,enances those who have represented his opn
ions in 1892 as temporary in their character In IFS
coun. Of Mr.. Summerss speech in Fredericksburg, the
Fredericksburg News represents those opinions the
offspring OF boysh fancy, conceived in error and
called forth by The excitement Of The times" Now, the
reader must be surprised learn that Mr. Summers in
his abolition speech in the Virginia legislature expressly
declared that his abolition views not called forth by
the excitement OF the times He explicitly that he
had entertained them for a long time He said to his
fellow. members
When we parted the close Of the last session. who
would have predicted the which have taken place
here within the past weekl had hoped that the OPP
pouny would have been furnished register by
my in The halls Of my native State, the long
olshe Of mind But silence is broken forever Any
attempt restran the frees inquiry and
idle As well might you attempt imprison the chain
less winds"
Such is the note OF triumph with which the wing can
dida,e for governor OF Virginia welcomed the results Of
the Southampton massacre. But there is another point
Mr.. Summers, according 10 the Republican, told the
people of Richmond that in 1892 in all sections of the
State, the people manifested feeling in favor OF emanc
patton a, future period The plan was to emancipaie
those born after certain period " and" continues Mr.
Summers, ION that occasion expressed opinions IKE
those which were then entertained throughout all sec
tons OF Virginia. and by the leading men OF the demo-
cratic Party-by Roane, Randolph. Mcdowell and
others" We trust for the sake OF the whg guberna.
tora candidate. that he has been misrepored by the
Richmond Republican. The panic of 1892 did create a
temporary desire for of gradual emancipation
but that desire was not so extended Mr.. Summers
represents it TO have been. Had it been, some scheme
would have been adopted by the legislature The very
speech in which Mr.. Summers announced his anti
slavery sentiments was, we learn from the speech
itself, delivered in opposition to the an,i-aboli,ion
report of the special committee of the legislature
The natural tendency of the Southampton massacre
was 10 suggest ideas of emancipation, and 10 induce
consultation as TO the ways and means OF get
ting nd OF slave population; but il had no ten
dency whatever TO produce in the minds either
OF the timd the fearless disposition to denounce
the right OF the slave owner, or 10 advocate The
right OF servile instruction Its tendency was exactly
in the opposite drecton-to confirm the right of the
saveowner, and 10 call forth excavations on blood.
shed and instruction. Besides, we have already pub.
lished the fact that Mr.. Summerss anti slavery
sentiments did moi cease with the cause which he and
his friends allege produced them The records Of the
Il, A. ~