Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-10-14
MR.. SUMMERS LETTER.

In hurrying Mr.. Summers letter of acceptance
into our paper of yesterday, we had not the time
or space to speak of it as it richly deserves. Sci
dom have we read any paper so perfectly in accor-
dance with our ideas of what it should be, and this
Impression, we confident will be made upon
every Wing in the Commonwealth. 1t is letter
which bears its merits so clearly upon its face
that they need no commentary or exposition.
We entirely agree with Mr., Summers that the
offce Of Governor, under our new constitution,
ought not to be merely political one, and that the
prosperity of Virginia should be the chief aim of
the people in electng him, and of the man in
serving them. The sentiment that the Chief Ma
gisrae of Virginia, now to be elected, will find
more important work to do than "indting ESSAYS
on tariffs and currency or aiding the contests of
party for federal Offices will be acceptable to
every citizen of the State who is not himself, or
does not hope to be some day, a beneficiary of gu>
bernatcrial countenance, And every word in the
following noble paragraph of Mr.. Summers letter
will find hearty response in the sound public
opinion of the State
We have great comm onweath of our own wor-
thy oil our best affection and highest skill. We
have now arrived at new and interesting epoch in her
history. degree oil popular energy. hitherto unknown
IN her councils about to be impaired to The State go
vernmen Let the occasion be seized to law deep and
broad the foundation of her power and her prosoeriiv
by wise system of State legislation having for it's
Object The retention OF our people at home; the gra-
dual and economical development OF our internal re-
sources the improvement OF the popular mind and the
establishment OF the public credit. These in nv es
tmation, constitute the basis upon which 10 Sc
cure the happiness and welfare of the tate and to the
attainment OF such ends, all efforts should be di
reced."
The portion of the letter that relates to the
great question of the Union is in all respects
worthy of praise. Mr.. Summers places himself
upon the broad ground laid down by the Wing
State Convention at Charlottesville, that while
the federal constitution is the strongest safeguard
ofour liberty and happiness, its guarantees must
be sacredly observed, sin the ample spirit of fra
ternal kindness and good faith in which the
Union itself had it's origin He adheres to the
Compromise measures in the aggregate "a
final adjustment of the questions which they en-
brace;' and condemns Southern violence on the
one hand, but Northern higher-lawism, still more
sterny, on the other. The position taken by Mr.
Summers on this subject will be warmly approved
by the whole Wing party of the State 1t proves
that on sectional questions, he will be true
and trustworthy representative of the opinions of
the great body of the Virginia people. Attach
ment to the Union as it is, but firm determine
ton to maintain our rights under the con-
sttuton against assaults Of every character, is
their almost universal sentiment. The excep-
ions consist ola few extremists who are already
aenated from the Union, and are anxious to see
it destroyed. OF these Mr.. Summers will be no
exponent in the Executive Office But no Viz
gnan, who wishes to preserve the Union by
maintaining the constitution, can resist the con-
viction that George w. Summers is for that
great object worthy of the confidence of his
tellow-czens.
What Mr.. Summers says of the proprety of
promoting closer union and sympathy among
the people of the State, meets our cordial concur
renee. We have always deplored the grand error
OF the Convention of 1880, in parcelng Virginia,
as Mr.. Summers remarks, into 'yrtually four
Commonwealth and whatever basis of repre-
sentation might be adopted, we have contended
against renewal of that unfortunate geopraphi.
cal discrimination. We can, therefore, cordially
Join in Dir. Summers congratulations that the
Blue Ridge and the Allegheny are not named in
the new Constitution, and that "these frowninc
ridges no longer cast their gloomy shadows upon
the organic law"
The United STATES big p cry, Capt. A. II. Fooe
arrived 81 M0urOyIa tIira) June Is, in nine dave