Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-11-11
SANDER ora George w. Summers Refuted--
Letter from summers.

1t has been roundly charged that George
w. Summers, the Wing candidate for Gov
ernor, is noiC an Abolitionist. This most Sc
rious charge is founded upon speech which
MIR. Summers made at the session of the Lee
gislature ensuing upon the horrid massacre in
southampton in 1881, and it is moreover as
serted that Mr.. Summers has never changed
the opinions then expressed by him, and the
Wings have been defied and dared to inter-
rogate Mr.. s. on the subject, and to publish
his reply. Soon after Mr. Summers was
made the subject of this enormous charge
the Editor Of this paper, with several other
gentlemen, addressed letter to him inform
ing him Of the charge and requesting him to
come to this part Of the State and in person
refute it. Annexed is MIR. Summers reply
which most effectually blows to the winds this
SANDER upon his good name, and imposes up
on his revilers the task of raking up some
other charge equally absurd and ridiculous
This letter, as Mr.. Summers says, was rot
written for the press but as we do not mean
that our opponents shall have the shadow Of
an excuse for saying that we have dotted an
that was not dotted, or crossed a that was
not crossed, or garbled letter in any man
ner, form or shape, we publish it entire. 1t
is manly, frank letter--creditabl to Mr..
Summers, and should be overwhelming in its
effects upon those who have so ruthlessly and
unjustly assailed him. Will Mr. Summers
accusers come forward now and do him JUS
tice? VIII they make the only atonement
now in their power, by re-publishing Mr..
Summers letter, and frankly admitting that
they have done him great wrong? We
shall see. 1t will be seen that Mr.. Summers
expressly dcclaims making any charge upon
his competitor, Col Johnson, but is naturally
indignant that he, Virginian born and bred.
and STAKEHOLDER to boot, should be charged
with being an Abolitionist by a party who
are now straining every nerve to elevate to
the Chief Executive office of the State gen.
tleman who was born and bred in the State
of New York, and who, since bis removal to
Virginia, has resided in the smallest slave
holding district Of the State Here is Mr..
Summers letter:
KANAwHA G. H., Oct 10Th, 1851.
Dear Sir II this morning received the
letter addressed to me by yourself and others.
inviting an early visit to Petersburg and the
adjacent country. feel the utmost anxiety
to be in that quarter at the earliest practi-
cable period. set out in the morning for
the South West, and shall either go from
that region down the Valley, or to Eastern
Virginia 1t will be impossible to canvass
the whole State. must strike for important
points, and none do regard more SO than
your neighborhood | can only say that
will be with you as soon as possible.
As to the use sought to be made Of the
occurrences in the Legislature of 1882, it is
easily met took occasion in the late Con-
yention to review the transactions alluded to.
and send you by this mail copy of the speech
| then made. You will fnd from page 7 to
page 4 What relates 70 that subject and it
might lie well to insert it in the "Iutellgcn-
ccr.
| voted to inset that provision in the new
Constitution which specifically prohibits
emancipation. | stated expressly. that, in
my opinion, even without such clause, the
Legislature would have no right to cmanci-
pate.
am slaveholer myself to considerable
amount, and live in the largest slaveholding
County of tho West. | am as fixed in my
opposition to all and every scheme, State or
Federal, calculated to affect the value or Sc
curity Of slave property, as any man in the
Commonwealth. And yet this ridiculous and
false apprehension is feigned by those who
VIII vote fer Col. johnson, a gentleman born
in the State of New York, and who came to
Virginia in mature life who, perhaps, never
owned slave, aud who lives in part of tie
State having less interest in that property
than any other part Of the Commonwealth.
! write in great haste, and with the free
dom of a friend, for your own eye, and not for
the press though you are at liberty to use
any of the facts above stated. | make no
attack on Col j. as foreigner or on any
other account; but may be excusable for
feeling some warmth at the course of opposi-
ton to me mentioned in your letter, and
which is at the same time so ungenerous and
so unfoundcd.
Hoping soon to have the pleaaure Of see
ing you, am yours truly,
GEO W. SUMMERS.
The original of this letter is in the posses
sion of the Editor of this paper, and subject
to the inspection Of any gentleman who may
be DESTROYS to see Petersburg Int.
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VOTE ON THE CONSTITUTION.