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

Mr. Sumners's speech at Petersburg Virginia, wa,
made confossedly 10 rebuff the charges founded on b
speech OF $50. He was invited there for that puno.
aud he went there for that purpose We have before NJ
the account OF his speech given BY the Petersburg Intel
gsncer, whose editor is friend and correspondent Of
Mr. Summers In that account we find, Of course, manv
expressions Of admiration fQnMr. Summers They sr
nifty but little. We also find many general declaration,
that Mr.. Summers lriumphantly reiuted the charge,
ans him. demolished them. and scattered them 10 ,s
winds. They signify nothing Looking for particular,
hunting for the arguments which Mr. Summers used wa
find them scarce and scantythe intelligence being re-
porter We find these. and no more, to wit That IN.
proposition for which he voted in 1882 an eastern
PLAN which only provided for future emancipation o,
the post -nati prncplehat the public mind was much
excited then, and that he has since changed hi.
opinions. Small though they be- these are the only
grains we find 10 the pile of chat; and a word
will prove that they are unsound and WORTHLESS,
We are forced TO believe that the lnteigeAcer give,
the prominent points of Mr.. Summers's speech II So
Mr.. Summers evaded and avoided the real ISSUE and
thereby exhibited his weakness. The charges against
him have no reference his vofe for eastern or western
measures OF emancipation the pot-nati any oh,
ions generated by temporary exeitemen they refer to bis
speech in the Virginia legislature and they based on
declaration OF long cherished sentiments, marked all
over with ultra abolitionism. Mr. Summers. under The
influence OF mistaken pride, perhaps. has made great
mistake lIstrue to confess the Of bis
earlier years freely and frankly But unfortunately for
him. he has attempted to diminish and explain away his
rangression by unenabe arguments, and by statement.
l l.ohMou L.
the full extent Of his wandering in the path Of error,
He is indignant when il is pointed out and be demands
not only forgiveness. but honor and reward.
Since writing the above our eye has fallen on the FOL-
lowing letter (Which we find in the Richmond Enquirer,
from Colonel John Rutherford, whose name has been
used along with those already mentioned giving sane
ton TO the views expressed by Mr. Summers in the Viz
GINA Legislature:
TO The Editors Of The Enquirer:
GENTLEMEN learn by the Enquirer OF this morning
and by reports which have reached me- that in the d
cus,ons which have recently taken place in the canvas
for governor have been spoken OF one OF those who
voted with Mr. Summers the abolition question during
the session OF our legislature in lS3l32 am sure thai
there could have been no intention the part OF that
gentleman to misrepresent my courses and, entertaining
for him high respect have other motive in addressing
you than 70 define my position on the exciting question
which then agtated The State
refer you 10 the journal Of the house Of delegates for
the proceedings.
On the llih OF January, 1889, Mr.. Goode Offered
resolution that the select committee on The subec,
slaves free neg roes and the in South ampon
be discharged from the consideration OF all petitions, &c.
having for their object the manumisson OF slaves and
declaring it inexpedent 10 legislate the Subject
whereupon Mr. Randolph moved 10 amend the resolution
by striking out portion and lnstrucng the committee
to inquire INTO the expedency OF submitting to the vote
OF the qualified voters of the State plan (specfed in bis
amendmenI for the gradual nanumission OF all slaves
born in The State on or after the 4h OF July. 1910.
4 I'm nl,t,nn onda .l,n.,,t tl,n.J
the table, and afterwards taken up and debated on The
18th, 18th, and 18th Of January, but no vote was ever
taken them, was the debate thereon afterwards re-
On Monday, the 10th OF January, the select commllee
presented a report as follows:
The select committee to whom referred certain
memorials praying The passage Of some law providing Tor
The gradusl abolition Of slavery in this Commonwealth
have, according to Older, had the under consdera.
ton, and have the following resolution there.
upon
"Rs.otued, The opinion Of dis eom.,ss That it is in.
expedien Tor The presentto make any legislative
motion was then made by Mr.. Preston 10 amend the
said resolution by inserting in lieu thereof The follow
| ing
'aesoped Tie opinion of this committee That ii er
| ton OF slavery"
The subject was under discussion daily until the 25lh
January, when motion was made by Mr. Wi,cher that
the further consideration OF the report and amendment
be Indefinitely postponed II was decided in the mega
tive On this vote, in conjunction with Messrs Roane,
|
ieIred 10 In connexion with mine voted against the in.
definite postponement, and for the plain reason tina, |,
and others acting with me- desired direct vote upon the
amendment OF Mr.. Preston. with a view 10 kill it, as
subsequent vote Immediately afterwards proved When
the question REQUIRED upon the adoption OF Mr. Pestos
amendment, in conjunction with Mr.. Roanc voted in
the Negative this being the test pofe. Messre Mcdowell
Randolph, and Summers then voted in the affirmative
After the amendment rejected the resolution OF the
committee adopted, and received my cordial vote
The main, the vital question which occupied the mind.
and enlisted the feelings OF the members. was the eI
pediency ineypediency OF legislative enactmens for
the abolition Of slavery Among those who were op-
posed 10 legislative action there difference Of opn
ion as to the best mode Of disposng OF the subject,
some preferng the indefinite posponement. and Others
(o whom was one) preerTing direct vote each spe
cihc proposition.
The only other question which any vote
taken, connected with the report Of the committee,
an amendment TO the preamble. offered by MIR Bryce OF
Goochand, which adopted, and for which voted,
because asserted the principle that free coloredpop
utotion should be removed
However unlmporiant my past present opinions may
be to the public, have deemed it due to myself to make
this statement.
Yours, respectfully,
JOHN RUTHERFORD.
RICHMOND, Nov. IL, 1851
The CASE OF mr.. 1hrashsr
We have been fav ored with the following extract OF