Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-10-15
Hon. G. w. SUMMERS.
K,NAwHA G.. f., Oct. Sd, 1851.

lion. ". w. SUMMERS.
K,NAwHA G. f., Oct Sd, 1851.
Gentemen:- u received yesterday your letter
of the Goth ult., informing me that the Convention
held last week Charlottesville, Ivy lis unanimous
vote, had nominated me as cand date for the Of.
flee Of Governor Of Virginia, under the new Con.
stitution of the State.
1t is perfectly well known, that have neither
sought for nor desired this nomination on the CON
trary, nothing would have been more gratifying to
me, had it been the pleasure of the Convention to
present some other citizen for this high station
My name has been fixed upon, in opposition both
to my enlreaies and my protesiation and did
feel myself at liberty TO fellow my own inclina-
tons, and my decided views of personal interest,
and domestic comfort, should, without hesitation,
decline the position, which the Convention has,
under circumstances So fatterng, been pleased to
assign me.
Recognizing, however, as one of the canons of
republicanism. the doctrine that individual interest,
and personal preference, should give way to the
general wish, and that the sovereign has right TO
command the citizen, yield obedience 10 the call
which has been made upon me. Should il be the
will Of the peope-the only sovereigns who bear
rule in our happy cnuniry-to confer upon me, the
office referred TO- will endeavor TO discharge its
functions, and lis duties. to the best Of whatever
biliiies may possess, s. in such manner,as shall in
my Judgment most lend 10 promote the interest and
prosperity of The whole Stale, and The welfare and
happiness Of all her citizens.
In expressing the dissemination Of my own mind ,
TO become a candidate for this office, beg you to
he assured, that am moi insensibIe to its impr-
lance, or unmudfal of the Distinguished honor i'm.
i'll ,,,h h., al, h, "a -
be elected the Chief Magistrate of Virginia, by the
free choice Of her people, is distinction worthy
The aspirations of the most gifted and exalted ciii
zen within her borders, and far beyond any claim
OF deserving of mine.
My anxious desire that our beloved and venera-
ted Commonwealth, in her illustrations of popular
supremacy, under the new Constitution. shall call
into her service, and employ in every department
of the Stale government, the very best material
which she possesses the consciousness of my own
want Disqualification for, s. adaptation to, this most
elevated and responsible slaIiun the great Difficult
~ and Inconvenience of 30 sudden termination Of
professional engagements as would be brought a.
buut in the even, cf my election and the unavoid-
ably change and arrangement Of my private and do
mesc affairs, all conspre to induce the reluctance,
which have minated.
In yielding my own wishes to the desire of 9TH
ers, il mus, however, be Distinctly understood THAT
| cannot consent 10 become candidate for mere
party purposes, if there be any such IN be accom-
pIshed by my election and that, if elected Cover
nor of the State, will not accept, or exercise The
office as political parzan.
In reference to general politics, have decided o
pnons,n not now 10 be made up for the FIRST time, and
to suit the occasion. But it strikes me, that the
Chief Magistrate of Virginia, now to be elected,
will find other work To do mnre important and
profitable to the State, than inditing essays on
Tariffs and Currency, or aiding in the contests Of
party, for federal offices.
We have great commonwealth OF our own,
worthy of ouy best affection and Our highes. skill
We have now arrived Al new and interesting
pooh in her history. degree of popular energy
hitherto unknown in her councils is about to be i'm
parted to the Stale government. Let the occasion
be seized to lay deep and broad the foundation Of
her prosperity, by wise system of State legisla-
ton, having for its object the retention Of our
people at home the gradual and economicaf devel-
opment of our internal resources the improvement
OF the popular mind and the establishment Of the
public credit. These, in my estimation, constitute
the surest basis, upnn which to secure the happi-
ness and welfare of the State; and to the attain
ment of such ends, all our eforls should be direct
ed.
In relation TO the great questions which now &C.
cupy, TO some extent. The public mind, and when
are calculated to affect The tranquility and integrity
of our federal union, need only say. that my own
sentiments and opinions are in accordance win Inc
resolutions adopted by the Convention. whose or
gan you'are. While regard the Constitution OF The
United States. "as the strongest and suresl sale
guard Of the liberty and happiness of the Amerl-
can people," in order to be efficiently p"teciiVe'
its guarantees must be carried out and execuieu |,
not grudgngy, bu, in the ample spirit OF ira'ernal
kindness and guod fairh,.in which The union Iisef
had its oriqin. That constitution viii cease 10 be
of any value. when distenpared fanatcisn shall
be permitted to escape the obligations of It's direct
provisions, by invoking the behesis Of "hlgher
law"
The compromise measures Of the last Congress
were not all acceptable To me, but taking them IN
combination, and regarding them together, as n
nal adjustment of the questions which they EN-
brace, | should be opposed 10 any attempt to as
turb them, now or hereafter. The union of the
States is quite too essential To the public peace and
the public happiness, TO have 1t endangered by uh'
doing that settlement.
have not been abIa 10 perceive anything, IN Inc
measures alluded to, that can justify the delermIn'
ed hostility, which has beer manifested by por-
lion Of the southern people, or which can excuse
their threats and attempts to dissolve the Union
| More neXcnsabIe still, is the opposition and open
resistance, by PARTON Of the people of the n,rih'
10 the execution nf the fugitive slave law law
enacted in pursuance OF plain and peilive prov's
ion Of the Constitution, and of paramount aulhori'
ty IN the people Of all the States. ..,
While causes of disturbance exist outside OF 'he
Commonwealth, it is matter of heartfelt c'ngra'-
nlaton. that the people of Virginia are about 70 ne
drawn closer together, and tc be made more united
and compact, for the reception OF any nnloward
shock from without Under The present Consll'u
zion we have virtually four Commemorative, sun
dere from eacI, other by geographical lines. and al
cnaled by imaginary dIversiiirs oE interest. The
new constitution, rejecting all subdivisions Of he
,pri,ory. only knows Virginia as a whole; as "on'
and rndivisble." The blue Ridge" and Thu
"Aeghany" are not named in tho instrument
These frowning ridges no longer cas-! their gloom!
shadows upon the organic law.
Let the strife of sections terminate with the ex
pirng constitution, and ftge,ting all past question
Of dlscord, let us look forward and onward to
bright and prosperous future presenting hencefor'n
no rivalry, or quarrel, except fralernai cnnesl
! 4 4. nd