Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-10-23
Hon. G. W. suMARRs.
kAsawaA c. H, OF 81, 1851

hANAwHA Y. h.I Qet I'll, 1891.
GsAtEenera.
II received yesterday your letter Of The 26,h alt,
Informing me that the Convention held last week
al Charlottesville, Nv lis unanimous vote had nom
mated me as candidate for the office Of Governor
OF Virginia under the new Constitution Of the
State.
II Is perfectly well known that Il have neither
Sought Tor nor desired this nomination on the
contrary, nothing would have been moFegratifyang
to me had il BEEN The pleasure Of the ConyenoA 10
present soma other citizen for this high station,
NV name has BEEN fixed upon in opposition both
10 myE Fnfreariss ahl nv protestatious; and did
feel nlyselial lih rF 10 follow my own inclinatons
and niH decided v4ws Of personal Interest, and do
mesti4 tamVFt ,llold without hesitation decline
the posiiiQn whichFhe Convention has under cir
cumsiRpces 50 iatiHling, been pleased 40 assign me
Recognizing hnweyer one Of The canons Of
repubIieansm the iiacrine that individual interest
and PERSONAL pfefert nee, should give way 10 the
general wish, and That the sovereign has right 10
command the citizen, yield obedience 10 the cali
which has been made upon me- ShoBid it be the
will Of The people-Hthe only sovereigns who bear
rule in our happy cpuntry-to confer upon me, the
office referred 10, will endeayor 10 discharge its
func,ions and its ddties, 10 the best Of whatever
bilites | may possess and in sudh ma4Aer, as
shall, in my judgement, most tend to promote the
interest and prosperity Of the whole State, and the
welfare andhappiness of all her citizens.
In expressing the. disinclnaton OF my mind 70
assured that am nIR insensibe to lis importance
or unmindful ofthe distinguished honor implied in
being thought qualified 10 occupy il, lobe elected
the Chief Magistrate Of Virginia by the free choice
or herpeaple is a distinction worthy The aspirn-
lions of The most gifted and exalted citizen within
her bofders and far beyoa any claim OF deserving
Of ming.
My anxious desire that oar believe and venera-
ted Common wealth. in her illustrations of popular
supremacy, under the new Constitution, shall call
I
of the State government, the very besp material
which she possesses; the Consciousness of my own
want of qualification for, and adoption %, Ihis most
elevated and responsible station the great dificu
ty and itconvenicnee Of so sudden determination Of
| professional engagements as would be brought a.
bout in lbe event ofnS elections and the pnaypid-
able change and Enlargement Of ~ pflya}fse aEl
lance, which have animated.
In yielding my own wishes 10 the desire OF 9TH
ers, it must, however be distinctly understood that
cannot consent To- become candidate for mere
| party purposes. il there be any such be accom-
plished BY my election and that il elected Cover
nor Of the State, will not accept or exercise the
| office as Poiiica Parzan.
In reference to general politics have decided o
pinibns, not now ID be made up tof ibeSifSt time
and tof suit the occasion. But it slfikes me thai
the Chief Magistrate Of Virginia, now ID be elected
will find other work TO do more important and prof.
t,itabe tp The State, than ndtng essays On Tariffs
and Currency or aiding in the contests Ut parry,
for federal OFFICES.
| We have great commonweallh Of our own,
worthy oE opr best affection and our highest skill
| We have now arrived al and Interesting
| epoch in ler history degree OF popular energy,
hitherto unknown in her councils, Is about to be
| impaired to the State government. Let the ocea-
sion be seized lay deep and broad The foundation
| Of her power and hef prosperity by wise system
Of State legislation, having fVr It's object the reten-
lion Of par people at home; the gradual aud eco
nonlcal Development OF our internal resources the
1 improvement 81 the popular ming andtha eSiab-
\ lishment Of the public credit. These III my esi-
nation, constitute the sures has S, appa which 10
secure the happiness and welfare OF the State, ard
to the attainment Of snch ends all our efforts should
be directed.
In relation to the great questions which nov oc-
cupy, to some extent, The public mind, and which
are calculated to affect The tranquility ana integrily
OF our federal union Il need only say, thai my own
sentiments and opinions are in accordance with the
resolutions adopted BY the Convention whose organ
Won are While l regard the ConstitaticB Of the
Tinted states, as ihe strongest and sarest safe
guard the Liberty and happiness Of the American
people in order n be efficiently protective, It's
guarantees must be ca .-ried out and execned, not
:-rudginsiY bat in the ample spirit Of fFsternal
kindness and good faith, in Thich,th unien itself
habits origin The constitution will cease 10 be OF
ahv value when distempered far atheism shall be
permitted escape the Obligations Of itsdireci pro-
visions, BIZ invoking The behests Of a higher Law.
The compromise measures Of the last Congress
we're not I'll acceptable to me, but taking thrm in
combination, and regarding them together, as f.
nal adjustment Of the Questions which .hey embrace
should be oppdS I'd any attempt 10 disturb them
now or hereafter The Union Of the STATES is
quite too essenta 10 the public peace and the pub
lie happiness q have i endangered BY andoing
4 that SETTLEMENT
Ihave npt been ablH 70 perceive anything, in The
measures aaded tQ fha can Justify the determined
hostility, which has bFen manifested BY portioaoi
4 the southern people, lor which can excuse their
/ threats and attempts ap dissolve The Union. More
inexeusabIe still The opposnon and otan resist
ance ny portion q Hhe people Of the nosh 10 The
sAeenllon ol ING ingiiAVe slave law law esaeied
u pursuance q PLAIN and positive provision d.
the Constitutions aud dfpsramount anthoritv, NJ ~
4 people Of altthe States. 3 '''s
Whilecauses Of Disturbance exist outsd. esf ,bs
Commonwealth II IS matter of heartfelt consyrat-
natIon mat me people 81 Virginia are about 10 be
drawn closer iogelher andf0 &c made more Matted
and compact Tor thelrecepiion OF any untoygard
shock from without. Undek the present Cens,itu-
ton We have virtually four eommonwealfhs SIM
1dered from each other BY geographical linas and
Automatically imaginary Universities Of interest The
new constitution. rejecting all subdivisions oE her
ElteniioFy. only knows Virginia as a whole as.
1 one and indiEisib.ef The Blue Ridge" and
the g Alleghanyr are not named in the insiranleht
These browning ridges no longer cast their gloomy
shadows upon the organic law.
tthe strife Of sections terminate with the eypir
ting constitution and forgetting all past questions
lof discord. LEI Us look forward and onward 10 a
brighI and prosperous future presenting heneeforh
no rivalry or quarrel. except fraterrai contest
who shall do most 20 promote and perpetEate the
peace, prosperity and honor of Virginia
Accept eentlemea nv sincerest thanks for the
very kind terms in which yau hare announced me
nsmiaation of the Convention, and my best wishes
Tor your Individual health and happiness
With the highest respect
Yaar obedienf servant
3 GEO. w. SUMMERS