Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1851-11-06
i
From tie N9yfoik Herald.
"A LETTER FROM GOV. BROWN OF
FLORIDA.

We have been obligingiy favored with the fol-
lowing letfeEfor publication. Il is from the pres
ent Governor of Florida, whose wise AID patriotic
counsels oyerrulea those Of the Senator's and rep
yesentatives from that State, which favored seces-
sion and opposed the Compromise Of 1850; and
wheeled the Statelof Florida into the line Of the
Union. The letter is addressedto Judge Davis,
who has authorized its publication In our columns;
ExEcFTIvE CHAMBER, FLORIDA,
Tallahassee, Sept. 4th, 1851. !
II Mr. DEAR Sir :4-In reply 10 your inquiries, [
1 will gery briefly give you mssyiews, in regards
the course which locomotive the South should pur-
sue In respect TO the nomination Of candidates to
the next Presidential election.
"A statesman Will have read the signs of the time
to litte purpose, il he cannot see and understand
the position of the laveholding States al the present
crisis. A man ofHWisaom and sound philosophy,
before he makes up the last issue upon which des-.
tiny hangs. would take great to that il not
only places him III the right position, but that it
places his opponent CLEARLY in the wrong. This
conceive % be the attitude Of the Southern States,
in accepting The C9mpromise measures Of the last
Congress, as final adjustment Of the delicate and
exciting question of slavery. On the part Of the
South, that settle Inent viii be adhered in good
faith, and from the North like good faith will be
/ quire&.
Wiih1he friends Of the Union at the North, who
have sd noby sustained and maintained the Com
promise measures, The Southern Wings will cordi-
ally unite in the chhfce OF chief istfate for the
nations but with The fanatics and higher law
factions they viii not affiliate; or very quietly sub
nit 10 any further agitation OF the Slavery ques-
ton, inIthe National Councils.
As itle as have seriously apprehended any inn
mineHt Hanger or dissolution Of our eontederacy,
believe the next Presidential election will be the
test Of rs peFmanency, and that great wisdom and
prudence will be required in the selection ofthe
candidates, and in concentrating the Union Con
servatiHe party Of the nation. This failure in an
election by the people, should be avoided If possible
II ii Soks ID Congress, theatre viii be presented,
for all TIE ambitious, designing am evil spirits in
the land, to plot mischief and treason against the
Union The Northern Abelitonists, and The South
ern SecessiOnsts. will find it field for he accom-
plisanteni of all their views and for which they
now striving. The Democratic party are making
strong efforts e rally the party upon Old party Isl
sues Designating recent dissentions calculating in
the event of defeat before the people, upon their
strength in Congress; and this, wisdom Would adj
monish4u s 70 guard against; for Notwithstanding
their boasted adolescence Of treesoilisn1 they have
shown h the whoeh iStory Of their party that when
il becomes, necessary to insure political success,
they meyer have been very serupulous about the
means
Under all The circumstances, i think national
Union Convention, disregardflg old party lines,
would be the course of wisdom; but ii that cannot
be effected there ought TO be a national Whig Con-
vention, and all the Southern States should send
delegates TO II; but under instructions, to require
the aaoRtlon 81 ResaitItons by The Convention that
no candidate, for either the Presidency or Vcie
Presidency should be pat in nomination, who had
not OF would not make an explicit declaration Of
his approval, and support Of the Compromise meas
ures, and especially Of the Fugitive Slave Law ;
and his'disapproval Of any repeal or modification
of it. And withoutthis explicit declaration by the
Convention before proceeding to the nomination Of
the candidates, 10 withdraw from any participation
in the Convention.
These are, hastily, my views.
am, yours, very truly,
THOMAS BROWN.
w. Gl NJ. DAVIS ESQ.