The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1852-01-22
Mr.. Semple and Governor johnson.


The editor of the Fredericksburg News paid
visit the other day, to the new Governor,
and records the result as follows
We called upon our new Governor on Sat-
urday last in Richmond, and paid him the re-
specis due so distinguished functionary. He
is not so old, so little, or so INV worthy as we
expected to find him. We heard him address
a military company in appropriate and becom-
ing terms; he conyersed with us very pleasant
ly, and was altogether an agreeable gentleman.
We told him of our opposition to his election
and of our approval ofhis Message. To v hich
he very promptly and suitably replied in an
appropriate couplet from Walter Scott.
Ii is very seldom, upon personal acquain-
lance, that we find our political enemies So bad
US our zeal induces us to believe. I'VE have
not the slightest doubt, that during the late
canvass, the friends of Mr. Johnson believed
all that was said against Mr.. Summers, and
that the friends Of MIR. Summers believed all
that was said of Mr.. Johnson. Yet it is very
certain, that the most exaggerated statements
were made with regard to both gentlemen
statements which could not possibly be well
founded, and which the tenor of the lives of
each efectually contradicted. Had we not
huOWu tudt UDtu "OtI uiou VI VIC
should have taken them both, from the repre-
sensations of their adyersaries, to have been
little better than downright knaves.
Being out of the political world, we can See
more clearly than we could while operated up
on by the blind rage OF partizanship, the ex-
IRENE Improperly of these exaggerated appeals
to prejudice. We hive right to speak, for
we have sinned as much in that respect, as the
most heated of our political contemporaries
They must not take it amiss, therefore, that
we rebuke them, since we thereby rebuke our
Selves Ii seemed to have been the aim of each
party, to prove that the candidate of the other
was an abolitionist. Now we are convinced
that no Wing, after he shall have recovered
from the excitement of the contest can really
believe Governor johnson to be an abolition
ist, and we are just as sure that no Democrat,
under the same circumstances, thinks thus
much Of MIR. Summers But apart from all
this, there is manifest improperly in making
these charges, for another reason. They OPP
crate as incendinry material of the very worst
description. What effect must it have, for in-
stance, upon u certain class of our population
to hear that the Governor elect, and the candi-
date who was supported az ainst him, the two
carrying the vote of the whole State, are abo
li,ionists? Whatprogress must they not be-
| lieve, that abolitionism has made, when it has
not stood between these men and their friends'
| What hopes must it not excite, to be crushed
in the bud, flor abolition in this State is an ut
ter impossibilty,) lift does not grow 10 fruit of
the bitterest description?
Depend upon it, brethren of the political
| press, the ringing of the changes on this sub
| ject, in such connection, is all wrong. There
never can be just fear that an abolitionist can
be elected Governor of Virginia. Tits useless,
therefore, to keep up this excitement, and
worse than useless for excitement 10 the very
breath in the nostrils of lanaticism.