Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1854-11-13
THE VINDICA'r0R.
.srAUNTo ON, VA,
MONDAY MORNING, NOV. 10, 1854
Governor Smiths Letter.

Governor Smiths Letter. =
1g The Committee appointed by thu
Norfolk County Democratic Meeting somt
weeks ago, to address particular enquiry
to certain prominent Democrats Of the
State, with a view to the publication
their replies, have, unintentionally no.
doubt, exposed some Of the gentlemen un-
derstood to have been addressed by them,
to misconstruction, by falling to meet the
public expectation founded on their an
nounced purpose of publishing their res
ponses. Of the gentlemen written 10, Mr..
Leake is the only one whose reply has
been given to the press Mr.. Wise has
lately, in note TO the Enquirer, taken oc-
casion to state what was his answer to the
inquiry. Under the circumstances we
deem it proper, and due to the public, to
publish the reply of Ex-Gov. Smith 10
whom the question was also direct-d,-a
copy Of which has been placed at our dis
posal. Although now appears at COM
pa:atively late day, 1t will be seen by ref
erence to the dates, that like those Of the
two gentlemen above named, his answer
was prompt. 1t also, like theirs, with
which it accords in its purport. goes to
the full extent ef the question asked, al
though he d,d not regard himself as among
those described in the resolution Of the
meeting. Here is the letter :-4lerandria
Sentinel.
WARRENToN, Oct. Sd, 1854.
DEAR Sir: Yours of the 25;h ult.,
reached me two or three days ago, whenI
was quite unwell. Herewith you have my
tepy:
In your letter you inform me, that the
Democratic Association of Norfolk County
had adopted the following resolution.
"Resolred, That the corresponding Sec
letary Of this Association correspond with
the prominent Democrats, who may likely
become candidates fer Governor, as to
whether they are members of the Know
Nothing Organization"
In the performance Of your duty you
have addressed nle as one Of those " who
may likely become candidates for Govern
ernor," and it thus becomes duty to n.y.
self and the public to state frankly and
unreservedy, the position which have
taken.
Before, left California, several valued
friends had kindly urged my speedy re-
turn that might become candidate for
Governor at the approaching election
After my return it was frequently urged
upon me and it thus became necessary to
give the subject my consideration.
l could never forget that had once
been Governor Of this dear old Common
wealth. under circumstances deeply graft
flying to my feelings. | felt that it might
be urged, with propriety and force, that
| ought not to be in the way, if | could of
those who had not possessed, and vet by
their distinguished ability and service, had
right to expect this great distinction. |
was, moreover, in Congress- with many
reasons to believe, that my kind cons:it-
uents desired TO continue me in their SER
vice. My course would have been obvi-
Gus, but for the fact that something was
due to those friends who had urged me to
become candidate, with the avowai, that
their main object was to obtain for my
political conduct the imprimatar OF popular
approval ai, ih INK fa over these views
eoriy came 10 the ioiiowlng conclusicn.-
ma; e,peerea to DC r h. Tor re,
81, s'...'oa 70 oo ,as Gsu uu' " rendered
a VI. "v ,n Vo 10 ~, "se. snouIa ae
of nhras.olaau m' rs,a,sn j. '"I aiaeiehee
r. ,ha 's ona Iad " 'hest oihess'
other MASSIVE ,slat;an J h" 10 me
stated that / had NO r;Sht :, o naae o ..,
the nomination for Goysrnor so,i pJe h. ,"a.
mauv em;nen,lv wortbv ma, - .ia.i - ~ %
,snds,ed f. me-. h.t r. - .ana n, snoa'u DC
No, has;.a,a 80 ,sa,.ra a.. :, .oa'u
cent + have given To al ana'' sa's s, az
| !, '0o-