The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-08-16
Our RlenmonO Correspondence.
RIcHNoND. Va. Au0ust q JasJ

Our Rsennaona Correspondence.
RICHMOND, Va, August 8, 1858.
The Feeling ia Virginic in Reference to Douglas
L<tcher 0s the Stump Character Of the Contest
for ths GoUsrnorship- he Wigs and Geo. w.
Sosssrs-IPise Looming Upstate of Feeling
here in Reference TO the Ocean Telegraph, &C., &c
80 far as can ascertain the state of feeling In
Virginia in reference to Douglas is not what might
be inferred from his position as regards the South
Lecompton being held as no test of Democracy, but
rather an abstract question, in reference to which
the right of private opinion is fully conceded, he
cannot Of course, be regarded without the fold,
since he is guilty of violation of any OF the car
dinal principles upon which the party is based.
Far from desiring his defeat, directly contrary
feeling exists in Virginia. the idea being that when
this intervening obstacle-LecOmpton removed,
. natural reunion will ensue upon the old and still
undisturbed principles of the party The worst feel
ing that existed here in regard to Douglas socalled
detection was that of chagrin regret but 20 far
from the existence of desire for his overthrow in
Illinois, feel assured his victory would be hailed
with joy throughout Virginia. The Old Dominion
does not exact too strict or technical
adherence to party discipline. In politics.
Is in religion, she is disposed to concede a
latitude in the way of private opinion, which, the
this State shows, is not inconsistent with strength
and unity. The idea, therefore, that she condemns
Douglas merely because he differed from his party
upon an abstract question, is entirely erroneous
Nor can she reconcile herself to the idea of any nj
innate sinister design ON his part, such the con-
structon of new party based, as it Is said, upon
union of anti Lecompton democrats, Know Nothjngs
and disafiected black republicans. Rather than see
his defeat she would willingly withhold any further
condemnation Of nay, acquiesce in, this anti LecOmp-
ton abstraction, that he might render it fully avaa-
BILE for his reelection. speak not without authOri-
ty when make these assertions, and future events
will yindicate their truth.
i am informed that Letcher has taken the stump
TO vndicate himself from the charges of abolition
affiliations, predicated upon his endorsement of DR..
Ruffhers abolition address, delivered before the
franklin Society at Lexington in 1s47. The letter
Of the Doctor denying the statement of Letcher that
obnoxious sentiments were embodied IN the publish
ed address which We're not delivered before the
society has materially damaged his prospects. 1t
N, doubtless, because of the effect produced by
this that he has thus betaken himself to
his vindication before the people. This
Interpolation charge made against Ruffher, to-
gether with his frank avowal Of change in his
opinions with reference to slavery since the date of
that address were the only grounds Of defence in his
whole case. He is now reduced to the latter plea,
tion of extreme doubt. After all, the difficulty in
this case does not lie in any Doubts regarding Mr..
Letcher's fdell'v tnd7y, Ja1 IA the expediency of
nominating lnan who at any time was identified
with reference to the safety of the party and in this
view it is deemed better TO sacrifice Mr.. Letcher,
rather than by his elevation to the Governorshp to
furnish the opposition with an argument which
would prove detrimental under more critical crcum.
stances.
The contest for the Governorship in this State
assumes peculiar character by reason Of the adyo-
cacy Of Mr.. Faulkners claims by the Enquirer.
The issue between the Wise and Hunter party is
directly made by the presentation of this gentle
mans name under such an auspioe. Letcher is
known 70 be the candidate of the Hunter party and
the presumption is, from the source whence Faulk-
ner's name comes, that he is the candidate of the
Wise party. There are, however, many other pro-
minent men In Virginia, no less qualified for the
these, doubtless, will in turn receive
a favorable notice from the Enquirer. There il q
dearth Of that class Of men among the Hunter ranks
in the teeth of his embarrassed position.
IL is generally understood here that should Lecher
be the nominee Of the democratic party, George
w. Somers, of Kanawha county, will be presented
by the wings. Somers was defeated by johnson,
the predecessor of Wise, in 1851, upon the grounds
as his party allege, of his identity with emanci
patton movement in Virginia in 1882. In his case,
Il was alleged by his friends that there was en-
tire ustfoatonfor his position in the general ennan
cipation sentiments produced by the negro nsurrec
tion at Southampton county in 1881. They maintain
that should Somers and Letcher be the competitors
in view of Letchers completely in the Rufiner move
ment fifteen years subsequently, when there were
none Of the paliatng circumstances which attended
the movement In 1882. Should the warfare be
waged upon emancipation grounds, or the relative
completely Of the two in that obnoxious movement,
the odds would be considerably against Letcber and
his supporters. The war promises to be pretty ac
tive one, whether we view il after the candidates
of both parties are In the field or before the demo
cratic nomination Is made.
Meanwhile, Wise is looming high above all in his
career towards the White House. Every mail brings
hundreds Of letters from North and South advo-
eating his claim for the Presidency. have seen |
piles Of them the publication of which in some of
the leading papers Of this city earnestly sought
hut without effect owing doubtless TO the want of |
space. / have seen enough Of them to fill the |
HERALD for the next two weeks. As TO Virginia, |
she is as certain to 90 for him that the is up.
The feeling here in regard to tie success of the
ocean telegraph enterprise IL not as enthusiastic
IL seems % be throughout the North. We not |
commercial people, and hence this apparent indif.
ference.
The weather here has been extremely hot for the |
past week. The country needs rain very much. |
The prospect Of the corn crop, from the protracted
drought, Is bad