Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-09-07
JUDGE BROCKENBROUGH STILL IN THE
FIELD.


FIELD.
The following letter from the Hon. John w. Brock
enbrough explains itself. Whether Judge Brocken
brough shall or shall not obtain the Democratic
nomination for Governor, this communication is OF
itself sufficient to demonstrate that be 10 not behind
any aspiraDt for the office in hlgh.toned appreca
ton of patriotic responsibility. lie speaks out Ike
MAN; and we heartily congratulate his numerous sup
porters throughout the State on the unavoidable in'
tuence which his manly bearing in this matter, even
more than the suspicion certainty that an unfair
attempt has been made to exclude him from competi.
ton for msrtsd honor. will exercise towards in.
rreasing his chance for the nomination.
AS for Mr. Clemens, he has laid himself liable TO a
grave SUSPICION, which it will be very difficult even
Tor innocence itself entirely TO remove. How s il that
hs could possibly construe Judge Brockenbrough's
language, employed in hasty and casual interview,
into en- express authorization 10 himself To come for
ward as the Judges mouthpiece a matter Of such
very great Importance How could ho mistake the
purport of the Judges language at ALT In the inte-
rect of what other candidate for the nomination is
Mr. Clemens acting, that be thus comes forward with
apparent eagerness to displace Judge Brocken-
arough's name from the list of candidates Even
supposiug him honestly to have mistaken Judge
I,rockenbrougb's meaning, how ia it that, protesting
to BIZ Judge Brocksnbroughs attached friend, and
familiar with bis great popularity, MIR. Clemens has
not ventursd to exposulsts against such course ar
that which he attributes to the judge before the pub
LEGATION of letter Withdrawing his name from the
list of candidates. Under any circumstances, how
could man of Mr. Clemens age and experiences ven
ture to act in grave matter upon the Impressions
received in brief and casual interview, in which he
could not possibly have understood Judge Brocken-
broueh as requesting him to publish an announce
mentl
All these questions and many more, will present
themselves to the mind Of every reader. Our own
nersonsl acquaintance with Mr.. Clemens Is 30 very
slight as not to authorize an opinion with regard to
his character. That appearances are strongly against
him in this matter, cannot be denied Nevertheless
we slall not attempt TO charge him with dishonesty
previous to full and calm investigation OF the whole
subject He muet give the public defence OF hls
conduct. ANY other course will be considered af
:an,amount to an acknowledgment Of treachery.
We postpone aual decision until We shall hesl
from him. But give him fair warning, that IT, or
fair and thorough examination, it shall become aP
parent that he has dared to use the columns OF th'
"Enquirer" for the purpose of an intrigue agains
.Judy, Brockenbroueh, we will not fail TO expose snc
deoounce his conduct until the rerbuon OF treache
~ shall thrill through every nerve of bis body.
That our readers may see exactly how matters san'
at present, we re produce Mr.. Clemens letter. W.
submit that in his willingness TO exempt Mr. Ciemen
from dishonorabe impuaton, Judge brockenorougt
has failed to appreciate the fact that our previous In
Isrepce from Mr.. Clemens letter was not onl!
Z" iust and natural" but unavoidable IF TIL
LETTER MEANT ANYTHING AT ALL, 1T aEAS7
THAT JUDGE BRoCKEEBKoUGH DECLINED, NOT osL,
TO ACCEPT NOMINATION, II TENDEREp' But fVE'
To PERMIT HIS NAME TO BE OFFERED BEFORE TIL
| CONVENTION FOR NOMINATION..
Indeed our editorial cannot properly be SAID 10 ln
oluts An inference. 1t mere rf'terdfion OF DIT
| Clsmans' own assurance, that Judge Brockenoroug1
.bsooed L,nre 10 dlcl,ne IN ANY WAY, The nse Of M
u,,s :, be oomjny canrass." The language is az
s,ronp ths, even the fact that every paper which ha
conied the letter has adopted own Interpretation
oe -. ,.ms cannot add feathers weight to 'le evi
danoo sFordsd by simple perusal of the letter itself
Nr. Clemens cannot and shall not take refuge behln
any mistaken supposition Of ambiguity, which Judg
ckenbrough may have attributed to the etter,ethe
,h,ouph psttentio or by reason OF An honest thoug
e.cessiye generosity. Mr.. Clemens does say "in hl
card that he was authorized by Judge Brockenoroug
10 afirm that be would not accept the office OF Gov
erpor of Virginia, if rendered to him by the Demo
cratic Convention" Mr.. CIemen. says this "a pos
tivsIy and unmstakably ss though he had employe
the very terms themselves.
| III yhs Edito,s Of The Enquirer:
CLARKsBURG, Sept. ID, 1858.
Gentlemeu:-The card OF the Hon. Sherrar
Clemens. in your issue of Tuesday last, requires
nrompt notice at my bands. Mr.. Clemene Joss DC
say in his card, that he authorized oy me 10 az
firm that would not accept the NOMINATION. ior 10
office OF Governor of Virginia. il tenar5ed 70 me
the Democratic Convention. You dsduce tnat II
ference. in the brief editorial article preh1ed TO III
card, from the language employed ny Mr. Clsmen'
and i'm nv opipion the Inference is just ann natt
raj ons You will allow me to soy, Nsssrs Editor
that nv friend, Mr.. Clemens, iabors unaer grav
m,conception of my viewe, II ne utposes that
v.o authorized by me 10 make ang statement wa
r.n,;ny the inference drawn by you. l did say
l Mr. Clemens that did not seek, or desire the othc
f aovsrpor of the State being quite content to re
main n nv present less conspicuous Office, whic
vas more congenia with my tastes, and the duti'
! of which accord better with my habits OF though
and course Of sudy, than any executive ottice wha
ever. This position, beg leave, respectfully ar
with perfect sincerity, to rs affirm. But have new
,aid TO him or others, that "decliued 10 any wa
the use of my name in the coming Canvass" or 10
would decline the tender Uf the nomination, II mat
by the Convention representing the Democratic pa
~ of the State On .he contrary, have uniform
declared to all who have done me the honor 10 SOM
an expression of my views that the h'gn ans omSe
and that if the nomination for il was rendered to