The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-03-18

QAuehter And nov the gentleman comes here to talk
about the improperly OF voting u favor Of apenson 70
fought defence Of the country And wha DID Cover
McMulIcn say in reference 70 this Kossuth bl tic
amount The gentleman talked sboat ssn referring
as he (Mr. G supposed, 70 tina American party NOV
let see what the leading Democratic journal Of she
State Gays Of its party ((Mr 6oggin read passage
from the Enquirer deueuncng the system OF covert &C
ton intrigue pursued BY some members OF that party
in the State and urging the necessity Of defeating 'nss
secret plans This, could observe, referred 70 inc
secret movements OF the Hunter faction in virginia.
He mr. Goggn) would tell them that light was breaking
TO be paugurated that would show its elects tue
seaboard TO the valley Of the ONO The Eaqutrer, ED
miner, Indes, and the leading papers Of the country IN
the government has been plundered nom time to tme
and by which the peoples money has been hched ron
them at the hands OF corrupt officials in the CITY Of Wash
ngton Why Mr. Letcher himself has said that such was
the extravaganza Of the administration that the people
should be called upon TO instruct their representatives, IN
of and asked them they wanted those rail
rosos and improvements that would redeem the state
from the degradation TO which sho has fallen for the want
of means. He would call upon them 70 Instruct their
representatives In Congress 70 60 IN for appropriations OF
the public lands q means to diminish their taxes He
would ask them TO take the ground that these lands De-
long to the States ana should be Appropriated for their
benefit II the puoc lands were appropriated and their
proceeds distributed among the several States whose pro
perty they are instead Of the heavy taxes which have
be submitted to- tho burden would BE- comparatively
light and larger results accomplished. If Congress can
take lnCS ana give them 70 ILLINOIS,
those Northwestern States, You have right to demand
share OF them for Virginia He would say whether he was
Governor OF Virginia not-and God knew he had no as
pirators TO be Governor be bad To sacrifice one political
opinion he hao ever entertained for he persuaded
that the prnfipes which he advocated those which
will make people glorious and happy-he would not say;
the gentlemen had said that no had recanted any
his opinions (Applause He would not say now ~ the
gentleman does, that he believes slavery to be moral
moral eocia and political evil He would not say to the
people Of Augusta that when he was Candidate for the
Convention that light had shone upon him that satisfied
him that these opinions were wrong. Gentlemen, Saul
when his way to Damascus, seized with the mira
cuous iDterposton of that mighty spirit which he (Mr
G trusted will direct the pillar of fire did the chill
dren OF Israel through the Wilderness. say that SAUL
his mission 70 Damascus was seized with this light and
he those things which recorded in the Holy Book
Like him. the gentleman when on his way 10 the Conven
ton at Richmond seized with sudden light, which
enlightened him as TO the OF his ways and he imme
diaey recanted his former opinions How far his recanta
ton OF his anti slavery opinions is sincere, he Mr. g.
Of course unable TO judge but was certain that came
too late 10 carry conviction to the minds OF many In
view Of these facts, he Mr g. could not how the
people of Virginia could vote to place him In the guberna
torla chair But he comes here with extracts from
speech OF his favoring slavery This weighs but lightly
against his avowals IN opposition to the Institution OF
slavery In times past. II is well known that, when on
his the House of Representatives, he suffered that
X. Giddngs, to take HIM by the hand aud call him his
friend. He (Mr. c.. had there speech Of Mr. GiddiDgs
cent to him under his own frank In which he compl
mented Mr. Letcher upon the fairness he had always ex
hbted upon the question Of slavery But the gentleman
has referred TO the Hon. William B. Preston And who is
the Hon. William B. Preston He is amember of family
the inscriptions many Of whose ombs in the county Of
Abemarle tell of their position services in the past
And will doubt that Mr.. Preston well maintains the
He who presided the Convention which nOmi-
mated him (Nr G for the distinguished office of Cover
nor and that Of itself might well be esteemed guaranty
of s high character and responsibility. In regard to Mr.
Bolts, he did not stand there to defend him. He would
tell the gentleman that John Minor Bolts fully capable
of defending himself would doubtless ascertain should
other sIdc of the
who the supporters Of his Orr Gs) nomination. 1t
never entered into his head TO aspire TO honor SO high
He considered however that the people about to pay
tribute not TO him. but to that virtue and integrity Ia the
Of their dearest interests which will give
Of safe transmission to posterty of those rights
which properly belong to them. HIS honorable competitor
will not deny that In 1847 he made some strong speeches
before the Franklin Society in favor Of division Of this
COmmonw eah VIA he deny tha It John Ietcher
who delivered hem and Nathan said to David, thou
art the man." (Laugbter So anxious was he to disse-
inmate arguments in favor OF this scheme OF division,
that he sits down and puts his sign manual TO the letter,
which he now had before him, requesting Dr. Rufner to
present his views fully in writing upon this question and
view to have them published. The Doctor had
previously delivered an address upon these sub
jects, before the Franklin Society, and the
object OF this letter. which bears the signature OF Mr..
Letcher, to procure copy of for publication,
while suggesting that he would not confne himself to the
the address, but embody any other views
which he might think to elucdste the subject
Dr. Rufncr in his reply, says The arguments delivered
by several Of yourselves have so impressed my mind as
your behalf" &C. It so happened that bis friend here
had made two three speeches before that society.
Mr.. LErCHER dc MED this.
Mr.. GoGGY-The gentleman made two speeches before
DR. Rutiner
Mr. LErcBER said it a mistake; he made but one
Nr. GOGGIN-Now he acknO Wedges that he made
speech before Dr. Runer and the Doctor said that the
arguments used by of you led him TO the conclusions
which he presented. But man cannot be witness in
his cause and be would ask if it not probable
hst Mr. Letchers interest this cause might Influence
him not to state what the real facts in this AFFAIR." If
he DIR. c. should be elected to the office of
Governor, his duty will not be to deal with tariffs,
distributions banks, and other questions of federal
character, but 10 sign militia commissions. colonel
ships, brigadier generalships. commissions, &c.
He would be willing, In the exercise Of the pardon
ing power to extend pardon to his competitor for his
rioue political tergiversations Qaughter) That would
this power. The gentleman referred TO the editors Of
papers friendly TO him (Mr g. the Bedford Sentinel
among the number. He would say that that paper far
referred to the gentleman eulogistc Of him,
accorded entirely with bis sentiments But, sir, be
did not know you then There SACRIFICES of principles
which have been brought out the date of that
pmentary notice which not known previous to your
nomination The Developments since then have ma,eri-
ally changed this opinion, and the press now speak Of
remarks.
Mr. LETKR then followed in address of half hour.
Mr.. Goggn closing the discussion with speech Of the
same length. There were points introduced in
either of these addresses The arrangement that each
should first speak hour and quarter and then follow
in two half hour speeches The discussion conducted
with the utmost courtesy and good humor They speak
at Staunton 10 morrow, where immense crowd is ex
pected 10 be present.