Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-29
PUBLISHED DAILY AND TRI-wEEkLY By
EDGAR SNOWDEN
ALEXANDRIA,:
TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH %. 1859.

TUESDAY MORNING, MARCH %, 1859.
The SLAVERY Matter, ABOLITION, &c.-
Early in his political life, and whilst acting
under the excitement of lamentable occur
renee, land acting in company we may add,
too, at that time, with many of the ablest men
in the State, of the Democratic party Geo.
W. Summers expressed opinions in relation
to slavery, and the prospective emancipation
of slaves, not at all in accordance with those
which subsequently became popular. This
offence, years afterwards, when he was the
Wig candidate for Governor, was vehe-
mently urged against him by the leaders of
the Democratic party; and he was defeated,
principally on that ground. Long after oil
this, Mr.. Letcher most worthy and excel
lent gentleman, entertained views and 0pin-
ions with regard to slavery similar to those
held by Mr.. Summers in his younger days.
Mr.. Letcher in 1859. becomes the candidate
Of the Democratic party-and many OF the
Wings think il is proper and legitimate to
expose the Inconsistency of the course which
permitted no excuse for Mr.. Summers
"tduit." but allows entire pardon and obli-
Won for the same fault" in Mr.. Letcher.-
Admitting Mr. Letcher to have repudiated
his former opinions, and TO have adopted
other sentiments, il is contended that the in
justice of the action of his party remains as
palpabie rs before, and is a fair argument, on
that score, against the party itself. Those
who are unjust. ought not to ask favors.
70 elude the force Of the blow thus aimed
at political inconsistency and injustice. re-
sort is had, on the Democratic side. to gem
eral arraignment of, and indictment against,
sundry distinguished Wings. (who are not
candidates for Office, but happen to be oppo-
sed 10 Mr.. Letcher, on charge Of ambitions
ism. The answer thus given. would, TO be
sure, even if true, not be very logical or con-
elusive But. let that pass. Ii is asser-
ted, however, and extracts picked out from
the speeches of Messrs. Vim. i. Preston,
George W. Summers, S. Med. Moore, John
Minor Bolts. Robert f.. Scott, and others, 10
prove, that all these gentlemen are ARoiI-
rIoNIsTs. Now, ''isn't this dainty dish 10
set before the Northern AbOlitionists! IL
is not now one candidate against whom the
objection is urged-but against scores, we
might almost say, Of the most prominent
gentlemen in the State-and the Abolition
lists and Fanatics of the North are told that
the leading men of Virginia. are with
them heart and hand! Ought this 10 be:
Ought the spirit Of party 10 be evoked TO do
the bidding of those. who are. unwittingly,
iniuring the fair fame and sapp'ng the
foundations Of the wall Of strength that lie-
around our laws and Institutions! If 1t Is
believed abroad that we have nourishod and
honored brood of statesmen, who are op-
posed to the present condition Of society IN
the State, and to the institution Of slavery as
it exists by law, why, it will only encourage
future attacks upon our peace and minister
to the efforts of those who are continually
stirring up strife and agitation. There are
not twenty men in the State. we believe, VINO
do not know that Preston, and Bolts, and
Summers, and Scott, are no more abolition
lists, than the leaders of the Democratic par
ty-and who would not trust their property
with confidence, to the protection and leg
islation of these gentlemen. And yet, as
they are represented, what can the people OF
the North think, but that they are not far re-
moved in opinion from Seward, and Greeley
and Garrison, and almost ready to cooperate
with these latter persons, in any designs
thew may have, hostile to the rights of the
South
The course pursued now is suicidal to all
our rights and interests. liza man in public
life, who is Wing. or who isopposed to the
Democratic party, has ever dared to have said
that 'he saw evils in slavery, he is forthwith
denounced as an abolitionist; if he has enter
tanned theoretical views as to certain pow
ers of Congress over the territories he Is an
abolitionist-if he has not adopted the creed
that everything is centred in and depends up
on slavery, he is very apt to be in some quar-
ters suspected Of being, if he is not openly
charged with being. an abolitionist! In this
way, hundreds. if not thousands of the largest
slave owners in Virginia, find themselves
held up as not only inimical to their own in
terests, but false TO their State and country.
Disunion and distraction are brought among
our own people--and the enemy is encour'
aged to continue his assaults upon our bro
ken and scattered ranks. The sober judg-
ment of an unprejudiced people ought to ex-
srt itself to suppress the evil, and to require
Justice to be done to our leading public men,
although they may be Wings.
The Baltimore Patriot contains long
statement prepared By the friends of Henry
Gambrill, one of the condemned criminals
now awaiting execution for the murder OF
police officer Benton, giving afidavits of GER
tain parties to show that another party,
named Richard Harris, was the perpetator OF
the murder, and that he (Harris) confess
"a .ha daad IN certuin parties. 1t is, however.