Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-03-18
The Candidates for Governor at Harrisonburg
and Staunton.

and Stanton.
We had the good fortune to witness tbs
first encounter between Messrs. Giuggin and
Letcher at the town Of l1arrisonburg, or
Wednesday last, before rather small mum
her of the people. Mr.. Letcher opened the
discussion at Harrisonburg. in speech 81
! one hour and a quarter, about one-half Of
which was taken up with an account of his
stewardship as member Of Congress. Mr.
Goggin responded in speech of the same
, length. Mr.. Letcher reioiued in speech ot
half an hour: Mr.. Goggin concluding the de-
bate. We see that the Rockingham papers
say that it was evident that Mr.. Goggin was
no match for Mr.. Letcher. 1t is natural
| that partisans should be TO some extent blind
to the merits Of an opponent, but how any
man of sound mind who witnessed the en-
counter at llarrisonburg can express such
an opinion, we are at loss to conceive
, Goggin not a match for John Letcher. Why
he is the acknowledged match of Shelton +,
Leake, who is AS far superior to Mr. Lctchcr
as it is possible for one man to be above
another. Mr.. Goggin yields a bright and a
keen blade, which cuts to the quick at every
stroke, and Mr.. Letcher squrms under
the inhiction, to use the forcible Illustration
, Of the gentleman in the Missouri legislature
like worm on pin hook" We have sell
dom heard the equal of Mr.. Goggin as IN
efficient stump speaker. and we can assure
our friends throughout the State that he deals
with Mr.. Lctchcr without gloves. While
he shows himself to be every inch Il man in
debate, they will find him genial, whole
souled old Virginia gentleman, in social in
tercourse. The eye that flashes fire and
fearlessness when he makes IL homc-thrust
at his adversary, beams with generosity and
sparkles with good-humor when he minges
with the people and shakes them heartily by
the hand We hope that the people Of the
State generally may have the opportunity
not only 20 see him, but 10 talk with him. and
we feel assured that they will find him in
all respects deserving of their support.
At Stanton, on Thursday, the candidates
addressed one of the largest assemblages Of
the people that we have ever seen at polit-
ical discussion. The time was arranged ~
at Harrisonburg, but Mr.. Goggin. ina spirit
of courtesy which Mr.. Letcher had no right
to expect, after making his appointments
without consulting his opponent consented
to open the debate. He should have insisted
upon Mr. Letchcr'S Leading of at every
point, until he entered into fair arrange
ment in regard to the times and places of
discussion throughout the canvass. We will
do Mr.. Letcher the ustice to say that he de-
Tended himself nj Staunton with more ingc-
nuity than ut Harrison burg, but utterly fail
ed to clear his skirts Of many grieyOus often
ces laid Mt his door by Mr.. Goggin. We
cannot pretend to give even an outline of the
discussion either at Ilarrisonhurg or Staun-
ton. Suffice it to say that Mr.. Grggin in
fused into his friends, IL spirit Of enthusiasm
that will show its fruits on the 10Th OF May.
Such speeches a. he makes cannot fail to
win friends, and will assuredly work IL
mighty revolution before the day Of election.
One thing must have been remarked by
every body who heard the discussion. twas
the first time that we have ever heard Dem
ocratic orator make a speech that the charge
of abolitionism was not made and vehement
ly urged against the candidate Of the oppoS-
ing party Let it be understood then, that
Goggin is recognized a. sound on the goose
Mr.. Letcher, in order to avoid the force of
his completely with the Ruffner pamphlet,
did indeed read extracts from the Richmond
Wing long, long since retracted rejecting
upon the soundncss of the Hon. John Minor
Bolts, las if Bolts were his competitor,) but
he never said turkey" once, after Mr. Cog
gin quoted the Richmond Enquirer, dcnounc-
ing him in far har>hcr terms Is covered all
over with abolitiunism, which that paper
has never yet retractcd or modified.
The great good that we hope to see effected
BY these discussions is, that Mr.. Gioggin can
not fail to inspire in the breast ofcvcry Wing
and American who listens TO him, something
ofthat earncstncSs and and energy and deter
mined spirit that beams from his OWN coun-
tcnancc and finds expression i'll every word
that falls from his lips. lie has the same
confidence in the triumph of his cause that
worked such wonders for Henry A. Wise
in the last contest and we saw from the spir-
it that prevailed on Thursday among our
friends that wonderful things are vet 10 be
accomplished under the lead of the gallant
andintrcpid Gogsin.-S',""t"" Spec'atoy