Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1859-05-27
VIRGINIA

@-Se4
The election for Governor, congressman
&c, in Virginia, took place yesterday. The
contest has been waged with unusual bitterness
and the result seems to be regarded by parties
in the State as doubtful, though to those with
out, in view of the the history of past conflicts
it is difficult to conceive how it is possible that
should be defeated. 1t is a fight of exclusive To-
cal importance-the grand issue between the
candidates and their respective adherents being
which is the most devoted to slavery and its
interests-and apart from a natural desire to
see a defender and supporter of the present
corrupt and profigate Administrators defeated,
and one withal who to secure Office has re-
nounced and repudiated the better convictions
of bis early manhood, we can see no reason
victory perches upon the banner Of Letcher or
that Of Goggin. To show the nature of the
contest, and the weapons with which it is wa
ged, VIC subjoin an extract on each side.
In a recent six column address to the voters
of that State, after repudiatiug his early eman-
cipation sentiments in most decided terms, MIR.
Letcher further defines his position on the sIav-
cry question. and gives utterance to scnti-
ments which if applied by the Executive of a
Northern State to the aggressive movements
of the slavery ~propagandiSts, would be de-
nounccd by Democratic journals throughout
the slavery question at some length, Mr..
L. says:
" have but a few words to add on this sub
icct. Should it be the pleasure of the people
to elevate me to the Office of Governor, | viii
endca9or in my administration to carry out the
time honored States Rights principles of Y il
ginia. If at any time during my administra-
ton, the Federal Government shall attempt to
interfere with slavery. or the rights of sIavehoI-
ders in our State, ] will be prepared, with the
aid of the people, to resist any efforts on the
part of the Federal Government, to coercc us
into submission. | viii resist any attempt of
federal troops TO cross cur line, to execute such
unjust, iniquitous and unconstitutional laws,
in Virginia or any other Southern
On the other hand the Richmond Hing, a
paper favorable to the election Of Goggin, thus
lets down = in an earnest appeal to the peo-
pie to vote for its Eavurite
"Oh! the shame and humiliation that viii
come upon Virginia, should the people, in par
tizau madness and folly, elect John fletcher to
the Office Of Chief Magistrate of the State
With our hands do we cover our face, and in
the dust do we PROSTATE ourselves, at such a
thought-in view of such a possibility! But
II our hope, in our Judgment, in our belief,
here is no probability of the happening of
uch an event and. for the prospect that there
5 not, We thank God with all our heart.
But. look, also, to the injurious moraL effect
If Letcher's election upon the people of the
North. VIII they not conclude, too, that
irginia is giving way on the slavery CUES
ion? And with such conviction, will not Alb
lition fanaticism grow apace, and will not
ven those in that region who are disposed to !
tand by US in support Of cur constitutional
ights become less inclined to risk themselves {
our behalf, when they see that we ourselves l
re taking to our embrace and confidence so '
and rampant an Emancipatienist as a
ohm Letcher People of Virginia, Wings II
nd Democrats, are you prepared thus to give t
d and comfort to your enemies at the North ? l
re you willing thus to aid i'll upholding and Il
rcngthcning the hands Of the great Abolition u