Weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1858-1865, 1859-03-30
The Campaign in Virginia.

The New York Herald has a special reporter in
Virginia attending and sketching the discussions
between Messrs. Letcher and Goggn. Mr.. Letcher
is the Democratic, and Mr.. Goggin the Know Moth
ing candidate for Governor of that State.
The first discussion took place at Harrisburg
Mr.. Letcher exhibited much tact and skill in debate,
and the fullest and most accurate information in
public affairs In relation to specific dues the Pa
cific Railroad, and Cuba, Mr.. Letcher said
He (Mr. L.) differed with the President upon
the subject of specific duties and so does the Secre-
tary of the Treasury. He (Mr. L) was the first
man in this. Commonwealth, when in Philadelphia
dinner was given to President Pierce, to write an
article to the Richmond Enquirer denouncing the
policy of the exercise of the power by the General
Government Of making appropriations to construct
Pacific Railroad and specific duties. So far as Mr..
Buchanans Cuba policy is concerned, while he (Mr
Letcher) would like to see that island connected
with this government he was not for placing $780,
100000 now in the hands of the President for
purchasing it; his policy to let it alone, for
sooner or latter it will come to us. If any other
power was going to take it. it would be time enough
for us to raise issue and adjust the controversy.
Any appropriation of that kind looked to him like
coercive power upon the Senate to bring them to
terms upon any treaty that might be negotiated
with reference to its acquisition. If any other
Power attempts to take possession of it. he as
Southern man then would be in favor of protecting
the interests of the South and taking steps to resist
the acquisition of the island by any other govern
ment (Appause.) These steps he would agree to
take under the force of an absolute necessity He
will not be driven in any way whatsoever to assail
Mr.. Buchanan. He (Mr. b. stands here as the
breakwatcr between the North and the South upon
these sectional controversies. He has shown
through the administration, that he has been true
to the South, and he (Mr L. would not now, when
the North has the power in the Senate and House of
Representatives seek to break down that which
stands between us and harm in the South in the
person of the President of the United States. He
believed him to be honest and while he (Mr. L) en-
tertaned his own opinions upon these subjects, he
should be prepared at all times to sustain whatever
was right in his policy, and to oppose whatever he
should regard as wrong (Applause.) If we are to
wait until we get an administration with which we
can concur on every question of policy, we shall
wait long time. Men have their own views which
very often the result of the local influences and
considerations which operate upon them"
Mr. Goggn no doubt acquitted himself we'll, con.
sidering the grounds he was obliged to occupy as
the opposition candidate but his arguments at best
were fimsy. He used them with much ingenuity
but they dissolved before Letchers spear of truth
1t is too early yet to calculate Letchers majority
but from the signs of the times it must be large.