Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-03-15
STATE TICKET.
Ths Candidates for Governor at Harrison
hurg and Stauntons

Tho candidates for Governor at Harrison
burg and Staunton'
We had the good fortune to witness the nrsl
encounter between Messrs. Goggin and Letcher
at the town of Harrisonburg, on Wednesday
last. before a rather small number of the people.
The notice of Mr.. Goggin's intended visit TO the
heart of the Tenth Legion, for the purpose OF
making the acquaintance of "Honest John" and
bis friends had reached but few, and the people
did not seem to turn out to hear Mr.. Letcher, for
the reason, we presume, thatthey had often heard
him before. Mr.. Ietcher opened the discussion
nj Harrisonburg in speech of one hour ana
a ousrter, about one.hslf of which was taken up
with an account OF his stewardship as member
of Congress. Mr.. Goggn responded IN speech
of the same length. Mr.. Letcher reJoined IN 8
speech of half an hour; Mr.. Goggin concluding
the debate. We see that the Rockingham pa
rars saw that it was evident that Mr.. Goggln
was no match for Mr.. Lstcher. 1t is naturai
that psrtisans should be to some extent bind 70
the merits of an opponent, but how any man OF
sound mind who witnessed the encounter at liar
risonburg can express such an opinion, we are
alta loss to conceive. Goggin not match
for John Letcher Why be is the aeknoWl'
sdoed match of Shelton F. Leake, who is as
far superior to Mr.. Letcher as 1t is possible for
one man to be- above another. Mr. Goggin
wields bright and keen blade, which cuts to
the quick at every stroke, Asnd Mr.. Leteher
s.souirmsn under the inhotion, to use the forcioe
illustration OF the gentleman in the Missouri leg
islature '.llke worm on pin hook" We have
seldom heard the equal of Mr.. Goggin as an en-
Gent stump speaker, and we can assure
our friends throughout the State that he deals
with Mr.. Letcher without gloves. de keeps MS
opponent on the defensive all the time, scarcely
allowing him to make an assailing motion. Bold
and intrepid as the lion, be amuses himself anu
his hearers by playing tor moment win MS
victim, pushing him hither and thither with MS
psw, before he proceeds leisurely to mastlcate
him. This is our opinion OF the calibre OF the
two men, which we think will be endorsed by
majority of their hearers wherever they CO.
While he shows himself to be every inch man
in debate, they will find him genial, whole
souled old Virginia gentleman in social inter
course. The eye that flashes fire and tearlessness
when he makes home.thrust at his adversary,
beams with generosity and sparkles with good
humor when he mingies with the people ana
shakes them heartily by the hand. We nope
that the people Of the State generally may nave
the opportunity not only to see him, but to talk
with him, and we feel assured that they VIII
find him in all respects deserving OF their sup
port.
At Stanton, on Thursday, the candidates
addressed one of the largest assembiages OF the
people that we have ever seen at political DIS
cussiou. The time was arranged Us at Harrison
burg, but Mr.. Goggin, in spirit OF courtesy
which Mr.. Letcher had no right to expect 81
ter making his appointments without consulting
bis opponent, consented to open the debate. he
should have insisted upon Mr.. Letcher's leading
of at every point until he entered into isir ar
rangemen in regard to the times and places OF dis
oussion throughout tie canvass. We Will 90
Mr.. Letcher the justice to say that lie defended
himself at Staunton with more ingenuity tnan
ct Harrisonburg, but utterly failed TO clear his
skirts of many grieyous offences laid at his door
by Mr.. Goggin. We cannot pretend to give O.
ven an outline of the discussion either at Harri-
sonburg or Stanton Suffice it to say that Mr..
Goggin infused into his friends, spirit OF en-
thusiasm that will show its fruits on the 26th o.
May. Such speeches as he makes cannot fail to
win friends, aud will assuredly work mighty
revolution before the day Of election. One thing
must have been remarked by every body who
heard the discussion. 1t was the first time that
we have ever heard Democratic orator make
speech that the charge of a6OLiti0nasm was
not made and vehemeutly urged against the can
didate OF the opposing party. Let it be under
stood then, that Goggin is recognized as "sound
on the goose" Mr.. Letcher, in order to avoid
the force of his completely with the Rutfner
pamphlet, did indeed read extracts from the
Richmond Wing, long since retracted, rejecting
upon the soundness of the Hon. Jno. Minor Bolts,
Gas if Bolts were his campetitor,) but he never
said turkey" once, after Mr.. Goggn quoted the
Richmond Enquirer, lenouncing ham in far
harsher terms as covered all over with abo-
litionis, which that paper has never yet retract-
ed or modified.
The great good that we hope to see effected
by these discussions is, that MIR. Goggin cannot
fsil to inspire 10 the breast of every Wing and
American who listens to him, something of that
earnestness and energy and determined spirit
that beams from his own countenance and finds
expression in every word that falls from his lips.
he 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 spirit that prevailed on Thursday among our
friends that wonderful things are yet to be &C.
complished under the lead of the gallant and in
trepid Goggin.
Meeting in Rockbridse.
The Wings and Americans of Rockbridge
held meeting on the 7th, to ratify the nomina-
ton of Messrs Go1pin Willev and Preston