Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-04-15
POLITICAL DISCUSSION IN CHARLOTTESVILLE
Correspondence Of The Richmond Enqnirer.
CHARLoTTEsvILLE April lth, 1859

Correspondence Of The Richmond Enquirer. |
CHARLOTTESVILLE, April lth, 1859
Messrs. Editors The discussion between
Mr.. WIN. l.. Goggin and John Letcher came
off in this place to-day, in the presence Of a
vast assemblagc of the people. 1t was not
certainly known that Mr.. Letcher would be
here till Saturday, and intelligence of the fact
could not be circulated in all parts Of our coun-
ty; but, nevertheless there was "a very good re-
presentation Of the Democratic party present
Our opponents for weeks had been in prepara-
ton for this day, and they had vainly tlattcr-
ell themselves into the belief that Mr.. Lctcher
would not dare show himself on this side of
the mountain, and that Mr.. Gogsin would be
permitted to walk over the course without Oh.
position
On SundayR L. Montague. ESQ.,, the Demo-
cratic candidate for Lieut. Governor. arrived
here and would have answered Mr.. Goggin in
case Of the non-arrival of Mr. Letcher. The cars
from Staunton this morning brought Mr.. Lctch'
or, who was well received by his Democratic
friends and conducted to the Parish House.
At IL o'clock, the speakers having arrived in
the Town Hall and taken their seats on the plat
form, were warmly and enthusiastically greeted
by their friends. Mr. Goggln opened the dis.
cusson in speech Of an hour and quarter;
Mr.. Lctchcr replied in the same length of time,
and each had half an hour for further discus.
sion, when the debate ended.
The principal points discussed were the same
as YOU have seen reported TOR the y. \. Herald
in llarrisonburg, Staunton, Lexington, Abng-
don, and elsewhere.
wish that all the people in this Common
wealth could hear the discussions between
these gentlemen, for sure am |, that they
would, whatever their political predictions
may bc, award the meed of praise 10 Mr.
Lctcher, Us q dcbatcr, and as statesman. Mr.
GOggin amuSeS the boys. and raises laugh;
but he does not make an impression on the
minds Of his hearers in favor Of political prin.
cipic>, or Of great Constitutional questions;
and he has not to-day achieved anything for
himself or his party by his visit to Albcmarlc.
Mr.. Lc;cher, however. is man of different
mould and calbrc altogether; he has no clap
trap trash to catch the applause OF those who
come to laugh ut stale anecdotes, but he boldly
meet, the questions i'll issue, argues them
with sound reasoning and logic, and shows the
false positions OF his adversaricS, and then
crushcs them with overwhelming force and
vigor From the first commencement Of his
speech here to-day, he got the inside track on
his opponent. and kept it to the end OF the
discussion. His closing half hour speech was
one Of the finest displays Of eloqucnce and
powcr OF language that has been heard in
this canvass or elsewhere. His vindicaton
Of the principles of the Democratic par.
tv from the existence Of the government
down To the present day. was grand, glorious
and convincing The audience was perfectly
eniapturcd with it. and could You, Messrs Edi-
tors, have heard it, know you would have yo-
c;fc,ol>ly shouted, hyry0 J1r JomS LErcnER,
N. stotesDt,ta and .V"ihern rights Utn'0rr"t.
Ia the course of his first speech he alluded
10 the course he had taken on the internal
Improvement question, and read extracts
rom his speeches, made when he was mcm-
her Of the Convention. to show that he was
then, as he avowcd himself now, a friend Of the
'a'"rial improvements Of the State lie spoke
in the strongest terms Of his care for and at
tirlimcnt to Virginia, the land Of his birth, and
whose clods should cover his remains when dead.
lie also declared his ardent love for the Union,
h't stated cmphatically his determination,
with the aid Of the people, to resist all and any
Hp6n9 Fights oi Virginia ii he was elected
Governor, aud should conflict occur between
the General Government and any other South
crn State, he would not permit the march Of
Federal troops through the territory of |ir-
gnia to subugate that State. These sentiments
we're applaudcd with the enthusiasm of hun
drcds Of stentorian lungs.
assure you, gentlemen, this has been a
proud day for the Democracy Of Albemarle
and of Virginia. Our opponents crowed most
heartily before the discussion commenced, but,
like whipped spaniels, they hung their tails
between their legs dropped their heads, and
their faces were lengthend few inches. The
Democrats were the happiest set of fellows,
their faces all radiant with smiles and confident
tha, their champion will 20 on from conquer
ing to conquer III Eastern Virginia, as he has al
really done in Western Nirg ginia.
Yours Rife RTpGE