Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-07-07
Letter ffOm a Democratic EIeetOr.


The following letter from Col Henry L. Hopkins, one
Of the Democratic Electors of this State defining bis pO
sition appeared late issue Of the Richmond EHqW-
rs and will be read with interest. It will be seen that
Col H. regards Mr. Douglas as the regular nominee of
the National Democracy, and will support his election
PETERSBURG, June %, 1860.
Gentlemen ;-Iu your semi-weekly issue OF this morn
ing / find the following announcement:
National Democratic Ticket
For President OF the United States,
JOHN @. BRECKENRIDGE. Of kENrUCEY.
For Vice President Of the United States
Gan JOSEPH LANE, of OREGON
And underneath YOU publish the names OF the Electors
composing the National Democratic Ticket As my
anne appears in that connection amongst them, silence
would imply my Gcguissc,Hcs in the announcement and
% produce a wrong impression. | deem it due TO the
friends Of these distinguished candidates therefore, 10
lehue my position, promptly and candidy. was sp-
pointed the Ee Of the Second Electoral Dlstrc', TO
support the nomia, - understand it. Of the National
Democratic Convention, rsgiGrg assembled according
20 the s0ges Of the Democratic party. cannot regard
.he Secession C0greHtoH,' that nominated Nessrs.
IreckuHlge and Lane, as regular Democratic Couyen-
ion, any more than l would regard a fragment Of the
So Houses Of Legislature seeding from the regular
bodies and organizing themselves slserksre, to pass
avs a regular legislature.
III should be told tie Constitution Of the State
Iuir,s a macrity Of each House 20 form quorum tor
business So reply, the principles and USdCe OF De-
uOcracy jis constitutional cOncede TO the majority the
light 70 rule in conventions Nor can comprehend how
il that such convention Heycr before assembled
10 all The history Of our National Conventions Claim
.sa1s or even DrscedB for its validity. On the con-
.-try regarding Stephen A. Douglas the regular nom
nee OF ttc regular Democratic National Convention l
shall support bis termination most willingly aud cordial
y not ouy on that ground but because Of has lifelong
Democracy his ripe experience bis great abilities, and
he large amount Of valuable Pu6c services he has rem
Tered his country Indeed since Gov. Wise withdrew,
le has been ms choice for the Presidency.
/; my pride that have always been with my party,
.n It's dt,a's as vel It's tyiiBHDhs And now that its
HcuilC, aud dangers are greater than ever mean TO
ryiace my devotion 70 is principles aud its integrity by
-de best services render IT, whether be with MT
l-ifg or minority IN the end. dislike TO differ with
my friends and especially With you, Myssrs. Editors bu;
he path Of duty is plain before me, and must pursue 1t
irmy. Ever truly yours -,
The plan Of the compromises Is to let the electoral
ticket stand as now organized lei The people vote for it,
and then leave TO those who compose it. if elected to de-
care hos the vote OF the Of the State shall be cast
Now Us nearly Oh the electors known TO be in favor
of the Breckenridge ticket, and would cas-. the vote of
tie State for it, the proposition is simply that the Dou
,l,s linen shall work and vote for Breckenridge. We
tke IL for granted that the friends Of Douglas will
b. caught in trap Ike this. Col Hopkins, sure
IA 90 honest In bis advocacy Of Douglas sell him to
those who. sooner than submit his nomination, have
broken up the party. We do not think he will be
party to a scheme which even If successful in Virginia
would lave no other effect in the country large than
10 render the election Of Lincoln and Hamu more prob
AHA