Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1860-12-27
rrrrrR rRov Hov wv + coGcN.


LETTER FROM HON. WIN. l. GoGGN.
PEAELAND, Bedford Dec. 18th, 1850.
GESuFNEg:- Your invitation, on behalf Of the Wings
Of Richmond, 10 the complimentary dinner given TO the
Electors OF State only reached to-day, It had
been directed through nadyerence to distant Office
but approaching | do such a compliment from those
with whom associated in the late canvass, cannot
forbeI, even now, to make proper acknowledgment
| of your kindness.
Though clouds have gathered upon the political hori-
zon t is pleasure to know that have here been re-
feshed by at least CLEAN Of light and that the bow
Of % e. for moment has spanned the arch which re-
Elected the rays of made glorious ere il had sc. for
ever for Virginia has declared herself true to the
Union, which, if it must be Union no more, she has
consecraed with her love aud affection in the besowal
of her latest blessing To have united with you then, in
your testimonial would have afforded great pleasure
the pleasure Of union with friends and the happiness
OF associating with the friends Of the Union.
II does necessarily follow that Southern men, who
demand their rights in the Union, 60 out of the
Union to assert them IL they withheld for hour,
a DAY a month. But, am one of those who believe
that the time has when the interests aud the honor
Of the South demand a! the hands of Northern men
cessation of all hostile legislation; that rights
should be respected our wrongs redressed and our m
ture repose guaranteed That may err-hat North
have erred and erred otenthat they have per-
sisted in error no Southern deny-no Northern
man. whose opinion is TO be valued at ALL will fail TO al
nit That the South has rights which have been assat
is matter Of history and not OF speculation. That
particular States have dsregarded all the ties of political
brotherhood the better of those States will freely
declare. That instances of deliberate and wful wrong
have been perperated not once not twice, nor thrice,
but times numbering than the recorded wrongs Of
British oppression the least thoughtful must recoee
Am, then, even among the conservative Of Virgin
ia, Of those who believe that the time has
when the rights Of Southern and the dignity Of
Southern States demand also the repeal Of al obnoxious
measures if Southern to be hereafter regarded
brethren, and Southern States to be looked upon
as equals
Whether our hopes to be disappointed by denial
OF Justice whether the Just expectations Of who
know their rights and who demand that they shall H.
respected to be in future dsGegarded will depend
upon those who alone calm the excitement OF the day.
10y voluntary abandonment of the false position which
they have assumed No one, however, expect an I'M
mediate reaction Of the system after such prosatou
il has undergone. little time to from the stu
plying effects of the doses which have been adj
mintered must be allowed. Reason, reflection, patriot
ism ITSELF will it is hoped, prevail at last over wild,
reckless hnatcsm which has well nigh done ts work.
With these views and in the hope OF Justice would itnot
he right 10 give Northern an opportunity to bring
out that conservative strength which they they have
and 10 bring il TO operate in General Convention OF all
the States under the provisions OF the Constitution, for
il amendment and m such Convention 10 distinctly
diseaim all purpose hereafter TO infringe upon the rights
of the South Ii So they would signify the "by
| putting 4 IN The band" and in ehict declare
No State shall pass any law to prevent the rendition Of
fugitive slaves under the penalty OF a cOntscAuon OF the
property Of any citizen of such offending State may
be found in the complaining State from which any such
| fugitive may have gone.
Congress shall pass no law 70 regulate commerce among
the several States TO destroy in any wise to i'm
pair the value OF any species OF property whatever.
That neither Congress nor Territorial Legislature
shall have any power whatever to prevent the oizsns Of
any State from carrying any property recognized such
by the laws Of the State from which any such citizen may
remove, into any Territory which shall remain, As now,
| the common property OF AL the States
That the people, in forming State Constitution, shall
alone exercise the power OF admitting prohibiting
slavery aud that hereby is intended to discsim for
Congress all jurisdiction Of he subject whatever.
fgurlutes such "A these can be obtained or il peace
be secured by any similar mean1, with honor aud
safety 10 the South let ask who would be willing tina,
his State should 20 of the Union upon the OK
pertinent 10 find some blessing some good which has
been left behuiy No one unless, being predigposed
be wants TO in any event say, then let try the
remedy Of Orbcarance for time with the hone OF peace
for the future Let us not saw then, that though hC
instrument itself confirms upon its face priHisidirectous
for its aud management-directions 10 which Wash
ingon called attention when h. len it with us-ihat
wiser than he, and less patient than were our
fathers. Try all remedies which appeared but let
not tamper with the machinery, ana then east il OH
though it has brought With it such blessings and pros
perty into the great family where has or remained
ihe JOY and tho pride Of every meaJer
Let us appeal to our sister States in the language Of
affection and OF respect let not say South Caro-
Gua go bu rather let ask her STAY with ~ remam-
berng that her place when It Is made be
supplied for she will be sister who is lost though
shall love her with all her faults We would have her
here for the memories Of the past and ia the autSpa
tons OF 4 brighter and happier future.
To Massachusetts, should address the language OF
y % 96 Ter PS sous A i s prSfraoa q your
gogasamen aad the pcrnAuency OF your present happy
"state is requisite not ony that you steadily dscouu
"teuarce irregular opposition to its. acknowledged
"thoy but you should beware OF designing who may
"endeayOr excite belief that there a real df
ference OF local interests and views relying for the pre-
seryaton Of all your advantages On the Union 10y
" which they were procured"
The Union has is adv an,ages which no more
highly estimate than myself-advantages and blessings
the loss of which 10 deeply deploro than
myseli-and the loss Of which State will have
70 deprecate more than Virginia But OF these it il not
my purpose speak in this very short reply la7 de-
signed it in the commencement your kind and friend
| iy invitation
Without even alluson 10 questions Of constitutions
al hight as among The States while in the Union must
say that wherever Virginia goes Twill so. Her destiny shall
be mine When all rightul remedies exhausted, she
will be the better prepared to take her position whether
it be position assumed by right Of revolution other,
wse-wbeuever she is ready to redress her wrongswhoh
have been unheeded in any last appeal may make in
vindicaion Of her rights, will be among those Of her
sons who viii stand with her though may perish. In
The ,re contemplation Of that ancient greatness which
Is hers as the mother Of States aud Of Satesmen-whe
may be the best friend Of the Unon aud the Constu-
ton it was, shall not forget that Of Virginia as
she Is and a. she may be.
am, very Respectfully,
wM. L GOGGN.
To Nessrs ThOs. J. Evans John Freeand, Jas.
Nc Donald Jas Whitfield H. B. Dickinson, Committee
/ Tup ,yutu