Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-10-26
RICHMOND VIRGINIA.

RICHMOND VIRGINIA,
October Dist, 1860
Gentlemen When your letter of the
9th reached this CITY, [ was absent in the
North Western portion of the State. in dis
charge Of an official duty. I embrace the
earliest opportunity. since my return, to re-
ply.
If had the leisure to prepare my views
fully, upon the various points suggested in
your letter, it would give me very sincere
pleasure to do SO. But every moment Of
time is Of the utmost Importance to me-
Ny official engagements and duties are SO
numerous, and of so pressing character,
that have not the time to spare that would
be required for this purpose.
Ny position has been stated, in letter,
that was very generally published in the
papers Of the State, in which [ declared my
preference for Douglas and johnson. Sub
sequent rejection, and subsequent develop
ments, have strengthened and confirmed me
in the preference then expressed.
[ have known Judge Douglas for years,
and | regard him as a true, faithful, bold ,
independent and patriotic statesman, OF I'M
usually fno talents, and great public expe-
rience in our National affairs. For years
he has fought the battles Of the South, in
the Senate and before the people, and he
has fought them with a gallantry and de-
termination never surpassed. For these val
liable services, the southern people have not
only felt, but they have on many occasions
furnished substantial evidence of their graf
itude. Culy four years ago. at the Cinein-
natl Convention, the Southern States voted
sundry times, by Q decided majority, for
Judge Douglas for President, and contin-
ued TO vote for him, until his name was with
drawn by his own direction. Most of he
States which seeded at Charlie ston, (six, |
believe of the delegations voted for Judge
Douglas, perhaps more than dozen times,
in the Cincinnati Convention. Subsequent
". when the Senatorial Struggle took place
in Illinois, and Judge Douglas canvassed
all parts Of the State against Lincoln, the
deepest interest was manifested for his sac
cess, in all portions of the Southern coun-
try, and by all parties in the South. These
things, (many others equally significant and
striking, might be enuneratel,) showed
clearly that Judge Douglas was then con-
sidered entirely trustworthy and reliable by
the South and if he was reliable then, is
there any good reason for distressing him
now? | think not, and SO thinking, have
considered it my duty to support him.
Iapproyed Of the course of our delegation
in refusing to withdraw from the Charleston
Convention, and in remaining in that body
and voting ffty-seven times for nominee
for the Presidency. The platform which
had been adopted before these votes were
cast, must have been acceptable to them. OF
they would have gone out, with the other
seeding States. disapproyed CT their course
IN withdrawingSat Baltimore. | hold tina
The Convention at Baltimore had the un
doubted right to determine who should fill
the places made 0acdnt by the Withdrawal
at Charleston, and the decision Of this CUES
ton furnished no just cause for the seces
sion of the Virginia delegation.
The admission Of improper delegates was
the reason assigned for the disruption a
Baltimore. But is this the issue upon which
the canvass is now conducted between
Breckenridge and Douglas ? Not at ALL
So far from it, the people Of Virginia ar
now appealed OF to vote against Douglas, be
cause he is opposed to the doctrine of In
PREVENTION FOR tho protection Of slavery i
the Territories. 70 this doctrine, Dougla
| has always been opposed, as even his enc
mics all admit. 70 this doctrine, an ovel
whelming majority of the Democrat
people and Democratic press in Virgini
were opposed, up to the adjournment of til
Convention at Baltimore. It is fair to in
fer, therefore, that all the Virginia delega
ton were opposed to this doctrine, exceE
Mr. Fisher, as he was the only one VIII
withdrew at Charleston.
On this question of Popular Sovereignty
about which so much is now said, | believ
Judge Douglas has been consistent. Ii
has boldly advocated it everywhere, an
under all circumstances. After the passag
of the Kansas Nebraska bill, he was eXtoll
ed everywhere throughout Virginia for hi
unparalleled exertions in securing the reaog
milton of the principle Of Non Intervention
by Congress with slavery in the Territories
In the Senate, and in his canvass will
Lincoln in Illinois, he has maintained tn
principle, boldly and without evasion.
When the Kansas Nebraska Bill was un
der consideration, no man of any party
the records and debates Snow. 80
cd that Consrcoss slonal lc~, s,,t;o for ~ . NO
to ot'"--,sVf slaver.y IN The Territories, woul
be demGInued, or evon asked for So ia
from it, the friends Of TIE bill were careful
aud particular in excluding such an idea
first, by the clear and emphatic deolaratio
contained III the fourteenth section Of til
bill, that the true intent and meaaing Of til
act was not to legisato slavery into any tor
ritory, OF exclude it tlcrQfrom, but 10 leav
the people thereof perfectly Tree TO form an
regulate their domestic institutions in thei
own way, subject to tie Constitution Of til