Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-06-10
LETTER FROM Mr.. GOGGIN.

LETTER FROM Mr.. G0GGIN
TO the Editor of he Wing:
am thankful to you for the kind terms in Which you
refer to my withdrawal candidate for the office Of
Governor And as the contest BY this time has been,
presume, decided, there is longer any reason why
should be silent in relation to charges made in other
journals against those who have been referred to Os
marty schemers" in connection with my name. While
am acquitted of any blame il the matter, Others have
been charged With design to promote the election Of
particular candida e, and that for such purpose,
was induced to withdraw.
It is proper, therefore for me to say that was in
auenced by no newspaper articles in your own or in
any other paper-nor did any one volunteer to advise
me in relation to my duty, those with whom am
always pleased to counsel and Who am sure, would
have voted for me- and who preferred me a. their first
choice.
Having been invited, however, by men of both the
Cd parties to become a candidate, deemed it my duty
to consult those Of them whom knew to be friendly
TO nv election and in no instance did they advise me
to decline on the contrary was their earnest desire
that should CO tuue to be one of the canddate' and
with the expression of belief their part that in any
event, even if all four should continue 10 be, that
would be easily elected. al my friends, however,
freely expressed wish that there should be but tVO
didates.
thought could plainly discover, however, in some
localities from the of the press, both sides of
the old party landmarks as well from many OF the
voters themselves that there a disposition to re-
member party lines at the polls. This prob bly,
however not the case with of those who support
ed others, as am sure it waS not with many very
many, Of those who would have supported But be
this as il NAV, on the morni of the 10Th was in
duced to believe, by information which deemed re-
liable, that it was the determination Of the friends Of
one OF the ca ddaes the north side Of James river
to withdraw his name could not wal, at that late
hour within week of the election to know the result
of the action taken on their part But I am very
sure now, as was then, that my friends we're perfectly
sincere in their belief that such action to be
had As was anxious to avoid divisions amongst
selves and cOnfne the contest to two instead OF four
candidates therefore hastily sent my card to yourp
per- Withdrawing my name without time opportunity
TO advise at the moment with any one, and certainly
with no time to confer with the fie ds of other car d.
ties, or with the candidates thenfeves. l withheld
in that card any statement Of particular for my
course, from a Of duty to Others which must be
obvious to all. determined then not to make item
known, at least until the report referred to
tanned be true if not true, until the re'u of the
election was known | should still, even now, have
remained silent but for the unjust impGtdtiOHs cast upon
Others. If there anything wrong in my course,
am to blame. But / am very sure no wrong was in
tended on the part of any % towards any of the
ddates
In respect to those who were my competitors, bad
my own preferences which exercised at the polls and
for which am accountable to no oueit is therefore
unnecessary to explain them here. l think that the
friends of more than one of the gentlemen however,
have betrayed more zeal and LEES prudence than they
have been accustomed to exhibit not free altogether
from nsnesrity in some instances and orgstInsss of
previous occurrences in Others forgive them for any
wrongs they may have intended me- and trust it may be
their good fortune, in after time to be always able to
please former friends, and to the approval Of
even old enemies but to lose their own self
spect II desire to discharge my duty fully, and with
view solely the good of my country could have Sc
cured the first of these comforts the enjoyment OF the
others would have.been the gratifying STILL for
should MT then have been suspected of dsgoyGly to
mere party in showing loyalty to my State by those
nor should be held TO account for the want Of Union
sentiment more than two years ago, which l. then
promptly surrendered when the necessity Of pa
cling Yirginas honor in the keeping of Virginas sons
And however the illtimed carpDg spirit of the hour
may find fault even history has recorded at the
polls the unanimous voice of the same fault-6uders in
favor of my action, and in favor Of Virgnias separa
sion from Union which could no longer be tolerated
They may gnaw the file, but the vpers harmless
Aud have only to repeat, thar have apology to
make for my connexon with the late canvass with the
Convention o. which was an humble member or fer
any of my past acts public Errors may,
aud doubtless have committed but feel conscious
ness in the purity aud sincerity of all my purposes
To the thousands who know me, Of all parties, and
Who have the best reasonto know had determined to
give at the polls renewed evidences Of their friendship
return my thanks for their kindness assuring them
that whatever may betide me- shall never sacrifice
feeling of devotion to my old mother State
one 1.-THE of my attachment my section and its insti
tudOus, for the sake Of any Office, which some of my
old political associates could aid them in besowing upon
me- And If have no power to reward friends, there
shall never exist disposition to punish those who may
be my enemies.
am, very respectfully,
WIN. L. GOGGIN
June G. 1858. ~- -