Year: 1859

THE MEETING AT HARRISONBURG.


SPECIAL REPORT FOR THE NEW YORK HERALD


HARRiso HBuRG, RocxISGHAM Co., March o. 1859


The Hon. John Lecher the democrats nominee for the
office Of Governor Of this State, and the Hon. William L.
Goggn the whg nominee met in discussion in this town
today for the first time. Rockingham county b one Of
the three which compose the "Tenth Legonn the other
two being Shenandoah and Page They part Of John
Letchers late Congressional district constitute the
great stronghold of democracy the State The three
combined give democratic majority Of about ve thou
sand, which is about one half the aggregate majority Of
the State and from the relations which they have for
eight years occupied to Letcher his constituents
should not be surprised if it reached point considerably
above that in the ensuing election


The discussion came off in the Court House, which is Ca
pable Of accommodating about eight hundred persons
The number present. however, was considerably above
that though by no means what would have been had
been definitely ascertaned that Mr. Goggn would have
been present The of his intended visit reached
here at late hour last evening" and was therefore
known but to the town residents and few in
the outskirts should estimate the whole num-
ber present at about two thousand, the great
majority Of whom were Of COURSE democrats attracted
here by the previous of etchers intention
to address them The whole whg vote Of the county s
about six hundred, against thousand five hundred





an immense preponderance and in view of proverba
staunch adherence of the Tenth LEGION democracy to
that cause, it was matter Of some surprise thut Mr.
Goggn should have chosen this the first theatre for
discussion with his opponent, when he could have had
an opportunity OF meeting him 10 morrow ut Saunton-a
place far more congena to his political views and OPT
mons. 1t Is as largely wing this place is democratic:
and he would, besides have bcen spared journey OF
twenty-five miles stage travel and the distance back
had he deferred his meeting until tomorrow Batno: he
was anxious to make appear that he had gone beard
the lion in his den, and thus Isprt tho party whose
nominee he IL. Ths, believe, is the first instance of
similar nroad by an opposition candidate within the
precincts OF that mpregnabe democratic stronghold; and
be assured the effect intended 10 be produced by the en-.
terpise will be fully realized Many opened their eyes
in utter asonshment the boldness OF Goagn in daring
TO obtrude his presence within this REGION
deduce from some strange forebodings Of evil The ef
feet, however, likely 70 be increased exerton on the
part of the democracy here avert the evil results
which this daring movement would seem TO Indicate
During the dscusson however the utmost courtesy was
observed toward Mr. Goggn, leading no doubt to a feel
Ing of agreeable disappointment part.


have rarely Witnessed such degree OF zeal and act
witty as DOW manifested by the wings Of this section They
frankly ADMIT that never before had they such chance
for victory as is now 10 them. They esteem them
selves fortunate in the selection Of opposition candidate
Congress pres nts some points exception the most favor
able for political campaign This with coincidence
diversion In tie democratic party generally form
grounds of sanguinc hopes for the wings ami thew are
leaving nothing unoone to these advantages to the
best account as preliminary movement to thorough
Organization OF the opposition elements OF the country for
1860 deemed IN fact all important for the wings hold
that to impair the prestige Of the Virginia democracy
would prove the most powerful incentive 70 aD elective
campaign in 1860 that could be furnished Indesd the
zeal and energy which exhibited by the whiqs are
bctuated almost entirely by this motive and nothing that
human exeron can accomplish will be wanting ~ bring
about the result aimed at


they organizing extensively; vigilance committees
arc being appointed in every district city, town village
and mhgsteral precinct and funds will not be wanting 10
promote their ends This can see during my short expe
renee here; and when / get to other parts Of the
State, where the whg strength vastly greater have no
doubt shall witness far greater degree of energy ana
zeal in the cause This activity has necessarily tended to
arouse the democracy from their sumbers and 10 Impress
them with conviction o. the danger Of relying too i'm
pctly upon their prestige in the They are begin
ming TO realize that past victories give assurance OF 81
mar results in the future, accordingly ar beane
themselves TO the task Of organizing They are however
Of the opposition doubtless because Of too m.ch nrs'
sumption IN their strength probable they will soon
become more jealous under the nuence Of the example
furnished by their opponents and the fear of adverse
result


Soon after twelve O'Clock today both candidates pro-
ceedcd to the Court House, and conducted the
platform by their respective friends Strange there was


little or no applause they entered, though the anxiety
to hear them seemed intense


Mr. Ltcber and proceeded to say that for eight
years he had been their representative in Congress- It
was proper that he should that occasion give ac
y previous 10 the last session he deemed unnecessary
to say anything, inasnuch as they already familiar
with his course up to that period OF his action during
the last session, nothing particular had been said TO de-
mand from him any extended remarks: but he
felt bound TO enter into some explanation Of
inasmuch as some remarks had been made with
reference to it, The vote which he recorded against that
bill he would be ready 10 cast again. occasion required
it, for he believed TO be fspght with serious injury to
the interests OF the country He regarded ihe whole pro-
position az UNJUST for involved outlay which would
bear GENEROUSLY upon the people, whlet would benefit but
n comparatively small number Il estimated that
about four hundred thousand persons would within
the scope OF its operation demanding an appropriation At
the last session OF Congress OF $50 annual
appropriation OF 100000 for period Of years. II
would have the Treasury the sum Of sl03 O00
eco discharge all the obligations which this bill would
impose and would doubt that such an outlay was
npoltc in view othe present state othe Treasury From
the foundation Of the to the present te the
amount paid for pensions $50, ,3760e7 56-a sum
which however large II may be deemed, would be vastly
b Of the last session The 600 proposed q be
appropriated by that bill within period of ten years
couId only be had by raising the tarf-a policy to which
he was utterly opposed. There another measure
which claimed the consideration Of the last Congress- and
that the admission OF Oregon State the Union
We have found, since the time that California became
State OF the Unon that the Pacific slope OF this country
has been identified In feeling and sentiment with the
southern country than any portion Of the North Northwest
New England States Never until during the last Congress
has there been division of opinion between representa-


yes upon measures tending 10 the benefit OF the SOUTH
and IN that instance II confined TO Senator Frederick
aud one Of the California representatives In tho House of
Representatives. Mr. L. here referred TO the course OF
fidelity 10 tie south and his high toned character
isics He then gave tho vote on the bill TO admit Ore
Qon M folows:-ln the Affirmative, one hundred demo-
crats fourteen republicans and South American. In
the negative twenty democrats, seventy repub-
cans and South Amercans-showing that, with rare
xcefons the whole Southern country REGARDED this Ad-
al on of oregon of vast importance any section
al controversy that might arise hereafter and that her
representatives and Senators could be relied upon as
those of California were stand by the interests Of this
country and aid in preserving and protecting the coust
tuition Of the land (Appsuse He voted for the adms-
en,s would blame him for It, He then proceeded 70 sav
that the democratic party the only party that ever
effected extension Of the of freedom, and chal
euged his competitor to show ono instance IN which
the party to which he belonged bad accomplished any
such result He imagined that hs friend would have some
thing to say upon the subject Of the expenditures
of the federal government, and would, no doubt,
throw the responsibility OF these heavy expenditures upon
tue administration lie would submit this proposition
that administration should be held responsible only
for the amount Of estimates and that tho Congress Of
she United states should be held responsible for any
rhcn iheu may anpropatc beyond thegn cstmates And