New York Times, “An Elevated Struggle,” March 23, 1859

AN ELEVATED STRUGGLE. – The electoral canvas in Virginia is about as empty a struggle as the country has witnessed for a long time. Mr. LETCHER, the regular Democratic nominee, is warmly opposed by the union of the Anti-Democratic parties. But this opposition is not based upon any question of principle, or any openly-avowed and manly hostility to the Federal Administration which he represents. The main offence alleged against him is, that fifteen or twenty years ago he expressed the opinion that Slavery was an evil, and that the State of Virginia would be better off without it. Mr. LETCHER seems quite as absurdly anxious to disavow this sentiment as his opponents are to fasten it upon him. What a splendid target for similar attack JEFFERSON would present if he could be run for Governor! It is pitiful to see the political contests of a great State reduced to so paltry an issue.