Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1856-10-17
Letters of John II. Botts--Botts
Declares Governor Wise q Mad

man.
To the Editor Of the Richmond Ba-
ti0Ral 4nssricaH.-I address you this
note to request that you viii, at the ear
lest practicable moment, publish in your
paper the speech of his Excellency, Hen
" 4. Wise. Governor of the Common
wealth of Virginia, as published in the
Herald Of the 30th ult., and I earnestly
hope there Is no Wing or American pa
per in the State that viii not also aid in
spreading it broadcast before the people.
Let the masses Of the democracy read.
Let them see what this mailman Of their
own selection is preparing for them.
+ should mourn over the lamentable
fact, if 1 could believe the great body of
our democratic fellow citizens were not
as true and loyal to the Union as any
other portion of our population. 1 feel
assured that they are not to be found aid
ing and abetting in a conspiracy to bring
on war against the United States.
l have often listened to the insane IA
wings Of Wild lunatic in the asylum, but
never, never in the whole course of ny
life have I heard, read or witnessed the
: workings of a disordered brain more
strongly stamped with madness than il
this instance.
. Can it be possible for any man to rist
frUm perusal of this speech withou
=. coming to the conclusion that Henry a
Wise, who thus descends from the dignit,
Of his Office, attends town meeting O
! his party associates, throws himself int
8 spasms to influence the public mind, t
, excite the passions of the multitude an
10 familiarise their thoughts to the direfr
q calamity of disunion. without saying +
\ himself this man Is either natural Dor
- fool lunatic, or conspirator in fact, an
.. a traitor in his heart? Never before h
= any man in this country acknowledge
- his responsibility for so REASONABLE a pr,
duction.
Let no man suppose intend this as
retor for what he has said of me in h
>, speech. 1 write as if that were entire
!, Obliterated from the paper. I have q
. ready answered that part of it sufficient
twice before the people, both here and
Petersburg. 1 confne myself to Il
" reasonable matter this speech contains
- First, then, IS he a natural born foo
!" / do not think he Is. Is he Iunatic !?
& believe before God he Is partially L
. -. ranged, and have believed 50 for Il
.'' last six years but occupying his positi,
as Governor Of the commonwealth.
does not make him the less dangerous
the country If he acts from lunac7 tn.
from natural weakness. Is he a consy
rator: Is he engaged in a conspiracy
levy war: Read this speech, aeeompar
-. it with general orders for offering /
" militia, and for holding themselves
readiness for serviee-couple with the
his daily conversations as reported in 1
= public streets, Of his intention in the eve
" Of Fremont's election, to take pozsessi
OF Old Point Confort-( (which / THU
there is no difficulty in establishingl.
read the law on conspiracy, and then t
whether he is not a lunatie or a cons
~ rator, and whether it has not become I
90 duty Of proper authorities TO have b
~ Immediately arresteds
Where Is Judge fancy? Where
Judge Halliburton? Where Is the 4
:. u trict Attorney? Where is the Ora
NC Jury Of this Eastern district Of Virgin
70 whose attention, when they meet, / c
my to this speech and general order. Final
ad- where is the President Of the Uni
md States!
Al From private citizen, such a prod
. ton would be laughed at and passed Or
We az the declaration Of besotted fool: |
IN when II comes from a Governor Of
o"l great commonwealth It assumes a 70
i'2' and substance that may lead at least