Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1858-07-17
TROUBLE AMONG THE VIRGINIA POLL
TICIANS.
From the Now YORK Evening Post

From the Now York Evening Post.
John Lctchcr, ono Of tho leading members Of
the late Congress from Virginia, is presented by
the red mouthcd section of the Buchanan party as
a candidate for Governor. Since his namc was
brought forward, his fidelity To "the institution"
has been brought under suspicion. Ine ground
ot the suspicion appears to be that in August,
lS47, the Rev. Henry Rutiner, d. d., delivered an
address ut Lexington, Va, before the Franklin So,
ciety Of that place, in which he advocated the alb.
clifton OF slavery in Western Virginia. A short
timo after it's delivery, the Hon. John Letcher,
with Others addressed him Il letter, commencing
the views, advanced 10y him as mot only torcjble,
but coHcluSjts; and that they are presented in Il
shape which cannot give just offence to even those
who are the most iastidiOus and exacting on all
subjects having connection with slavery" and
asking that the address might be published. The
names attached to this letter were: :. Med.
Moore, John Letcher, David p. Curry. james g.
Hamilton, George y. Baker, j. II. Lacey, John
Eehils, James IL. Jordou, Jacob Fuller, Jr. /. l..
Moore.
The South and Enquirer have been trying to ex
plain tho matter, but just as they were agreeing
upon a consistent theory, Mr.. LotcEcr addressed a
letter to the South, in which he admits the fact
that when the address Of Dr. Rufner was pub,
lished, he did regard slavery as a social, political,
though hGt a moral evil. lie says:
AT the time of the publication of that address
| state frankly, that | did regard slavery as a So
cial and political evil. | did not regard it then or
since as a moral evil, for | was at that time, have
been ever since, and am now the owner Of slave
property, by p%urchace, and not by Inheritance. ]
think | hazard nothing in saying that at that day,
such an opinion was held by a large number Of
the citizens Of Virginia, on both sides Of the
Blue Ridge. Since that time much more atten.
ton has been given to tho question; it has been
much more thoroughly examined in all its bear.
lngs, and is much better understood, not only IN
Virginia, but throughout the entire South. An
must admit. that within the past ten years, the
question has been discussed with an ability never
before expended upon it, and an impression thus
made upon the public mind, that has resulted in
an almost entire revolution of public SENTIMENT
Previous to 1917, | had given very little consider.
alton to it; subsequently, however, | did examine
it, and became entirely satisfied, not only that nv
opinion, as to the social and political influence Of
the institution, was erroneous, but | acknowl lodged
my error.
"In conclusion | have only TO add, that those
who distrust my fidelity to my native state ard her
Institutions, are bound by every consideration Of
duty to themselves, and the community in which
we live, to oppose my. elevation to any political POI
sltion | may aspire to.
j.. LETCUER."
We know Of many freesoilers whose views about
slavery have changed during the past ten years.
but MIR. Letcher is the only one of any account
who has avowed the change ana ascribed it to the
new and improved lights which have been furnish
ed within that period. The pro.slayery converts
that We are most accustomed to, have had gener
ally different, if not better reasons for their change
of opinion.