Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-07-03
Letter from Hon. John Letcher.
LEXINGTON, VA, June IS, 1855

LEXINGTON, Va, June IS, 1858.
70 tie Editor Of the South:
| The Richmond Wing, Of the 21st inst,
contains an article on the Gubernatorial
election, in which reference is made to DIR.
RuFFNER's Address on the subject Of Sla-
very, and the connection of myself, and
others, with its publication l have nc
complaint to make Of the editor for his ref
! erence, as my acts and opinions are proper
subjects of criticism, nor do | seek to eyade
any just responsibility for either.
At the tislle Of the publication of that
Address, state frankly. that did regard
! slavery as social and political evil / did
not regard it then, or since, as moral evil,
! for [ was at that time, have been ever
! since, and am now the owner of slave pro-
perty, by purchase, and not by inheritance.
think | hazard nothing ia 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 attention has been given to
! the question; it has been much more
thoroughly examined in all its bearings.
and is much better understood, not only in
Virginia, bat throughout the entire South.
All 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. Pre-
vious to lS47. | had given very little con
sideration to it; subsequently,, however.
did examine it. and became entirely salts
fed, not only that my opinion, as to the
social and political influence Of the institu-
ton, was erroneous, but / acknowledged
my error.
When became candidate for seat ia
the Reform Convention, the subject having
been alluded to in the progress Of the can
vass, avowed, in my speech to the people
Of Augusta, that I had changed my opinion,
and stated that if my fidelity to the.institu-
ton was distrusted by any man, it was his
duty to oppose my election to the position I
sought at the hands of the people. was
elected, and my course in the Convention,
and for the past seven sessions in Congress,
on oil matters connected with slavery, will
attest the sincerity Of my convictions. The
Journals Of both bodies are accessible, and
to them I refer for my votes.
The Wig, of the 23d inst, contains a
much longer article on the same subject,
which embodies the letter addressed to DR..
RuFFNER, and sundry extracts from the ad-
dress. The speech delivered in the Frank
lin Society was calm argument on the So
cial and political influences of slavery upon
agricultural and mechanical development Of
Western Virginia. The published address
contained many things so exceptionable
that those with one exception, I believe, }
wh4called upon him to publish the speech,
refused to contribute to the cost Of the pub
lication Of the pamphlet These facts are
well known here.
In conclusion, / have only to add, that
those who distrust my fidelity to my native
State and her institutions, are bound by
every consideration Of duty to themselves,
and the community in which we live, to op-
pose my elevation to any political position
/ may aspire to. j. LETCHER.
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