Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-08-27
For The EagIlpt
HON. JOHN LETCHER.


HON. JOHN LETCHER.
Msssrs. Editors In the discussions which have
arisen as to the most suitable aud available candidate
OF the Democracy for next Governor, it appears 10
my mind that you have violated psrty ussge in Your
course towards the Hon. John Letchsr, and that ca
nifty which ought to exist between the members and
journals of party and s hoDored and worthy repi-
sentatves. Instead Of presen'ing as You have dom.
for other asprants the claim. OF this faithful and long
tried public servant to popular support, would have
besn tho natural and obvious course of u party "a
per- or been silent, If you could not give him freely
aid and comfort, you have followed the Opposition ~
its assaults upon him, instead OF leaving such
nia employment, where il OF right beonge. to hs pu
liticsl adversares. You have thus worked great
injury TO Mr.. Lecheri for however pure and apofIt-
the life and character Of public man. il il only
ceasary express dstrust of him to create suspicious
of his fidelity among the ignorant and creduou- iu
raise doubts as to his availaoiy among larger cia'
of his supporters, and to give to bis enemies "p
portunity to let clip their dogs Of war, by drawing Of"
from him in the hour Of need.
II no part of our purpose TO charge that you hsva
been operated upon in this matter OF withholdug
your assent to Mr.. Letchers nomination, by any
other than honest and patriotic motives. l ree n0
reason why you should. But you have pur-u-i =
ruinous and mistaken policy, and been e1ceedinsl
unkind and unjust to Mr.. Letcher and his numerous
friends throughout the Commonwealth.
Having frequently declared yonr Willingness to mi
which might be offered of him, any one else 'hr'"
aesailed, I propoae-hsvng been long a subscrib-r
10 your paper. and friend Of Mr.. L.-rhowing that
there is just ground Of opposition to him, bu, o
the contrary many cogent reasons why he should b"
nominated and elected; and his entire and eminent
fitness, whether We consider him in the past or pre-
sent, as private citizen or public officer. To bl
any position to which be may aspire in he S'se "r
nation 1t ia conceded Oh all sides, that hs ha' been
through life pure, unadulterstsd, and fearless De"
mocrat of the sric construction Slate Rights Sch""
and there is no shadow of opposition to him our
candidate for Governor, except that he signed .'
ter requesting the Rev. Henry Ruffner to publiah
sp.ecb delivered by him In February, lS47, 10 oppo-
stiOn TO the continued existence of slavery in We
ern Virginia. The history Of this matter is some
9nat follows: heated debate, continued 'hr"ugn
many months, occurred in the Franklin Soc'rty
Lexington in the winter of S47. which had ITS orIgn
in the unequal representation in the General Assem-
bly, of Virginia between the Eastern and Western
portions OF the State. The snti-intarnal improve
nent psry in Eastern Virginia had retarded the pro-
Zress of rail roads and canals towards the Wes ana
It thought by many, wholly Impossible Ia get
outlets for market, so long as the Constitution Of
1880, apportionng representation upon an arbitrary
basis having regard TO persons and property, con
tnued to exist. The question of calling Convcn.
ton to form q new Constitution was ngi:atrd ard
supported in Western Virginia, and was chiefly "p
posed in the Eastern part OF the State.
The impression was general that the oppoaitirn I"
q convention sprsng from determination "f h-
numerous than on the Western side Of the Blue
Ride, and the sntinternal improvement party OF hs
same region to rivet the chains OF colonial VASES
age upon the people OF Western Virginia, and hence
the high and intense excitement, which found pnrini
vent in the Franklin Society. Rev. Mr. Ruilnrr dlu
not address himself in his speech to any consideration
of the morality Of the institution of slavery, bnl mn
ply to its influence upon the agricultural. manuiacu-
ring and general industrial pursuits OF the country
in all of which points he thought, did almost Ia.
ontira finn of
that il was an evil to the white race. Mr. Letch-r
with q msuliness and franknses which have ever
been his distinguishing characteristics, has Recently
in regard to this matter, acknowledged his par'lcipn-
ton at that day in those prevalent sentim.ntr, sta
ting al the same time that subsequent and full exam
nation had satis6ed him Of bis error OF judgment -
Aud here is the 'hesd and 'front.' OF his oh-nd'ng
the terrible ain of dsloyalty to the South o i'eh
son 10 the psrty-tor which he is sought I" hr
inundated upon the bloody altar OF bigOry. Can
sensible men entertain so poor an opinion :" ih"
Democratic party of this State as to believe II cspn
BILE of such wanton injustice, such rank folly
private gentleman, Of irraproachsble character enter
tans the quiet opinion years ago, that does not sd
vance the social wellbeng, or the financial prosp"r'iN
of the white man, 10 continue slavery in his p"r"n
of the State, and ventures 10 AK the publication ~
an address supporting bis views; and though liz hhT
long, long ago reviewed bis opinions and changed
them, and acted upon the change in the moat comp
cuous and responsible public stations, II 10 s urged
that he lie unworthy Of the confidence OF h- ifendr
and fellow citizens, among whom ne was porn hh"
reared and with whom he has cast hia lot ~ IL Fr"
tended that he is capable OF betraying the Interests
and honor OF bis native land, whers me ashes oi hh
ancestors repose where the hopes OF his Children ae
centred, and where the labor OF his life has been
| expended.
and none bat base born wretch would make II. Mr-
Letcher is true patriot and has always pursued me
line of conduct snd held the language OF one devoted
TO bis country. On the 9Th February, looo IN
speech delivered in the House Of Representatives OF
the Uuted States be expressed himself IN the iooH
ing firm and decided manner In regard 10 tne agRrt-
sous Cf the North upon the institution OF slavery ana
their disposition TO appropriate 10 tner own use III
the Territories of the Union;
"If this Union cannot be preserved upon terms "i
eouality aud il the terrory.of this country scqured
| by the common blood and common treasure l. not
TO be opened alike 10 the North and ths South then
va dssre to be informed Of the fact; and wh.n"'rr
the crisis comes the Unien must be dissolved what
ever may bs the regret that will attend it- disson
ton. for one, regarded az one OF the moet cois+f
vative men 10 my own State and unwiiing 10 De"
lieve that there was settled purpose OF . khu any
where am vet prepared for the result whenever fhrF-
issue. shs be forced upon us by the people "i me
North. 1 shall stand by the r,ehts ot ne tH"d '''
uhich I tcas b0rn and IN phich tT"t my b0"p
| shoN repose. 1 ask nothIng here tM ~hdt 2m
milling 10 accord 10 Others, and so long as h0tr
Jfs or po,ce or an TO r01se, Aey tcW be y0'S9d
in d>Ence of the rights institutions aud honor Of me
oIo,,oxs South. The Union has its benefits aud bic
| ,nos. l acknowledge tnem bIIi Out " UNION oh"Fh
mon other principles than those OF Equality has no
charms for me. ! come from State which hss man
tanned her rights in timss past and which viii rnuf
by them in all tims to come with equal hrmDess -
Whenever an attempt is made to strike down her in-
stuops and interfere with the rights of her ciizeno
the North will fnd that Virginia and will exhibit
spirit of stern resistance that she will stand by be
rights and institutions to the death"
1t cannot be that the high toned and chlvalrc De-
mocracy OF this State will ever lend themselves IN any
considerable numbers to the sacrifice OF such mas: :
They have too clear a seuse OF rinpie even hn"rrn
JUSTICE too high regard for the honor anu inhe %,
distinguished party leader. sought 70 Dc oetrnc'-r
and too keen sense whal Of tbs ridiculous 10 par'i
cipste on any such himsy grounds IN the destruction
| of one of Virrinis's Doblest Sons.
But nv pages are full shall endesvor 10 prove
A clearly TO You, ss am convinced myself in sub.
ssonsnt number that Mr.. Letcher is sound upon al.
th orsst questions of tba day, slavery especially III
cIndsd and that he can't be wrong whose hie n IN
,ns r;9ht" That he s eminenty qualified for the Oh
20 n Governor and is the choice Of seven eighths o
,hs Dsmocrsoy Of the State, who demand and will be
s..,s6ed with nothing short o! his nomination and
-lrction. --- "0''i
NOMINATED.
| bon. Jacob X. Wor,endyks, the present member