Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-08-27
For The ENQnlrfr.
For The Enquirer
HON. JOHN LETCHER AND THE RUFFNER
PAMPHLET.
I.:si ..rY, BEDFORD COUNTY, Va.

l.-SI -
August 25;:.. 1853.
Messrs Editors-Will you permit Democrat, aud
lover of the institutions OF the Old Dominion sut
Gent space, in your able journal, for briet review
of an article that appeared n the Bedford Demo
crat" of the Goth instant The article in question IL
under the caption of " Dr. Ruffners letter, and in
advocation oi the claims of Hon. John Letcher for
yub-rnafo-sl honors. The "Delnocrat has devoted
three fuur,hs of column, or more. in end-avoring
10 prove by copious extracts from DR.. Rutfners let
ter aud commenting on the same. that Mr.. Leicler
did not contribute 10 the cost attending the pubica
ton of the noted Rufner pamphlet. Nov, conrid-r
ing that Mr.. Lsicher admitted that fact in HIS letter
we do not see 10 what particular Mr.. L-tchers proc
p.c,s for The Governorshp Of Virginia are enhanced
by th. Dem rcrar's aborious article, and extracts
from DR.. Rutluers ie'ter, I" provr inst Mr. L-'c"r
refused IL fulfil al honorable contract admit that
MIR. Letcher dlu not cOutribute, as he hhd promised
tu do to pay portion of the printers BILL yet TIA,
HI refused account or in consequence OF any vara
ton made in DIR. Rufiner's pamphlet, from the adj
dress delivered before The Franklin Society, do not
admit. Nor was DR. Rutfner, or the people at Nir
ginia informed Of any reason for his refusal TO
fulfill bis obligated contract, until ten years aiier the
Ruifner pamphlet was pubshed-and probably no
reason would have been assigned, th"a, but tor the
prospect of MIR. L.tchers receiving the nomDatoD
Tor the Goveruorship OF Virnnis, to which high office
hs could never be- elevated whst the people Of Fr
yinis had any TO behave he considered slavery
~ moral and political evil
His REFUSAL however TO contribute to the cost at
t0n0Dg the puOnCdtOu OF nuuuSr paipuIot. uorb
not prove that he did not endorse DR.. Ruifners
timents as expressed in hs speech and pamphlet in
lS47. The democrat" argues that Mr. Letchrr r..
fused to pay tie printers bill in consequences of the
pamphlet varying from The address ~ delivered be-
tore the society, and that it contained too much
rank abolitionsm" for Mr.. Lscher TO endorse.
This though, is only supposion on the part OF thu
democrat" which il no proof OF tact. Dr. Rutf
ner requested 10 prepare for publication this
-peech alone; but whatever he thought proper "i0
vipe completeness and force IN The argument in ia
nor Of remoriag the negro from Hest Virginia
The above gave Dr. Ruffner tull license tor all he
wrote and the language in the above quotation il
what Mr.. Leicher and ten others subscribed to in tbs
letter - Dr. Ruffner, soliciting him to prepare the
address. The "Democrat' concludes it's article BY
calling Oh those who doubt Mr.. Ls,chers fidelity TO
the South, to his acts both in private and public life.
We have referred to this act in his private IFS,
and are not prepared to say that We perceive in
that sufficient proof Of his devotion to the South to
entirely remove our doubts Of his fidelity to her in
stutons Ii he thought slavery a "pernicious evil
only ten years ago, and Was anxious 10 have docu'
ments dfused throughout the South 10 prove such,
what guarantee have We that he will not entertain
the views in i've years, or even one from THE
date! Mr.. L.;cher may ever remain true to the
South but is Virginia 80 destitute OF sons above
pcion or sympstbizing with Aboiionists, capable OF
directing the proud ship OF State that she will place in
the Gubernatornl chair OF the proud Old Common.
wealth OF Virginia, one who stands charged with inf
deity to her institutional CITIZEN.