Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1858-12-25

Screnado. to Mr.. -Letcher.
It seems that the people Of Virginia are
not the only ones, who appreciate the servi-
ces Of the Honored Letcher, and notwith-
standing the attempts Of various politicians
to detract from his merits at home, abroad be
is honored BY the great and good Of the
land. On his recent arrival in Washington
he was serenaded by large body of citizens
and strangers, who were DESTROYS of showing
how highly they approved of the choice of
this Commonwealth. Mr.. Letcher replied
in the following appropriate remarks:
FELLOW CIr1zENs-I am profoundly CRATE
full to you for this exhibition ofkindness and
respect For seven years past | have had
the honor to represent the Tenth Legion
district of Virginia in the House of Repre-
sentatives, and it is source of qualification
to me to know that my public course has
commanded their appreciation as eyinced by
repeated elections, and recent acts, showing
their entire confdence-in me. It is not the
less gratifying to me to know that enjoy
the respect and confidence Of the people Of
this District, as manifested by this imposing
demonstration.
GAS Virginian, as a Southern man I
am DESTROYS Of seeing the Union Of these
States preserved. I have always believed,
and now believe, that the best means Of pre-
serving the Union is to prevent the en-
croachments Of the federal government up
on the rights Of the States. Applause. u.
So long as the rights Of the States are cher
ished, upheld aud protected, SO long the
Union will be free from danger of dissolution
and we may reasonably calculate upon it's
perpetuation.
Recently, my friends, down in Virginia
we have had little family quarrel that
threatened for time to interfere with the
unity and harmony Of the Democratic party.
["Not a bit. y I am happy to say that uni
ty and harmony now prevail in the Demo-
cratic party, and Virginia, as heretofore,
will present to the people Of the United
States an united front and will go forward
in vindication and support Of the great doe
trines Of democratic liberty, and equali-
ty. #
GAS native Of my State, am proud Of
her; rejoice in seeing her progress; am
anxious to see her resources developed, to
see her lines Of improvement completed, and
to see all sections Of the State bound togeth-
er in..the ties ofunity, harmony and fraterni-
ty. All distinctions Of tide-water, Piedmont
valley and trans-Alleghany, / trust, will be
obliterated, and that we shall be known on
ly by the proud name Of Virginians. Ifthere
has been anything Of unpleasant feelings in
the past lett be forgotten. have no pas
sions to cherish, no predjudices to indulge,
and no resentments to crafty and if itshall
be the pleasure Of the good people of the
Commonwealth of Virginia to elevate me to
the position for which have been nomina-
ted, shall endeavor to discharge my duty
to them and to myself faithfully and Impair
TALLY, without regard to individuals, parties
or sections, exerting whatever of ability or
energy possess to advance the prosperity
Of the Old Dominion; and now with cordial
thanks to you I bid you good night"
As soon as the enthusiastic applause which
greeted Mr.. Letcher at the conclusion of
his appropriate acknowledgment Of the com
plimept rendered him had subsidized, loud
and prolonged calls were made for Mr.. Pry-
or; but it was announced that that gentleman
was not present. Hon. G. j. Faulkner Of
Virginia, in response to the calls Of the as
semblage, came forward, and was heartily
cheered. In acknowledging the compliment
Mr.. Faulkner said that he had heard gem
tleman that day denounce the freedom with
which the Democracy Of Virginia handle
their public men prior to nomination. =
That was our usage, and choose to do things
IN our own way. He saw nothing wrong
in it. We love little turmoil, and if we
did uot have it before the nomination, there
was certainly no chance for it afterwards ~
We prove candidate before nomination
in Virginia as you prove cannon at your
foundry, or as we prove rifle or musket at
the National Armory at Harper's Ferry
We pour into him a triple charge of abuse
and denunciation, and if that don't burst
him, we are sure the metal is sound, and he
will stand fire when brought in the face of
the foe. His friend Letcher had recently
passed through one Of these fiery Virginia
ordeals. He had been tried, not simply by
a triple charge, but by powder and ball ram
med and damned to the muzzle The met
al had been found good, and we had placed
him in battery for the spring fight. The
speaker was several times interrupted by
applause. 5
SENATOR DOUGLAS, in his recent speech
at New Orleans, spoke in strong terms
against the Clayton Bulwer treaty, and re-
lated conversation that once took place
between Mr.. Bulwer and himself on the
subject Of the Central American treaty:
ssMr Rn]wor caid he tbnurbt tho froo+u