The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-12-05
NON JOIN LRwHEa, or rIRGIylA.



IL Is scarcely TOO much TO say that the name Of no living
man is widely favorably known amongst
the people OF Virginia than that Of this distinguished
gentleman Admired for his personal qualities honored
for his public services his strongest hold the popular
affection arises after ALL from those sterling moral quail
titles and virtues which, 10 the credit Of human nature be
il said constitute the surest Of winning lasting
regard and esteem His increasing prominence before
the public In connexon with the for the chief
executive Office of State renders IL auss that
should give brief sketch of the main incidents Of his
career. Like many of the nobest men whom our
try has produced, his origin humble, and without
the adyenous aids of birth fortune he has raised
himself by his energy and solid worth to his present
enyiable elevation. He was born In the town of Licking
town, in Rockbridge county, Va within 800 yards of
the place at which he lives the 29th of March,
1918 His parents are still lying-pain respectable
and members OF the Methodist Episcopal Church South
From the age of fifteen, during the time he attend
ing English school he worked at the carpenters trade
under his father, mornings, evenings and Saturdays,
and made himself quite good workman. There
time for dling the part OF boy who thus laid down
his books only TO handle the and the plane and 70
this early trimming may doubtless in good degree be
ascribed his subsequent indefagable application and
pacty for unremttng labor He afterwards attended
Washington College for several sessions, but did not
believe, complete the college course.
He commenced the study Of law in the fall OF 1886
with our late respected townsman, Hon. VIM Taylor.
and having obtained license to practice in May 1889,
settled in Lexington. Whilst thus engaged in his legal
studies and since, he has taken an active part in
of the Enquirer during the editoshp Of the venerable
Thomas Richie, and also to those of the Fincase Dem
ocrat and other democratic papers. The roAlf his
political convictions and the ardor OF his nature made
him. from the FIRST active jealous, and uncompro-
missing adherent of his party, and brought him into
notice of its most promising champions From
the outset OF his until he has been democrat
without fear and without reproach In 1889 he estab
lished the Valley STAR and edited it until December
1s40 when he retired from the editorial chair with
view of removing to Harrisonburg This purpose, how
ever was abandoned, and he remained in Lexington
His editorial abors during the campaign OF 1910
marked by the boldness zeal and energy of who
''de but not surrender Amid the thickes Of the
storm which then howled around the democracy he stood
dauntles and undsmayed and through the very fury OF
the tempest the coming of brighter day. The
character and spirit OF his political sentiments and efforts
cannot be better illustrated than by his words In
his sautatoy address to the patrons Of the Sta the
Gath of April 1889, he thus defines his principles and
forth the objects which he should hold in view in the
conduct of that paper --s..
The report and resolutions of '98 and ,99 are the
textbook of political faith We believe that the
powers of the federal and State governments therein
correctly defined and that due observance of the
concentrations of that report will eectually prevent the
governments from clashing with each other Hence
eonr,icoais utterly opposed to the doctrine
of implication which, if carried to the extent desired by
its advocates, would overthrow the constitution. The
exercise of all doubtful powers is dangeroustonds
cessariy to weaken the bonds that bind US together
1--WE are vrginians Ct in clae'--a devotedy
attached to the land OF BIRTH and hold ourselves pre-
pared at all times to go forth in defence of the rights
| and the interests of the odd Dominion o o
We are, then, the decided and uncompromising advo
Gates of liberal and enlarged system of internal i'm
| provement o o o We also the advo-
| Gates of a liberal system of education
Mr. Jefferson has said that Ignorance and bigotry like
other insanites incapable of self government and
in this opinion he is sustained by Montesqueu and sgd
ney and, indeed oil Others who have written extensively
upon free government IT, them great importance
,..d bvt rpxypo 10Th
tons if it be the handmade of freedom essentially
cessay to the preservation of free institutions il ed
ucation tends to make vtuous citizens surely the
subject has been too long neglected Schools should be
established throughout the Commonwealth door of
entrance should be thrown open to all Let the veil OF
ignorance be rent from top to bottom-le the genia
of knowledge shine upon every cottage Then mag we
hope that our government will be permanent, that 1T
| will strengthen Oh from age to age
How faithfully he fplled his promises by able and
untirng advocacy of democratic principles and by
dent and effective zeal in pressing upon the public the
claims of the great of education and internal i'm
provement is amply attested by every number of the
paper issued under his auspices and is still freshly and
gratefully remembered by those who sympathized with
him in all his exertiOns. Not content with the inuen-
t position of editor he taverscd the Valley from Win
chester 10 Chrisansburg addressing large of peo
| pie In Frederick Page, Rockingham. Shenandoah Au
gusta and Botetourt and winning the applause and
mendation of his party at least wherever he went
Upon retiring from the editorial chair in his vaedctory
the 10th of December, 1910, ne thus allied to his
| readers the character Of his past abors '"5 ."
~ have fearlessy advocated the principles of the dem
ocratc party from sincere and honest conviction of
their truth believe that they the only principles
upon WHICH the government be safely and
fully administered Throughout NY editorial career
have opposed the rechareng of the old the charter
ing of National Bank, revival of the tariff and
of the system of internal improvements by the OF
the federal government, assumption of the debts of
the States, and dboitionism IN eUey form o But
party has been overthrown candidate defeated,
and principles Frustrated for four years. at least
regret this result deeply because greatly fear that
General Harrison will introduce policy in the admins
tration Of the government directly at qr wh The rights and
interests Of the South
The writer of this sketch has alcised portion OF the
above extract in order to call attention to the high south
tone which Mr. Letcher assumed, at that early
day. 3
For three years after this period Mr. Letchers time
and attention almost wholly absorbed by the duties
OF his profession but upon the approach of the eventual
of 1874 neither his feelings those Of his
friends would permit him to remain inactive,
mere ordinary participant in the contest Early in the
spring of that year he resumed his post editor Of the
tYalley Star, aud the spirit with which he re-enered
upon his abors may be gathered from the following srti
Gle of June G, 1874 asa.... ..r... .... .aa
I" We call upon all democratic associates to rouse
up to energetic and firm discharge of their duty.
There must be no lukcwarmness-no holding back-but
all must forward with spirit and decision that will
be satisfied with nothing short Of SUGGESTIVE most
Let all feel that they have great work
10 accomplish and let them set about it at once, and
In earnest Cur principles sound, and nominees
are eminently worthy Of undivided support
" SO far are individually concerned, we feel that