Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1858-08-21
Mr.. Le,ceer,, Rusoer,.m

peated afiirmations TO the contrary whether in our
assaults upon the Rutnerism Of Mr. Letcher, we
were not in some degree moved thereto by personal
dislike Of or unkindness towards that gentleman
We have uniformly and truthfully responded that
we were not-that We entertained not a single un.
kind thought or feeling towards him-,hat, knowing
him to be agentleman, pleasant companion, and an
accommodating and faithful representative in Con.
gress, We cherished Cor him sentiments Of cordial
esteem and friendship, and had no earthly personal
objection to his election to tho Office OF Governor or
any other Mr. Letcher himself is fully aware OF all
this, our relations, since first acquaintance hav.
ing always been Of tho most friendly and pleasant
character.
No. We are after Mr.. Letcher the politician, and
not Mr.. Letcher the And we are after him with
the sharpest stick in our possession, which is the
odous Ruffner pamphlet We shall continue to pur.
sue him, too, with untirng assiduity and, through
him, we hope to strike home TO the reckless hypo-
critical bogus Democracy, who have never failed to
employ the slavery question an electioneeriug
hobby, and to the prostraton Of hundreds Of Whig
Statesmen and patriots. Nearly thirty years ago,
under peculiar circumstances under the influence Of
ageneral panic, occasiOned by the Southampton in.
surrection and MASSACRE George W. Summers, in
company with many Of the calmest and ablest men
in both sections of the State, delivered speech in
the Legislature in advocacy of slave in
Virginia. And for that offence, the Virginia Democ
racy stigmatized him as vile unprincipled Abol.
ZIONIST seven years ago-nearly twenty wears after
the offence had been committed and long after il had
been frankly acknowledged and repented Of and
they denounced him as utterly unworthy OF public
confidence, whose election would endanger the inst
luton OF slavery, supply encouragement and hope
to our Northern enemies and inlct lasting disgrace
t1sac Nd cood .r.L.-
wealth. They thus pursued and prosecuted him,
and succeeded in defeating his election, which, but
for the charge Of Abolitionism against him. would
have been easily secured and, in defeating him,
they robbed the Wing party Of the honor and glory
OF redecmng the State from the thradom Of I,ocoEo
coism, and perpetuated their own ascendencv. per
haps, for all time to come. 1t is not in human ma
ture-certainly not in Wing human nature-to for
get things like this; and not forgetting il is limos
sibe, likewise to forgive the Democracy for their
insincere and reckless course in the Summers can
vAss-insncere and reckless beyond parallel if they
intend to nominate John Letcher as their candidate
for the next Governorship-a man, who only ten or
eleven yeArssgo, was warm and residue advocat.
of the abolition Of slavery in Western Virginia.
Should they nonnatk him, theYmus expect to have
the Ruher address and the flaming editorials against
Summers in 1851, thrown in their teeth every day |
during the State canvass next year and the Presden
tAl canvass the year afterwards Having sown the |
wind they must reap the whirlwind, if they venture
to select in preference to good men and true an ex
Abolitionist for the highest office within the gift Of
the Commonwealth. We warn them in time, and
they should thank for thus putting them on their
guard and pointing out to them the path Of safety
for their party.
But let us look a little further at Mr. Letcher's
connection with the Ruffner address According TO
m editorial article in the last Valley Star publish.
cd at Lexington, Mr.. Letchei's position in 1847 was
much more Objectionable than we had ever supposed
Ii seems therefom that the discussion in the Frank.
lin Society was not upon the subject of slavery
simply, but the question debated was In these words
-"Should Western Virginia longer hesitate TO take
steps towards n division OF the State?" The discus
sion Of the question, the Star tells u.s. was the di
rect offspring Of the intense excitement at that time
pervading the entire Western portion Of the State on
the subject Of Convention TO reform the Consttu.
ton, the White Basis and the failure and refusal Of
the Legislature 10 make appropriations for the OK
tension Of any internal improvements West of the
Blue Ridge" Thus it appears that Mr.. Letcher in
addition to being in favor OF the abolition Of slavery
in Western Virginia, also prominent alder and
abettor in a movement for the division OF the State
lie wanted to cut loose from Eastern Virginia, and
erect Western Virginia into State, and an Alb
clifton State at thatl Nay not, too, his rampant
Abolitionism in 1s47 have resulted from his expec-
tation that there would be division OF the State.
and that as there were comparatively but few slaves
10 Western Virgins, nothing was more probable
than the exclusion OF slavery from the proposed new
State2 Expecting soon to be q resident Of a new |
Abolition State, not important to his political
aspirations that he should 81 once adapt himself 10
his new situation, and become convert 10 the doc
trines Of the Abolition schoo9 The movement we
say, inaugurated in Lexington for division Of the
State may have led Mr.. Lstcher into the endorse
nisnt Of the Rodncr address, and the adoption OF ts
Abolition principles. He was obviously looking to |
the future. He was looking forward to the time.
which he thought not distant when there would be
new State West Of the Blue Ridge new Adolf.
ton StHte-and, in that event, what had he 20 ask
or 10 expect from slaveholdng Eastern virginia.
what would he care whether the people OF the East
should become offended with his endorsement of the
kuiiner address notR His endorsement Of tb,,
address, would be proud feather In his cap-a tell
ing trump card in his hand-when Western Viryi-
MIA should be formed into a new State basod unoo
Che exclusion Of slavery from ia limits And hero
We suspect Is the secret both Of Mr. Letcber's de-
sire Tor division Of the State and Of his sanction or
che address Of W. Rufner in advocacy Of tho sb Ii.
zion Of slavery IN Western Virginia Politicians are
politicians the world over, and always have an eve
10 the main chance
IN conclusion, it is not easy 10 zee why the sub. ,
jects Of Convention 10 reform the Constitution IN.
White Basis, and tho failure Of the Legislature 10
make appropriations for internal improvements In
che West Should be mixed up With the question Of
abolshing slavery in Western Virginia. II the west
desired division Of the State for the reasons men.
TONED, could not the thing have been ACCOMPLISHED
as we'll by retaining A. excluding slavery from her
bordsrsi This Is grave and objectionable ofronc,
this idea Of erecting Abolition State within The
very bosom Of the Old Dominion. Our Wes,.,,
i0cndA u they wished TO set UP for themselves os1
for the reasons already specified could have done 40
without IN the act Of separation hurting IN the face
Of the Fast the reproaeb Of being an "in6eet,d
country" II vas unjust and unkin 10 NJ. Le,ober
aHd h's ympathEers to treat the East af,or 20 in
sailing fashion And Mr. Lstcber can surely no,
expect the East TO 30 very jealous IN promoting his
plrAfions Cor the GJvernorshp. II he does, vein
a. -. - Al