Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-05-20
THE HON. JOHN LErcHERs ORTHODOXY.

10 inc EdNOTS % tHc EHfHTer.
Gcntlcmcn-It is not the object of this
communication to prove the orthodoxy Of the
Hon. John Letcher OH the subject of slavery
in lS47, but to prove that it is perfectly con-
sistent in the Democracy to support him now,
in 1859; and also to prove that, even in 1>41,
he was i great deal more orthodox than the
"Opposition" would have the good people of
Virginia believe. 1t is true, in 1871, an address
was delivered by the Rev. Henry Ruiiner, an
able divine, (and a gentleman and Christian,
believe in the Franklin Society at Lcying-
ton, on the subject of the removal Of the slave
population from, and the extinction of the in.
Stitution Of slavery in. Western Virginia
| The question was not whether slavery was Il
moral, social, or political evil but simply as TO
the cxpcdcncy of removing it from certain
portion of country DR.. Ru!fner states, him.
self, that the questian was not whether slavery
was right or wrong, but whcthor il was in
furious to the public prosperity. That address,
by Dr. Rutfncr, Mr.. I.ctcher, with Others was
ucSrouS to have published, and addressed :,
note to Dr.. K. TO that effect, III which the fol-
lowing language appears: 1--WE believe that
your speech covered the whole ground, ii. e.,
the cxpcdicncy Of the removal of the slave po-
puation from Western Virginia. and, be
Heciny IL ras presented IN II .rarm MT c"lc"-
Mtei 10 gre o!g;nrs 10 those nho ar, most sac
sitirc on tie subject, We desire TO have it pub
lishcd." q quote from memory, and do no; pre-
tend to give the exact words Of the note; give
the sense, however, Now. it is plain that those
who signed that note dm aot desire the publica-
ton of that argument is it appears in the Ru'.
ncr pamphlet. True, John Lctchcr and his asSo-
c;ates did not desire him to confne himself To
his spoken address except so far as the re-
Slriction contained in the language have Just
quoted went But couple that restriction with
the refusal Of Mr.. Lctchcr, and majority of
those who signed that note with him, to pay
for the publication Of the pamphlet and it is
sufficient To show that they did not approve of
the argument As presented in the pamphlet
Ii is sufficient to convince all but the cross
roads politicians, who are just now haranguing
all over the State Of Virginia about "thc Rutl.
ncr pamphlet and the cmbarraSsments Of the
Government" But Mr. Lctchcr has become
convinced that it woulisnot he even cxpcdicnt
to remove the slave population from Western
Virginia, and frankly avowS that he was wrong.
Is it not consistent for the Virginia Democracy
to forgive him for that error of judgement:
especially as that error was cntcrtaincdb by two
thirds Of the people OF Virginia at the same
time? If bearing the heat and toll Of the bat.
lie and fighting valiantly for the "institution'
for eight years. is not sufficient to convince
any one that Mr.. Lctcher has changed his
opinions TO such rs will not be convinced, we
can only say vote for the man who, during his
term in the Congress Of the United States.
voted side by side with GiddingS, Hale & Co.
the man who is endorsed by and endorses the
Southern man with Northern feelings" John
Minor Botts-thc man VIM l.. Gog.in
But, McSsrs. Editors allow me Il word on
national politics, and have done. In lsG0
storm is to sweep over the United States.
The good old ship Of Democracy will have to
breast pillows rougher than she has ever breast
cd before and unless her helm is guided by
strong, true and fearless hand, she may strike
on the rocks Of Black Republicanism and sink.
and with her goes the Unon-with her goes
the rights Of the South, and with her downfall
comes civil war; with all its horrible at,cn-
dants, to devastatc this fair land Of ours.
say, then, we shall need strong true hand to
guide her; Il strong mind and n mighty
will to crush down all opposition to her. Vir-
ginia, our own beloved State, who has so often
furnished the man for the times, has son pos
scsScd of all these qualiiicationS--a man who
with his giant mind and mighty will has crush
cd the hydra headed monster know-Nothins-
ism, who met the foul thing and bore it to the
earth beneath the mighty waves Of his resist
less cloquencc. Who should that man be, but
our own gallant "lIarry Of Acconlac,' the
tribune of the people," If the wishes oil
the masses, Of the conservative Of all parties.
are consulted, Henry \. Wise will be the next
President If the wishes of the politicians
only are consulted, | knew not who will
he. As for me, have nailed my lIag to
the mast and there shall il hang with the maine
Of Henry \. Wise of Virginia inscribed upon
it, until he is hailed President Of the United
States. l..
Aspen Grove, Va, May -. 1854.