Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-02-23
The Question Stated

We in common with our Wing coiemporarics,
have all along contendcd that John beicher d'd
endorse the Ruffner address. which was unadul-
,ora,ed al,olitonisn aud that he wns responsible
for every sentimen, it contained. Some of the Dem
ocratic presses. however, have denied that Le'chcf
did any such thing aud have based their opinion
chiefly we suppose, upon the ihct Of his having
refused to pay his share towards dciray'ng tho
expense of publishing the pamphlet after h' had
pied gcd himself TO do 50.
1t is but day OF two since the LynrhbnrE he'
publican positively denied that Mr. Lc''her ever
endorsed the said pamphlet, and ergo ever was
an abolitonist. In response to this denial we
will only pit Greek against Greek, and then Tor
the tug Of war.
The S,aunton rindicator. in its issue Of Saur-
day last. has long and enrnest article IN defence
of Letcher, from which the following extract is
taken:
Blu, it i. the people Of the tenth Legion TO whom
we especially appeal, to rally around their io"2
trusted md fayoritc statesman. What IL heissuc,
the only issne, which will he made against Mr..
Lotchcr in this canvass! 1t is that he was IN
lS47 of the opinion that slavery was n political
evil in Western Virginia, did not n large majority
ofyou think with him at that time aud now are
YOU willing to confess yourselves unsound on that
vital question, by tacitly asserting by your votes
has unfnes. for the post Of Governor OF slave h"l-
ding Virginia because Of his expressed opinion
hle, which opinion was sanctioned aud approved
by YOU We repeat, will the people ct Western
Virginia 80 stultify and convict themselves Is 1t
not apparent IL them into what an awkward ana
and embarrassing position tho opposition wish
them to place themselves!
Here, it will be perceived, the question is sta
ted and answered. Mr.. Letcher did say, in lSa7,
that slavery was political evil and-asks the
Vnadicator, whilst appealing to it's party friends
in his support .'did not large majority of you
think miM AIM at that time? anu now, are you
willing to confess yourselves unsound on that vital
question, by tacitly asserting by your votes, ms
unhtness Tor the post Of Governor of slave-holdng
Virginia because Of his EXPRESSED OPINION then.
which opinion was sanctioned and approved by
YOU? The Tindicator not only admits that
Letcher was an abolitionist. but attempts to make
capital OF, of it, by claiming that bis abolition
sentiments were shared by large majority OF
the people of Western Virginia" and now asks
them if they are prepared to stnltiiy aud convict
themselves by even "tacitly asserting Letcher :
unftness for the postcf Governor Of slave holding
Virginia"
This is exactly what We expected, and We have
not a doubt that Letcher will run in the West on
his old record, and in the East his new opin-
ions, forced by the pressure of nomination. We
therefore call upon Eastern feliow-citiIens to
be on the alert. Let them expose this attempt at
double-dealng, and see that Janus faced can
didate receives their support
If Letcher believed his organ, the rindicd-
tor admits, that slavery political evil in
Western Virginia in lS47, he must think still.
single decade has effected no change in the soil
climate, or productions Of Western Virginia; and
if these were all incompatible with slavery ten
years ago, they still, and by the same pari-
ty of reasoning, the sentiment of its people has
undergone no change.
Again, we urge upon our friends everywhere tc
watch the progress Of the game these adrot party
strategists are playing. They.will bear watching
-
The Staunton Vindioator, in ghostly attemp
at wit and raillery, pays deserved compliment t.
the "instinctve and distinctive love Of order anc
decorum" which marked the proceedings of tn,
late Opposition Convention. 1t says:
We will not dispute this, but the perfect obed
ence to the gavel of the president snaacked very
much of culvert proceedings, from whence, like
little Johnnie's drum, mo sounds ever proceeded "
AT the word Of command ell were mute and mo
tioniess, like men whose safety-whose all Deepen.
dsd on their obedience to their commander.
What pity the chairman's gavel had not the
same magical effect in the uproarous and "mobo.
cratic convention" which assembled in Peters
burg! Had that Convention been as prompt to
obey ."the word of command" it would not now b.
regarded ssthe most disorderly. and disrspu, abb.
political assenblage ever convened in. the Com
monwaalth of Virginia.
Itwss fitting that cut of such q Babel shouls