The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-05-26

TIE AUTHOR OF TIE "RUFFNER PAMPHLET"
SPEAKs.-The contest in Virginia, we have
taken occasion to inform our readers, turns on
the Ruffner pamphlet. This was production
of DR.. Henry Ruffner, and advocated enamel
patton in Western Virginia. 1t was first given
to the public in the form of lecture, and was
printed and circulated as pamphlet by request
of the Hon. John Letcher and others, who were
pleased with the vigor of understanding it dis
played, the force of IFS logic, and the pertinence
of its suggestions. The pamphlet has Just be-
come famous because it had the endorsement
of Letcher, now the Democratic candidate for
Governor of the Old Dominion. Letcher has
repented and retracted his appreciation of the
doctrines set forth by DIR. Ruffner, but the OPP
position, anxious to show that they are more
Pro- Slavery than the Democracy, howl loudly
and continually about the Ruffner pamphlet,
and seek to hold the Democratic candidate re-
sponsibe for it. So much is said of this mat
ter, that the following will be Of general in
terest = Wheeling hltelligencer.
Letter from DR.. Ru6iler.
For the Kanswa Republican,
MAIDEN, Apra %, 1859.
Mr.. NEWTON: In looking over last weeks
Republican, l find an article by some friend,
who signs himself g Santon," concerning Mr..
Letcher and myself in relation to the newly
famous Rufner Pamphlet"
l would not say word to the public on this
occasion, did l not fear that my anonymous
friend may have unwittingly done Mr.. Letcher
injustice in one particular. He may be mis-
taken in thinking that Mr.. L. circulated " the
pamphlet, and then declined to pay his sub
scription. If he took copies for circulation, it
must have been while they lay in the printing
Office for the use of subscribers. Some may
have taken copies then without my knowledge.
But never, until last year, heard of Mr. L.. or
any one else Directing to pay his subscription
because the pamphlet contained g Objectionable
things" or varied from the speech Ny con-
lecture was, that most of the subscribers who
solicited the publication soon discovered that
our enterprise not likely to succeed and
determined to back out, without taking any fur
Their part in it.
Since the publication of Mr.. Letchers letter,
have discovered that one at least of the sub
scribers-Samuel Med. Moore, Esq.-had failed
to pay, under misapprehension, which need
not explain. He has since paid me his sub
scription, with interest from the date, like an
honorable man, such as l have long known him
to be.
have written this for the purpose of exon
Grating Mr. Letcher, so far as my knowledge of
facts will warrant me in doing So
/ thank my friend Santon for vindicating
me against the abusive epithets which it suits
the present purpose of electioneering editors
and stump orators to heap upon me. But if
my friends cared as little for these attacks as
do, they would pay no attention to them.
The political squabblers have chosen me as
safe medium through which the one party
may gull the other and the other party may
save their candidate by making me his scape-
goat. They knOaO that am a harmless old
man, noncOmbataqt by profession, and that /
carry neither pistol, boacie knife, or horse uchip
Hence they boldly apply to me epithets aohich
they could not, aouhotH some Suspicion Of dan.
ger, apply to others. Bat enough said Of This
trifing circumstance. When the election IS oce7,
shall cease to be either traitor or A6olitiOaiS
Yours, HENRY RUFFNER