Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1859-04-02
Division of tho State.

The advocacy OF the doctrines vi inc huuhc'
Pamphlet Is not the only offence for which Mr.
Lctcher has to account to the people of Virginia.
1t is matter Of history and Of Official record that
Mr.. Letcher made two or three speeches in Lex
ington, about the year l847. in favor Of the dis
memberment OF the Common wealth-that he open
" advocated separation Of Western from Eas-
tern Virginia, and the establishment Of a distinct
Freesoil sovereignty in all TIM, portion of the
Territory Of Virginia lying bey"nd the Blue
Ridge.
Mr.. Letcher does not deny this, nor do his
friends. They confess the charge and attempt to
justify it They say that the Legislature had re-
fused to extend the James River Canal beyond
Lynchburg. 20 d to give facilities to the people OF
Rockbridge to get their produce TO market. They
complained that no communication with the out
side world had been provided for them. Al
though, at that time, Eastern Virginia paid three
fourths Of the annual taxes. the people Of the
West. Mr.. Lstcher included. insisted that appro-
pratons should be Immediately made to provide
improvement s tor their access to market, and to
distribute the public money among them in equal
proportion with the East. Lot it be remembered
that it was never the policy of the East to confne
the appropriations to the East alone. Not only
was it unjust-but they were more anxious to ex-
tend the lines Of improvement to the West than
the West was to receive them. The lines were
projected with view of bringing the trade of
Western yrginia to the East-and the people of
Eastern Virginia not only admitted the claim
which the West had to fair participation in the
improvements which were constructed by the pub
lie money, bat were anxious to extend these i'm
provements in the interest of their own trade, and
the extension Of their commercial relations with
all portions Of the Commonwealth
But Mr.. Letsher and his friends were too inn
patient. Like spoiled children they could not wait
until it came to their turn in the distribution of
favors Because the State did not Immediately
authorize the extension of the Canal, they were
anxious to dismember the Commonwealth, aud
erect two separate and distinct if not hos lie SOY
ereignties, divided from each ether only by the
mountains of the Blue Ridge. 1t never was the
policy Of the East to stop the canal at Lynchburg
although Lynchburg, naturally enough, was
anxious that it should be done, and gave what she
considered good reason for it. But. the original
conception Of the Canal, years ago, contemplated
the union Of the waters of the Ohio river ard Ches
apeake Bay; and that idea never has been aban-
doned from that day to this. 1t was first sugges-
ted by the immortal Washington, and predict
that not many years will elap.e before it will be
glorously accomplished. Mr.. Letcher and his
friends could not wait for the State to proceed by
gradual means, and not overtask her credit 10y IN
dertaking too much at but commenced cla-
f,r Isvxs:on tbay ,,,,Ij In
mediately obtain what they desired.
1t 90 happened that the question of slavery was
agitated about the same tme-and these two aues-
tions together increased the ncerlity and bitter
ness which the people Of Western Virginia felt to-
wards the East They believed that the property
of the East--a considerable portion Of which con-
sisted Of slavss-was used for the oppression of
the Wes'. by continuing majority Of the Legis-
lature in the interest Of the Eastern section They
began TO feel . repuguance to an institution which
they believed was the casse Of All unjust dscrim-
ination against their selection Hence it was that
Mr. Letcher. Mr.. Mcdowell Moore, DR., Ruffner
and others conceived the idea Of dividing the
State 20 that they might accomplish two ends
first the construction If internal improvements for
themselves. independent Of the East-and secondly
the removal Of the obnoxious slave population of
Western Virginia and the conversion of that sec
ton into "frss" community.
Now, If these gentlemen had had any sagacity,
they would have foreseen that it was the interest
Of the East TO extend its improvements to the
West, and that their interest alone would soon
impel the East TO do leaving out Of the question
oil considerations Of patriotism and fraternty.-
II they had been actuated by that undying loyal
~ to the old Conmonwealth that should be pos.
sessed BY every true son Of Virgins, they would
have consented to . temporary or even perma-
nent injustice rather than suly the ancient glory
and break up The old traditions of united Virgin.
ID. They would u least have waited until it be-
came manifest that they had no chance to obtain
equal rights in the oopartnershp. before offering
TO sunder Commonwealth covered all over with
the imperishsSls giories Of the Revolution.
But they could not do this. Like spoiled and
pssvish shildrsp, hey attempted to accomplish BY
threats and complaints. what they could have CO.
ely obtained By patience aud Cancellation. The
eotsspsiss failed. Public sentiment could not
tbeata IL thought Of ceaving into two parts this
blsssod I'd Commonwealth. She vet remsus IONA
SD i.dtstsibae" notwithstanding the effort. of
these esntlsmen. She yet cherishcs the institu.
don of slavery - The groat bulwark Of CONSERVE
tisn- Dstk y hot 10 Mr.. Leteher that We arc
iadeheea FOR either blessing It has been in spite
o11ia 1rnnsilio1., The question now remains to
~ yissisiA. still united geographically
! - 6as IN sentiment whether they win
lssnAs = - 0hi1f Esseutive Chair one who. %