Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-08-31
Gov. Letcher,s Letter.

Gov. Letcher's Letter.
Below we lay before cur readers letter
from Hec. John fletcher, Gop@nor of Vir-
GINA, to two of his personal and political
friends of this place, and which was resa ii
the meeting Of tie Douglas and johnson
club on Friday night last, by Gen. W. u.
Hartman, amidst the greatest applause.
We are not surprised at the position, IN
this important 5uncture OF our political af-
fairs, taken by Gov. Letcher, who is univer-
sally esteemed to be one of the safest, most
consistent, faithful and true statesmen of the
country. On the contrary, We we're sahs-
fed from his high sense Of honor, both in .
political and personal point. that he would
act, when the issue was presented, be un-
true to the solemn and biading eomeromi-
SEES Of the country, or disregardfui Of that
elevated sensibility which springs naturally
to patriots heart when his country is Ia
danger.
John Letcher, long the tried and trusted
servant Of this noble "Tenth Legion De-
aascracy, has not disappointed them in this
perilous hour when it requires men to dare
and to do. He is now, if possible, more
fully than ever the representative man Of as
true and legal people to the Constitution
and laws ''as ere the sun shone on," and
echoes their sentiments with signifcancy
the more pertinent because he is not con-
fined in his representative character to this
peculiar district, but stands at the helm of
the democratic ship of State which has been
SO often saved from destruction and proudly
borne through shoals and breakers. by this
same glorious old "Tenth Legion" to a
haven Of safety. Aud the unanimity of
sentiment that is rapidly obtaining gives
cheering promise that she will do it again,
for the hope is growing brighter each day
that the honest masses those who neither
ask or seek public position, but consider the
post Of honor to be that Of private station
are rapidly identifying themselves with the
Of Douglas and johnson, who
represent the great UNION IDEA of the coun-
try. The name Of no man in Virginia will
more largely contribute to give healthy
and proper direction to popular sentiment
than that Of John Letcher. We honor him,
for he honors himself, in the elevated and
manly stand he has taken on the side and
for the rights Of the people against the poll
ticians, and we we'll know that the old grey
haired and weather beaten veterans of the
service who heretofore have trusted to and
confded in him, will feel proud to reiterate
what they have SO often repeated, that it is
Honest John Letcher who has taken his
position, and we will 60 with him.
Let us, then, when such men are coming
to the rescue, ring out upon every wind with
proud, coniding and encouraging voice
the battle words, of s'once more to the
breach dear friends, once MORE and rising
sitter in our stirrups, dash bravely and tri-
umphantly on to the conflict. The great
''reserve Of millions is with us. The wal
wing and gl;ttering folds Of our country's
flag proudly flaps above us, and the firm
foundation stones Of Truth, Justice, the
Constitution and the Union, rest beneath us.
Then let no heart falter. We are in glo-
rious cause. We are surrounded by host
of true and trusty spirits, who will never cry
'hold, enough" until the last shot in the
locker has been fired.
But We have digressed from the purpose
of this article. The following is the letter
Of Messrs. Hartman & Crawford, and Gov.
Letcher's reply. Let every body read the
manly, straight forward reply, and '.then
60 and do likewise -that is, announce him
self for Douglas and johnson:
SrAuNroN, Aug. 20, 1860.
Hon. John Letcher,
Dear Sir: We are anxious to know the
position you will take in the present Presi-
dental canvass, now that all hope of uniting
the two wings of the Democratic party in
Virginia is over We consider the Union
in imminent peril, and yet hope the conser-
vative voice of the American people will,
on the 9th day of November next, save the
country from ruin. Hoping to hear from
you, We are
Your friends,
BENJAMIN CRAWFORD,
NJ. G.. HARTMAN.
GOV. LETCHER'S REPLY.
RTCuMoND VrpCrNr.