Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1860-01-21

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danger and restored peace to the country
That crisis in public affairs was almost us
serious and alarming as the present
This controversy has now reached a point
which demands speedy settlement, if the
Union is to be saved from dissolution If
the aggressons to which we have been sub
loctcd for SO many years, are to be repeated,
II mutual distrust and suspicion are to contin-
ue, and 1t the election of sectional Repub-
lIcan candidate to tho Presidency in 1860, is
to be supcradded, it is useless to attempt to
| conceal the fact, that in the present temper
OF the Southern people, it cannot be, and will
not be submitted to. The " irrcprissiblc CON
ffct 7" doctrine, announced and advocated by
the ablcst and most distinguished leader Of
tie Republican party, is an open declaration
OF war against the institution of African slave
ry, wherever it exists and [ would be dis
! loyal to Virginia and the South, if [ did not
declare, that the election of such man. en-
tertainlng such sentiments and advocating
such doctrines, ought to be resisted by the
slaveholdng States The idea of permitting
such man to have the control aud direction
of the Army and Navy of the United States,
and the appointment of high judicial and Ex-
ecutIve officers, postmastcrs included, cannot
be entertained by the South for moment.
| am now, and have ever been a friend to
the Union of the States. [ appreciate its
value, ardent!y desire its preservation, and
would not rashly hazard its existence. have
presented these views in the earnest hone
that tie Northern mind may be brough, 10
reflection, and that the conservatism of that
section may be aroused and stimulated to
immediate action. 1t will require prompt
and decided action on their part, if mutual
confidence shall be revived and dstrust and
suspicion shall be banishcd from amongst us.
a wise, prudent and considcratc course may
save the Union, in the hour of its peril To
this end, am prepared to do all that honor,
duty and patriotism enjons upon me-
Watcher the Union shall survive or perish,
1t is, nevertheless, your duty to place the
state In such condition that she will be pre-
pared at all times, and upon the shortest no
tce, to PROTECT her honor, defend her rights,
and maintain her institutions against all as
sauts of her enemies. With this view, |
recommend careful revision Of the militia
laws; and, i'll this connection, suggest that
munitions of war be procured and provisions
made for the organization of an efficient
military staff 1t would be well, also, to spe
city in the law, the number of aids to which
the Governor is entitled, and designate their
rank cordially approve the bill herewith
sent, for the organization of a brigade of
minute men, prepared by gentleman remark
BILE for his Intelligence, military knowledge
and experience. And, finally. L commend
the Virginia Military Institute to your favor
able consideration, and urge that liberal ap-
/ preparations be made for cularging the build
ing and extending the sphere of its usefulness.
By your legislation encourage spirit of
independence amongst the people; foster di-
rect trade, manufactures and the mechanic
arts by all legitimate modes Our internal
Improvements should be pushed forward to
completion as rapidly as the means of the
State will warrant, as aids to direct trade and
State independence.
The laws of the State shall be faithfully
executed, her rights defended, her institutions
maintained, and her honor scrupulously guar
ded and protected. My only object is SO to
discharge my duty as to secure the confidence
and win the respect and appreciation of my
fellow citizens of Virginia / will be found
| ready, therefore, to cooperate i'm all measures
calculated to devclope her unbounded rcsour-
ccs end promote the prosperity and the hap
piness of her people.
Respectfully, JOHN LETcHER.
SOUND SENTIMENTS. The last Democrat
ic Standard, pubshedin Concord, New namp-
shire. says:
But holding meetings, uttcring patriotic
sentiments, and expressing devotion to the
! Union in words merely, is of but little ac-
count. If men go to those meetings, resolve
and speak in favor of the Union,' and then 60
and vote the Republican ticket, they can ex-
pect nothing else but to be treated as hypo.
critics and false pretenders to patriotism
they do not possess. Such was the case with