Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-08-31
IStter from Gen. J. Garland:

Lbtter nom Gen. J. Garland.
The following letter from the veteran
Gen. James Garland Of LynchbHrg, waa
read before the National Convention which
recently met in this place. This old war
horse, who has been fghtifg for Democracy
and the Union for 10! these many yesrs.
with an ability rarely equalled; shuff. 10 tie
breeze spirit at war with the Cohstiittioh:
and lifting himself above the cares ibid Ill
hrmiaes Of age, comes forward to rSiuu,rs
the harness he had laid aside. and throw
himself into the breach. A gallant old Ia.
70 Of thousand fights and victories, his
voice will rally the young and the brave to
the rescue. and aid in securing Virginia and
her peerless Democracy ffom the invaders
foot. So mote it be:
Lrscnsuro. Aug. Is, 1860.
jean A., HARNAs, ESQ:
Dear SRI extremely regret tf;at [
es1sss Ne at tho Stanton Convention "a [
desired 70 be, feeling, as do, deep intel
est ~ the resalt of its deliberations. If
Lasmopy essHe. be restored TO the Demo.
orsae ranks, ! ass for the Douglas and
Ssanspa ticket, regarding it as the regular
~ a9aaloated ticker aud presenting nsmes
worthy ~ Tie confidence n The Democscy
" sAs waose Eai0q. they ere men Of
great ability, vp4passloaes Sssegfisy, un-
surpassed st@sesnanatip. aad tried 6Aelity
and cosFsge. Douglas 10 aassapesse6 "a
sae ERioa, o. elsewhere, 1t debaset and
statestasr, esd ssas few equals anywsefs.--
No saan sss bsea aore faithful TO the pria.
c:pies # the Democratic party. or defended
the censfitatiosai rights of the South with
more ability, vigcr, ocnstsncy and courage
than he. He has pstted himself against
Black Repubiicanisna, checked its wild ca.
reer and woald have finally crushed it out
and saved the Union. had not the South
the beneficiary of all his battles and victo.
rses-turned upon him and struck him
down.
l capnot but regard the secession from the
Conventions at Charleston aud Baltimore
as the commencement of movement to
Dissolve the Union, and which, If success
fully carried out, will produce that call am
itoas result-a result which viii draw most
heavily upon the blood and treasure Of the
Southern and border States. The cause as
signed for this step is 80 trivial that will
not bestow moments consideration upon it.
For the nomination of the seccding Con-
vention have no kind of regard, and never
will regard it in any other light than as .
factious, discrgsnising movement. until it is
proved to me that it is true democracy for
minority to govern majority, and that los
are two-thirds. and 212 one-third of 800.
When this can be proved, l shHll yield my
support to the candidates nominated by the
los bultoss.
That this breach of the Democratic par
ty-tor cause so contemplate, Unless dis.
unlonism is ut the bottom of it-an abyss
covered with flowers, will excite the wonder
and draw down the excavations of posteri-
ty upon the heads of its reckless authors,
open or concealed if the Union and our
free institutions shall survive the shSck.-
Many, nay, very many who have been Aced~
lessly driven into it will, | have 20 doubt,
repent in sack cloth ard asRes that thay ev-
err gave countenance to il. Ere long the
conviction will flush upon their honest and
unsuspccting minds, that they have BEEN
dupcd by the arts ana stratagems Of mem
who desire the disruption of the Union. tor
cannot regard the great body of them as
disunionists for any cause that now exists.
| write simply to say, that though getting
old and somewhat infrm, will perform any
duty in the present crisis which the country
or the Convention may require at my hands.
Very respectfully.
Your obd't serv't.
j. GARLAND.