Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1860-12-07
Another Letter from Governor
fletcher.


The Enquirer Of Thursday publishes
letter from Gov Letcher to Lewis ID. Vail,
Esq, of Philadelphia, upon Pennsylvania
notification Of the fugitive slave law. Gov
Letchcr fully demonstrates that the uncon-
stitutional and obnoxious laws of Pennsyl-
vania are still in full effect and force, and
that, Notwithstanding Mr.. Vail is proud
that he is citizen Of this good old State,
the keystone Of the arch,' yet he is amen-
tably ignorant Of the legislation Of his own
State. After thoroughly discussing the legal
points Of the question, be says:
s'And, finally. the Constitution Of the
United States, in the fourth article, and Sc
cond section, declares:
!: NO person held to service or labor in
one State, under the laws thereof, escaping
into another, shall in consequence Of ang Iaw
or regulation therein, be discharged from
such service or labor, but shall be deltyered
up on c7ains O the party, TO achona such SER
vice or tabor may be DUE
Under this provision Of the Constitution.
what is the duty Of Pennsylvania and the
other non slaveholding States? Is it not
plainly and palpably their duty to aid in CIV
| ing full effect to this requirement? When
person, held to service or labor 10 Virgil
MIA, escapes into your State, and is there
found, is it not incumbent Oh your citizens
to see that he or she ''shall be delivered up,
on claim Of the party, to whom such service
or labor may be due - Ought not your
Legislature to require your judges, justices Of
the peace, alderman, and other officers, to
aid, by all legitimate means, the claimant in
recovering the possession Of his slave prop
IeFty, that may be found in your State? It
cannot be said that your law Of 1887, as it
now stands upon your statute book, was in
tended to effect this object In re- enactiug
| this law, at your last session, it will not be
claimed, ain sure, that the object was to Sc
cure 9 more efficient execution Of the fugi-
| tive slave laws of 1903 and 1850, and a
more faithful performance Of the duty. impo-
sed upon your citizens by this article and
section of the Federal Constitution.
| 1.-THE Union is to be preserved, It is nee
essary that all causes Of complaint. irritation
and dissatisfaction shall be speedily remoy-
ed. Ia the present condition Of affairs de
| lay eads in destruction. II The non-slaye-
holding States desire to save the Cnnstitu
ton from overthrow and the Contederacy
from dissolution, let them ''show their faith
| by their works " Let them repeal at once
i all statutes which are injurious to the rights
and interests Of Their Southern fellow citizens
and which are in any degree calculated TO
iembayrass them in the recovery Of fugitive
slaves. This cannot be done a moment too
soon, and urge you and all other eonserv-
alive men in your section, to act without de-
LAY, and show to the South that you really
desire the preservation Of the Union. You
can do much to allay the excitement now
existing, to restore concord and fraterna
feeling, to revive lest confidence between
the sections, and you owe it to yourselves,
ito your country, and to those who are to
succeed you, to do your duty, your whole
duty, promptly and faithfully.
La the same kind and conservative spirit
which dictated your letter, have replied
to it. The question discussed is one Of great
interest and Importance at this time, and is
attracting much Of public attention. In the
earnest hope that the discussion may result
in some practical coed. have concluded to
publish your letter and my reply.
With respect, an truly,
Your obodient servant.
JOHN LErCHER.