Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-01-11
FROM RICHMOND.
Correspondence of the mtelIigonccr.I
RICHMOND, VA, Jan. 4, Is


INeSSrS. Edt0rS:-It has been nearly
three weeks now since you received my
last letter. The holidays have come and
gone, and the members of the Legislature
have gone and come since then.
The old administrators of State affairs
have retired from Office, and we live nov
the subjects Of IL new dynasty.
The House of Delegates met again on
Monday, and the Senate on yesterday. AS
the Lieutenant Governor was expected to
deliver an inaugural, quite crowd col
Iectcd in the little Senate Chamber to
hear him. When the hour of II came
Montague took the place assigned to the
presiding officer of the Senate. He is
man of the medium size, and the impress
sion he makes ct first sight is favorable.
There is no excitement in his face. His
hair has already received sufficient notice
from the Virginia press, and obtained for
him the title of the red fox. In fact the
remarks about the rising and setting sun,
referring to himself and his predecessor
seemed playful reflections on the rosy
and luminous looks which nature has
given them.
Montague spoke but few sentences, in
the calm deliberate style peculiar to the
Senate, because it is the diEnified way Of
speaking, or because they think SO. AL
though his words were calm, his senti-
mcnts were as fiery us the head from
which they proceeded.
lie commenced by thanking the people
of the Commonwealth for elevating him
to that position He would cndcavOr to
discharge his duties as 81 Virginian might.
The present year ought to chronicle Southr
crn independence and equality in the
Union, or out of it, Thousands were
looking to Virginia. She had led in '7G;
she should lead in GO. lie hoped nothing
rash or unjust would be resolved on, but
that they would do all in their power to
secure peace and independence at home,
and justice from abroad. He was willing
to fight for these, and though he might
not be presiding officer OH the bloody
field of strife; he would certainly be there
to share the fate of the noble and gencr-
Gus people of our blessed old Stte.-
Now under the circumstances this was
brave speech, and beautiful specimen of
that style of clOqucncc, i'll which the Hon.
Elijah POgram once exclaimed, ''Tyrnnt /
defy yer" The Lieutenant Governor no
doubt spoke his honest convictions. But
there is an immense amount of language
to the same purport used for political
effect only. And in any case it betrays
within mournful ignorance of national
sentiment and a mistaken notion that dis
union would cure all the evils of Northern
tonaticism-or else dcmagogueism.
1t is unfortunate for Virginia that she
has many in her Legislative halls, who
desire disunion. They have desired it for
years, and have INDUCED themselves in
fine sentences about Southern independ-
cnce and equality, and have given vent to
their feelings occasionally in high sound
ing resolutions.
1t is sincerclyto be hoped that Montague
does not belong to this band of Southern
fanatics and traitors.
Governor Letchcr was sworn in by
Judge Parker, of Winchester, on Satur-
day, and has been employed since then in
entertaining the host of friends, that u new
Governor is sure to have. lie has not yet
sent in message to either house, nor
given amy expression of opinion on promi-
nent questions of State policy.
As IL specimen of the great outlay which
the great-crisis' men expect to make this
session. l send you the following bill: