Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1860-01-10
Aitgmono Enq1tirer,
BY RITcI1E, DUNNAVANT, TYLER & WISE.
TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1860.
The First Messase OF Governor Leteher.

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TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1860.
The First Message Of Governor Letclier.
In the session Of the Legislature on Satar-
day, was read the FIRST message of Governor
Letcher, and to its careful and attentive peru.
sal we invite the attention Of the people Of |ir-
ginia and the Union.
We propose and desire to give Governor
Letcher's administration as cordmt support
in every suggestion that We approve, as We
have given to that splendid administration that
has lust closed with so much good to Virginia
and so much honor to Henry a. Wise.
There 10 a coincidence between this Message
Of Governor Lctcher, and suggestions already
made in the Enquirer that is peculiarly
pleasant and gratifying TO US; cordial sup
mort we always designed giving the 1Idn''n's-
,r,,ion Of Gov. I.etchcr, but when the recon-
nenda,icns Of His Excelency completely CO.
pcae with the previous position OF the En-
oairer," the fact is doubly gratifying
We desire above all things to sec ihe Les's.
lature and people of virgina as united in sup
,or,inc Gov Lctchcr as they have been in ap-
proving the conduct Of Governor Wise We
desire to see men OF all parties and all factions
rn;,. in sustaining the Executive Of the State
n ri. homes, effort to secure the rights and
,,,;,tuin the honor Of the Commonwealth.
r. will be- seen that Gov Lctchcr recommends
=, Convention of sll the States to consider the
questions that now agitate and divide the Union
into almost hostile sections. On the 9th day
Of December, 1859, the daily Enquire" sug-
cested the same measure, as follows:
There can be no peace for Virginia and the
South in the Union, as long as the question Of
slavery is the football of political parties
Even the Harpers Ferry invasion has failed TO
warn the conservatives Of the North OF the
dangerous faction that disturbs their peace, as
we'll as endangers the Union. We have been
charged with exaggerating the Importance OF
the Harper'S Ferry affair for party purposes.
The cu,lse Of sectional animosity must be ele-
waited from the arena Of politics and submitted
directly to the Sovereign States.
" State sorereigAties must assemble IN Con-
rention, and thea and there agree tpoE .futnr'
peace IL, the Union, or decide upon The most
peucsable mode Of dissolution. No Southern
Conreatien, but a Contention Of all the 'States,
hapiag an e9uat rote, should De assembled,
and IN that Contention Of the States or the
.tmsrican Union, the uit'naatum cf'ths SeHh
should be laid doacH.
"Such Convention would arouse the con-
servatism of the North; none but men OF llbc-
rality of opinion would be delegates, for upon
its deliberations the future Of the Union would
depend. Once convince the North, that the
siarerv question is not q suJ'sUWge Of party.
but il a real issue inrolcing the Union, and all
our rights will be immediately secured. The
material advantages Of the Union will weigh
with the North fur more than negrophilism.-
The Legislature of Virginia must decide for
Convention either of the South or Of the whole
Cnion-the first will inevitably dissolve the
Union; the latter may Perpetuate 1t and render
it safe and secure TO the South.
We are grat6ed therefore, to find so 5tea,
coincidence Of opinion between ourselves and
the Executive.
Gov. Letcher also recommends the appolnt-
ucnt Of !: commission TO consist oil TWO dlstln-
guished statesmen to visit the Northern States,
which have nulllied the fugitive slave law, and
earnestly urge the repeal Of al such lcgisla-
ton. We hope this portion Of the message,
which has been referred to the Joint Commit
tee on the Harper's Ferry matters, will be
speedily acted upon, and such legislation re-
! ported as may be deemed necessary and proper.
! The determination announced by Governor
I.etcher 10 resist the election Of Black he
publican President, will he fully sustained by
the people Of Virginia. We have repeatedly
urged this same measure Of defence, and in all
the thousands Of letters received by US from
| our subscribers, We have not had one dissent
ing from such action. The spirit Of this Mes
sage is worthy Of Virginia's Executive, and Its
recommendations aud suggestions will receive
hearty and cordial support from her people
We shall rccur to this Message in few days,
for the purpose Of discussing the Convention
recommendation, and Sustaining i, Us a wise
and proper measure for the maintenance of the
Union Of these States.