Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1861-12-13
5uutbern affairs.
MESSAGE OF GOV. lETCHER, Of VA.

The Norfolk Day Book" of the 9th
instant, publishes in part the Message Of
Governor LETcnER, to the Legislature Of
Virginia, from which we make the fol-
lowing extracts:
We are in no sense responsible for the
present condition of the public affairs.
The Northern masses, maddened by pas
sion and inaamed by prejudice, have
pushed these aggressions upon us unit
every consideration ofduty and patriotism
requires us to separate from them. We
desired to separate in peace. We wanted
no war, but yet we had made up our
minds to vindicate our conduct in the
battle field, if need be, and trust to that
God who directs the destinies of men and
nations to guide us into the pathway to
success and independence. So far, he
has watched over us, guarded and pro-
tected us in our righteous resistance to
tyranny; has presided in the councils of
our brave generals; has stimulated our
officers and men TO deeds of noble daring,
and has crowned our efforts with the
wreath of victory.
The purpose of the Federal President
to subjugate us, and coerce us to remain
in a Union the great aims and objects of
which have failed, has involved us in a
war of resistance to defeat his unholy de-
signs. We have met his movements with
a iirmness, resolution and courage that
become freemen in the maintenance of
their honor. their rights, and their in
situations. We have defeated his best
troops and driven them in confusion and
dismay from his own selected battle
fields. Bethel and Haynesville, Bull
Run and Manassas, Rich Mountain and
Gauloy, Harper's Ferry and Leesburg,
all attest the spirit, the heroism, the pa
triotsm and courage Of the volunteers of
the Southern Confederacy. They have
proved themselves equal to any emergen-
cy, and have demonstrated that they are
worthy sons Of illustrious ancestors, who
struck the first blow for freedom in the
Western world.
1t is not with us to determine whether
this war shall be of long or short dura.
ton. We have decided, however, that i
cannot terminate until bur enemies shall
recognize fully and Internationally The
independence of the Southern Confcde-
racy. Whatever Of men or money il
needed to work out this result will be
cheerfully furnished. There can be and
there will be no compromise. We can
never again live in harmony and peace
under the same government. We can
never entertain friendly feelings for q
people who have ruthlessly shed South
ern blood upon Southern soil in SO exc
cradle war. They have shown them
selves our worst enemies, and such we
hold them to be. The separation that
has taken place has been signalized in
blood, and it ought to be, and / trust
will be, a permanent separation. Re-
construction is not desirable, and even il
it were, it is now an impossibility.
1t is our duty, therefore, to devote all
our energies to vigorous prosecution of
the war Everything must be done that
vigilance and fidelity require, and moth
ing left undone that patriotism and pru-
dence suggest as necessary for our pro-
lection against actual and contemplated
aggressions and encroachments upon our
rights. No hcsitating or doub 'ful policy
will answer when armies are in the field.
Nor will it do to act alone on the defen-
sive. The Susquehauna is a better fight
ing line for us than the Potomac, and the
sooner the war is pushed forward to that
line the better for Virginia and the
Southern Cohfederacy. To that line it
must 30 if We would save Maryland. Let
our actions show to her people that we
feel for their condition, and that we in
tend to aid them in cf1ecting their de-
liverance from the tyranny that now OPP
presses them, and Thousands will welcome
US to their State and flock to the standard
of the Southern Confederacy, with re-
solution to plant that flag firmly upon her
soil, or die in the attempt. This war
will not end until we show the Northern
people the difference between invading
and being invaded.
In this connection / must not omit to
notice the noble spirit and promptitude
exhibited by the gallant sons Of that State
in coming forward Immediately after our
ordinance Of secession was passed and
making tenders Of service to aid in the
struggle which was then seen to be una
voidable. A more gallant set Of men
never graced battle field, and soldiers
more true, more courageous and more
faithful never struck blows for freedom
and independence. When their State
was subjugated they left their homes,
families and friends, came to Virginia,
entered her service, and have exhibited
a devotion and fidelity to tho cause wor-
thy Of all admiration
Very shortly after the secession Of Vir-
ginia, in tho full belief that Gov. Hicks,
Of Maryland, would be disposed to unite
with me in the adoption Of some line Of
policy that would bo calculated to give
mutual protection to our respective States
against the encroacllmeEts Of tho Lincoln