Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-01-11
Gov. LetcEer,s Message.

precludes US from laying before our reader.
more than synopsis this week. 1t lis writ
ten in clear and nervous manner, pecu
liar to Gov. Letcher, and touches all The
questions Of Importance, both of federal
and local nature, now interesting the pub.
lie mind.
In discussing the Federal relations, he
refers to the late message of Ex-Governor
Adams, Of South Carolina, and the I'M
friendly spirit manifested towards Virginia
and the border States. His criticism up
on this message is both able and just, land We
commend it to the careful perusal Of the pub
lie. Whilst we feel the necessity Of bury
ing every prejudice and crushing down ey
cry passion growing out of the spirit of par
ty here in the South. and are disposed to
overlook the blunders of craftsmanship com
mitted by South Carolina politicians. in this
the hour of peril and gloom, yet this pro-
duction of Gov. Gist, of South Carolina, is
SO antagonistic to the best interests of ev-
ery Southern State, and initiates SO deci.
dedly against the advancement of their
power and glory, as to demand for it the
expression of emphatic disapprobation.
The proposition to hem in the negroes
here in Virginia and the border States
to cut off from his own people that trade
which has been the very life-blood of their
fortunes-to place the negro trade and props
erty upon footing completely distinct and
separate from other property, and to build
wall of prejudice between the slave-hold-
ing States, which shall permeate every az
enue of their government and business trans
actions-is at once the most absurd and inn
polite that has ever emanated from the mind
of an American statesman in this the nine
teenth century of the worlds existence
If the idea had been advanced by Seward or
Lincoln, it would have been held up to the
gaze of the Southern States and people,
painted in the most glazing colors Of disloy
atty and treason.
The recommendation that we should send
Commissioners to the States which have en-
acted personal liberty bills, may have been
proper at one period of our history, but as
things exist now, we could not agree to it.
Those States multiplying the fugitive slave
law know our complaints. know our de-
mands, and no commissioners, no ambassa-
doris, had they tongues eloquent as Henry,
would be half so potent as the murmurs OF
dissatisfaction and indignation which are
heard coming up from every nook and cor
ner ofevery Southern State. Virginia can
not assume the position of mendicant for
rights which she is entitled to under the
Constitution. We are willing to adopt any
reasonable and just method of conference
with agents of the Northern States delega-
ted to express Northern sentiment, In ref
erence to the wrongs they have inflicted up
on us, and to inform US what we may ex-
pect; but these sentimental pilgrimages to
abolition shrines, we cannot consent to-
The Black Republican party Of the North
have ayowed their intention ia their party
platforms to override and crush down the
barriers thrown up by the Constitution for
the protection of our rights and property.
The secession of the Cotton States leaves
the border States in minority, and thus af-
fords the Black Republicans the ability to
carry that intention into execution. Hav-
ing. then, the element Of power, our only
safety is to require an abandonment of inten-
ton as expressed. and in the event of re-
fusal to separate from any afiliation with
communities so devoid Of reason and so cal
lous of right
Governor Letcher 'ssees no necessity
for the call of State Convention at this
time. That Gov. Letcher is patriotic in
his expression Of sentiment, and is inhu-
enced in his conclusions by desire to con-
s serve the interests of Virginia. we are fully
satisfied; but that his views touching this
question are wrong, we~are just as well sat
is6ed. If eyer there was period in the
march Of time, and in the history Of our pub
lie affairs, which demanded the expression
of public sentiment as to the position to be
occupied by the State, that period is the
present. State Sovereignties, which have
hitherto occupied the position of members
of this Confederacy are wheeling from their
places, and resuming the powers delegated
to the Federal agent. Fanaticism, which
hitherto has been held IN check and at def
ancs by the conservative sentiment Of the
country, as represented in the Senate and
che Executive, now seizes upon the very
government itself, and sets a grinning de-
mon there, rejoicing over the misery and
ruin of the country An imbecile executive
now enters into treaty and amity with q
seeding State, and now spreads the wings
of every bsttleship in the navy. From one
extremity Of the country to the other, IN
every Northern State and every Southern
State, excitement such as has never been
witnessed or felt since the hour when / Fat
rick Henry startled George the III. from