Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-12-10
sT4UFTpF7 PEgTAFQB AND GEFER4I4 DNERTTSFR.
Gov. Letcher,s Message.

Gov. Letcher's Message.
We regret that the length Of Gpty Letcber's
message makes it impossible for us to publish it
IN ectenso in our columns, as it is very inter
esting document and would be read with inter-
sst. We publish number of extracts from it
which will serve to show its character. 1t is
by truly Virginan and patriotic
spirit. 1t shows not only what Virginia has
lone, but what she is willing to do in the mo-
nentous struggle for freedom and independence
IN which che Is now so energetically ard patri-
oticay engaged. She has drawn the sw ord 10 a
a righteous cause, and will not sheathe it till the
prize for which she contends has been won. She
relies with confidence for success npon Provi-
dence, the nstness of her cause, the brave hearts
and strong arms of her sons. Preferripg that
her sons should "die all freelnen" rather than TO
ive all slaves" she is resolved to conqaer or die
-herchosen alternative being, Liberty or death ).
The following are extracts from the message:
"lt is not with US to determine whether this
war shall be of long or short duration. W 70 have
decided, however, that it cannot terminate until
our enemies shall recognize fully and uncondi-
tionally the Independence of the Southern Con
federacy. Whatever of men or money is needed
to work out this result will be cheerfully furnish
ed There can be, and there will be no compro
mise. We can never again live in harmony and
peace under the same government. We can
never entertain friendly feelings for people
who have ruthlessly shed Southern blood upon
Southern soil, in so execrablea war. They have
shown themselves our worst enemies, and such
we hold them to be. The separation that has
taken place, has been signalized ia blood, aud i,
ought to be permanent separation. Recon
struction is not desirable and even if it were, il
is now an imposslbility. a14aa
1t is our duty therefore, to devote all our en-.
erges to vigorous prosecution ofthe war. Ey.
erything must be done that vigilance and fidelity
require, and nothing left undone that patriotism
AID prudence suggest as necessary for our pro-
lection against actual and contemplated aggres-
sions and encroachments upon onr rights. No
hesitatipg or doubtful policy viii answer when
armies are inlthe field. Nor Wilt do to act
alone on the defensive. The Susquehanah is a
better lighting lire for US than the Potomac, and
the sooner the war is pushed forward to that
line, the better for Virginia md the Southern
Confederacy. To that line it must 90, if we
would save Mary land. Let cur actions show to
her people that we feel for, their condition, and
Itat we intend to aid them in effscting their de-
1iverance from thertyranny that now noppresses
them, and thousands will welcome Us to their
State, and flock to the standard of the Southern
.Oonfederaey, with resolution TO plant that flag
firmly upon her soil, or die in the attempt. =
This war will not end until we show tie Nor
thern people, the difference between Invading
andabeing invaded. sso3 BITS a2.1l q 10 stsis1oo
:. Il X X 6 * iX
!. Tie record which Virginia presents ia her
contributions to this war, is a proud one, Her
sons can look upon it with satisfaction and pleas
ure.. 1t demonstrates her performance of duty.
She has been true to herself, to her ancient FAME,
and to her sisters of the Southern Copfederacy.
With full knowledge, when she passed her ordi-
nance of secession, that her own soil was to be
the battle field between the contending parties,
that she in taxing her position placed herself
between the enemy and her Southern sisters,
and would receive the blows that might other
wise fall upon them, she yet boldly occupied the
position, stepped forward and received the shock.
How gallantly her sons have maintained that po-
sition, history will attest. Her patriotism, her
devotion to the common cause, will be f1lly re-
cognized and admitted by all sa#
1t is impossible at this time to state the precise
number of volunteers and militia that Virginia
now has in the field owing to the fact that the
mastering at Norfolk, Lynchburg, Abingdon,
Staunton, Winchester, Harper's Ferry, the Poto-
mac division, and o, her places. have not made
their returns to the Inspector Generals office in
this city. From the lights before me estimate
the number at not less than seventy thousand.
We have in service fifty-nine regiments of in
fantry, and q considerable number of battalions
and companies in this arm OF the service that
have not been organized into regiments. We
have eig ht organized regiments of cavalry, and q
number of companies attached to difft rent COM
mands, which, if consolidated, would make prob
ably three regiments more. We have issued
three hundred and fifteen pieces of artillery,
nearly ali of which are 10 service In the ield.-
One artillery regiment only has been organized,
aud that was organized at the instance Of Gen'l
Magruder. When the war commenced, we were
compelled to put our artillery companies in the
field IS fast as they could be raised and aimed
The necessity which leqnired the adoption OF
this course at the origin OF this war, las contin-
ued to exisr, and have feIt it to oe a duty 10
transfer the companies to Confederate control AS
soon as they were mustered, into service. Ii is
probable, therefore, that additional artillery
regiments will be organized at this time
The alacrity and promptitude with which our
volunteers and militia have responded to the call
of the Executive, entities them to the thanks of
the country. They have exhibited noble spirit
Of patriotism, and the courage, GOODNESS and he
roism which they have displayed on the field of
battle, under the most trying circumstances, are
worthy Of all praise. No men ever exhibited
higher traits of gallantry, or more heartfelt and
whole-souled devotion to righteous cause than
they have done. ss
The expenditures of the State for war purposes,
since the 18th day of April last, amount to more
than six millions of dollars. Her contributions
Of men and money for the common. cause have
been cheerfully furnished, and her last course
gives assurance Of her determination to spare no
effort to insure success She feels and knows,
and therefore acts upon the principle that moth
ing short of full and free recognition of the in
of the Southern sConfederacy can
give assurance Of protection to persons and pro-
perty, and happiness and prosperity to her peo-
pie. Every consideration, therefore, that should
influence people, prompts US to repudiate all
compromises, to reject all advances towards re-
We must triumph in this struggle
In that alone consists our safety for the present
and for the future. --
=
My convictions of individual and official duty,
and every dictate of patriotism have induced me
to contribute in every proper mode to aid the
cause in which all we hold dear is involved. ALI
the means within my control have been cheerful
ly and promptly employed. AS actizen of Vir-
gina, and as the Executive of the State, felt
it to be incumbent upon me to cooperate cor
daily and heartily with the Canfedesate authori-
ties in the adoption and prosecution Of all meas
ures and plans which promised to advance the
interests of the Southern Confederacy, and to
establish its independence upon firm and relia-
BILE basis.