Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-02-20
q he : ctia'>l amaia.
ihoH'' LAY, FEBRUARY 20,
Wv q. LETCHERS APPEAL.

.. Letcher, IN recent message 10 the
<ginia Legislature, recommending that ex-
hraordnary measures be taken TO defend the
State, says that I" The exgencies of the times
are moi duly appreciated by many Of our peo'
ple," and that the dangers which environ
us are too lightly estimated" He speaks of
imminent "eyis which threaten our existence,
our peace, and our organization as govern
ment" He declares the object of the ene-
my TO be to cut off their railroad communi-
cations, and adds that when this result is ac-
complished "one great step will have been
taken towards their success and our subjuga-
ton"
1t is worth something 10 have this ooastful
rebel Governor brought thus upon his knees.
His message is virtually confession to the
people of Virginia that they have been de-
ceived and betrayed by their leaders. If
the exigencies of the times" are not "duly
appreciated by them whose fault is it Did
not the rebel leaders tell them to begin with
that peaceful secession was practicable ?
Were they not assured that il the Federal
Government attempted to assert its authority
II would result in the speedy downfall of the
Lincoln dynasty" We're they not told
that the Yankees we're towards and would
not dare to fght9 Were they not told that
Washington would be taken, that Philadel-
phia would be taken up by jeff Davis as
"a very little thing" that New York would be
pillaged, and that the Confederate flag would
be planted in triumph upon the roof Of Fan
euil Hall Were not the masses Of the South
csioled into the belief by their boasting, whis-
key-beso,ted leaders, that such thing as an
invasion Of tho South coald never by any
possibility take placer Is IT strange, then,
that the people of Virginia do not "duly
appreciate the exigencies Of the times 9"-
We would respectfully suggest to Gov. Letch-
er tina, it may be slightly difficult for his peo-
nle 10 become convinced all at once that he is
a a cowardly knave, and has all along been
guilty OF practising the grossest deception
upon them. They cannot comprehend, in
moment, why Letcher and Wise and Floyd,
4 ct i'd omne genus, should have thus lei them
into the very jaws of destruction. Ii is hard
as yet, for them TO give up all confidence IN
leaders npon whom they have hitherto been
tanoht 10 look As both immaculate and invin-
cibe.
But stier all, il did not need this note oi
alarm from Leteher TO call them TO their
q senses. Tie scales fell from their eyes when
the boom Of cannon was heard at Mill
Spring when Burnside and G'ldsborough
hurled their forces against the North Caro-
lima coast, and when the iron clad river
u docs Of Com. Foote rained down their deadly
missiles upon the garrison at Fort Henry
And if any thina more was needed 10 awaken
them TO due appreciation OF the exigen-
cies Of the times,r the terrible rebe, revcrrT
a at Donelson, must certainly have been sufii'
q cient to paint their real situation and theit
inevitable doom upon the very face Of the
sky.
The nehable meanness and despicable
IA ness OF Letcher must be apparent 10 the
81 masses of the South. Iae, with his coadjutors
81 s,.ued them into rebellion and promised
sS them protection and peace. Instead of peac'
Il nd protection, they find themselves involved
in calamitous war, and suffering for th'
commonest necessaries of life; and instead o
81 being protected by their lying leaders, the.
~ are asked TO immediate themselves, to pou
out their blood and offer up their substance
S to save their infamous leaders from tn
halter
M MIR. Letcher ray compose himself upol
one point; the people of Virginia will yer.
soon duly appreciate the ex,gencies Of tn
M times and those exigencies all point ther
q with unerrlng finger to restoration Of th
sA Union, and return to loyalty, as the onl
road which will lead them out Of the "mir
pit" into which they have been hurried an
s. betrayed by their cowardly, boasting, traito
Gus political masters.
"Ne DAsH!"-We believe DR.. Russo