Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1862-12-09
Gov. Letcher and Fernando Wood.

W. r. Glad that Gov. Leicher has thought 1t worth
Will. tn foreclose all scandal that might grow ont of the
use of his name in connection with the late pretended
disclosures of Fernando Wood, by the prompt and EN-
nb,ti, denial that follows. The Confederate cause has no
srsuncber advocate than, and has had few, if any, as etacient
friend. As Governor L. The zeal, the ~assiduity, and sue
cess with which he has devoted himself 10 the great strug'
ole secure for him aud for the Commonwealth over which
he presides. a place in history that Virginians and their
descendants will never blush to be reminded OF.
EXECUTIVE DEP'r
December s, 1882.
To the E4itor Of ne Wig;
I bav. read your editorial in the Wing ofthis morning
and return YOU my thaaks for your prompt and emphatic
dspiL Of the alteration that | was favorable to a recon
~struction of the UdOn. Nv opinion upon this subject
has been freely expressed on all proper occasion'-'n
messages, 10 ~proclamatons, and in conversation l quote
from ms message of January 9Th, 1862
THE occurrences of the past nine months have de-
monstrated conclusiyely that We cannot live togetheT as
equals under the government OF the United States; and
the habimal violation Of the provisions OF the Constitu'
ton. and the open disregard Of the laws by President
Lincoln and his officials, render governmental association
Bshc,sq ~ impossible. Mutual respect between the eid-
tcN- % lNtFoAAhcAA 'AANNNae
has ceased to exist. Mutual confidence has been sue
ceeded Jy mutual distrust, and mutual good will by mu-
tual aversion. No government can be enduring which
does not possess the affection and respect of the govern
ed. Il cannot be that the people of the Confederate
states can again entertain a feeeling of affection and re-
.pcct for the Government of the United States. We
have therefore separated from them and now let Il be
understood That The separation IS and ought 10 be tHd'
and urr,rocabJ-that Virginia 'rH, under no circ'o"'
,,dacc,, entertain dny proposition, Jro" any quarter
rhich may llr, for Il, object Il restoration or r'eonssr"r
ton Of the late Union, Oh Giy terms or conditions 'ehdi-
,-sr.'"
quote also from nv Proclamation, dated June 9th,
1862:
The people Of Virginia, by overwhelming ~majorities
OF their Convention and Legislature, have solemnly an
uounced - the world the purpose Of this Common
wealth, Under no conceivable circumstances, again to ac-
knowledge allegiance to, or unite the destinies of our
people with, those Of the United States
The sanrss they pursued previous IN the Wal was more
than sufficient to Justify our separation from them but
their disgraceful violations of the Constitution, and Of
pTrhted faith since the war; their utter peryersions Of
truth; their reckless disregard of justice and of the rights
OF property, and their departure, in numerous instances,
from .he usaccs Of civilized warfare; the invasion Of our
homes, and the murder of our peaceful citizens, render
a roa,,chon riA them IN future Od'on" to or 'rHse Of
honor and oJLorrrHt TO our feelings RIA, produced
an ,,'orig,rs,ti as sHdaring o. i there 'eni'aH ip,passa-
be g~j J,tOscH as.
From the time Virginia seeded, l have always been
opposed TO reconstruction.
It only remains for me to add, that / have no personal
Acquaintance With Mr.. Fernando Wood, do not know
that lhaye ever seen him, and have had neither correspon-
dcuce nor communication, directly or Indirectly, With
him. before or since this war commenced state fur
Their. that have had no communication, verbal or writ
ten, with any Northern man, upon this subject, since
Virginia seeded.
Respectfully,