Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1862-12-16
Gov. Letcher and Reconstruction.

At a recent meeting in the city of New York
the famous Fernando Wood made speech, in
which he lntimated that he had the assurance of
prominent Southern men that the reconstruction
OF the Union was q possible event under Demo-
cratic auspices, and that the South might be prop
itiated by the dominancy Of that PARTY in the
North. correspondent of the Philadelphia In
quirer, in aiuding to this speech of Wood, sought
10 connect Governor Letcher's name with the
prominent Southern men referred to. This let
ter Of the Inquirer's correspondent was noticed
in the Richmond Wing, and the next number of
that journal contained the following letter ffom
his Excellency, the Governor:
ExEcuTIvR Dept, Dec. 8, 1862.
To THE EDITOR OF THE WHIG
I have read your editorial in the Whig of this
morning, and return you my thanks for your
prompt and emphatic denial of the allegation that
/ was favorable to reconstruction of the Union.
My opinion upon this subject has been freely ex-
pressed on all proper occasions-in messages, in
proclamations, and in conversation. | quote
from my message of 'anuary 9th, 1862:
ssThe occurrences of the past nine months have
demonstrated concluslvely that we cannot live
together as equals under the government of the
United States and the habitual violation of the
provisions of the Constitution, and the open dis
regard of the laws by President Lincoln and his
officials, RENDER GOVERNMENTAL ASSOCIATION BE-
TWEEN Us IMP POSSIBLE Mutual respect between
the citizens Of the Southern COntederacy and
those of the North has ceased to exist. Mutual
confidence has been succeeded by mutual dis
trust and mutual good will by mutual aversion.
No government can be enduring which does not
possess the affection and respect of the govern
ed. 1t cannot be that the people of the Confede-
rate States can again entertain feeling of affcc-
ton and respect tor the government of the Uni
ted States We have therefore separated from
them and now LET 1T BE UNDERSTOOD THAT THE
To RI
yoCABLE'-that Virginia WILL, UNDER NO CIR
CUMsTA ANcEs ENTERTAIN ANY PROPOSITION, FROM
ANY QUARTER, WHICH MAY HAVE FOR ITS OBJECT A
r RESTORATION OR RECONSTRUCTION OF THE LATE
UNION, ON ANY TERMS OR CONDITIONS WHAT
EvER.'o
June 9th, 1862
.sThe people of Virginia, by overwhelming ma
iorities of their Convention aud Legislature have
solemnly announced to the world the purpose of
this Commonwealth, UNDER NO CONCEIVABLE cir
cumstances, again to acknowledge allegiance to,
or unite the destinies OF our people with, those
of the United States.
The course they pursued previous to the war
was more than sufficient to justify our separation
from them but their disgraceful violations of
the Constitution, and of plighted faith since the
war; their utter perversons OF truth, their reck
less disregard of justice and OF the rights prop
erty and their departure, in numerous instances,
from the usages Of civilized warfare; the inva-
sion of our homes, and the murder of our peace
full citizens, RENDER CONNECTION WITH THEN IN
FUTURE oDIous TO OUR SENSE OF HONOR AND ABB
HoRRENT TO OUR FEELINGs. IT mas PRoDucED AN
,EsTRANGEMENT AS ENDURING IF THERE WAS AN
IMpAssABLE GULF BETWEEN u.s.
From the time Virginia seeded, have always
been opposed to reconstruction.
II only remains for me to add that l have NO
personal acquaintance with Mr.. Fernando Wood,
do not know that have ever seen him, and have
had neither correspondence nor communication,
directly or indirectly, with him, before or since
this war commenced. l state further, that l
have had ne communication, verbal or written,
with any Northern man, upon this SUBJECT, since
Virginia seeded. Respectfully,
JOHN LETCHER.