Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1863-12-31

From the Petersburg Express.
Governor Lstcher's Views aud Position Before ths
The Richmond Wing publishes lengthy correspon'
dence between the Rev. L. 2. Glover. OF Springfield
ILL., formerly Of Lexington Va end Governor Lsteh.
of the latter gentleman defining his views on public
affairs at that early period:
Dec. rs, 1860.
My DEAR SIR Il received your letter of the Goth
Instant this morning, and though much pressed with
official business feel it to be eiv 70 reply at once
l not dissAts fed with your course in exhibiting
my letter to Mr.. Lincoln. In time like this, when
the Government is falling to pieces, and financial
storm which threatens ruin and bankruptcy is raging
around US, weigh my words well before they are
placed on paper. 1t is criminal in any man to conceal
or msrepresent the truth when our country is in the
tbroes of revolution. Whatever write to you, will be
what religiously believe to be true.
regard the Government now as doomed, beyond
contingency to destruction Is it not melancholy 10
think, that this noble fabric, reared by the wisdom and
patriotism of our revolutionary fathers, ls to be des
don c institution which exists in the other
fifteen? Yet so il u.s. and while we depIere it, nothing
but Divine Providence can avert the result.
We have not the wisdom, the prudence and tas pat
rotsm to reconstruct the fabric as it came to US
shall gel it again when the shall go back to the
dial of Ahaz."
when ships drifting with the dead,
ITO shores where all is dumb"
1 have lost all hope, as 1 see ne disposition in the
free States to adjust the controversy. We have just
heard from Washington that the Republicans have pre-
sented their uitinia um, and say to you In sincerity
and sorrow, that it will be assened to. be-
tve nine .y-nine men out every hundred in Virginia
will repudiate it with scorn. Conservative as am,
and laboring have been for months to secure an
adjustment, before will assent to that proposition,
will welcome civil with all its horrors. 1t would
be dshonorable in the South to accept it, and my mot
to s, death before dishonor."
AS the Executive of Virginia, feel the responsible
ty of nay position, and trust have due appreciation OF
it. am now directing all my Efforts to prepare her
the sure protection of her honor her rights and her
Institutions I have succeeded in getting my military
preparations in very satisfactory condition we have
land every day adds to the numb r. "a companies
of artillery EARNED partly with the improved rifle can
non 10 companies of cavalry lO3 companies Of infan-
try and l01 companies Of rihsmen. These volunteer
companies embrace abcut 1900 men all in uniform
AID we'll drilled besides the militia OF the line, $50 600
strong. As you aware, have $4,000 stand OF
at lexington and 20 600 in the arsenal here, be-
sides the arms in the hands Of the volunteers of the
State. We cap If necessary, arm efficiently at this
time 10000 men. [ have been anticipating the pre-
sent condition Of public affairs for than year,
aud hence it that last January directed our ar
mory to be reftted and put into operation. This Is
going aid shall have one OF the finest and
most efficient in the country gigs these facts be-
cause, as you were once resident Of Virginia. know
they will interest you and convince you OF the state OF
feeling here. do not design or desire that Mr.. Lin
cola shall b. apprz.d OF these facts as be might sup
pose from the fact that knew he had my previous
letter. that they designed to operate upon him or
his policy
My bsef is that Mr. Lincoln will never be Inaugural
ted would not to-day occupy bis position for the world
The reflection that my election has caused the dssou
ton OF the Union whether WAS to blame or net)
woul1 drive me mad. The South regards him as one
of the most vndctive and INSCRIPTIONS of her enemies
SIS one Of the Giddngs school of Aboltiosists, who
recogniz S negro equality with the white race, who
would ri ice to see Southern women sacrificed to the
brutal passions of the negro So regarding him and his
associate Hamln, can any man wonder that Southern
blood bolts with indignation What Southern husband
father would live under Government administered by
such u.l.ss by compul.ion Any attempt at com
pulsion will be repealed and resisted by united South
am glad you speak we'll of him in your letter bat,
ny dear sir bis record has made it's impression up on
he Southern mind, and there is probability that it
will be erased before the 4th of March.
My regard to Mrs 9. and the regards OF my wife to
yourself and her.
In haste
| am, truly, your friend
Signed JOHN LRTCHER.
R:v j. l. Clover, Springfield, Ills.