Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-12-15
GOV. LETCHER,s MESSAGE.

/ filing nine and q half columns of the Richmon
ssEnquirer." 1t quotes the remarks of Samue
Adams of Massachusetts, delivered in 1875 t
show that our present struggle for independence
is justified as was that of our fathers in tn
first revolution. Honor, justice, propriety-
/ every consideration that should influence goot
/ and patriotic men-show the necessity Of our Q
| ternal separation. Men who preach peace undo
present circumstances are false to us and thu
IConfederacy. 1t is time enough to speak of al
honorable peace when Lincoln shall have with
drawn bis armies from our soil.
/ All classes, rich and poor, are equally inter
ested III tLis struggle. TlOSe vino maintain ths
contrary enemies to cause and success
| In the main, they are men who were active in
bringing about the present war, but who have ia
Ken peculiar pains TO keep out of the fight.
happen to know of q number OF such IN our OWL
| State, who have domiciied themselves and iami
| lies in soft places, and have thus escaped the
dangers of the fed. They were Tor commotion
and agitation, not tor fight and take their chan
| ces for martyrdOm in a glorious cause.
Legislation is required for the protection OF
our people against the impOsitlons practiced by
impressment officers and persons claiming to be
sucn, and trust it will be had at this session.
Impressment should be apport;oned according to
the Quantities on hand 10 each neghborhood,
leaving a portion TO eaca farmer, to 20 disposed
OF Tor the inhabitants Of the cities and The poor
OF the country. Ii any ether system be adopted
distr-ss, dissatisfaction and Starvation will b.
inevliable.
The nsrDorlng of deserters, and the aid exten-
ded to them in facilitating their passage from
point to point on their Way home, il a most Sc
fious eVi ana iegis.alion Is imperativ ely 0eman-
Qen 1or Its CORRECTION.
DE- recommends an increase of the paw OF SOL
diers.g
Inc gains of extortioners since the war shou Id
DC ascerlalned, from which fund should be
created tor the reilef of the families OF our GAL
LIANT soldiers.
He renews his Recommendation OF the last ses-
session TOR an organization Of all able DO died
persons in our State, Tor the purpose of home
defence, and to aid, If necessary, III the execu-
ton of the laws.
He was opposed to the policy OF substitution,
but as it was adopted, he is opposed to violating
such contracts as nave been made by requiring
the principal to go into the service. Contracts
between governments and individuals should at
all times be held sacred and lnviolabie. N Gov
eminent winch violates them can long maintain
It's character Tor honor or integrity. When these
are forfeited by government, the public conf
denle III 1t Is at all end.
He recommends the use of free negro labor ex
clusiveiy IN the repair of our railroads.
OF the currency, he says that excessive issues
have caused distrust with tho people as to their
Citation and the enormous prices now demanded
for articles of prime necessity. Confidence must
ue restored ii moderate degree of wisdom ana
good sense shall control the action Of Congress
II the present session,
On the Zbtn day oi last M nth another call Far
nye thousand more slaves Was adcress.esa 60 me-
| Oy 5ae President. TINS eaiI an., the I,an.rs ae
company ing il are submitted for your exam
nation.
Inc people generally complain that the pro-
fis,.on Of the law, which requires the CoDeder-
ate Governnient TO pay the value of sacn slave
as may die, or be not returned to their owners,
has not been complied with, AMI they have no
| guarantee that slaves now sent, if lost, will be
| paid for. Th3 reason assigned to me for nom
| payment has been that Congress had made no
| appropriation Tor this object, aud that payment
co,.tu not be ,nade uItI bill appropriating the
amount necessary had become a law. Within
the last few days have been informed that it is
the opinion OF the War Department that all such
claims must he heard before the court of claims
when tiaI court shall be organized ; and that no
| pay meBts can be made without favorable iudg-
iienG oe pronounced by such tribunal. Such a
construction seems to me to be at war not only
with the spirit but also the letter of the law re-
curing the Executive TO comply with the Presi-
| uent's feQulsiiion.
Ii this the construction which is to be pia-
Cod Oh ths law, ii is not wonderful that dissat-
.sfaetlon and lndISpoSitlon to comply with the
acquisitions should be the consequence. A
slave lost in this service year ago could not
now be replaced at less than double the value
fixed at that day ; and II the demand OF his owner
Is postponed, until Court OF CLAIMS shall be or
galzed, it Is equivalent to nearly total loss
IL Is IN my Judgment the duty OF our Senators
anu Representatives III Congress to that an
appropriation Tor TINS purpose is made without
delay The people expect 1t, and their rsasona-
Ole expectation SHOULD not be disappointed in
tnis respect.
The entire funded debt Of the State on the lst
OF OctoDar, 1868, was $35, l45 ,79o So. For Inc
payment OF the interest ano the hnal redenp-
tIon OF the principal o.; this debt. the Const;tu-
ton OF the State his proviied sinking fund
which must extineulsh the whole III thirty tour
years IRON It's Creation and this fund has been
realizing the anticIpatloDs OF ITS founders, and
will accomplish the end in less lime. The tenn
porary debt created tor the purposes OF tbs war,
aG.i tor which treasury n ties have been issued
| amounts to the sum of 81 938, liz. For the
payment of this allfouns ample provision has
been made, THAT whenever LIE notes shall be
called IN they Will be promptly redeemed.
The amount received into the treasury from
all sources during the fiscal year has
been 1884 1895 81
Which, with the sum on hand
at the end OF the previous
fiscal year, 434 IT'S SO
MdhSS Ao,cV0,ttt RI
And the expenditures tor the
same period have been I5,484,7 10 Is
Leaving balance in the trea-
sury on the Ist of October,
1868, of ST, 1875 ,O04 %
Whlch with few warrants issued in tae year,
| and not collected, as is explained in the Audit
ors report, will make the actual balance 81, ,
1858 %.
The auditors estimate of the probable receipts
into the Treasury tor the fiscal year ending 3Oth
September, 1864, with the balance on baud at the
commeDcemeTf OF the year, is $40 .o66 ,5d2 81 |;
aud his estimates for he probable charges upon
treasury for the same year Is ST., 49, 1873 IS ;
which for tie present fiscal year Will ieave bal
ance against the treasury OF 81 IA 2ol II.
Than Virginia no State has been more loyal,
more faithful, more devoted. None has con-
| tributed more literally in means and men-none
has barred her breast more boldly or defantly TO
the storm and none has sent her ssreapers to the
| harvest of death" with mure self sacrificing de-
votion than the Commonwealth of Virginia
She enlisted the war after full consideration,