Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-23
LINCOLN AND MILROT.
GOVERNOR LETCnER,S. SPECIAL MESSAGE TO
TIE GENERAL ASSEMBLY RELATIVE TO TIE
EMANCIPATION PRoCLAMATIoNs.

| EMANCIPATION PRoCLAMATIoNs.
On Monday last, GovernVr' Letcher sent commune
cation to the General Assembly relative TO the Emanci-
patton Proclamation of Abraham Lincoln, and the more
recent Proclamation of R. H. MlrOy, Brigadier General
commanding at Winchester, dated 9th instant The
Governor sitter stating that he had transmitted copy
of the latter to the two Houses "for such action as may
be deemed appropriate" proceeds as follows:
Abraham Lincoln in violation Of all the principles Of
humanity and Of the nObler and more generous inpul-
ses of nature, in disregard Of all social moral and
political obligations which should influence a Just and
wise ruler and in utter desution Of all those virtues
which should adorn husband, a father and a citizen
and in Wanon heedessuess Of the peace the happiness
and even the lives Of thousands Of innocent and pnO
Tending women and children has issued proclamation
bearing date January LIST, instant, from which take
this paragraph; t...- ...,..s 30. ;-.af --.
1.-THE paragraph quoted IS that declaring the negroes
free and Ordauiug that the military and naval author
ties shall maintain them in any effort they may make
for their active freedom.
No public man In our country has exhibited such de-
Drayity: no statesman has shown such abandonment
of moral principes American citizen, John
Brown has displayed atrocous a spirit is mani
tested in this proposition. This INSCRIPTIONS man. feel
ing that Ire cannot cope with the Southern armyn fair
battle aided with all the advantages that he has pos
SesSed la numbers, m improved arms, In Supphe5 and
munitions of war Of all kinds, sInartng under the nu-
merous reverses and defeats that his army has suffered
in moment of desperation, seeks to excite seryile in
,urrection aud delugv Southern soil in blood
The Covernog comments further upon the atrocOus
proclamation. exposing the-hpPosrisy and -unagnisy
of It's promulgator. lie then presents the following
graphic description of the warfare conducted by the
Yankees:
From the beginning of this ~ to the present mo.
ment President Lincoln and his ahoined officers Butler
Pope Mcneil, Mlroy and Others that might be named
have pro secuted t with msiguy and feroeity that
would have better bee sdyHges than civilized
Rapiue arson and iuhuuanity have bazoned the path
y,ys OF their army through the South. Nothing has
been regarded sufficiently sacred TO preserve IL from
spoatOn Whatever OF value that lay in their way has
been unhesatingy appropriated TO their own useand
whatever cherished memorial OF the past or
commemorative Of the virtues deeds OF noble
aud Industrious ancestor has been seized aud carried
away The records Of cOurts-the muniments of
title showing right to our landed estares-and the
wills OF distinguished dead have been distracted
DESTROYED Even the tOnbstOues that mark the resting
naes of our Ilnsrious ancestors have been muiated
aud in many instances removed Churches consecrated
to the worship of the living God have been shameinAy
Decorated and prosituted. The sacred volume could
not escape their destroying hands The house in which
Washington the Father ofhis Country married before
being gwen the hames pundered Of its marble
hcarthstones which we're broken pieces and the fag
meuts seat the North The sacred obligations which
Masonry and 0dd-elowship impose upon their members
have been dsregarded and the Lodges in the South
have been stripped Of everything valuable BY our North
ern asSaians wherever they coud find them. The Van
dal was humane noble in spirit, generous in uA-
ture and Christian at heart, in comparison with Lin
coin and his myrmidons.
Referring to the proclamation of Milroy the Govern
or says:
nj g &, 49, a..
proclamation of Lincoln and is characterised by the
anne feroeiouS and malignant spirit lie is, in all re-
specs suitable tool for the execution OF eXecrabe
work He follows the lead of his master and there
fore promises 10 maintain the freedom of the slave
urges a ready compliance with the proclamation OF Lin
con and admoniShes people that in they mani
fest disposition 70 resist its enforcement, they will be
rrglrdc rebels in against the lawful authority
OF the Federal Government and dealt with accordingly
Tile officers ordered TO act in accordance with said
proclamation, and 40 yield their ready cooperation in
its enforcement
This action the part Of Niroy violates in the most
positive MANNER the provisions Of Act Of Assembly
which declares " if free person advise conspire
with IA slave to rebel make Instruction or with any
person. induce slaves to rebel raise insurrectiOn,
be shall De punished with DEATH whether such nsurrec
tOn or rebellion De made or not"
The Governor next refers to the execution of John
Brown and his guilty associates for the violation Of this
act Of the General Assembly and says that the only diff
ference between Brown and Lincoln consists in this the
former had a corporars guard Of followers to aid hin
the latter backed with his thousands Of hirlngs
Their objects the aud both alike guilty Of
attempting to excite servile insurrecon, etc" The
Governor quotes the statute prescribing the penalty for
stealing and carrying away slaves. He then proceed
This law has been violated almost every day since the
commenced by Lincoln aud his Sdherents, and the
time has when it must be respected aud upheld
The laws of Virginia, 30 long as they remain on our
statute books must be enforced within limits The
ony means of suppressg crime is to execute our laws
ngidly.
If Mr. Lincoln has not already learned the fact he
will do umc that his appeals 10 slaves will not
he responded to- IL is gratifying know that notwith
standing all his attempts involve them in serve strife
the end of which be their own destruction with
exceptions they remain loyal true and contented-
Seventy DAYS have elapsed since he proclaimed them
free and yet quietly and contenedly they pursue their
daily duties. His last desperate effort will prove sig
nal future in the accomplishment Of the object il was
designed 70 effect. IL will produce result however
little anticipated by him. II will ensure greater cor.
daity and unity throughout the South il this be posi-
bic than has existed before will arouse people 10
vigorous aud determined efforts in prosecuting the
war and it will inspire intensity OF hatred against
the old Union those who manage It. and the people who
live under H. that will never die. The institution of
slavery which be considered element Of weakness
has in fact, proved the bulwark Of the South.
The Governor quotes from the recent able and
excellent message" OF the President his alusohs to
Lincolns proclamation, and the announcement Of his
purpose "to deliver the several State authorities all
commissioned officers of the United States that may
hereafter be captured 30. The Governor closes as
follows
# these prisoners are turned to the State for
trial. the President suggests it will be necessary 10
amend our laws in regard trials that any Circuit
Court in the Commonwealth shall be invested with power
to besg cad determine all that may be brought
before it, This suggestion of the President accOrds
with my own views aud believing 1t TO be right ap.
pea you adopt such legislation will ensure fair
and s9cedy trial.
l trus, the General Assembly will, ct an early day
gee ernreselon 70 their views on the subjects have