Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1864-03-18

w men prepared my inaugural Message
year ago, 1t was IN anticipation of just such
as we are now Witnessing. urged the call
| of Convention Of allhe States. as means
of adjusting the controversy between the
North and South, and if my recommends
ton had been assented to in both Sections of
the Union, the results now SO much deplor~
ed, by all true patriots, would have been
avoided. Such at least is my opinion.
am quietly and calmly awaiting devel-
opments, determined 10 do my duty, in pro-
tecting the rights, interests and honor of
Virginia. Whatever the Legislature (Which
meets on the 7th Of january shall deters
mine upon, will be promptly and faithfully
carried out by me, as the Executive Of the
STATIC.
This letter, frankly written, is for your
self, and not for the public
Mrs Letcher desires to be most kindly
Remembered to yourself, Mrs. Glover and
your family. Present to them my regards
Truly your friend.
(oigned) JOHN LETcnER.
Rev. L. ?. Glover, Sprin zfeld. Ill.
SpgIsGFIELD, ILLINOIS,
Dec. 20, 1860.
Ny DEAR SIR The receipt Of Eour very
kind letter was most gratifying to ne and
to my family. hrs Clover. particularly,
was pleased to hear Of the health and pros
perity of yourself and Mrs. fletcher In
dioations since the receipt Of your letter ap-
pear to confirm, I am sorry to find, the cor
treetness of your view about secession.
Though your letter was partially Of a
private nature, I took the liberty to show
lit to Mr.. Lincoln. and o few other intimate
friends. It's reference to a probable dis
union saddened all. Mr.. Lincol.., after
perusing it carefully, asked ne, referring
to that part Of it touching upon the person
! al liberty bills, if did not think it iilogi-
cal or unjust to hold him in any way re-
sponsible. This | refer to more parsicu-
larry. as it evidently made a. strong. inn
preston upon him, and as::his home organ.
the Journal, Immediately after repudiated
Wentworth, of Chicago and taose who
sympathize with him, in the strongest man
ner. | sent you copy Of the Register
containing comments upon the article Of the
Journal, but did hot send the Journal, as
I was in doubt whether you wished to re-
ceive it. [ trust you will nas disapprove
of my having shown your letter to Mr..
Lincoln: my motive was good. and the eff
feet. | think, favorable.
IF Mr.. Lincoln is allowed to carry out tue
promptings Of his better judgment he will
be found a friend to the South, though he
is, am sorry tosay, besetby unwise coun-
sellers.
That God will preserve the Union, is my
sincere prayer, but If necessity compels Sc
cession, the South will find many warm and
firm friends at the North.
Faithfully and respectfully yours,
T.. p. CLOVER
His Excellency, JOHN LErcuEn, Cover
nor Of Virginia.
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA,
Dec. 25'h, 1860.
My DEAR SIR:-T received your letter OF
the goth instant this morning and though
much pressed with official business, I feel
it to be a duty to reply at once.
lam not dissatisfied with your course in
exhibiting ny letter to Mr.. Lincoln. In a
time like this, wflsn the Government is
falling to pieces, and a financial storm,
which threatens ruin and bankruptcy, is ra-
ging around US, weigh my words we'll be-
fore they are placed on paper. 1t is erimi-
nal in any man to conceal or mlsrepresent
the truth, when our country is in the throes
Of revolution. Whatever write to you,
vi be what reIigiously believe to be
true.
Iregard the Government now as doomed
beyond contingency, to destructio n. L
it noe melancholy to think. that this noble
fabric, reared by tie. wisdom and patriotisn
Of our revolutionary fathers, Is to be &C.
strcyed merely because the people Of eigh.
teen States hate adomestic institution which
exists in. the other fifteen Yet 50 it IS
and while we deplore it, nothing bat Di
vine Providence can avert the result
We have not the wisdom, the prudence
and the patriotism to reconstruct the fabri,
as it came TO US. We shall get it agar
when the sun shall so back to the dial o
Ahaz"
slWhen earth cities have no sound or tread,
| "When ships are drifting with the dead,
stTo shores where al is dumb"
I have lost all hope, as / see no DISPOSE
ton in the free States to adjust the contro-
yersy. We have just heard from Wash
| ington that the Republicans have presented
their ultimatum, and | say to you, in sin.
certify ana sorrow, that it viii neves be as.
secuted to. believe ninety-nipe men out
Of every hun ired ia Virginia will repudiate
! it with scern. Conservative as | ara, and
laboring as have been for months to Sc
cure an adjustment, before I will assent to
that proposition I will welcome civil war
with allitss horrors. It would be dishonor-
able in the South to accept il. and my mot
to is ''death before dishoner.
AS the Executive Of Virginia, feel the
responsibility oelny position, and trust
have due appreciation of if. I am now
directing all my efforts to prepare her for
the sure protection Of her honor. her rights
and her institutions. have succeeded in
getting my military operations in avery
satisfactory condition. We have now (and
every dsy adds 70 the numner> - GONNA.