Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1865-10-10
From tn Wheeling Inteiligencer.
Letter from Hon. John B. Baldwin.
STAUNToN, Sept. 18th, l

tuiU1S III VIC ' anu Oh iiOh1 oHoA0 ~
Richmond, and as to the real feelings of the
people, and how they are affected toward the
Government"
You express desire and purpose to use
your ''pen and press 10 the best interests OF
a right restoration," and you invite me to
write you ga full, free and frank letter, to- be
used in promoting the cause of Union which
you trust we both have at heart"
accept your invitation i'll the spirit in
which it is given, and will write you truly
the results of my personal observation, and of
an extensive Intercourse with persons of in
telligence from many parts of the State.
l. AS TO SECESSION.
Opposition to the authority of the United
States is completely at an end in Virginia ];
and | doubt if there can be found in the State
a man, woman or child who thinks it either
practicable or desirable to renew it in any
form.
The supremacy of the National Constitu
ton and law is as thoroughly felt and ac
knowledged in Virginia as 10 any part Of the
Union, and there is no more necessity for an
armed force to maintain the authority Of the
Government here than there is In any Nor
thern or Western State.
The central idea which now controls in the
public opinion of Virginia is, that the Union
must be regarded as fixed and enduring fact,
and that everything of value in our future
that depends upon Government or Nationality
is rnseparably connected with the peace, pros
perity and success of the United States
This belief is universal, earnest and prac-
tical. So much so that, if we could now
have free election without restriction as to
the right to vote or to be voted for, no man
who does not entertain it, aud intend in go)d
faith to act upon it, could be elected to Office
of any kind in any part Of Virginia.
The pretence that elections thus far held
IN Virginia have tarned upon "Unionism" or
"secessionism," or that those now pending
are likely to be SO Influenced, is a mere de-
vice cf office-seekers to appropriate to them
selves all the merit of the one and to throw
upon their competitors all the odium Of the
other. Among the most active in the resort
to this expedient are well known secessionists
who, under the "Confederacy," used it with
the ends reversed.
We have, as yet, no party divisions in Vir-
ginia, and our elections necessarily turn upon
the personal popularity OF Candidates, all of
whom profess substantially the same opinions
and purposes in regard to public affairs
Under such crcu instances, it will not, think,
be deemed unnatural or improper that our
people should be Influenced by sympathies
aud preferences which have grown up In the
progress Of the trials and suferings through
which they have SO recently passed.
2. AS TO SLAVERY.
The people of Virginia do not believe that
the dealings of the government with slavery
have been either just or expedient or that
tue interests Of either master or slave will be
promoted thereby. Tney look forward with
painful apprehension &C. the future of a COM
munty whose industrial system has been so
recklessly overtLrown, and of helpless race
who have had freedom thrust upon them with
cut preparation for its duties or responsible
ties, and are thus, without fault of their own,
handed over to want, suffering and probable
extinction.
They are satisfied, however, that the mis.
chief IS already practically done, and that any
attempt to rerace the steps which have been
taken would be wholly impracticable, and
could only serve to increase the trouble and
confusion which are now impending You
may, therefore, expect, with confidence, that,
so far from seeking to obstruct measures deem
ed proper 10 complete the work Of freeing the
slaves, the people of Virginia will promptly
do all that may be necessary on their part to
carry 1t into full effect, and to make it, as far
as practicable, beneficial to all concerned.
To establish system of free labor by
which these s'Freedmen" may be saved from
the poverty and misery which will naturally
attend upon their Want of industry and thrift,
will require great good sense and much kind
ness and forbearance. Fortunately for them
and for the cause Of humanity, it is not true,
as has been charged, that the white people of
Virginia have any feeling of hatred or ill-will
toward them-or any disposition to deprive
them, by legislation or otherwise, of the sub
stantal benefits of freedom. Indeed the re
latlohs between the two races are still marked
by the mutual kinoness which. has always at
tended their intercourse, and which, in view
of all the disturbing influences which have
been brought to bear, may be regarded as tru-
ly wonderful,
The effect Of freedom upon the character
auu couuucL VI Tue negro Is yet 10 De seen,
and it will require time and experience to de-
termine how far it will be either wise or safe
to confer upon him additional rights or priv
ileges, civil, social or political.
3. "a RIGHT RESTORATION"
If | am right in what | have said, it would
seem to follow that the difficulties in the way
Of f-restoring Virginia at once to all her rela-
tions with the Federal Government are, so far
as her people are concerned, purely imagina-
ry.
On this subject you may rely with entire
confidence upon the truth of the following
1. That the people of Virginia are now
fully prepared In good faith and upon earn
est convictions of duty and interest, to take
upon themselves all the obligations, and to
perform all the duties which justly belong to
them as citizens of the United States
2. That our Courts Of Justice and Police
now organized according to the Constitution
and laws of Virginia, are as fully competent
In adminiStar iretico ond to maintain ordor