The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-02-25
LETTER FROM LEXINGTON.
Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
spEEcH OF EX-GOVERNOR LETcHER TO THF
FREEDMEN OF RoCKBRIDGE-ANNIVE
RY OF WASHINGTON SOCIETY.
LEXINGTON, February ed, 1869.

After few pleasant remarks the Cover
nor said that he had come to make them q
plain talk, such as they could understand.
The different professions of this town, and
of the whole State, are dependent upon
each other. The lawyer can't get along
without the mechanic, the mechanic with
out the merchant, or either without the
farmer-and DICE versa. Ii would be the
height of folly for these classes to fall out
and oppose each other. Or if the members
OF the same family, instead Of working to-
gether for the common veal, should quarrel
among themselves, what bad consequences
would result. Just 80 with the whites and
blacks. We arc here in the same State
we expect to live together, and we must
consult each others interests, or disaster
to both will ensue.
The Governor bore willing testimony to
the general good conduct Of the negroes
during the war. When, as Executive of
the State, he summoned them to work on
Notifications, they did their duty well, and
while our men were in the army-contrary
to the expectations and wishes of our enc
mies--our colored people remained quiet
and faithful. "Honor to whom honor is
due" He alluded especially to Patrick"
who used to belong to him. He had served
him faithfully and honestly, and Patrick
knew that his old master would divide his
last crust with him. Now, shall this good
feeling continue? BY all means let ii
be 80. We need laborers, and you need
employers. Will you trust US as your
friends, or will you believe the SLAM
ders circulated to our prejudice by
designing men? To illustrate who were
their real friends the Governor cited the
great emancipation case Of Charlton Us.
Eunioe," which was tried in Rockbridge in
ls47. After the passage Of the Connect
cut emancipation act Yankee ran some
negroes from that State to Rockbridge and
sold them. Governor Letcher and other
Rockbridge lawyers took up their case
without fee or reward, and Rock
bridge jury found verdict giving
them their freedom. He was also counsel
in o similar case in Rockingham, and with
like result. Our people have shown them
selves the true friends Of the negro. We
are unwilling to have the races mixed, but
we are ready to promote by all means in
our power the real interests Of the colored
man. Let it be understood that the whites
and blacks aoho liVe here have identical in
terests. Be kind to us and we will be kind
to you. Help US and we will help you.
The Radicals have no interest in the negro
further than they can use him to get into
Office. The Governor gave the carpet bag
gers and scalawags skinning, which the
negroes seemed to enjoy very much, and
held up to the light their keeping all the
offices that will pay for themselves. He
avowed his decided preference for negroes
over these cattle, and said that he had
much rather sit in Congress with Nash or
DR.. Bayne than with their opponents.
He spoke as disinterested "looker-
on" He could not vote and could not hold
Office. And he deemed himself fortunate
that he could not if it would force him to
that den Of iniquity in Washington, one of
whose leaders could truthfully conjugate
steal, you steal, ace all steal"
He had been raised among these colored
people; he had, when boy, played marbles
with some of them, Here I" John Calais !"
tcolored) interrupted to say, " It is report
ed round here, Governor, that Won and
used to play marbles together on Sandau-
but that amt 80, is it II and he knew that
they would believe him when he assured
them that he had their true Interests 81
Il heart. Let us, then, work together in har-
mony and peace, and we can yet make our
olo State prosperous, and leave our chill
dren rich legacy. 49,
The above is very imperfect sketch Of
this able, earnest, and telling spesob
which was frequently interrupted by An,
piause and many expressions Of approba-
non peculiar to the race. AT the conclusion
Q, the exercises Rev. Barnett (colored) re-
turned thanks to the speakers for their
couneels, and urged his brethren to heed
ana put Thorn into immediate practice.
IL 10 worthy Of remark that though there
was suspension Of lectures in both the Col.