Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1869-02-23
The New Movement.
Letter from Ex-Governor Letcher.

| .IE ~
b99s.I ha LEXINGTON, Va, Feb. 10th, 1862
Editor Of the Fredericksburg Nes0s, ,,.e ~. 4
Accept my thanks for the numbers Of the
'tNesgs" you were kind enough to send me.
l concur fully In your views, In regard to
what is very improperly called The New
Movement" It is neither New Movement,
nor Virginia Movement The movement
originated. apprehend, in the State OF New
York and was broached In our State In the
month OF September last, by d New York gem
flenan of considerable Observation-Disclosures H.
Day, Esq. la 43..l13 6. .5,enss sdn
During the month of September. last, when
our Circuit Court was In session, Mr.. Day visit
Ell this place, aud held conversations with the
writer and others, in which he urged that We
should prepare address TO the people OF V lr-
ginia, advocating the doctrine OF Universal
Suffrage, taking care In the address to show
that We wanted negro suffrage, especially. 1t
was urged, by pursuing this policy, we would
secure the confidence of This large class, bind
them to u.s. and thus control theIt votes In all
subsequent elections. And 1t was also urged,
that such a declaration at that time would aid
very greatly III securing the election OF Governor
Seymour to the Presidency. ag5g sa' s.Il
For reasons which | then assigned somewhat
at length. (but which it is not necessary to state
u.
movement. After [ had declined, he then
stated that he had conversed with Others two
Of whom are on this Committee of Nine, who
declined the proposition for substantially the
same reasons that | had given, and that he
| would return home, greatly disappointed In the
object of his visit. -as4f & Mlae ~tHrnS
AT the time, SO far as know, our people
were united-utterly opposed to asking Con
gress to impose Negro Suffrage upon the
Country, with or without the qualification Of
"Umversal Amnesty
This movement is, in my view, extremely un-
Just to the distinguished gentlemen who were
selected as our Conservative standard bearers
in this State. They were placed in the field,
made the canvass greatly to the satisfaction of
the Conservative party, and their conduct, the
opinions they then expressed, and the principles
| hey then avewed were received everywhere
| as sound and orthodox by those whom they
| protested to represent. What has since occurr
| ed to justify any portion of the Convention that
nominated them toseek now to repudae them,
| their principles, andith policy? lrr i
| General Lee is said to endorse this New
| York Movement-so badly christened as a
| New Movement 1t is strange that those
| who live in the same town with him should
| know nothing of it, If it be SO. have had no
conversation with him, but feel persuaded II
he had endor ed the views of these volunteers,
| some body would have been able to state when
and where this endorsement was given.
| The only effect of this movement is to divide
and distract the Conservative party OF Virginia,
and thus render US an easy prey to our enemies.
| [ have no idea such was the purpose, but yet
such is the effect.
| Having no vote-not being eligible to Office
and being of that class known as ''lndepend
| ent outsiders" have chosen to respond thus
| frankly to your wishes.
| [ am truly, your friend,
| a JOHN LETCHER.