Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-06-12

most wholly absorbed by the duties o1
his profession, but upon the approach Of
the eventful canvass of 1874, neither his
own feelings nor those of his friends
would permit him to remain inactive,
or even mere ordinary participant in
the contest. Early in the spring of that
year he resumed his position as editor OF
the Valley Star.
Again Mr.. Letcher's achievements
fully equalled, if not exceeded, all his
promises, and all that the most exacting
could expect or require of him. Not
only was his pen busily and effectively
employed upon the columns of the Star,
but he again traversed the Valley of
Virginia, speaking repeatedly in the
| ''Tenth LEGION" Augusta, Rockbridge,
Botetourt and Montgomery counties and
crossing the Blue Ridge to meet his fell
low citizens in Campbell and the ada
cent counties. In these political forays
he met in isharp encounter with such
gentlemen as Stuart and Niche, of Au-
gusta county; Seymour, of Hardy; Jo-
seph X. Irving, of Amherst; Sherrard
and Barton, of Frederick; and upon all
occasions sustained himself to the joy
GUS satisfaction of his political friends.
Mr.. Letcher was conspicuously jealous
for the advancement of Southern inter-
ests. He bOasted through the columns
Of the Star that it was a source of pride
that he had been the fast friend of the
annexation of Texas from its first sCg-
gestion !; and the fluctuations of hope and
fear were vividly depicted in the col
umns of his journal.
We have thus traced Mr.. Letcher's
status and sentiments as a party and
Southern man to the year 1916. The
necessary limit of this article will not
permit us to follow him through the
ceaseless and ardent efforts of the last
year of his editorship on behalf of
State Convention and constitutional re-
form. Nor will we turn aside here to go
over the refutation already given the
absurd imputations upon him in con-
nection with the ''Ruffner" outbreak of
1S47. Mr. Letcher had nothing what.
ever to do with it, and during its pro-
gress he never uttered or endorsed
word or sentiment that could give Just
cause of offence to the most sensitive
spirit.
Our remaining space allows us to al
lude merely to the great public services
in which he has been engaged for many
years. In 1S49 he was nominated for
Presidential elector by the State Demo
cratic Convention, and, having accept
ed the position, discharged his duty with
characteristic fidelity aud zeal. He was
elected, and thus endorsed by his party.
When the Convention to remodel the
State Constitution was called he became
a candidate, and having actively can
vassed the district composed of the coun-
ties of Rockbridge, Augusta, and High
land, was triumphantly elected by
majority of mere than l 200 votes The
district was overwhelmingly Wing, but
it is proper to say that party politics
were discarded from the election. His
course in the Convention gave entire
satisfaction to his constituents, and add
ed greatly to his growing reputation for
talent, energy, industry, and all the
sterling qualities which constitute the
valuable and reliable public servant.
In the fall of 1851, in October. Mr.
Letcher having been nominated for
Congress by a Democratic Convention,
was elected without opposition He was
also re elected to Congress three times
without regular opposition, aud his
course not only confirmed him in the
esteem and regard of his own party, but
rendered him almost universally popu-
lar with political friends and foes alike.
Not only was he thus rewarded by the
increasing hold which he had gained in
the confidence and affection of people at
home, but we may safely say that his |
eminent public services, his industry,
fidelity, punctual attention in commit
tee room, in the hall of the House of
Representatives, his quickness, skill
and ability as debater, and his prompt
ness to defend Southern rights and in
terests, gained him most enviable and
national reputation. In fact, Mr. Letch.
er had no superior In the House of Rep
resentatives.
After representing his district in Con-
gress for eight years, he was presented,
by the nomination of the Democratic
party of Virginia, as their candidate for
Governor, aud after an active canvass,
was elected over Hon. William l.. Cog
gin, in May, 1859. His term commenced
lst of January, 1860, and closed 1st JAN
uary, 1854. The war commenced the
18th day of April, 1861, and continued
throughout his administration. His
course during the war in standing up
for the honor and rights of his State,
rendered him so obnoxious to the North
ern war party, that on the 18th of June,
1864, after his term as Governor had ex-
pired, and while he was private citi-
zen, his dwelling with the household
and other property, was entirely de-
stroyed by fire, by order of Gen. Hun
ter, then in command of the Federal
army. His wife, children and servants
were turned into the street without
change of clothing of any kind.
After the surrender at Appomattox,
Gov. Letcher was arrested by order of
the Secretary of War, and taken under
guard to Washington city, and inn
prisoned for two months and upwards
in the "CarrolP' an "Old Capitol" pris-
on. No reason was assigned for the ar
rest and imprisonment, although the
Secretary of War was appealed to, to
furnish charges, if any had been, or
were intended to be preferred against
him. No response was ever made to
these appeals, but so far as he knows,
he was arrested and imprisoned without
the assignment of a cause, and released
from prison, without giving an expla-
nation. He was directed to return to
his home in Virginia by the same road
he had been taken to Washington city,
make weekly report to the President,
remain at his home and keep quiet. He
was not to leave his county without OBJ
tanning the permission of the President
first. He was thus kept confined to the
limits OF the county for more than a
year, and although he applied twice for
leave to go to other counties to attend
courts, where fees were offered for his
professional services, it was found con-
venient to delay answers in both cases
until the courts had adjourned.
From January 1st, 1864, he remained
in private life, until his election, two
years ago, to the House of Delegates of
Virginia.
How TO oSLEEP.-Various have been the
methods adopted for courting "balmy
sleep" by afflicted humanity, none Of
which have proven satisfactory. Who
Is IL That has not lain for hours counting
biack sheep jumping fence till he has
reached the millions, or hundred back
wards till his head would swim, vainly
endeaVOrinV tn win th q sssxuoot rostoror u