The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-27
A NOBLE vIRGINIAN DEAD.
Honest John Letchcr Tsrcnfhes His
Last at His Home fn Lexington.
A Peaceful End Meeting or the Citizens 10
Take Appropriate Action-ArranGe-
ments FOR the Funeral.
Especial telegram 10 The DIspatch.I


rounded by all the members Of his family.
Hts Illness had been OF long duration, but
he died calmly and without any apparent
pain. A 4 Getting of the citizens has been
called to take appropriate action on ms
death. The Franklin Society and the
Town Council convened this afternoon
and adopted resolutions suitable To the oc-
casion. The bar will also be called To-
gether ut an early day to commemorate
their respect and esteem for the memory
OF the illustrious dead.
The funeral will take place on Monday
the 18th, and II is probable that several
military companies from other portions OF
| the State, in addition to the corps OF Ca
diets OF the Virginia Military Institute, VIII
take part in the ceremonies. The Mayor
has issued q proclamation requesting the
stores and places OF business generally In
the town to close on the day appointed Tor
the funeral.
sketch of His Cnrcrr-EarIy Life-Services
OH the stump and in Conaress-As war
Governor of Virginia.
[Jobn Letcher was OF the grandest type
of self-made men, and stands forth bright
example OF what honesty, answering
can accomplish in the race OF life. John
J.etcher was born in Lexington, Rock
bridge county, Va, March 30, 1913. His
pareRts were but poorly of in worldly
goods, but OF that sturdy stock for which
that section Of the country was famous.
His father was William Letcher. His
mother was Houston, near relative OF
General Sam Houston. Young Letcher
commenced life with the necessity of toll
staring him in the face, but with an insa-
tate craving for the scholars gown. His
home was within the shadow OF one OF the
most venerable seats OF learning in the
country, and his earliest associations were
with students. What these latter could
have for the asking he knew he had
| TO labor YEARLY to obtain. Education
was the goal always before him, and
with honest, generous, strong heart he
addressed himself TO the task OF reaching
it. At the age of fifteen we lind him work
ing at trade. but devoting all OF his spare
time to books. Unceasing labor brought
him limited means. and little later he en-
tered Washington College. now Washing
ton and Lee University, where he acquired
the foundation OF 4 solid classical educa-
ton. His penchant was, however, for
| law, and upon leaving college in 1886 he en-
tered the law office of the late Hon. William
Taylor. Here he remained until about
1889. when he was licensed to practice,
but while diligent in acquiring legal lore
he continued course OF classical and
general studies, always keeping in view
the great principal eXempitied at every
period Of his life that knowledge is power.
While pursuing his legal studies John
Letcher was frequent contributor to the
old Richmond Enquirer, the FincaStle
| Democrat, and other Democratic papers,
and in 1889 established the Valley Star,
which he edited with ability until 1910.
At the bar he rose rapidly. and rctentiye
memory. u clear, analytical mind, and Il
careful habit OF observation enabling him to
grasp in their most comprehensive cOndi-
lions the relations OF his profession 10 the
great issues Of the day, ii is no wonder
that he soon became prominent in the po-
! litica arena as public debater and can
vasser. AS far back a. 1910 we hear Of
him in the thickest OF the fight, riding side
! by side with, or opposed to, the strongest
intellects OF the period and meriting and
receiving the warmest recognition OF friend
and foe alike. Plain. practical, solid, and
frank OF speech OH the stump a. in private.
!
| ALWAYS commanded the respect OF even his
bitlerest political opponents.
In 1914 John Letcher resumed the edi-
torship Of the Valley Star, doing memora-
bic work in the canvass OF that year with
both pen and voice. In 1913 he was elected
presidential electOr on the Democratic
ticket. and when the Convention OF 1850
was called TO remodel the State Constitu-
4. hos OH l.x.u
ity OF over I. 300, although his district was
| strongly Whig. His labors in the Convention
were marked by distin guished ability, and
in 1851 he was elected to Congress without
opposition, where he continued to serve
for four successive terms. As q member
, Of the United States House OF Representa-
tiyes John Letcher made 4 national repu-
! tation-a reputation than which no man in
i'm the nation has a more enviable one.
Though never an originator OF great mea-
sures, he welded moral influence that few
politicians can boast Of. He was of tru b
a sentinel in the watch-tower OF the Consti-
tutIon-a Watchdog at the gates Of liberty.
whom none could pass unchallenged. His
political creed was, " strict construction,
frugality in public expenditure, honesty in
the public servant" These principles
1
the greatness OF the country, the rights Of
the people. and the safety OF his native
state. From this position he swerved
neither to the right nor the left, and it was
his unbcnding adherence to il that gained
for him the proud SOubriquet OF "HOnest
John" Seldom wropg-headed. and never
WrOng-hearted. he commanded the homage
and admiration OF the good and the true
throughout the nation.
But after all it was when John Letcher
was called to the highest place within the
Gift OF the people OF Virginia that he de-
yeloped his grandest characteristics. He
was elected Governor over William L..
Goggin in 1859, and took his seat January
/, 1860. at one OF the most trying periods
i'm the history OF the Commonwealth. Very
soon the fires OF secession were lighted
throughout the length and breadth OF the
southern land. and popular clamor within
and without her borders demanded that
Virginia should be hurled into the vortex
OF disunion. Governor Letcher was a
Union man. Calmly, sorrowfully-cring
ingly, partisanship charged-he sur
viewed the situation, looking into the future
with an almost prophetic vision, and amid
the passions OF the hour cOunselled mode
ration, forbearance, and Cancellation. He
loved the Union with a deep, absorbing
love. But when the issue came between
honor and dishonor; after Virginia had
sued peace and compromise almost on
Bonded knees; when she had thrown her.
sell into the breach and been insultlngly
rebufIed, then it was that the lamb became
the lions whelp. and Letcher raised the
rallying cry that was echoed and reechoed
| n 'TGnnpgSna
and from the Potomac to the borders
| M 4 fhnf