The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-18
DESERVES TO OCCUPY THE HIGH
EST NICHE.

II tho resolution OF Senator Hartman
inviting and requesting all the states
( OF the Southern Confederacy to have
executed statues of their war Governors
Tor erection In Capitol square prevails
1t would be well for Virginia to set
practical example. and lead on by erect
ing there statue to her war Cover
nor. Honest John Letchcr. the ante
bellum watchdog OF the Federal treas
ury.' Indeed, whether or not any of
her sister States of the Confederacy
respond. Virginia owes such a tribute
TO the memory of John Lctchcr--owes
10 herself such recognition of his ser
vices. his devotion to her. and his
lofty patriotism. Amid all the intense
excitement antedating and incident to
INC breaking out of the war, John
Letchcr was about tho most self-poiscd
of Virginia publicists. and proved him
self one of the nobIest Romans of them
all. He was opposed to secession. but
granite i'm his conviction as to Nir-
Einia's right to exercise IT, under the
reservation she made III ner compact
ratifyns the Federal Constitution: and
In most memorable debate I'm Con-
gross, when the war cloud first began
to threaten seriously. he boldly and de-
hant!y warned the North that should
1t ignore that reservation o. infringe
upon the compact Virginia ana the 9TH
er States would seek to vindicate the
right. so far the said. as the South
Is concerned, sir, l tell YOU now what
have no doubt Will be fact-what [
If you (the Republicans) should have
power here and undertake. to pass
measures to carry on, ~ principles
which YOU profess. YOU would find that
We had spirit enough 10 separate from
you, and make IN effort. at least. to
take care of ourselves" Were not these
words prophetic?
And again. in reply 10 the question.
What measurcs?": IF you undertake
to repeal the fugitive slave law and
deprive US of the means Of recovering
our property when it is stolen from us,
IL you undertake 10 abolish slavery in
the District of Columbia. ana prohibit
legislation. YOU will nnd the South. ir
IT has n particle OF self respect--and Il
know that II has-will be prepared to
resist any and all such measures" In
TINS John lctcher did not stand for the
institution Of slavery per Sc. but for
the right of slavery in It's aspcct of
guarantee and recognition of state.
sovereignty. as nominated in the bond.
John l-ctohcr was Nrgrnia's first war
Governor. he was in Office when hostili
ties We're procip!tatcd, being succeeded
towards the close OF tile struggle by
that old game cock, Extra Billy
smith, as President Lincoln termed the
latter. in an interview with Judge
Thomas. Mayor Joseph Mayo and others.
when tho keys OF the city were sur
rendered. So long rs Virginia was in
the Union he sternly crowned down any
overt act against Federal authority. or
which was calculated to arouse further,
public passion or Increase Irritation.
Upon the seizure Of several North
crn schooncrs in the James River. he
ordered their release: upon
the hosting of Secession" nag
over the Capitol buildng by some hot
headed and overzealous secessionist, he
snmmarily ordered it torn down" by
member of the Public Guard.
When the question whether the Statei
should withdraw ana join her South
crn sisters in taking care oil them
selves" was trembling m the balance