Gov. Letchee and reconstruction.
At a recent meeting in the city of New York the famous Fernando Wood made a speech, in which he intimated that he had the assurance of prominent Southern men that the reconstruction of the Union was a possible event under Democratic auspices, and that the South might be propitiated by the dominance of that party in the North. A correspondent of the Philadelphia Inquirer, in alluding to this speech of Wood, sought to connect Governor Letcher's name with the prominent Southern men referred to. This letter of the Inquirer's correspondent was noticed in the Whig of Monday, and yesterday's number of that journal contains the following letter from his Excellency the Governor. Executive Dep't, December 8, 1862.
To the Editor of the Whig:
I have read your editorial in the Whig of this morning, and return you my thanks for your prompt and emphatic denial of the allegation that I was favorable to a reconstruction of the Union.
My opinion upon this subject has been freely expressed on all proper occasions — in messages, in proclamations, and in conversation.
I quote from my message of January 6th, 1862:
‘"The occurrences of the past nine months have demonstrated conclusively that we cannot live together as equals under the Government of the United States; and the habitual violation of the previsions of the Constitution, and the open disregard of the laws by President Lincoln and his officials, render governmental association between us impossible.
Mutual respect between the citizens of the Southern Confederacy and those of the North has ceased to exist.
Mutual confidence has been succeeded by mutual distrust, and mutual good will by mutual aversion.
No Government can be enduring which does not possess the affection and respect of the governed.
It cannot be that the people of the Confederate States can again entertain a feeling of affection and respect for the Government of the United States.
We have therefore separated from them; and now let it be understood that the separation 'is and ought to be final and irrevocable — that Virginia' will, under no circumstances, entertain any proposition, form any quarter, which may have for its object a restoration or reconstruction of the late Union, on any terms or conditions whatever' "’
I quote also from my Proclamation, dated June 27th, 1862:
‘"The people of Virginia, by overwhelming majorities of their Convention and Legislature have solemnly announced to the world the purpose of this Commonwealth, under no conceivable circumstances again to acknowledge allegiance to, or unite the destinies of our people with, those of the United States."’
The course they pursued previous to the war was more than sufficient to justify our separation from them; but their disgraceful violations of the Constitution, and of plighted faith since the war; their utter perversions of truth; their reckless disregard of justice and of the rights of property, and their departure, in numerous instances, from the usages of civilized warfare; the invasion of our homes, and the murder of our peaceful citizens, render a connection with them in future tedious to our sense of honor and abhorrent to our feelings.
It has produced an estrangement as enduring as if there was an impassable gulf between us.
From the time Virginia seceded, I have always been opposed to reconstruction.
It only remains for me to add that I have no personal acquaintance with Mr. Fernando Wood, do not know that I have ever seen him, and have had neither correspondence nor communication, directly or indirectly with him, before or since this war commenced.
I state further, that I have had no communication, verbal or written, with any Northern man, upon this subject, since Virginia seceded. To the Editor of the Whig:
Respectfully.
John Letcher.
John Letcher.
