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Staunton Spectator: April 9, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Approaching Canvass in Virginia
(Column 4)

Summary: Warns that the Secessionists will make a vigorous struggle in the Spring election and will, if victorious, claim a mandate for secessionist feeling in Virginia. The article cautions that Virginia could end up with two conventions claiming sovereignty and perhaps even a situation, as in Texas, where the Convention ousts the Governor. The article asks those of Union sentiment, be they Democrats or Whigs, to put aside party differences and elect men who have evinced a preference for the Union.

Origin of Article: Richmond Whig

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Writer states that the institution of slavery will be more threatened with disunion because the ability to have fugitives returned will be greatly hindered. This will cause slaves to flee in droves and will make their replacement difficult.

Origin of Article: Baltimore American

[No Title]
(Column 6)

Summary: A letter from a Louisiana parishioner of the late Rev. Thomas Castleman, formerly of Augusta County, praising the late Reverend's benefit to his parish.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Thomas Castelman)

The Infamy of Secession
(Column 6)

Summary: Denounces secessionists for precipitating the crisis now at hand. The article blames the secessionists for defeating the nomination of Douglas and for preventing the election of Bell for the purpose of getting Lincoln in office as a ready excuse for disunion.

Origin of Article: Knoxville Whig

Gov. Houston's Protest Against the Acts of the Texas Convention
(Column 7)

Summary: An excerpt from Gov. Houston's address to the people of Texas in review of the Convention that passed the Ordinance of Secession as well as his ouster as Governor. He states that he will make no endeavor to maintain his authority as Chief Executive and will leave the government in the hands of those who have usurped his authority. He states that he remains committed to the maintenance of the Union and the Constitution.

Warlike Rumors
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports rumors surrounding the suspicious movement of Federal troops. The Spectator suspects these troops are bound for Texas to reinforce the frontier against Indians and Mexicans.

From the South
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports the entrance of an unidentified ship into Charleston Harbor as well as the assembling of troops near Fort Pickens. The article also predicts an impending attack on Fort Sumter if it is not evacuated.

Conspiracy to Drag Virginia out of the Union
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports an attempt to bring together Virginia secessionists and Douglas Democrats to achieve secession. The Spectator believes that this plot will fail, especially since Douglas supporters do not blindly follow John Harman, who was the Douglas Elector for the Augusta district and who is part of the plot.
(Names in announcement: John Harman)

Immediate Secession
(Column 2)

Summary: A resolution offered in the Convention on Thursday called for the Convention to adopt an Ordinance of Secession and to submit it to the people in the May elections. The resolution was defeated 89 to 45.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that England and France have refused to recognize the Southern Confederacy.

Reasons for Opposing Immediate Secession
(Column 3)

Summary: Outlines reasons for staying in the Union unless the North refuses to concede the rights of the South.

Origin of Article: Clarksville (Tenn.) Chronicle

State of Affairs in Texas
(Column 3)

Summary: Bemoans the state of affairs in Texas, referring to the political situation as despotism.

Origin of Article: St. Louis Republican

Corporation Election
(Column 3)

Summary: Article reports the election results for the Corporation of Staunton.
(Names in announcement: N.K. Trout, R.W. Stevenson, W.S. Baylor, John Smith, M.G. Harman, H.M. Bell, E.M. Taylor, John Imboden, James Skinner, George Price, W.G. Sterrett, B.F. Points, W.H. Wilson, T.L. Harman, S.M. Yost)

Union and Secession Democracy
(Column 4)

Summary: States that the effort by secessionist Democrats to reconcile differences between themselves and Union Democrats will only be considered by the secessionists to have been successful if all parties become immediate secessionists.

Origin of Article: Rockbridge Democrat

Col. Baldwin's Great Speech Last Night
(Column 4)

Summary: Reports that Col. Baldwin gave a magnificent speech in Alexandria the previous night.
(Names in announcement: Col. John B. Baldwin)

Origin of Article: Alexandria Gazette

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: A letter nominating John B. Baldwin as a candidate for a seat in the Virginia Legislature
(Names in announcement: John Baldwin)

Trailer: One of the People

To the Farmers of Augusta County
(Column 5)

Summary: Letter writer puts forth the name of Maj. James Walker as a candidate for the Virginia Legislature.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Massie, Maj. James Walker)

Trailer: South River Farmers

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: Reports that rumors from Charleston intimate that there is danger of an imminent attack on Fort Sumter, but there does not appear to be any real basis for this belief.

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: Reports that four fugitive slaves were arrested in Chicago and returned to Missouri without any apparent excitement.

[No Title]
(Column 6)

Summary: Notes that four fugitive slaves from Mississippi were arrested in Chicago.

Married
(Column 7)

Summary: John Yago married Jane Joseph on March 28.
(Names in announcement: John Yago, Jane Joseph, C.B. Hammack)

Married
(Column 7)

Summary: Jacob Houseman married Mary Teaford on March 30.
(Names in announcement: Jacob Houseman, Mary Teaford, John Moyers)

Died
(Column 7)

Military Meeting
(Column 1)

Summary: Resolutions of the meeting of the West Augusta Guard expressing appreciation to the Ladies of Staunton for their fund raising fair.
(Names in announcement: Capt. William Baylor, Charles Arnall)

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Criticizes the seceded states for withdrawing from the Union without the approval of the people by popular vote.

Origin of Article: Fincastle Democrat

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that staunch Texas Unionist Hon. Mr. Hamilton has been elected a State Senator from Austin and will refuse to take the oath of allegiance to the Confederacy.

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Thanks the people of Somerset County, Pennsylvania for aiding in the return of fugitive slaves.

Origin of Article: Cumberland (Maryland) Civilian