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Staunton Spectator: May 14, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Gen. Harney's Account of his Arrest and Subsequent Adventure in Virginia
(Column 3)

Summary: Account of Gen. Harney's arrest in Harpers Ferry.

Origin of Article: New York Herald

Missouri Legislature--The Message of the Governor
(Column 3)

Summary: Item quotes the Governor of Missouri asserting his intention to keep Missouri in the Union at this time.

Attention Volunteers
(Column 4)

Summary: A letter from an Alabama man to his son regarding his duties as a soldier and his reasons for fighting.

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Questions why the Northern Abolitionists, who think slavery an unmitigated evil, do not allow the South to secede peacefully in order to remove the contaminating institution from the Union.

Origin of Article: Baltimore Exchange

Hon. Garrett Davis's Visit to President Lincoln
(Column 5)

Summary: Recounts Garrett Davis's visit to Lincoln and the gist of their conversation.

Another Lie Exposed
(Column 5)

Summary: Announces that the rumor that several Yankee shoemakers had been imprisoned and then expelled from Staunton is untrue.
(Names in announcement: G.S. Raymond)

Full Text of Article:

The Boston Journal recently published a statement to the effect that several Yankee shoemakers, who had been employed in Staunton, Va., were driven away from the place after being imprisoned, et. Mr. G. S. Raymond, late foreman of the Staunton Shoe Factory, who is also a New Englander, has the honor and moral courage to refute this gratuitous slander. He publishes a card in the Journal, in which he says that the party referred to "were not interfered with in any manner at Staunton, but were perfectly free to go away or remain, as they chose." It seems that they preferred to leave, and went "through the entire route without any molestation whatever." Mr. Raymond closes his card by saying:

I have to advise the friends of those remaining there that they need have no fear regarding their safety--they are free to remain or leave, as they choose. The probability is that they will leave, as they have a perfectly free route from Staunton to the Pennsylvania line by stages.

"Justice to the honorable gentlemen of the Staunton Shoe Company, and justice to the good people of Staunton generally, demands of me these statements."

New York Daily News
(Column 5)

Summary: Northern writer asks if it is worth the cost to pursue an abolitionist crusade when it seems the South is concerned mainly with its own defense.

Address from the Peace Society of London to the People of the United States
(Column 6)

Summary: Respectful letter from the Peace Society of London warning the people of the U.S. not to embark upon a fratricidal war because of the dire consequences that may result.

The Righteous Cause of the South
(Column 7)

Summary: Defends the Southern cause as just and praises Virginia's intention to defend itself with the sword.

Lincoln's Pledge not to Invade
(Column 1)

Summary: Expresses hope that Lincoln will keep his inaugural promise not to invade the seceded states apart from those localities or properties previously held by the United States.

Full Text of Article:

If Lincoln has any regard for the most positive pledge given by him in the midst of the imposing ceremonies of inauguration, and under the solemn sanction of that "oath" which he speaks of as being "recorded in Heaven," there will be "no invasion" of our State beyond the localities of the property heretofore held by the United States Government, and "no using of force against or among the people anywhere."

It will thus be seen that he gave the most positive assurance, under the most solemn circumstances, that the "power confided" to him would not be used to any degree "beyond what may be necessary to hold, occupy and possess the property and places belonging to the Government," and that beyond this there would be "no invasion--no using of force against or among the people anywhere." If, in violation of this pledge, he should send troops into the interior of the State, he would show that he is a falsifier in whom the truth cannot be found, and that he has a poor chance, unless a radical change takes place, even to see the record of his "oath in heaven."

32nd Regiment
(Column 1)

Summary: The regimental muster at New Hope took place on the previous Friday. The speakers "all urged the importance of unanimity in voting for the ordinance of secession and resistance to Lincoln."
(Names in announcement: J.M. McCue, J.H. Skinner, Jas. Walker, Bolivar Christian)

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: The remains of George Washington have been moved from Mt. Vernon to Lexington to "prevent them from being desecrated by the hyena-like Vandals of the North."

Full Text of Article:

The Consecrated remains of Gen. Washington have been removed from Mr. Vernon to Lexington, to prevent them from being desecrated by the hyena-like Vandals of the North.

The Question at large in this Election
(Column 2)

Summary: Article places blame for the current crisis on Lincoln and his political ambitions. The writer also encourages the voters to vote for secession in the upcoming elections.

Hon. Alex R. Boteler
(Column 2)

Summary: Reprints a letter from Unionist Alex R. Boteler supporting secession in view of Lincoln's call for troops.

Speculators
(Column 2)

Summary: Criticizes speculators who are using the crisis as an excuse to raise prices.

Origin of Article: Richmond Dispatch

Full Text of Article:

"Virginius," the Charleston Correspondent of the Richmond Dispatch, aims some very severe, though well-deserved, blows at those miserly and contracted souls who would speculate upon the present dire necessities of the people by demanding exorbitant prices for the necessaries of life. The following is an extract from the letter of that correspondent:

"We have in this city set very good examples to the world of disinterested patriotism, but I begin to hear occasionally that some "hoarse voice" that was heard in revolutionary times in Hanover county, as described by Wirt in one of Patrick Henry's speeches against an unprincipled speculator--"Beef, beef, beef." Provisions in our city all at once popped up 50 per cent.--Hams now sell at 20 cents, sides 17 cents, coffee 18 1/2 to 20 cents, flour $10.50 to $12.50, and butter 50 cents. In most instances these provisions were held by Yankee agents, here, and in some instances by natives, but the mark will be as indelibly fixed upon them for all time as that put upon the first murderer, Cain, by the finger of God Almighty, and right that it should be.

In times like these, no man with a soul will speculate upon his neighbor and his people, and he who does it ought to be made to feel the weight of public odium and disapproval.

The Different Kind of Soldiers
(Column 3)

Summary: The article claims that the South is sending its best sons to war while the Northern army is composed of the lowest breed of Northerner.

Full Text of Article:

One of the most melancholy features of the horrible and bloody strife into which this country is about to be involved consists in the fact that the very best portion of the population of the South will be required to meet in mortal combat, in great part, the very worst population of the North. Whenever the South shall lose a soldier, it will lose a valuable citizen, whose loss will be sensibly felt, whereas the North would be benefitted if a large portion of its soldiers would never return from the battle-field. The flower of Southern honor and chivalry will cross swords with rowdies, cut-throats and burglars from the corrupt cesspools of Northern cities.--the South sends into the field honorable, honest, moral and virtuous soldiers, the North such desperadoes, and dangerous men as she is afraid to keep at home. As an illustration of the spirit of our people, and the kind of men who are volunteering their services to the State, we will mention the fast that a number of Minsters of the Gospel who are distinguished for talents, cultivation, eloquence and piety, have exchanged the "sacred desk" for the soldier's tent.

The Rev. Dr. B. M. Smith and Rev. Dr. R. L. Dabney, Professors of the "Union Theological Seminary," Rev. Dr. Moses oge, Pastor of the 2nd Presbyterian Church in Richmond city, and Rev. Dr. Pendleton, Rector of the Episcopal Church in Lexington, all of whom are well known in this county, have connected themselves with volunteer companies. Dr. Pendleton is now Captain of an Artillery Company in Lexington, being elected to supply the vacancy caused by the promotion of Capt. McCausland to the post of lieutenant Colonel of Volunteers. As Dr. Pendleton is a graduate of West Point, and has served several years in the army, he will no doubt make a good and efficient officer.--Though the conflict may be terrible, we do no doubt that, in time, the Northern "Apollyon" will succumb to the Southern "Christian," and that our brave soldiery who go forth clad in the panoply of a just cause, will return with their banners--though "tattered and torn"--wreathed with the laurels of victory.

Right of Revolution
(Column 3)

Summary: Defends the right of revolution, using a quote from a speech of Abraham Lincoln to support this view.

More Companies Gone
(Column 4)

Summary: Announces the departure of more troops from Augusta to report for State service.
(Names in announcement: Capt. Asher Harman, Capt. Roberts)

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Col. Baylor gave an address to a group of Augusta citizens.
(Names in announcement: Col. Baylor)

To the Irishmen of Virginia
(Column 5)

Summary: A letter from Irish immigrants in Charleston asking fellow Irish to help organize a Confederate Irish Regiment in support of the South. The letter asserts that the Southern people have courteously respected the Catholic faith, unlike the puritanical Northerners.

Full Text of Article:

The following comes from adopted citizens of Charleston, and is well endorsed:

Fellow-Countrymen:--Being impressed with the first and great duty which we owe to the land of our adoption in these its present difficulties, we are carrying out measures for organizing a Confederate Irish Regiment, for the service of the Southern States. This, we must admit, is expected from us. Let us take up the cause of an honorable, just and upright people. They never interfered with our religious institutions, a subject which our friends of Massachusetts must have forgotten very soon; or is it possible that the burning of the Charlestown Convent did not make an impression, and open their eyes to the true character of their hightened [sic] Puritanic leaders? Although Know-Nothingism crept into a few sections of the Southern States from the hot-beds of the North, it was crushed in its embryo by our noble and chivalric people, who are too exalted to lend themselves to the encouragement of any doctrine that would have such direful effects on the prospects of their adopted fellow-citizens.

No man was ever persecuted in the South on account of his religious belief. And do our countrymen at the North forget how eager their neighbors were in publishing and circulating books detailing disgusting lies about escaped nuns for the purpose of arousing the feelings of the Prostestant [sic] sects against the Catholics? We appeal to you for your decision in favor of the Southern cause, and also for the justification of the position we are about assuming in standing manfully by it.

Strange scenes are being developed every day. There is one of the exiled sons of Ireland who was received all through the Southern States (as only a noble and generous people know how)--making preparations to march alongside of John Bull, heart and hand, to subjugate the very people who conferred on him the greatest encomiums, and had his name enrolled as an honorary member of their societies, and denominated military companies in respect to him. But is this to continue? No. Never again shall the name of Thomas Francis Meagher be united with any of our Southern institutions. We say, let them come, and learn that the foreigners of the Southern States have hearts as true as their steel in maintaining the rights and independence of the South.

We therefore submit to you a plan for organizing our regiment. There are a great many of our countrymen already enlisted in the service of the Southern Confederacy, and hence our inability to raise a regiment immediately here,--We have appealed to Georgia. The prospects are promising, and it naturally struck us that our countrymen in Virginia would be anxious to participate in the movement. If so, we will appoint place of rendezvous as soon as the undertaking is sufficiently matured.

For further information, address

Many Irishmen,
Key-Box No. 5, Charleston, S. C.

Vote for Secession
(Column 5)

Summary: Entreats the people of Virginia to vote for secession in light of Lincoln's proclamation and subsequent Northern zeal in carrying out the assembly of troops.

Trailer: A Conservative

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: D.S. Young writes to accept the call to run for the House of Delegates.
(Names in announcement: N. Massie, Thomas Wilson, D.S. Young)

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: A letter nominating Bolivar Christian as a candidate for the State Senate and Maj. James Walker, Hugh Sheffey, and John A. Harman as candidates for the House of Delegates.
(Names in announcement: Bolivar Christian, Maj. James Walker, Hugh Shefffy, John Harman)

[No Title]
(Column 6)

Summary: Letter from many Augusta residents asking Hon A.H. Stuart to express his opinion regarding the course Augusta should take in voting for or against the Ordinance of Secession. In his reply, Stuart says that the people should stand by the decision of the Convention in light of Lincoln's proclamation.
(Names in announcement: Hon. A.H. Stuart, R. Turk, James Lilley, D.M. Vandiver, J. Bumgardner, J.R. Bell, A.R. Bell, John Newton, Adam Howpe, H.M. Bell, H.H. Peck, William Donaghe, A.J. Garber, Edwin Taylor, Richard Maozy, J.K. Hendren, J.A. Wendell, Hugh Sheffey, William Tate, William Kinney, N.K. Trout, J. Wayt, James Cochran, F.F. Scribling, S.B. Finley, G.M. Cochran, Lucas Thompson)

Col. Baldwin's Position
(Column 6)

Summary: A letter from Baldwin to G.B. Manly of Pennsylvania in which he supports the right of revolution in view of Lincoln's proclamation and asks that the North allow the South to withdraw peacefully.
(Names in announcement: John Baldwin, George Cochran)

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: Writer supports secession based on the assumption that the goal of the North is to steal Southern property and ravage Southern women.

Full Text of Article:

It is said a good many persons in this county will vote against the secession of Virginia; a report which I can hardly credit. I have been as strong a Union man as any one, perhaps, in the county, but believing, as I now do, that the last hope for a reconstruction of the Union on fair and honorable terms has fled, and that it is utterly impossible for the North and the South to live together in peace, I have come to the conclusion to vote for secession. Until within a few days, I thought I would not vote at all; but learning from various Northern newspapers the fiendish feeling that is exhibited by the whole North towards us of the South, I shall now go with all my heart and soul for the South. How anyone after reading the editorials of many of the leading papers published at the North, can vote against secession, or even not vote at all, I cannot imagine. Is it not the threatened policy of the North to invade our State and take from us by brute force, our lands, our houses, and all that we possess, and divide it among themselves? Their cry is "booty and beauty," which means, in plain English, as I understand it, to steal our lands from us, and ravish our females. Any one that doubts can get the newspapers and read for themselves.

And now I would ask, in conclusion, brave men of old Augusta, can you, will you, stand this? Rather, will you not defend your mothers, your wives, your daughters, and your sisters, to the very death. Then, let all come to the polls, and show the North that we have not a man amongst us who, in any way whatever, is willing to give the faintest shadow of a hope that he is not true to the South.

AUGUSTA.

Trailer: Augusta

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: Letter from Stuart declining the call to stand for re-election.
(Names in announcement: Alex Stuart)

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: Letter writer says the county is not prepared to issue County Bonds.
(Names in announcement: Robert Guy, William Bell, Hugh Sheffey)

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: Bolivar Christian accepts the call to run for the House of Delegates.
(Names in announcement: Bolivar Christian)

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: Hugh Sheffey accepts the call to run for the House of Delegates.
(Names in announcement: Hugh Sheffey)

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: Letter wishes to draft William M. Tate to stand for election to the House of Delegates.
(Names in announcement: William Tate)

Trailer: Many Voters

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: J. McCue announces his candidacy to the House of Delegates.
(Names in announcement: J. Marshall McCue)

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: N. Massie announces his candidacy for the House of Delegates.
(Names in announcement: N. Massie)

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: James Walker announces his candidacy for the House of Delegates.
(Names in announcement: James Walker)

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: Thomas Wilson declines the call to run for the House of Delegates.
(Names in announcement: Thomas Wilson)

To the Women of Virginia
(Column 1)

Summary: Entreats the women of the state to work on making clothing for the war effort.

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: Willie Cornelia Clarke, daughter of Dr. Wm. Clarke and step daughter of G.W. Booth, died at age 8.
(Names in announcement: G.W. Booth, Willie Cornelia Clarke, Dr. William Clarke)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: Mrs. Dull died near Middlebrook on May 13 at age 57. She was a member of the Lutheran Church.
(Names in announcement: Sarah Dull)