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Staunton Spectator: October 15, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 |

"Veritas" versus Baldwin
(Column 1)

Summary: Calls attention to a letter elsewhere in the issue that attacks Baldwin for being a Hamiltonian. The writer alleges that Baldwin is too positioned both militarily and economically to represent the people. The Spectator defends Baldwin against this attack.
(Names in announcement: A.H. Stuart, H.W. Sheffey, George Baylor, John Baldwin, Kenton Harper, John Peyton, John Imboden, George CochranJr., Joseph Waddell, Jonathan McCue, Benjamin Crawford, G.B. Stuart, Robert Guy)

Full Text of Article:

Our readers will be amused when they read the communication published in another column signed "Veritas." The logic of the writer is of a very remarkable kind. If Aristotle and Whately could have seen that communication they would doubtless have been convinced that their rules of logic were worthless. "Veritas" says that

"The war that is now convulsing the country and spreading dismay through the land, is the resistance of the people to an encroachment upon their rights by Federal Power--State Rights against Federal usurpation and tyranny--the political doctrine of Jefferson against that of Alexander Hamilton."

And yet Col. Baldwin, the "bold, talented and brave," who is now risking his life to make successful the "resistance of the people to encroachments upon their rights by Federal Power," who is sustaining "State Rights against Federal usurpation and tyranny" is declared by "Veritas" to be a "dangerous man because his sympathies are with the Hamiltonian school of politicians." "O, most lame and impotent conclusion!"

"Veritas" further says:

"He (Baldwin) does not believe in the principles of government which lie at the foundation of the Southern Confederacy and for which our brave armies are now breasting the storm of death that sweeps over the battle field."

And yet Col. Baldwin, in defence of the freedom and independence of the Southern Confederacy, is now "breasting the storm of death that sweeps over the battle field." Is Col. Baldwin so false and treacherous as to support principles he does not approve, or such a simpleton as not to know the character of the principles he is striving to defend even at the peril of his life? No. For even "Veritas" acknowledges his great "admiration for his pure private character and intellectual endowments.["]

"Veritas" urges as an objection to him that

"He is now a member of the State Convention, a Colonel of Volunteers, a visitor to the University of Virginia, State proxy in the Central Railroad, and is asking the people to elect him to Congress. Had it been at all allowable, he would have retained his easy berth of Inspector General."

To the first office mentioned, he was elected by the people of this county by nearly a unanimous vote--the second, he agreed to accept with all its labors and perils, through by so doing he gave up "his easy berth of Inspector General," an office of higher rank and more pay and attended with no danger--the other two are not offices of profit or emolument and were conferred upon him by his political opponents.

"Veritas" says that,

"The political views of Col. Harper are in exact harmony with the interests, the honor and the growth of the Confederate States."

This proposition we do not deny, but maintain that if it be true, then are the political views of Col. Baldwin in "exact harmony with the interests, the honor, and the growth of the Confederate States," for their "views" were the same as late as November last, as the following brief statement of focus will prove.

About the 1st of November last, forty eight persons published a call in both the papers of this place, "recommending that the people of Augusta, irrespective of party, assemble in mass meeting at Staunton, on Saturday, November 17th, 1860, to consult as to what steps are (were) necessary for the preservation of the Union in the (then) present alarming condition of our country."

In accordance with that call, the people assembled, when, on motion, it was resolved that a committee of thirteen should be appointed who should "consider and report to the people of Augusta on the 4th Monday of November such matter and resolves as said committee might deem expedient for the people of Augusta to consider and adopt." The following gentlemen constituted that committee: Hon. A. H. Stuart, H.W. Sheffey, Geo. Baylor, Jno. B. Baldwin, Kenton Harper, Jno. L. Peyton, Jno. D. Imboden, Geo. M. Cochran, jr., Joseph A. Waddell, Jno. McCue, Benj. Crawford, G. B. Stuart and Robt. Guy.

On the day appointed, the 26th of November, the people assembled, and the Court-house was crowded to its utmost capacity. The committee, of which Col. Harper and Col. Baldwin were members, concurred in the report which the committee presented and which the people adopted by a large majority--the vote being taken on each proposition. Col. Harper made some remarks in defence of the report in the meeting in reply to objections on the part of some who desired some modifications of the report. So upon the great principles and policy which should be adopted, the "political views" of Col. Baldwin and Col. Harper at that time were the same.

Congressional Election
(Column 2)

Summary: An endorsement of John Baldwin's candidacy.

Donations
(Column 3)

Summary: List of donations received for the Confederate soldiers.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. William Wallace, Mrs. Russel Wallace, Widow Wallace, Mrs. Susan Ferguson, Mrs. Robert Young, Mrs. John Reid, Mrs. Elizabeth Craig, Mrs. S.A. King, Mrs. H.G. Guthrie, W.G. Campbell)

Prisoners
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports that 39 prisoners arrived in Staunton, 15 of whom are Union men from Virginia.

Acknowledgement
(Column 4)

Summary: Item from the Hospital at Staunton acknowledges the donations received.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. H.G. Guthrie, Mrs. Theodore Gamble, Mrs. E. Edson, Mrs. C. Francisco, P.O. Palmer)

Tribute of Respect
(Column 4)

Summary: Resolutions adopted by Company D 5th Regiment on the death of Alex C. Craig.
(Names in announcement: Alex Craig)

A Card
(Column 4)

Summary: Writer is critical of the editors of the Lexington Gazette for their negative report of Col. Harper's resignation. He resigned to be with his dying wife.
(Names in announcement: Kenton Harper)

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Dr. Opie was appointed Assistant Surgeon of the 25th Regiment of Virginia.
(Names in announcement: Dr. Thomas Opie)

Camp at Greenbrier River
(Column 5)

Summary: Letter from an Augusta volunteer describes some of the company's activities and engagements.
(Names in announcement: R.D. Lilley)

Trailer: R. D. Lilley

Top of Allegheny
(Column 5)

Summary: Soldier wishes to thank the ladies of Staunton for their hospitality.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Davis, Mrs. Martha Risk, Mrs. Lushbaugh, Mrs. Kenney, Mrs. McLeod)

Trailer: William K. McDonald

For the Spectator
(Column 5)

Summary: Writer defends Baldwin from charges of being an anti-States Rights man.
(Names in announcement: Col. Baldwin)

Full Text of Article:

Mr. EDITOR: In an article published in the Rockingham Register over the signature of "Veritas," the writer argues as an objection to the election of Col. Baldwin as a member of Congress from this District, that he has always been an Anti-States Rights man, trained in the Hamiltonian School of politics, and that in the organization of our new Government he will be likely to exercise a dangerous influence.

In answer to this objection, which is the chief one offered by "Veritas" for the benefit of the public, I beg leave to present you with an extract from a private letter received a few days ago from Col. Baldwin. It is as follows:

"As to my politics, I doubt if there is a man in the whole South who goes further for States Rights or strict construction than I do. I did not do so under the United States Government, because its history was very different, and its policy different. But I am what is called an individualist, and, as such, am opposed to the exercise of authority and power by any Government beyond the absolute necessity of its own preservation."

From this extract it will be seen that whatever may have been Col. Baldwin's peculiar notions in regard to the theory of the United States Government, he is, under our new one, as sound as any man in the South, and that holding such views in regard to it, it would be quite as impossible for him to exert a dangerous influence in the Confederate Councils as it would be for "Veritas" himself, who, judging from the tenor of his article, was doubtless among the first to resist Federal encroachments upon the rights of the States.

ISLEHAM

October 15, 1861--1t.

Trailer: Isleman

A Card
(Column 5)

Summary: The writer, a soldier who had been stationed in Staunton, defends the hospital from charges of misuse of donated goods.

Trailer: C. C. Otey

The Congressional Election
(Column 6)

Summary: Letter accuses John Baldwin of having Union sympathies due to his cautious approach to secession before the war. Article accuses Baldwin of being a Hamiltonian on governmental matters. The writer endorses Kenton Harper for Congress.
(Names in announcement: Col. John Baldwin, Col. Kenton Harper)

Origin of Article: Rockingham Register

Full Text of Article:

This Congressional District.

MESSRS EDITORS: I observe in the last number of the Staunton Spectator the announcement of two candidates for Congress, viz.: Col. John B. Baldwin and Col. Kenton Harper, both of Augusta county. It was the wish, I believe, of the voters of the entire District, that the present able and distinguished representative, Judge Brockenbrough, should continue to represent the District in a position which he has filled with such marked success and dignity; but as he has, I understand, peremptorily declined the use of his name in that connection, it is very apparent to the most superficial thinker that, as between the two candidates announced, Col. Harper should, without hesitation, be chosen. The objections to Col. Baldwin are numerous and insuperable. While admiration for his pure private character and intellectual endowments cannot be withheld, yet his political sentiments are so obnoxious, and if carried into effect, would be so destructive of the spirits, the interest and the object of our Confederacy, that no loyal citizen of the District can, for a moment, think of supporting him. The war that is now convulsing the country and spreading dismay through the land, is the resistance of the people to an encroachment upon their rights by Federal Power--State Rights against Federal usurpation and tyranny--the political doctrine of Jefferson against that of Alexander Hamilton. Col B. is a dangerous man, because his sympathies are with the Hamiltonian school of politicians. He does not believe in the principles of government which lie at the foundation of the Southern Confederacy and for which our brave armies are now breasting the storm of death that sweeps over the battle field. Bold, talented and brave, he would bring to the support of his dangerous political sentiments, if a seat in Congress were assigned him, an array of influences that might well make the sternest of us shudder for the successful initiation of our new government. It is fresh in the minds of the people how he brought the powerful energies of his great intellect to bear against the progress of the South, in the State Convention; how he dared and defied public sentiment and the rights of the South by his outrageous vote to retain in his seat the infamous Carlile, while that miscreant was plotting treason to devastate and flood with ruin, disgrace and blood the old Commonwealth--to fasten upon us the yoke of Northern oppression and vassalage. It is scarcely necessary, however, to more than direct attention to the political record of Col. Baldwin, for the people to recall his many acts of hostility to the true interests of the government of which Virginia is now a part. We are satisfied that the loyal voters of this District will never endorse that record by elevating him to a position where he could exert such a direful influence against the prosperity of the Confederate States of America.

The modesty of Col. Baldwin's card is in striking contrast with the political experience of that gentleman. One would suppose that he is neither an office-seeking nor an office-holding individual. But when the public is informed that he now enjoys the honors and emoluments of four offices and is asking the people for another, it will have a tendency rather to convince them than otherwise that he is not the man to decline position. He is now a member of the State Convention, a Colonel of Volunteers, a visitor to the University of Virginia, State proxy in the Central Railroad, and is asking the people to elect him to Congress. Had it been allowable, he doubtless would have retained his easy birth of Inspector General.

It is not the purpose of the writer to draw any extended or labored contrast between Cols. Baldwin and Harper. Suffice it, that the political views of Col. Harper are in exact harmony with the interests, the honor and the growth of the Confederate States. He is a gentleman of fine intelligence, spotless private chararter [sic], chivalrous and brave--one whose heart and soul and estate are in the struggle that is now being waged to secure the Independence of the South. Contrast the cards of the two candidates, and the reader can well determine which of them is the man to represent this District in the Congress of the Confederate States. No man treads the earth who has nobler impulses or more exalted ideas of public virtue and honor than Kenton Harper. He is the man for the times, and his election would secure for the District an able, faithful and influential member of Congress.

It is a vital question for the people to decide, and it is to be hoped they will make the selection with reference to the best interests of the government which is now about to be definitely inaugurated.

VERITAS.

Oct 15-1t.

Trailer: Veritas

To the Voters of the 11th Congressional District
(Column 6)

Summary: S. A. Coffman of Rockingham announces his candidacy for Congress.

Announcements
(Column 6)

Summary: Col. Kenton Harper announces his candidacy for Congress.
(Names in announcement: Col. Kenton Harper)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: David Peace died on October 12.
(Names in announcement: David Peace)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Sarah Risk died on September 21 at age 43. She had been a member of Timber Ridge Church.
(Names in announcement: James Paxton, Rev. Thomas Paxton, Sarah Risk)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Died of typhoid fever on October 8 at age 29. He was a member of the Churchville Cavalry.
(Names in announcement: James A. Frazier)

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: A dispatch from St. Louis reports that the federal government has confiscated money that was to be paid to the Cherokee nation because it has professed its allegiance to the Confederacy.