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Staunton Spectator: January 23, 1866 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Old and New Dress
(Column 01)

Summary: The editor expresses pride at the Spectator's new typesetting, but promises that the principles beneath the "new dress" remain unchanged.

Negrophilism
(Column 01)

Summary: Reports that Congress has passed a bill granting suffrage to blacks in the District of Columbia.

Reconstruction and Loyalty
(Column 03)

Summary: Details the divergent definitions of the terms "reconstruction" and "loyalty" among Northerners and Southerners, arguing that "Radicals" in Massachusetts are attempting to create a "Puritan Empire."

Origin of Article: Charlottesville Chronicle

Full Text of Article:

These terms, which are now used so frequently, are understood differently in the NOrth and South. In the South, we mean by "reconstruction," the establishment of the Union as it was before the war, with the enjoyment of all th rights of guaranteed by the Constitution. In the South, we mean by loyalty, cheerful obedience to the Constitution of the United States and all laws passed in pursuance thereof.

In the North, different views are held; at least it is the ease with that class which we denominate "Radicals." The Charlottesville (Va.) Chronicle well say, that "what these Northern Radicals mean by 'reconstruction' is not the submission of the South to the Federal authorities in good faith, but the submission of the Southern mind to the Northern mind, both in its opinions and feelings. They are not content to enslave the body; they wish to enslave the soul. The man who differs from them is a wretch that ought to be suppressed; and it is an inexcusable act of moral turpitude for a man reared in Florida to say the weather is warm, when it is cool in Massachusetts. As Massachusetts sees a proposition, so, for the sake of the unity of the Puritan Empire, a Texas man must recognize precisely the same outline.

"A well-reconstructed Southern man must also have satisfaction in pain -- when the loyal Northern man strikes him, he must experience a pleasurable sensation. He must not wax sad over the desolation of the South, because true loyalty does not care a button what becomes of the South, and is ever radiant with joy at the aggregate result. True loyalty consists in the rough selfishness and heartlessness. It forces negro suffrage on the helpless inhabitants of the District, with the tyrannical remark that 'these people in their hearts sympathized with the rebellion.' It would no more think of allowing those negroes to migrate to the State of Vermont and vote, than the wolf would think of giving its supper to the lamb. Loyalty is not concerned a baubee whether the weight of a mountain is placed on th wasted, enfeebled frame of the South, but it is alive with passion if a feather rests for a moment on its own brawny shoulders. Loyalty has blasted the black man all through the North, and denied him the most ordinary privileges; but it would make a Jamaica of the South, with a little concern as a schoolboy cuts down the monarch of the forest to get a squirrel. Loyalty heeds not the cry of anguish that goes up from the South any more than the remorseless hounds hear the sighs of the noble stag they have at last pulled down. Loyalty regards the South as a legitimate field for the practice of and all Massachusetts' theories just as atrocious criminals are given over to surgeons and physicians for doubtful experiments.

"Loyalty is like the man who used to whip his slaves until he made them laugh: it punishes, requires contrition, and then gladness.--For a rebel to become loyal, he must not say that he submits to the arbitrament of the sword, and that he has ceased to love what he loved before he felt it. Loyalty requires a boy who refuses to take physic, to take it after being whipped -- but this is not all it insists on -- the boy must like the physic. No Southern man is loyal, if he retain any local attachments; he must contract a disgust for his ancestors, and snap all the ties and associations of the past. Loyalty requires that any prejudice against social equality with the negro must not be cherished at the South, but is unblameworthy in Connecticut.

"We understand a 'reconstructed' Southern man, in the sense of Northern Radicals, to mean that such a Southern man must become thoroughly abject in his nature, and go to Massachusetts for opinions, as the devout Catholic seeks the confessor to get his religious faith.--Until he undoes himself and believes against his conscience -- no matter what his outward conduct -- he is still in rebellion. War should carry conviction, as well as enforce submission. War should prove, as well as over-master. If the surrender of General Lee did not convince the people of Virginia that they were a race of scoundrels, they need farther 'reconstruction.'"

A Bold Highway Robbery
(Column 05)

Summary: James Firebaugh of Rockbridge County was attacked and robbed by a group composed of two whites and four blacks. The piece also suggests that residents of Rockbridge move to Augusta, where, it claims, peace has reigned since the departure of the Federal troops.

Local News--A Few Words to Freedmen
(Column 02)

Summary: The author explains to freedmen that freedom does not consist of the use of profane language. Instead, he counsels them to labor faithfully and quietly and they will "receive good treatment."

Full Text of Article:

It would seem from the conduct of some of the Freedmen of this place that they suppose freedom consists in the use of profane language. It is quite a common occurrence to hear them swearing upon the streets and they do it with an air which seems to say, "I am free now and can swear like a sailor -- listen to my profane oaths -- they evince my freedom." These freedmen should be taught that profane swearing, and the use of vulgar language should not be allowed, and that freedom confers no such privileges as outrage good behavior and decency.--If they would take our advice, we would counsel them to act in such a manner as would secure for themselves in such manner as to deserve it. If they will work instead of idling their time on the streets, and will behave themselves properly instead of taking every opportunity to assert their freedom by the use of profane and vulgar language, they will be respected as they deserve and will receive good treatment; but if they choose to make vagabonds of themselves, and to act the part of very mean and low people, they cannot expect to command the respect, kindness and sympathy of respectable and decent citizens. An industrious and well-behaved Freedman can always get employment, and will always be well treated; but an idle, ill-behaved one may expect to be an outcast -- no one will interest himself in his behalf. He will be left to shift for himself.

Local News--No Use for Soldiers Here
(Column 02)

Summary: Argues that soldiers "caused disorder generally' when stationed in Staunton and expresses the hope that they will not return.

Full Text of Article:

In the list of places where garrisons of soldiers are to be established, Staunton is not mentioned, from which we infer that there is no purpose, at this time, to send any more soldiers here. We hope no garrison will be established here, for there is no use for them of which we can conceive. When soldiers were here, they rendered no service, but were the cause of a great deal of disorder. They drank liquor, became intoxicated, used profane language, maltreated the Freedmen, had difficulties with citizens, and caused disorder generally. There was but little disposition, or great want of ability, on the part of the officers, to restrain them and make them behave themselves properly.--Since their departure, the order and quiet of the town has been vastly improved. Such was the conduct of the soldiers, that their presence was a cause of annoyance by day and of dread by night.

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: Richard Fisher and Julia Grove were married by Rev. George Taylor in Staunton on January 17.
(Names in announcement: Richard Fisher, Julia Grove, Rev. George Taylor)

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: John Andrew, of Augusta, and Josephine McCall were married by Rev. M. D. Dunlap on Jan. 7 in West Virginia.
(Names in announcement: John Andrew, Josephine McCall, William McCall, Rev. M. D. Dunlap)

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: Robert Firebaugh and Jennie Clemmer were married at the home of the bride's father, near Middlebrook, on Jan. 2nd by Rev. J. D. Shirey.
(Names in announcement: Robert Firebaugh, Jennie Clemmer, J. D. Shirey)

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: J. W. Bryan and Juliet Southard were married on Dec. 21st by Rev. Maury.
(Names in announcement: J. W. Bryan, Juliet Southard, Rev. Maury)

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: Charles Haines and Sarah Reeder were married on January 10 by Rev. H. A. Gaver.
(Names in announcement: Charles Haines, Sarah Reeder, Rev. H. A. Gaver)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Azeneth Ruddle died on Dec. 29 in Waynesboro. She was 46.
(Names in announcement: Azeneth Ruddle)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Archibald Stuart died at his home on January 17th. He was 67.
(Names in announcement: Archibald Stuart)