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Staunton Spectator: February 13, 1866 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

President Johnson
(Column 01)

Summary: Argues that Johnson's "steady hand, firm will, and sagacious judgment" can restore the Union, since Johnson is above the political machinations of "Radicalism" and is motivated only by patriotism.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Reports that a convention of "colored people" in Georgia adopted resolutions in favor of limited suffrage for "colored men" who "can read and write well" and called for the Freedmen's Bureau to be given the power to "compel negroes to work" if they don't do so voluntarily.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Reports that Frederick Douglass is lecturing in Alexandria and, referring to a local controversy in recent issues of the Spectator, asks whether someone will initiate a "secret petition" to invite him to speak in Staunton.

President's View on Negro Suffrage
(Column 02)

Summary: A report on the meeting of a "delegation of colored men" with President Johnson, in which he explained that he was willing to be the "Moses" of the "colored race" but would not pursue a course that might "lead to a war of races."

Full Text of Article:

On Wednesday last, a delegation of colored men, headed by Fred. Douglass and R. H. Downing, called on the President for the purpose of expressing their ideas on the questions now being considered affecting their interests and also to learn the views entertained by the President in the same connection. He was addressed by both Downing Douglass, who strongly urged that the colored race should be endowed with all rights, privileges and immunities of citizens of the United States, and desired that the right of suffrage be given to them not only in the District but all over the land.

The President responded, saying if his past course was not evidence of his good will to the colored race, he could say no more. He had said, and repeated then, that if they could find no other Moses to lead them to the Land of Promise and liberty, he would be that Moses, but he was not willing to adopt a policy which would result in danger to the colored man, and possibly lead to a war of races. Nothing but evil would result from forcing upon the people in direct opposition to the expressed will of the which majority. At the conclusion of his remarks, which were of considerable length, Douglass said the question would have to be settled by the people, to which the President expressed his assent, saying he had great faith in the people.

The Suffrage Question
(Column 02)

Summary: Suggests that the South can avert "negro suffrage" by passing a "wise homestead law" and a property qualification, thereby excluding "the great mass of negroes, though not for color."

Origin of Article: Richmond Sentinel

Still Rebellious Of Course
(Column 04)

Summary: Argues that "the Radicals of the North" are "endeavoring to goad the South into some demonstration of insubordination that will justify them before the Northern masses in their exactions and oppressions."

Origin of Article: Richmond Whig

Full Text of Article:

There is nothing more certain than that the Radicals of the North, and their allies in the South, desire the people of the South to manifest some evidences a of rebellious spirit. The Radicals of the North, with the view of perpetuating their power, profess to believe that the people of the South are not loyal, not to fortify their positions, have induced their allies in the South to make such representations by means of secret petitions, or otherwise, as may be deemed most effectual. After a close observation says the Richmond Whig, of the course of the leading men of the dominant party, we have come to the conclusion that no amount of evidence that can be adduced will satisfy them as to the loyal disposition of the Southern people. They would not believe though one were to rise from the dead. There are none so blind as those that will not see. These men have willfully shut their eyes that they may not see.--To see would be to believe. They therefore refuse to look. Extort from them the confession that the South is not longer rebellious in spirit; that it is sound, true and loyal, and that moment their Radical agitation must cease. If continued, after such an admission, they would stand before the country as self-convicted factionists, and would be at once deserted by the Northern masses. It is their policy to mislead their party as to the true feeling in the South, in order that they may be sustained by that party in their persecution of the South. How could they confess that the Southern people are animated by the proper sentiments, and are fit for re-admission into the Union, and at the same time appeal to their party to exclude them from the Union? They not only do not wish to believe that the Southern people are loyal, but they actually wish to prevent them from becoming loyal. There is nothing they so much dread. It would frustrate all their deep-laid schemes. They irritate and insult them that they may draw complaints from them, and then point triumphantly to those complaints as evidences of continued disaffection. An outbreak in the South would give them sincere pleasure; a secession of outbreaks would transport them with joy. The credulity of the masses has been severely taxed -- there is danger that sooner or later they will see that their leaders have made dupes of them -- hence these leaders are systemtically endeavoring to goad the South into some demonstration of insubordination that will justify them before the Northern masses in their exactions and oppressions.

Local News--Books And Tracts For Sale
(Column 01)

Summary: Mr. C. F. Fry has a large selection of religious books and tracts for sale.
(Names in announcement: C. F. Fry)

Local News--Whisky Tax
(Column 01)

Summary: Reports that Harvey Risk inspected 3,871 gallons of whisky in Augusta in the month of January and collected taxes totalling $7,742. The author suggests that county residents may pay as much as $108,000 in whisky taxes in the course of the year.
(Names in announcement: Harvey Risk)

Local News--A Smart Horse Thief
(Column 01)

Summary: A horse thief swindled at least five local residents one day last week.
(Names in announcement: Col. Mich. G. Harman, Capt. Lewis Harman, Tom Bethel, Maurice Parker, Daniel Duggen)

Local News--Boots, Shoes, &c., Stolen
(Column 01)

Summary: Reports that a local "Freedman," Henry Jackson, stole approximately 60 dollars worth of footwear from a local merchant. The Spectator hopes that Jackson is sent to the penitentiary.
(Names in announcement: Henry Jackson, C. N. Williams)

Local News--Whom To Blame
(Column 01)

Summary: Reports that the petition referred to in recent issues of the Spectator was in fact designed to bring troops to the region, a design averted by the Spectator's swift denunciation of the "schemers."

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: Lucy Ann Ham and Andrew J. Ramsey were married by Rev. William McClanahan on Feb. 1st.
(Names in announcement: Andrew Ramsey, Lucy Ann Ham, Rev. William S. McClanahan)

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: Jacob Robinson and Hannah Landacre were married on December 12th by Rev. Peter Miller.
(Names in announcement: Jacob Robinson, Hannah Landacre, Rev. Peter Miller)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Alice Kate Dull died on December 23rd at her father's residence near Greenville. She was 2 years and 4 months old.
(Names in announcement: Alice Kate Dull, M. Dull, Mary Dull)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Daniel Hart died on December 26th. He was 23 years old.
(Names in announcement: Daniel Hart)

Poor Sambo
(Column 02)

Summary: Argues that Radicals will "have to atone to the whites for the injury they are now doing them, by a persecution of the poor blacks, whom they elevate only to destroy."

Origin of Article: Richmond Whig