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Staunton Spectator: May 07, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Register and Vote
(Column 01)

Summary: Encourages readers to register and vote, even though the proceedings are "irregular and unsanctioned by law."

Origin of Article: Richmond Enquirer

Editorial Comment: "We concur with the Enquirer that:"

Full Text of Article:

We concur with the Enquirer that "there is no reason why any one should refuse to register and vote; and there is every reason why every one should register and vote. The whole thing is, indeed, irregular and unsanctioned by law; but our government being overthrown by a force which we cannot resist, it is our duty, while submitting to the evils of the military domination, not o reject its mitigations. This is entirely clear; and hence every one who is allowed to do so, ought to register and to vote, in order to make our provisional condition as tolerable as possible. Those who may be permitted to vote, owe it as a duty to such as may be excluded, to exercise the privilege for the common protection. They should take care of the proscribed, by registering and voting.

Colored People in our Midst
(Column 03)

Summary: Explains to readers that in the current political crisis "whites must be united, and must remember that therein lies their security." By contrast, the piece continues, blacks must be separated into two groups: "the negroes who do not intend to be friendly to us," whose votes should not be courted, and "the sensible and reasonable of the colored people," who "should be encouraged, and recognized as friends."

Origin of Article: Richmond Enquirer

Full Text of Article:

We extract the following from an editorial of the Richmond Enquirer . It says that, "in our addresses to the new class of voters, there is one thing which we must remember: We cannot bid against such as Hunnicutt, and the Radicals, for the favor of the idle and worthless and foolish among the colored people. Hunnicutt was opposed to letting negroes have churches, and the Radicals will not let them vote where they live; but they will promise not only votes, but anything and everything, down here. Whatever we may concede, they will offer more; and will not stop short in their bids of the most improper and impossible promises, including social equalities and intimacies.-They can promise anything , for they will feel none of the inconveniences.

It is plain we cannot enter the political market to bid for this class of negroes. They are Hunnicutt's lawful prey: and he has filled their heads and hearts with all manner of mischief. We can only expect the sensible and reasonable of the colored people, to understand the objects and the arts of the persons who would mislead them, and to see that their true interest lies in maintaining practicable and amicable relations with the white community. It is to these, therefore, we ought to address ourselves. The madness of the others will have to run its length. They are determined to be the enemies of the whites, and they must take their own course. What consequence will be to themselves, it needs no prophet to tell.

We need be under no uneasiness on account of those who are thus following Hunnicutt.-Their number is so small, compared with the whites, that the latter, if only reasonably united will outvote them three to one. But we wish specially to urge two points: First, that the whites must be united, and must remember that therein lies their security. And second: That we engage in no wild chase after the favor of those among the negroes who do not intend to be friendly to us, and who are letting our enemies and theirs, lead them to their ruin. We have lowered ourselves in some cases, in pressing our kindness upon these. They are not to be conciliated and we are full able to defy them-let them take their course, and let us recognize them in the character of enemies, which they choose to assume. The other portion of the colored people, however, should be encouraged, and recognized as friends, co-operating with us in promoting the common harmony and the common good.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: Argues that "we must teach the blacks of this State that it is not safe for them to meet in nightly conclave to conspire, plot against and abuse those to whom they wear faces of kindness and good will." Once blacks learn that whites are still "dominant" in Virginia, good relations between the races will return.

Origin of Article: Richmond Times

Editorial Comment: "The Richmond Times says:"

Full Text of Article:

The Richmond Times says: "We must organize and hurl our whole strength and against the malignant, incendiary, agrarian, black and Radical organization which is menacing our lives and property. We must defeat and utterly rout it at the polls, and when the freedmen have learned that the white is still the dominant race in Virginia we shall have a restoration of those kindly relations which a few degraded whites have disturbed.

We must speedily teach the blacks of this State that it is not safe for them to meet in nightly conclave to conspire, plot against and abuse those to whom they wear faces of kindness and good will. There must be an end to the open and foul-mouthed billingsgate which those in our employment collect by thousands to hear heaped upon the white men of Virginia. This state of things without a precedent and must lead to the most terrible results if it continues much longer."

Address of Col. Baldwin
(Column 04)

Summary: Summarizes a recent speech by Col. Baldwin at the adjournment of the House of Delegates "in one word--REGISTER."

Origin of Article: Norfolk Virginian

Full Text of Article:

In speaking of Col. Baldwin, and the address delivered by him at the adjournment of the House of Delegates, the Norfolk Virginian , edited by Jas. Barron Hope, says:

This pure minded and courageous gentleman spoke in a tone of melancholy, which was entirely in harmony with the gloomy aspect of affairs, but it was the melancholy of a resolute spirit, which can look an adverse destiny in the face without quailing. The main points of his address are contained in the following extracts, which we commend to the attention of our readers:

[Then follows, that portion of the address which urges the duty of all who can to register and vote for suitabls delegates. Then the Virginian proceeds to say:]

"We have italicized several passages, which our readers will recognize as embodying opinions and advice which we have earnestly urged upon them. We make this remark in no spirit of vulgar egotism, but for the purpose of reinforcing our own judgement with the utterances of a trusted public servant of courage and sagacity. We repeat to our readers, the key to the position is marked down on the map in one word-REGISTER."

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: Exhorts readers to "give Cuffee a lesson at the polls" to "open his eyes to his exact position in Virginia."

Origin of Article: Richmond Times

Full Text of Article:

WHENEVER the blacks in Virginia, without provocation and despite our kindly feelings and good treatment, shall band themselves as a black man's party, full of hatred, venom and malice towards their employers, they must be brought to their senses by the application of those sharp, vigorous and incisive remedies which have never yet failed to effect a complete cure. * * * * * * * They must be taught at the polls that their safety and welfare lies not in a black man's party," and that to secure the advantages which their own leaders promise them they must cultivate friendly relations with those upon whom they depend for employment and support. We must organize, and by uniting as one man give Cuffee a lesson at the polls which will do him more good, and open his eyes to his exact position in Virginia more thorough than a million of soft, conciliatory speeches.-Rich. Times

Local News--Memorial Celebration
(Column 01)

Summary: The second annual "Floral Tribute" to the memory of the soldiers buried in the local Soldiers' Cemetery will be held on May 10, with an address from Col. Charles T. O'Ferrall.
(Names in announcement: Col. Charles T. O'Ferrall)

Full Text of Article:

The second annual "Floral Tribute" to the memory of the soldiers buried in the Soldiers' Cemetery at this place, will be observed, according to appointment, on next Friday, May 10th, to which the public are invited.

The exercises will commence at 10 o'clock, A. M., in the Methodist Church. The ladies are requested to collect flowers and evergreens, and prepare wreaths and garlands. It is hoped that the friends from the country will bring a surplus of flowers. The order of procession will be the same as that on the 10th of last May.

An appropriate address will be delivered by Col. Chas. T. O'Farrall, which, we doubt not, will be full of complimentary eloquence to the memories of the brave men who gave up their lives as a sacrifice in defence of the "lost cause;" which, "if lost it was false; if true, it is not lost."

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: Nannie Williamson and William Kerr, of Augusta, were married in Charlotte County, West Virginia on April 24.
(Names in announcement: William Kerr, Nannie Williamson, Daniel Williamson)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Eliza Jane Matheny, infant daughter of William Matheny, died on April 29 in Staunton. She was seven months old.
(Names in announcement: Eliza Jane Matheny, Wm. M. Matheny)