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Staunton Spectator: 07 30, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Negro Representatives--Reaction in the North
(Column 01)

Summary: Suggests that the probable election of "negro representatives" from Southern districts will spur a Northern backlash against the Republican party. The editor of the Spectator is pleased that the Herald agrees that "the Northern people have stronger prejudices against the colored people than we of the South."

Origin of Article: New York Herald

Full Text of Article:

In view of the majority of negro voters in many districts in the Southern States, the New York Herald , a Republican paper, anticipates that they will elect negro representatives to Congress, and that the result will be a re-action in the Northern States against the Republican party. The more reflecting portion of the Northern people are beginning to apprehend that they have permitted their hostility against the Southern people to evoke a spirit which will not down at their bidding. The Herald is frank enough to confess, what we have often stated, that the northern people have stronger prejudices against the colored people than we of the South.

The Herald says:

"We may be sure that negro equality, proclaiming itself through negro voices from both Houses of Congress, will make a profound impression opened the public mind throughout the North. We apprehend that the result will be a general re-action against the Republican party in the Northern States; for we know that there is a stronger wall of white prejudice against the North than exists in the South."

[UNCLEAR] will come home to roost," and the Northern coop will be sure, in the course of time to be full. "Wicked inventions will return to plague the inventor," as the people of the North will be a great while experience. Retributive justice will overtake them.

Letter of John Minor Botts
(Column 02)

Summary: Includes the 10 principles that John Minor Botts says will actuate him at the upcoming Convention.
(Names in announcement: John Minor Botts)

Full Text of Article:

John Minor Botts has written a letter to "James H. Bannister, Alexander Jackson, and other colored friends," and after a lengthy exposition of his views of the situation, lays down the following platform of principles which are to actuate him in his course at the forthcoming Convention:

1. That Secession is not a blunder simply, but a crime to be punished.

2. That the first allegiance of every citizen to his country, and not to his State, which is only a component part of his country.

3. A liberal and enlarged system of education for all at the public expense.

4. Impartial suffrage and equality in political and legal rights, without regard to race or color.

5. Free thought, free speech, and a free press, without licentiousness or depravity, throughout free America.

6. The recognition and perpetuation of universal liberty, whether heretofore constitutionally perfected or otherwise.

7. The maintenance of the public faith and credit by the payment of the public debt created for the perpetuation of American liberty, and the repudiation of the Confederate debt created for our enslavement.

8. Encouragement of Northern Republicans to settle among us as free-holders or lease-owners, as far preferable to the schemes now on foot to introduce Irish and German Democratic voters as common laborers.

9. To give elevation and responsibility to labor, that industry in all honorable pursuits may be appreciated.

10. Universal amnesty and restoration to the great body of the people, who were misled or seduced into the war by the more artful or wicked men, but exclusion from all political power hereafter to those who were instrumental, either by speaking, writing, or preaching, in bringing on the war. This is nothing more nor less than they would do with all opposed to them if they had the power.

Eligibility of Negroes
(Column 02)

Summary: Quotes the Lynchburg Republican, which argues that the Radical hesitancy to declare blacks eligible to hold elective office is evidence of "the hollow hypocrisy and dishonesty of the men who elevate themselves as the only friends of the negro."

Origin of Article: Lynchburg Republican

Full Text of Article:

Whilst the Radical are forcing negro suffrage upon the South because they expect the negroes to vote with them, and to aid them to secure office and retain power, yet they have shown no disposition to render th negro eligible to office. They think the negro will do to vote, as he is expected to vote with them, but it will not do to elect the negroes to office. Upon this subject the Lynchburg Republican says:

"The truth is, the Radical party have never yet dared to declare the negro eligible to office. No such provision is anywhere made in the reconstruction acts, and those acts have been so frequently reviewed and mended that we cannot suppose the omission to be accidental. Not only in their own section, but also in their provision for the government of the Southern States, the Radical leaders hesitate to commit their party to this measure. The negro will serve all the uses they have for him by casting his vote for their candidates. When it comes to opening the way to official preferment to him , the noisy friends of the colored man, and the blatant champions of his equal rights, will be found either silent or opposed to his claims.

The fact illustrates the hollow hypocrisy and dishonesty of the men who elevate themselves as the only friends of the negro. In all sincerity they feel no interest in his welfare, except so far as he can be made to answer their purposes. That done, they do not experience one-tenth of the sympathy or care for him which is felt, but not ostentatiously paraded, by those among whom he was born and raised. The colored people do not at present appreciate this truth, but they will acknowledge it, in all its crushing force, before many years shall have passed above their heads.

Local News--Camp Meeting
(Column 01)

Summary: A camp meeting will commence on August 23 on the land of Mrs. Tutwiler near Mt. Crawford. The meeting will be held under the supervision of the United Brethren in Christ and will include preachers from Pennsylvania and Maryland as well as Virginia.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Tutwiler)

Local News-- Radical Meeting
(Column 02)

Summary: Reports that a radical meeting was held at the court house to select delegates to the Radical Convention in Richmond. Of the delegates selected, three were white and two black. The article also reports that one of the speakers, Philip Rozelle, "expressed his strong disapprobation of the Spectator."
(Names in announcement: Jacob Bear, Jno. Yates, A. T. Maupin, Geo. W. McCutcheon, David Fultz, Samuel Cline, Samuel Driver, Philip Rozelle, Benj. Downey, David Davenport, Rev. Geo. A. Shuey, Aaron Shoveller, E. L. Houff)

Full Text of Article: Radical Meeting.

In accordance with the [illegible] as published in handbills, a meeting of the Radicals, white and black, was held in the Court House on yesterday, Monday, for the purpose of sending delegates to the Radical Convention, which will meet in Richmond on Thursday next.

The majority of the meeting were negroes who occupied the lawyers' chairs in the bar, and the main body of the Court House below, whilst their white co-operators were literally, "pushed to the wall," forming a white fringe to the black body.

On motion of Jacob Bear, Mr. Jno. Yates was called to the chair.

On motion of A. T. Maupin, Mr. Geo. W. McCutcheon was appointed to act as Secretary.

The object of the meeting was explained by David Fultz, Esq., in a speech of half an hour's length. The speech, we learn, was conservative in its character.

Mr. Fultz moved that a committee be appointed by the Chairman to report preamble and resolutions, whereupon the Chairman appointed the following persons as the members of that committee:

David Fultz, Sam'l Cline, Sam'l Driver, white, and Philip Rozelle and Benj. Downey, colored.

During the absence of the committee, the meeting was addressed by David Davenport, colored.

The following delegates were appointed to attend the meeting in Richmond: David Fultz, Rev. Geo. A. Shuey, Jno. Yates, whites, and Benj. Downey and Aaron Shoveller, colored.

The resolutions not having been furnished us in time for this issue, are not published.

After the adoption of the resolutions, the meeting was addressed by E. L. Houff, white.

His speech elicited considerable applause from the "colored men and brethren" present.

Philip Rozelle, colored, also addressed the meeting after the conclusion of Mr. Houff's speech.

We understand that he expressed his strong disapprobation of the Spectator , and recommended its editor to go to the editors of the other papers here to get proper ideas.

We were not present at the meeting, and are indebted to a friend for the above account of the proceedings.

Such a scene was presented in that meeting was never exhibited in this county before. O tempora, O mores!

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: John M. Tate, of Wythe, and Rebecca C. Tate, daughter of the late John A. Tate of Augusta, were married by Rev. P. P. Flournoy on July 24.
(Names in announcement: Rev. P. P. Flournoy, John M. Tate, Rebecca C. Tate, John A. Tate)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: Mollie Eidson and Lieut. Jas. O. Hobbs were married at Wood Lawn on July 21 by Rev. T. L. Preston.
(Names in announcement: Rev. T. L. Preston, Lieut. Jas. O. Hobbs, Mollie Eidson, Henry Eidson)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Pollie Baylor died on July 25 near Bethlehem Church. She was 51 years old.
(Names in announcement: Pollie Baylor)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Maria Virginia, the infant daughter of Archibald and Sarah Snapp, died last Saturday evening. She was six months old.
(Names in announcement: Maria Virginia Snapp, Archibald Snapp, Sarah C. Snapp)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Alex A. Stuart, the eldest son of Archibald P. Stuart, died on July 2 of epilepsy. He was 24 years old.
(Names in announcement: Alex. A. Stuart, Arch. P. Stuart)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Daniel Whitmer died at his home near Parnassus on July 4. He was 73 years old. Includes a lengthy account of Whitmer's religious faith and church activities.
(Names in announcement: Daniel Whitmer, Dr. Hendren)

Full Text of Article:

In early manhood, having been brought by the grace of God to the light of the knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, he made a public profession of his faith and connected himself with the German Reformed Church, in which he had been born and nurtured. Having changed his residence from Rockingham county to Augusta, in the neighborhood of Union Church, then under the care of the late Dr. Headren, he connected himself with the Presbyterian church, and was for about a quarter of a century, an elder in that church.

Rarely is it the privilege of any church to be blessed with a member or office bearer, who in his walk and conversation more consistently adorned his christian profession. While living, he was a witness for the truth, the word of God was his rule of life. His faith and hope were built on that rock which is christ.

He was a man of sound judgment, of strict integrity, liberal of his substance as God had prospered him, kind and affectionate as a husband, father, neighbor and friend; a father to the orphan, his loss will be deeply felt by his family, his neighborhood, and the church of which he was a member-but they mourn not as those who have no hope.

In Memoriam
(Column 03)

Summary: The Muscatine Courier praises the modesty and faith of Sarah Ament, originally of Augusta, who recently passed away.
(Names in announcement: Sarah J. Ament, Jos. P. Ament, Jacob Ruff)

Origin of Article: Muscatine (Iowa) Courier

Full Text of Article:

Your paper lately announced that on the 27th ult., Mrs. SARAH J., wife of Mr. Jos. P. Ament and daughter of Jacob Ruff, of Augusta county Va., departed this life, aged 86 years, and that on the 29th ult., she was borne with loving hands to her burial.

Such is the concise record that sooner, or later will tell the brief history of us all, the number of years that we live; the fact of death and burial; but underneath this record which all may read, there is an unwritten history-often eventful, always interesting-telling of struggles with life's duties-of trials and sacrifices, and of heroic conflicts-of loves and of hopes and of moral achievements that will live long in the memory of a loving circle, and leave the enduring fragrance and blessing there.

In such unwritten histories are doubtless hid life's noblest efforts and best accomplishments.-There let them rest. They need not be blazoned abroad in order to do their work. Real worth and wealth of character will always tell. They need to human tongues; they have a thousand ways to speak.

The modesty of our departed friend would shrink from a word of eulogy, but I do not think she would object to have it known, to the honor of her Savior that she found great support in her Christian hopes that they alleviated and lightened the long sufferings of a sick room, and made the day of her departure a time of peace and triumph.