Search the Newspapers Browse Newspapers by Date Articles Indexed by Topic About the Newspapers Valley of the Shadow Home

Staunton Spectator: Feburary 11, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Grant and the President
(Column 01)

Summary: Criticizes General Grant's character on the basis of his failure to deal with President Johnson fairly regarding Stanton and the War Department.

Full Text of Article:

The Baltimore Gazette says that "the correspondence between the President and General Grant, which was laid before Congress on Tuesday, confirms the view we took of General Grant's conduct when he surrendered the War Department to Mr. Stanton. General Grant's statement is vague and inconclusive, and is evidently the work of a man who feels that he is in an awkward and not creditable position. He is, moreover, flatly contradicted by the President and the members of the Cabinet, and however much of a warrior and hero some people may at present consider him, his personal character has never been so high as to make his word of any special weight in the estimation of the country. But the case is one that admits of no explanation which relieves General Grant from the charge of having been guilty of the grossest perfidy. He was placed by the President on the list of his official and confidential advisers, and he was bound by every obligation that controls men of ordinary integrity to leave no room for any misunderstanding in regards to his intention in case Mr. Stanton should attempt to resume his place in the War Department. The subject has been deliberately discussed several times, and therefore General Grant was not taken by surprise. He had informed the President that he would pursue a very different course from the one which he subsequently did adopt, and it was thus made the more incumbent on him to give Mr. Johnson the most explicit and detailed statement of his change of purpose. No amount of shuffling and no amount of denial will suffice to clear General Grant's reputation. That he is thoroughly allied with the Radical party is a confessed fact and it is now perfectly clear that in the interests of that party he has dealt treacherously with the President. His flourish about his "personal honor and character" comes with a singularly bad grace from a man in the position in which General Grant has placed himself -- a position, we may add, in which it is scarcely possible for a frank and upright man to have gotten by any sort of accident."

Convention in the South
(Column 01)

Summary: A dramatic attack on the Constitutional State Conventions as terrible instruments working towards an unjust end.

Full Text of Article:

In speaking of the outrage imposed upon the Southern States by the Radicals through the instrumentality of Constitutional State Conventions, so called, the Enquirer and Examiner asks:

Will the patience of the Northern people allow this monstrosity much longer? It is not merely an absurdity. It is not merely a disgust. It is a terror. It is that most diabolical of plots and of dramas -- a frightful tragedy in the garb of a farce. It is the dagger of the assassin with the disguise of harlequin and the gibberish of the idiot. It is the dance of the Ethiopians over the dust of Washington. It is the humiliation of the Caucasian by the African -- the exaltation of barbarism and fetishism over civilization and christianity. It gives to republican forms their deadliest blow, by making them supremely contemptible. Shall a proceeding at once so fatal in its character and so loathsome in its details, at once a great crime, a great peril, and a great indecency, continue to offend and disgust the world? Is it necessary that the worst of ends should be pursued by the worst of means? Can despotism devise no more decent formula for its dirty ends? For shame that the people of the North should so long have tolerated the brutal exhibition! If they are utterly oblivious to every political principle they have ever professed; -- if they are utterly insensible to every pledge of honor they have ever made; -- if they, indeed, desire to pour only vitriol in the Southern wounds, and educate Southern hearts to the very gall of hate under a sense of enormous and perfidious wrong, -- at least let them put away the pitiable monstrosity of negro constitutional conventions as the instruments of their malignity. They have abundance of as despicable stuff as tyrants were ever made of, -- let them send the negro behind the scenes, and fly their Popes and Sheridans and Meades and other like tigercats, directly at our throats.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Claims that the Radicals mistakenly view Southern opposition to their policies as disloyalty or illegal opposition to the government, when in fact such opposition is both legal and legitimate.

Full Text of Article:

The reiterated and continued statement of the Radical leaders, that the people of the Southern States are hostile to "the Government," is to be explained, says the Alex. Gazette, by recollecting that the long possession of power in the hands of these leaders, and their complete control of the administration of affairs for seven years, have induced them to assume that they are the "government," and they, therefore, expect and require fealty and allegiance to their faction, just as if it were an organized institution, recognized by the Constitution. The Southern people are, and acknowledge themselves to be, in opposition to the political sentiments, purposes, policy, and designs of the Radical leaders -- as are a large and respectable portion of the Northern people. Thus far they go -- and no farther. This opposition is reasonable, legitimate, legal, constitutional. It is not, and cannot be prohibited except by brute force or the excercise of illegal military authority. It is, simply, the excercise of what is left of the right of speech, of the liberty of the press, of the privelege of forming an opinion and expressing it, with regard to public matters. It is no hostility to "the government" -- no breach of faith -- no severance of allegiance. Those who represent it otherwise, do so for purposes of wrong, oppression, and tyranny.

President Johnson and Gen'l Grant
(Column 02)

Summary: Prints correspondence between Johnson and Grant concerning the firing of Stanton.

Prompt Action Needed
(Column 02)

Summary: The Clarke Journal predicts that the State Convention will present the Constitution with little warning, and urges Southerners to organize and prepare in advance.

Full Text of Article:

The Clarke Journal says that "it is evident that Congress, or the unconstitutional body so-called, is only instigated by the late reaction in the North to more reckless and destructive legislation than it has ever before been guilty of. It is evident, too, that they will require in the next Presidential election, the electoral vote of the South, to ensure the success of their candidate. They will, therefore, hesitate at nothing in their effort to effect the reconstruction of the Southern States at once. They have no time to lose, for the day is not far distant when the final decisive struggle for power will have to be made. Their political machines, the mongrel Conventions of the South, will be required to complete the framing of Constitutions for the States at a very early day, and as little time as possible will be given before the question will be submitted to the people.

The question of the ratification of the Constitution will be sprung upon us so suddenly that we will not have time to arouse the people to the necessity of turning out en masse to save the State. In the meantime while they are thus preparing for our total enslavement, we are doing nothing. We are organizing, 'tis is true, but organizing to begin the campaign when the Constitution is framed and submitted to the people. This is the very worst policy conceivable. We should begin the campaign at once. Every man who is Conservative, and who has the interest of the State at heart, should at once go to work.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Discusses the President's charges of treachery against Grant, and criticizes Grant's character.

Full Text of Article:

In speaking of the issue of veracity between the President and Grant, the Lynchburg Republican says: "The President openly charges Grant with falsehood and treachery, and proves it upon him by the testimony of four members of his cabinet; while Grant lamely attempts to escape the odium by appealing to the public in behalf of his reputation as a soldier and a gentleman! Most lame and impudent dodge! He betrayed the President in order to subserve the revolutionary designs of Stanton and Congress and he now resorts to special pleading and falsehood to escape the public odium and disgust which attaches to such disreputable conduct. -- We presume that, of all the public men of distinction that ever figured in this country, Grant has gone up as the most "like a skyrocket and come down like a stick." He has neither the brains of a smart man nor the principles of a correct one; and the laurels he won in the field by extraordinary numbers, will be eternally lost in civil life by stupidity and deception.

Question for Debating Societies
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper compares the "mongrel convention" at Richmond to a zoo, and suggests charging admission to observe the constitutional debates.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Staunton Musical Association gave a concert, showing off the extensive musical talent in town.

Staunton Lyceum
(Column 01)

Summary: Dr. A. M. Fauntleroy delivered a lecture before the Lyceum on "The Indestructibility of Forces." He argued that forces were not lost, and heat and light were not matter, but the effect of the motion of matter. A debate followed on the question of whether or not Divine Goodness could be proven without the aid of scripture. Prof. Pike Powers, Col. George Baylor, Y. H. Peyton, and Rev. George B. Taylor argued in the affirmative; Capt. A. M. Pierce, Col. B. Christian, and Col. James H. Skinner in the negative. It was decided in the negative 13 to 9.
(Names in announcement: Dr. A. M. Fauntleroy, Pike Powers, Col. George Baylor, Y. H. Peyton, Rev. George B. Taylor, Capt. A. M. Pierce, Col. B. Christian, Col. James H. Skinner)

Cast Steel by Sibert's Process
(Column 02)

Summary: Describes casting of locomotive wheels at a local factory using the process invented by Augusta's Lorenzo Sibert.
(Names in announcement: Lorenzo Sibert)

Full Text of Article:

We have frequently made mention of the newly-discovered process, by Lorenzo Sibert, of making cast-steel in an ordinary blast furnace, and have previously mentioned the fact that several tires for the wheels of locomotives have been made by this process at the foundry of Perkins, Nelson & Co., of this place, ordered by Mr. Whitcomb, the Superintendent of the Va. Central Railroad. Having ordered two more, and other citizens being informed that the casting would take place on Saturday evening last, a number of intelligent gentlemen were in attendance to witness it. As on former occasions, the most satisfactory success was attained. It is claimed for the metal thus easily and cheaply made, that it possesses all the qualities of the best steel. Lorenzo Sibert, the patentee, has the credit for making one of the most valuable discoveries of the present age. It will establish his claim as a benefactor of the world. He will not need marble or bronze to perpetuate his memory, as steel made by his process will be more effectual and more enduring. Of cast-steel his monument should be made. His promises to be
"One of the few, immortal names
That were not born to die."

Corporation Court
(Column 02)

Summary: Proceedings of Staunton City Court.
(Names in announcement: Patrick Carter, Sidney Watson, Ben Jackson, Hughes, Jackson, George Johnson, William Johnson, Henry Jailer, Henry Douglas, Marquis Rodney, Raleigh Towes, Raleigh Gordon, Alex Nellous, John Keller)

Full Text of Article:

The Quarterly Grand Jury term of the Corporation Court of Staunton commenced on Wednesday last.

Quite a large number of cases have been tried and many more are still to try--the Court being still in session. We will give the result in some of the more interesting cases. It will be seen that the "wards of the nation" have gotten into the prisoners' box instead of on the jury as they are striving to do.

Commonwealth vs. Patrick Carter and Sidney Watson,(both colored). Offence--Grand Larceny. Verdict--conviction in the case of Patrick Carter, who was sentenced to three years' imprisonment in the penitentiary; acquittal in the case of Sidney Watson.

Commonwealth vs. Ben Jackson (colored.)--Offence--petit larceny. Verdict--acquittal.

Commonwealth vs. Hughes and Jackson (colored). Offence--Petit Larceny. Verdict--acquittal in the case of Hughes and conviction in the case of Jackson who was sentenced to 90 days' confinement in jail.

Commonwealth vs. Geo. Johnson (colored).--Offence--Petit larceny. Verdict--conviction and sentenced to 5 days' confinement in jail.

Commonwealth vs Wm. Johnson and Henry Jailer alias Henry Douglas. Offence--Petit larceny. Verdict--Johnson convicted and sentenced to 60 days' confinement in jail; Henry Jailer acquitted.

Commonwealth vs. Marquis Rodney (colored) Offence--Petit larceny. Verdict--Guilty and sentenced to 5 days' confinement in jail.

Commonwealth vs. Raleigh Towes alias Raleigh Gordon (colored). Offence--Petit Larceny. Verdict--acquittal.

Commonwealth vs. Alex. Nellous (colored).--Offence--Petit larceny. Verdict--Guilty and sentenced to 10 days' confinement in jail.

Commonwealth vs John W. Keller(p ain).--Offence--Petit larceny. Verdict--Guilty, and sentenced to 90 days' confinement in jail.

To learn the distinction between meum et tuum seems to be a difficult lesson to the "wards of the nation," and the Constitution-makers for the Southern States.

Issue in the Presidential Campaign
(Column 03)

Summary: Presents the coming Presidential campaign as a choice between revolutionary tyranny and republican government.

Full Text of Article:

Let us see, what is the true and great issue to be decided in the Presidential campaign which, as has been said, is now opening in two of the New England States. It is whether the glorious republican government which was handed down to us by the fathers, and which has made us a mighty, prosperous, and happy people, shall be subverted by the radical revolutionary party now in power or be preserved by a repudiation of that party at the polls. -- It is whether a military dictatorship -- the assumption of despotic power by one branch of the government and the virtual abolition of the other -- and the creation of a negro barbarian balance of political power in the republic are to take the place of constitutional law and those wise checks and balances between the different departments which the constitution established, or whether the best government ever devised is to be perpetuated. Our radical Congress is fast destroying the constitution and the government, both in theory and in practice, for no other object than to perpetuate power in the hands of the radical party. The Jacobins of the French Revolution were not more reckless or ambitious. All the clap-trap about the poor negro, universal liberty and equality, with all the declaration about loyalty, rebels, and so forth, reminds us of the cry of liberty, equality and fraternity and the loud mouthed talk of tyranny by the French Jacobins at the time they were trampling every vestige of liberty under foot and deluging the country with blood. The issue is between this party and the conservative party. It matters little what the conservatives be called, democrats or anything else, the issue is the same, and is all important. The name is nothing, the cause everything. If the people decide in the New Hampshire and Connecticut election, then -- as would be the case, probably, in the Presidential election afterwards -- against the radical revolutionists our constitutional republic will be established; but if, unfortunately, they should not so decide, we shall march rapidly on to despotism, corruption, and to another form of government. Such is the issue now before the country, and a more important one never arose in the United States.

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: Berry L. Riley and Miss Lizzie A. Brown, both of Staunton, were married on January 6th by the Rev. John L. Clarke.
(Names in announcement: Berry L. Riley, Lizzie A. Brown, Rev. John L. Clarke)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: David Rusmisell and Miss Isabella Fix, both of Augusta, were married at the house of the bride's brother, Joseph L. Fix, on January 30th by the Rev. H. Getzendanner.
(Names in announcement: David Rusmisell, Isabella Fix, Joseph L. Fix, Rev. H. Getzendanner)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: Robert P. McPheeters and Miss Mary M. P. Speer, both of Augusta, were married at the residence of the bride's father on February 5th by the Rev. T. L. Preston.
(Names in announcement: Robert P. McPheeters, Mary M. P. Speer, Rev. T. L. Preston)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: Samuel P. Nimmo and Laurena A. Taylor, both of Augusta, were married near Bethlehem Church on December 28th by the Rev. Jacob Killian.
(Names in announcement: Samuel P. Nimmo, Laurena A. Taylor, Rev. Jacob Killian)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: William H. Ward and Miss Mattie C. Koiner, daughter of Harrison Koiner, all of Augusta, were married near Bethlehem Church on January 9th by the Rev. Jacob Killian.
(Names in announcement: William H. Ward, Mattie C. Koiner, Harrison Koiner, Rev. Jacob Killian)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: John William Baily, infant son of George F. A. and Mary Baily, died near Bethlehem Church on January 21st. He was 8 months old.
(Names in announcement: John William Baily, George F. A. Baily, Mary Baily)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Miss Margaret C. Wiseman died near Greenville of typhoid fever on February 1st. She was 19 years old and leaves many friends to mourn her loss.
(Names in announcement: Margaret C. Wiseman)

Cultivate the Soil
(Column 02)

Summary: Argues that agriculture offers the best returns to labor and capital in Virginia.

Full Text of Article:

Gloomy as are the prospects of all the departments of Southern industry, agriculture still offers to every Virginian more assured prospects of fair returns for labor employed and capital expended than anything else. -- While our farmers may not since the close of the war have realized large profits, yet their losses have been insignificant as compared with those of the planters of the Cotton States. * * * * * * *

We sincerely hope that during the next two months every young man in Virginia who does not see his way clearly to support in commerce or the professions, will try his hand at farming. Half the best land in Virginia is lying idle for want of hads to till it, and however unpropitious the seasons may prove, the cultivation of corn, wheats, oats, and tobacco is sure to yield a support to the industrious laborer. We do not mean that an incurably lazy white man, whose "farming" consists of hiring a worthless negro or two, whom he overlooks by sitting on a stump with an umbrella over his head is likely to succeed. God forbid that such a cumberer of the earth should demoralize the youth of the South by succeeding at anything -- for his example would be a bad one.

But, looking to the cheapness of lands in Virginia, and to their fertility, and the great ease with which they are cultivated, and to their accessibility to the very best markets for grain, the industrious farmer is sure to do better for the present than the struggling merchant or the unemployed professional man. There can be no real prosperity in Virginia as long as agriculture anguishes. Enquirer