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Staunton Spectator: March 17, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Work! Work!! Work!!!
(Column 05)

Summary: Urges people to vote to "defeat the Constitution and at the same time elect to the various offices Conservative men". Because the ratification of the Constitution and the elections for various offices will be held on the same day, Southerners are encouraged to organize in an effort to defeat the Radical party.

Full Text of Article:

"Should now be the motto of all. We shall have more to do than vote simply on the question of ratification, for the latest amendment requires that members of Congress and all State officers shall be elected on this same day. This cunningly devised scheme is intended to promote the interests of the negro party, for it evidently anticipates that all aspirants for office, whether they favor the Constitution or not, will give it their votes. This dodge must force the Conservatives to run candidates, for it will not do in Virginia to let the Radical candidates for the several offices be elected, trusting to defeat the Constitution and thus render their election void. Congress in such a case would certainly declare the Constitution ratified, and the officers duly elected to their several positions. -- But if we defeat the Constitution and at the same time elect to the various offices Conservative men, Congress itself will be rather puzzled to frame legislation to meet the case. We must, therefore, contest every point, fight at every post, have candidates for every office.

Such is the advice of the Lynchburg News, and good advice it is, says the Charlottesville Chronicle, which deserves to be followed; indeed, which must be followed, with zeal and energy, if we would save the State of Virginia, with her grand old historical past, and her glorious future from the pollution of negro domination. No lukewarmness will do now, for this is not a contest for superiority between parties of our own people, as in days gone by, when success to neither side involved any very great changes of State policy -- and there certainly could not be produced an entire revolution in the government, no matter what was the issue of any given election. It will not do now, for us to shut our eyes to the importance of the struggle that will begin as soon as the Convention adjourns. Safety, quiet, self-respect, everything is involved in the contest. It will not do to allow Virginia to be given over to Yankees and Negroes. Congress has allowed a vote, which must be a fair one, if the white people take pains to guard against fraud, as they ought to do and must do. The honor and prosperity of every individual depends on success and success must be had. The white people hardly realize the consequences of the adoption of this constitution, especially in counties where the negroes have the majority. They don't seem to understand that it will carry with it high taxes, negro officials in all county offices, (or, what will be worse, foreign white adventurers) fraud and corruption in all places of public trust. They must consider whether they are willing, without an effort, to have their property assessed and the taxes collected by a stranger or a negro, whether they are willing to see negroes, or their more corrupt white leaders, as magistrates on the bench, as clerks, keeping the records of the Courts, as Sheriffs and Constables making arrests and serving executions. If they are willing to see and to suffer all of these things let them stay quietly at home and take no interest in the contest -- but if not, they must be up and doing. No time is to be lost. The convention must adjourn very soon and the election will be ordered, in a very few weeks after its adjournment. Thorough organization will do much to win the fight, and we know, from the experience of the last election, that the other side will be moved like a well drilled army. Is ours complete? Has everyone done the part assigned him? Nor should all the work be thrown on the officers of the conservative organization -- for what is the interest of each one is his duty also - and all are certainly interested in this matter. Let all make up their minds beforehand, and when the canvas begins, be ready to sacrifice time, money, whatever may be necessary for the cause. -- With the vote on the Constitution, there will also be an election of State and County officers. Conservative candidates should be brought out, for all the offices, even the most unimportant. The battle must be fought on every inch of ground, and nothing yielded without a contest. It is possible though very improbable, if the Conservatives do their duty, that the Constitution may be carried. It is very probable that it will be imposed on the State by Congress, without regard to the vote. Carry all, or, at any rate, most of the offices in the State, and the measures of the radicals will be checkmated in any event. The clause, requiring only ten day's residence, opens the door to fraud, and was probably intended to do so. This only makes more vigilance necessary. There should be persons at the polls, knowing all voters, black and white. No exertion should be spared to control this election, for if it is lost, all is lost, for some years, at least. Defeat this Constitution, and time will be gained, which will be invaluable, in view of the critical condition of the parties at the North.

The Convention Hoists the Black Flag
(Column 05)

Summary: Argues that the "Convention" has openly declared its intention to "secure the supremacy of those who were but yesterday our slaves." Claims that such an obvious and unjust action will merely encourage Virginians to reject the Constitution and resist the Radicals "to the death."

Full Text of Article:

The Enquirer says that the negroes and the New England squatters at the Capitol have at last hoisted the black flag. There is no longer the slightest attempt upon their part to disguise the fact that the proscription and pillage of the white race are their real objects. They have left to the people of Virginia no escape from a war of races but the rejection of their proposed constitution. We assert this deliberately and without excitement, for it requires no argument to prove that in a State where the whites are united and largely preponderate in numbers over the negroes they will not submit to be ruled by a degraded race and by the infamous men who have fallen to the level of that race. We therefore congratulate the people of Virginia that, under the influence of an infuriated demagogue, who never fails to destroy the cause which he espouses, the Radicals in "the Convention" have carried proscription infinitely farther than the most violent revolutionists in Congress ever proposed to extend it. The great danger which we apprehended was from negro suffrage, with a proscription of the whites so limited and mild that our people might learn to endure the political equality of the negro. But in extending the right of suffrage to negro paupers and rogues, and in depriving of citizenship many thousands of our best citizens, whose proscription was not dreamed of by Congress, the intention of the Radicals to place the negro over the white man is as clear as noon-day. Equality of races is not contemplated in Virginia. Enough white men must be disfranchised to secure the supremacy of those who were but yesterday our slaves.

If we do not take immediate steps to prevent this attempt to degrade the white race, we shall think that the white men deserve to become the "hewers of wood and drawers of water" for the negro. If the recent action of the "Convention" does not rally our race as one man, we shall conclude that the heroism which flamed in the van of the armies of the Confederacy for four years, now sleeps upon the hundred battle fields made famous by Virginia valor.

Marshalled by ex-Federal volunteers and camp-followers, our late slaves are seeking to deprive of political rights the brave men of Virginia who so often hunted these very squatters like frightened game from our soil. The offices of the State are to be filled by the soldiers of Butler, Pope, Burnside, Hooker and McDowell, while our noble heroes who fought with Lee, Jackson, and Stuart, are to be denied the political rights which have been given to the vilest negro.

Congress never dreamed of such wholesale proscription as is contemplated by "the Convention," nor has anything half so monstrous been attempted in any of those Southern States where the negro has twice the power which they have here. We long since assured the people of Virginia that Congress was incapable of such harshness as would be attempted by this "Convention," and the proof of the correctness of our opinion is now before them. As sure as the sun will rise to-morrow, if they do not meet and crush this monstrous conspiracy, their fate will be more wretched than that of any people the tale of whose degradation and dishonor blackens the pages of history.

The rule of the soldier draws rapidly to its close in Virginia. To this we have submitted, and may for years continue to submit, without dishonor, for our fate in that respect has been shared by very many great nations. But when the hideous Yahoo despotism, which the "Convention" is preparing to inaugurate, commences, there will be such an uprising of the white men of Virginia as has never been witnessed upon this continent. Our people cannot be taught too early to regard this attempt to convert Virginia into a Botany Bay for incendiary squatters and a Negro Hayti, as something which must be resisted to the death.

We must Contest Inch by Inch
(Column 06)

Summary: Mentions the act allowing elections to take place on the same day as the ratification of the State Constitution, and appeals to Southerners' long-term self-interest in getting out to vote.

Full Text of Article:

If ever true, that "vigilance is the price of liberty," surely the case is stronger to-day than any ever before, either in our own individual history or the history of the country of which we form a part.

Congress has just passed a law of the very gravest import to Virginians, and a new day awaits us. They have authorized State Conventions to provide for the election of members of Congress, as well as all State officers, at the time the vote is taken upon the question of ratifying the Constitution.

It is our duty to present the most unexceptionable candidates for every office. For members of Congress, we should nominate the most unexceptionable in each district.

For State offices, we can elect the most worthy among us, as no iron-clad oath can be demanded for purely State offices. --Fredericksburg Herald.

Whenever the Press of the State has spoken at all, says the Charlottesville Chronicle, the sentiments have been just as the above. -- We must contest every inch. This is a life and death contest with the white men of Virginia, on which depends the question whether they will be able to live comfortably in the State. If any men doubt it, let him read the sentiments of Botts and Rives in their recent speeches in Richmond, and the Franchise articles passed by the so-called State Conventions. All the negroes are to be enfranchised, and half the whites to be disfranchised. It is well for us that the Convention cannot determine who is to vote on the Constitution, or we would have no chances whatever. Judge Rives tells the Convention to let all the negroes vote, who pay their taxes. -- It goes a step further, as he must have known it would go, and enfranchises all over twenty-one years of age, whether they pay taxes or not. Mr. Botts, with as much venom against the whites of Virginia as if he were himself a negro, says "disfranchise as many as may be necessary to give the Radicals the control of the State, if it takes 50,000." The Convention answers by framing an act that will disfranchise more than 50,000. Stay at home, gentlemen, and take care of your things, if you choose, and let the negro radicals get control of the State, but don't grumble afterwards, when the little per cent. you make on your farms is to be taken away from you by a negro tax-collector, (to be plundered by Radical officials,) at the behest of a non-tax paying majority. Don't grumble, when you, without a vote, fail to get justice against the voter who steals your hog, from a corrupt Radical Justice of the Peace. Now is the time to exert yourselves, and it won't do for you, who belong to the class who are most interested, if you fail to work now, to come hereafter, asking co-operation from those who wish you to join them now, but who will fail if you are lukewarm. Strive now, or give it up forever, for this is certainly your last chance to help yourselves. A Conservative majority may, at some future day, put things right, but it is very doubtful, whether the Northern Democrats will trouble themselves to help men who will not help themselves. It is, perhaps, too much to ask of the patriotism of men of this day, to refuse to employ mechanics, whom, they know to be working against the interests of their race, but it would not cause much inconvenience, at any rate, to give notice that those who continue membership in the leagues and continue their exertions against the whites, will not be employed, at the expiration of the current bargains. We do not ask the substitution of white for negro mechanics, for we are not warring against the negroes as laborers, but as rulers -- but we do think that all exertions should be made to break up the negro leagues, and as a potent means to do this, notice should be given at once to all Radical mechanics, white or black. They should cease to be Radicals, or cease to be employed. A war is being made against property, and property should defend itself. Think over these things, gentlemen, and consider whether you can afford to stay at home and take care of "your things," and let the country be ruined for want of a little exertion and fear of a little inconvenience. A certain border lady, that we wot of, used to be Union to the Unionists and rebel to the Rebels, excused herself on the grounds that she had to take care of "her things." So it is now, we fear, with many, they take care of present interest and do not think that they sacrifice principle -- but they do, and with principle, future interests also. This is no time for lukewarmness. Every man should be up and stirring.

The Guillotine at Work
(Column 07)

Summary: The paper criticizes what it calls the "black-and-tan" Radical Convention for expelling members who refused to vote to disfranchise former Confederates.

The New Code of Political Morals
(Column 07)

Summary: An article from the Norfolk Virginian questioning the definition of "loyalty" put forth by those who still call Southerners rebels. The author considers himself loyal, and desires the restoration of the Union, but is considered a rebel for his "prejudices in favor of a white man's government under the Constitution" and his refusal to lie about his prior sympathies with the Confederacy.

Full Text of Article:

We consider ourselves "loyal." We pay our taxes, we desire the restoration of the Union, we obey the laws, we defend the Constitution, and uphold the public liberties: but, for all that there are those who look down upon us from their superior elevation of "loyalty," and hold us to be rebels. Now what constitutes a "loyal" man in their estimation? It is difficult to answer, but from our knowledge of many of these patriots, we incline to the opinion that first of all you must be ready to swear anything [as Stokes did] which Congress may require. Did you have son, brother, father, in the Confederate army, nay, for that matter, were you there yourself? If so, then step up to the book, and take Heaven to witness that you had no sympathy for that son, brother, or father, and wished the whole Confederate army blown into atoms. Next, you must protest that you believe your life and the life of every other "Union man" is in danger, and that you expect the diabolical "rebels" to give the world a St. Bartholomew's day, in which the "loyal" men will be "wiped out" with a bloody sponge.-- For self-preservation, you may then assert your claim to the offices -- State, Federal and Municipal -- in order to protect yourself from oppression, and, finally, to complete your perfection, embrace Bayne with a fraternal hug, and avow eternal devotion to the accomplished Hodges. Do this, and you will, then, be considered a "loyal" man by the "loyalists" of Virginia. -- On the other hand, if you still retain some prejudices in favor of a white man's government under the Constitution, if you believe perjury to be a crime, lying to be disreputable, theft to be a violation of the moral law, and rascality a fit passport to jail, you must expect these intensely "loyal" fellows to compliment you by the epithet "rebel," which they all forget was once borne by the greatest and purest men this continent ever produced. -- Norfolk Virginian.

Southern Radicalism in its Nakedness
(Column 07)

Summary: The article argues that southern radicals have shown their true colors. Aware that they can "attract no supporters from the honest white masses" they have reached out with abandon to the "vulgar masses."

Origin of Article: Richmond Whig

Arouse the Voters
(Column 01)

Summary: The Spectator urges the people of Augusta to vote against the proposed state constitution. "Unless the voters of this State defeat the ratification of the Constitution which will be adopted by the Mongrel Convention, this State will be ruined, the liberty of its citizens will be destroyed and their hopes of prosperity blighted--they will be the political serfs of Radicals and negroes, and be ground to death with oppressive taxation."

Impeachment trial
(Column 01)

Summary: Account of the beginning of Andrew Johnson's impeachment trial.

The Approaching Contest
(Column 02)

Summary: Discusses the upcoming "election on the ratification or rejection of the Constitution", as well as the elections for State offices, and claims that all Virginians who fail to act in this contest are "traitors to liberty." Mentions supplying voters with reliable papers as a way to influence the outcome.

Full Text of Article:

In a short time the fate of this State will be determined by the election on the ratification or rejection of the Constitution, which will be submitted by the State Mongrel Convention. -- At the same time, State officers, -- Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney-General, -- and, also, candidates for Congress will be elected. If the Constitution be ratified and the candidates for State and Federal offices of the Radical party be elected, then will the fate of Virginia be deplorable indeed. Her liberties will be gone, and her citizens will be crushed beneath the weight of taxation. No effort to save Virginia from such a fate should be spared by any of her sons. Those who shall fail to do their duty then, in opposition to the ratification of the Constitution, and the election of the candidates of the Mongrel party, will be recreant to the trusts reposed in them, traitors to liberty, and enemies of their race.

Those who feel the importance of the contest, which will so soon be upon us, should adopt all means in their power to arouse the people to a proper sense of their duties. None should be overlooked -- all should be appealed to, and consulted with. The best means to apprise the people of their duties, and to impress upon them the importance of the contest, is to have them supplied with papers that are true and reliable.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: An attack from the Petersburg Index, laden with poetic and religious imagery, on the North and their army, charging them with "unpardonable sin against liberty" and butchery in the war.

Full Text of Article:

THE Petersburg Index says that, "in fettering us our enemies fettered their own souls -- they committed the unpardonable sin against liberty, and have substituted for her free and glorious garb the livery and the badge of loyalty and servitude.

There is not an honorable man in the North or in the army, who does not feel ashamed of the brutal and butchering work of those four years in which the blood-hounds of war were turned loose upon their brethren who had done them good, and not evil, all the days of their life. We say honorable man, for honor is, after all, but the finest sense of justice which the human mind can frame.

So atrocious was the treatment of the South, that the Radical wolf, who is yet filled with rancor against us, would shift the responsibility to the heads of the innocent, as the ghost of our liberties rises to mar the feast of his ill-gotten power, his guilty soul trembles within him, his barren sceptre trembles in his grasp, and choked with the blood of the innocent, he mutters like guilty Macbeth, "Thou canst not say I did it."

Improvements Proposed
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports on calls for a bridge over Middle River that would help bring the trade of Highland and Pendleton counties to Staunton.

Lunatic Asylum Here
(Column 02)

Summary: Reports testimony from the editor of the Richmond Whig who declares Staunton's asylum is better regulated than any in Europe or America.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper repeats the Richmond Whig's call for all white men to register to vote against the constitution.

Full Text of Article:

The Richmond Whig says, that "all who can register should do so, in order that they may be enabled to assist the white people of all our counties, cities and towns in voting down the negro-supremacy constitution with which we are threatened. The white man who refuses to register, thereby consents to and assists in the negro despotism prepared for us. Those who are not for us are against us. In such a contest as this there can be no neutrality."

The Leaders of the Negroes
(Column 03)

Summary: Excerpt from the Richmond Whig. Criticizes the Radical "leaders of the negroes" for encouraging the Freedmen to vote, without regard for and at the expense of helping them to find employment.

Full Text of Article:

We have, time and again, warned the negroes against those who assume to be their political leaders, and assured them that they were, practically, not their friends, but their worst enemies. As the Richmond Whig says, "if the leaders of the negroes were their true friends, they would be using their influence to induce them to go to work, and provide the means of livelihood for their families. Instead of doing this, they are doing the contrary. They seek to prevent them from forming any engagements that will interfere with their political plans. -- They are taught, that the first duty of the negro is, to attend political meetings, listen to Radical speeches, and vote for mean white Radical candidates for office, and that the duty of finding employment and providing for their employment, is but a subordinate affair. If a negro, who has been registered in one of our cities and is living as a pauper, can find employment and good wages as a farm hand, he is urged to remain where he is, and reject the proffered employment. No provision is made for him, the sufferings and privations of his wife and children are unheeded, and it matters not to his leaders how much they suffer, so long as he has life enough to cast his vote for them. This is Radical friendship, and this kind of friendship is going to pauperize the whole black population, and hasten thousands upon thousands of them to the grave.

We do not remember any instance in which the Radical newspapers or speakers of the State have called upon the negroes to go to work. -- All the advice they get, is to array themselves against their former masters, and vote for Radical men and measures. Their first and last duty, according to their counsellors, is to do this.

Staunton
(Column 05)

Summary: The paper prints excerpts from the Moorefield Advertiser admiring the business, bustle, and public buildings of Staunton.

Register
(Column 05)

Summary: Article urging white men to register to vote. "Shall negroes and knaves rule and ruin Virginia, or shall her own true sons, the representatives of the intelligence, the worth and property of the State, save her from such shame."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Miss Lizzie Spengler, a German girl, advertises her willingness to do family sewing work.
(Names in announcement: Lizzie Spengler)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Gen. Wise will address the people of Augusta at the Court House on Monday on the subject of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The boys of Staunton are holding a meeting at the Court House to organize a Base Ball Club.

A Fench Class
(Column 01)

Summary: Mr. Louis O. Therry, a native of France, is offering classes in the French language in the building opposite the residence of A. F. Kinney on Augusta Street. He is a well-recommended teacher. "In this age it is desirable that all should acquire an acquaintance with the French language."
(Names in announcement: Louis O. Therry, A. F. Kinney)

Staunon Lyceum
(Column 01)

Summary: The Staunton Lyceum debated whether banks of discount are more beneficial than injurious. It was decided 14-3 in the affirmative. The next meeting will debate whether a representative should always obey the will of his constituency.
(Names in announcement: Col. George Baylor, Capt. James Bumgardner, F. M. Young, A. M. Pierce, George B. Taylor, Samuel H. Coleman, Y. H. Peyton, Col. Bolivar Christian, Col. James H. Skinner, Capt. O. Smith, R. Mauzy)

The Thespians
(Column 01)

Summary: The Thespians performed the Dumas play entitled "Catherine Howard, or the Bride of Death." The actors were convincingly costumed in 16th century dress, and the play was "performed as well as could be expected on its first presentation by a company of amateur actors." The music of the orchestra alone was worth admission. The paper did complain of boys "whistling and stamping" between scenes.

Meeting in the Court-House
(Column 02)

Summary: A meeting in the Court House was held to discuss whether the citizens of Staunton should vote to contribute $50,000 to the proposed county subscription of $300,000 to the stock of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. Speakers urged the citizens to do so, since the road would bring immeasurable economic benefit to Augusta.
(Names in announcement: Col. John B. Baldwin, N. K. Trout, H. W. Sheffey, R. Mauzy)

Bridge over Middle River
(Column 02)

Summary: "Fair Play" writes in support of constructing a bridge over Middle River.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Urges white men to uphold their honor by voting.

Origin of Article: Clarke Journal

North and South--the Contrast
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper argues that Southern journals are not as outspoken against Republican politics as some Northern counterparts because citizens of the South lack basic civil rights and freedom of speech.

Marriages
(Column 05)

Summary: William P. Coyner and Miss Sarah C. Whitesell, both of Augusta, were married on February 25th by the Rev. Martin Garber.
(Names in announcement: William P. Coyner, Sarah C. Whitesell, Rev. Martin Garber)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: William H. Collins and Miss Mary A. Smith, both of Augusta, were married on February 29th by the Rev. Martin Garber.
(Names in announcement: William H. Collins, Mary A. Smith, Rev. Martin Garber)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: Oliver M. Humphreys and Miss Martha Bradburn, both of Augusta, were married on March 5th by the Rev. Martin Garber.
(Names in announcement: Oliver M. Humphreys, Martha Bradburn, Rev. Martin Garber)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: J. Alex. Grove, of Frederick County, and Miss Frances L. Denny were married at the home of the bride's father on February 25th by the Rev. George A. Long.
(Names in announcement: J. Alex Grove, Frances L. Denny, Rev. George A. Long)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: John Jones died near Americus Mills of paralysis. He was 65 years old. "He was a quiet, unobtrusive man, and, perhaps, never had an enemy. He leaves a considerable family and numerous relations."
(Names in announcement: John Jones)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Richard Crosby died near Spring Hill of kidney disease. He was 47 years old, and "leaves four orphan children and a numerous connexion to mourn his loss. He, too, never had an enemy."
(Names in announcement: Richard Crosby)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Greenberry B. Matthews died on March 10th "after a long and painful illness. He was 28 years old.
(Names in announcement: Greenberry B. Matthews)

Preparations to Resist Negro Rule
(Column 02)

Summary: Encourages every Virginian to make speeches in favor of Conservative candidates. Says that the effort of the Radicals to "disfranchise the gallant officers of Lee and Jackson" is a perfect basis for oratory in opposition to the Constitution and against the Radical party.

Full Text of Article:

The Enquirer says that as a part of organization for the defeat of the "negro constitution" which will be submitted to our people in a short time, we know of nothing comparable to the nomination of Conservative candidates for every office in the State. Nothing serves so effectually to arouse the people as an actual contest for every place, from that of a governor to the most subordinate county office. We can thus reach every citizen either through his sense of duty to his race, or through his friendship for the candidates for office. And every candidate must make it a point of honor to work, and after a most determined and energetic fashion. We hope soon to hear of every man in Virginia taking the stump, who can make an intelligible speech of ten minutes' length.

The attempt of the bummers, sutlers, commissioners, quartermasters, and colonels, majors and captains of Butler the beast, and of Pope and Hooker the braggarts, to disfranchise the gallant officers of Lee and Jackson, for the purpose of distributing the offices of the State among the men who laid waste our towns and cities, is thus a grand theme with which to arouse our people from the mountains to the sea.-- Never was there a field for indignant oratory as this attempt to give Virginia to the negroes and their New England parasites affords to our public speakers. And let no consideration of mercy or courtesy restrain our speakers when they are denouncing this foul attempt to dishonor and degrade the land of Washington, Lee, and Jackson. Let the tone and temper of the Conservative party be that of a prosecutor who is dealing with men whose crimes are infamous and notorious. Let the heroic officers of the grand old army of Northern Virginia handle these demoralized and skulking New England squatters, who have attempted to put the negro over the head of our noble Confederate soldiers, as roughly as they did at Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Fredericksburg, Gaine's Mill, and Coal Harbor. Let these conspirators against the white race in Virginia learn that by their monstrous crimes they have at last aroused a people whose courage has ever been equal to the danger which threatened either their honor or their firesides. We should lash the miserable vagabonds at the Capitol until they are effectually cured of all desire to rear a negro empire upon the soil of Virginia.