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Staunton Spectator: May 5, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Proposed Constitution with its Alterationa from, and Additions to, the Constitution of 1851
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper prints a draft of the proposed new Virginia state constitution.

The Constitution--"So-called."
(Column 01)

Summary: Viciously attacked the proposed constitution, said it would degrade whites and give blacks power over the state. Asked if any reasonable white man would seriously vote for it.

Full Text of Article:

The Charlottesville Chronicle, speaking of the infamous Constitution, (which we publish on the outside this week) adopted by the carpet-baggers and negroes, at Richmond very truthfully remarks that "the inmates of a Lunatic Aylum in the time of the French Revolution would have laughed in derision at such a burlesque on the Revolutionary Philosophy. Radicalism stands aghast at it. Hunnicutt is dumbfoundered. All the white radicals but Porter and Hine have the black vomit, which is just what might have been expected when they took the yellow fever.

The thing is coal black. It is an Ebony Constitution, with an Iron-clad Oath, foul with an adulterated Repudiation, which has the stink without the fertilizing properties of the genuine article. It is not Jamaica, but Hayti--and Hayti with the felon's ethics as the fundamental law.

If you were to take out the oath, it would leave the State at the mercy of the negroes.--If you take out the oath, they have the Legislature by a majority of twenty-one on joint ballot. If you take out the oath, you have all the whites disfranchised who are disfranchised by the Constitutional Amendment, and all who have been militia officers in addition. If you take out the oath, you have a burdensome system of public free schools from which the negro Legislature may, and probably would, exclude the whites, by requiring the white and black children to attend the same schools. If you take out the oath, you have a militia in which the blacks and the whites are to be brought together on terms of equality. If you take out the oath, you have all your hotels and public conveyances thrown open to the negroes on equal terms with the whites. If you take out the oath, you have all county officers (some two hundred in Albemarle) elected by popular vote; and a large majority of the counties east of the Ridge entirely in the hands of the negroes. If you take out the oath, you have the best of the white citizens incapacitated to sit as jurors, and every negro in the Commonwealth qualified to serve in that character. It is negro supremacy without the oath. With it, it is unmitigated nonsense.

What white man will be neutral towards such a piece of diabolism? Will any white man vote for it--except Porter and Hine and White (lucus a non lucendo.)? Is Mr. Thompson going to vote for the Constitution? He said when he came back from the Convention, the white people would then know that they had misjudged him, and would welcome him as a sort of Saviour. Will anybody--any white body--in Albemarle vote for this Constitution? Is thy servant a dog that he should do this thing?

Or will there be some man who will sell his birthright for a mess of pottage? who will bite at the homestead worm? Poor fool, swallow that hook, and you will land in the frying pan.

The Right Course
(Column 02)

Summary: Launched a tirade against ratification of the proposed constitution. Used a lot of poetic and biblical language. Cited Northern Republican papers like the New York Times, who also denounced it. Asked if any decent Virginian could in all consciousness vote for the document.

Full Text of Article:

We have already expressed the opinion in these columns that this is a time for plain language, and open, bold conduct. No man should be able to plead the excuse for remissness that he did not appreciate the issue or undertand what it was his duty to do. The character of those who will vote for, or abstain from voting against, the ratification of the infamous Constitution should be held up to the scorn of an indignant and outraged people. With the Petersburg Index, "we take it for granted that every man in Virginia, white or black, native or emigrant, who has the interest of the State at heart, sympathises with us in the great object which we wish to attain--that is, the restoration of this State to the Union which our fathers founded, with all its constitutional rights in tact, and with the power to regulate the question of franchise within its own borders.

If there were not a negro in the State, it would still be a matter of vital importance to control the right of suffrage, free from Federal interference. Otherwise, all municipal independence is but a mockery and a farce.

Congress has created a horde of pauper negro electors, who, instigated and led by unprincipled interlopers, are now endeavoring to foist upon Virginia a Constitution which wrests from the hands of the tax-payers and property-holders of the State all control over its government and legislation. A Constitution which if adopted will fasten upon Virginia a burden intolerable and too heavy to be borne, and taint her whole social, moral and political life with incurable leprosy.

We would be recreant to our trust, if we did not treat the aiders and abettors of this infamous plot as public enemies.

Those who would have us adopt our style to the tone of an appeal to gentlemen and honest men, should remember that argument and entreaty to the native traitors and foreign scallawags, who infest the State, are as completely thrown away as a flea bite upon the hide of a rhinoceros.

They are determined upon our ruin, if they can effect it. They are even now aiming a deadly blow at us.

We do not intend to mollify Radical wrath, or propitiate Republican patronage by a base surrender or compromise of the cause of Virginia.

We will cling to her in her fallen fortunes with the love of love. We will turn upon her enemies with the hate of hate.

We are not careful in this matter.

There are crises in human affairs, when whosoever would save his life, shall lose it. Some awful moment to which heaven has joined great issues, for good or for evil, when the cunning expediency of the fox is a poor substitute for the courage of the "Lion of the tribe of Juda, beleaguered by the hounds of hell."

We are here to speak for the proud, pure women of Virginia, who would make her the ideal of a perfect State, where every man is brave, and every woman is virtuous.

We are here to speak for the fatherless and the widow, who have been bequeathed to our care--who have waited long for the footstep of the unreturning brave, which tarry, and do not come.

We speak for Virginia. Her cause is our cause. Her people our people and her GOD our GOD.

She struggles with the storms of fate amid the yeast of waters. We will rise with her bright on the crest of the wave, or sink with her dark in the trough of the sea.

Not a line have we written in her cause which, dying, we would wish to blot, for it is the cause of Truth, and we will plead it in the clarion voice of Liberty, or be silent forever.

It is a cause which will survive the mutability of passing events, and among the pleasant memories of our past, will be the recollection that we helped to gibbet upon the scaffold of a common infamy, the knaves who assailed, and the dastards who deserted it."

The New York Times, a leading Republican paper, takes it for granted that the infamous Constitution submitted by the mongrel Convention in this State will be defeated. It thinks that it ought to be rejected. It is, says the Times, "insulting to the white population." It is designed "as a means of keeping the State forever in negro hands." Now, what would the Times, or thousands of other decent Republicans to say nothing of the millions of Conservatives North--think of us if we should ratify this villainous scheme to bring "degradation and bondage on the white citizens of Virginia?" What would the world think of us?--and what would we think of ourselves?--These are the questions for us to ask ourselves, regardless of all others. Let us not be content with anything short of the most overwhelming majority against this "covenant with death and agreement with hell."

THE declared purpose of the suffrage section of the proposed Constitution is to ensure for the negro party a "good working majority."--White people of Virginia, strike a blow to avert such a destructive fate by VOTING AGAINST THE CONSTITUTION.

Workingmen Attention!
(Column 02)

Summary: Reprinted an article from a Wilmington paper asking white workingmen if they would fight Radical policies of racial equality.

Full Text of Article:

The Wilmington Star makes an appeal to the workingmen of that city, which we republish for the benefit of our readers:

WORKINGMEN!

Are your ready to acknowledge the negro your equal? Do you wish to be elbowed out of the shops by negro mechanics? Do you wish to toil from sunrise to sunset to make money enough to pay taxes to be devoted to the education of negro children? Do you wish to see your wives and children seated in the same car and in the same steamboats with the most ignorant and depraved African? If not, go to the polls and VOTE AGAINST THE INFAMOUS RADICAL CONSTITUTION.

Mongrel Jurors
(Column 03)

Summary: Article denouncing the new constitution for allowing African-Americans to serve on juries.

Origin of Article: Lynchburg Virginian

A Spotted Militia
(Column 06)

Summary: The article denounces the new constitution for forcing blacks and whites to serve together in militia companies and allowing blacks to command whites.

Origin of Article: Lynchburg Virginian

Grinding Taxation
(Column 06)

Summary: Article arguing that the new constitution, if passed, will quadruple the size of state government and subject an already-burdened populace to high taxation.

Origin of Article: Lynchburg Virginian

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Presbyterian Church of Staunton received 35 new members into communion. 2 came with certificates from other churches and 33 joined by profession of faith.

Found Dead
(Column 01)

Summary: James Hays was found dead in his fields. It is suspected he died of heart disease.
(Names in announcement: James Hays)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Augusta Fire Company, led by Capt. Waters, and the D. D. and Blind Fire Company led by Capt. William Saunders, paraded through Staunton. The D. D. and Blind Brass band led the way, directed by T. M. Turner.
(Names in announcement: Capt. Waters, Capt. William Saunders, T. M. Turner)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper says only those who believe "a negro better than a white man" will fail to vote against the constitution.

Municipal Appointments
(Column 01)

Summary: District Commander Schofield appointed officials to government posts in Staunton. Councilmen: N. B. Hendry, vice H. H. Peck; A. F. Ackerman, vice B. F. Points; H. S. Eichelberger, vice R. G. Bickle. Aldermen: A. B. Arthur, vice William H. Wilson; William L. Herr, vice R. J. Hope; A. T. Maupin, vice James W. Crawford. "These appointments are very good--so good in fact, that we understand a majority of the appointees will not accept for the reason that they cannot gulp the 'iron-clad.'"
(Names in announcement: Schofield, N. B. Hendry, H. H. Peck, A. F. Ackerman, B. F. Points, H. S. Eichelberger, R. G. Bickle, A. B. Arthur, William H. Wilson, William L. Herr, R. J. Hope, A. T. Maupin, James W. Crawford)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper urges voters to reject the constitution for allowing black men to serve in the militia.

Staunton Lyceum
(Column 01)

Summary: The Staunton Lyceum debated if liberty of the press should be entirely unrestricted. It was decided in the affirmative. Debaters were assigned for the next question on market etiquette.
(Names in announcement: J. H. Skinner, A. M. Pierce, Y. Howe Peyton, James BumgardnerJr., Bolivar Christian, George Baylor, Hewitt, Powers, Phillips)

Midnight Skirmish
(Column 01)

Summary: Described a skirmish between the K.K.K. and a black militia group, assigning the former almost mystical powers. Even so, wanted to know why the police were not around to prevent the shoot-out.

Full Text of Article:

On Sunday morning at the ghostly hour of one a party of ten or twelve young men, mounted on horses and wearing the habiliaments of the mysterious K.K. Klan, were attacked in front of the Episcopal church by a regularly armed and organized band of negroes, numbering about forty. The fight was lively for probably a quarter of an hour, when the K.K.K.'s, overcome by numbers, abandoned the field to the darkies, who raised a wild shout of victory and examined the ground to pick up the killed and wounded. To their utter surprise nobody was hurt, notwithstanding a score of well-aimed muskets and pistols were shot at the ghostly disturbers of their peace. One of the K's was cut off from his confreres, but by superior horsemanship and cool courage he managed to get off untouched--clearly proving that he was ball-proof.

The young ladies of the Wesleyan Institute were, of course, in a state of hight consternation. They need not have been, for it is our belief that if they had turned out en masse with scissors and bodkins they could have dispersed the whole gang of rioters. Seriously, we ask, will our citizens allow such disgraceful scenes to take place in our midst? Night patrols should be organized to regulate affairs and quiet the nerves of the timid. The signs of the times require that we should be on our gaurd. Where were our police officers?

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper asserts the homestead law in the new constitution ruins "debtor and creditor alike."

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper asserts that the test oath in the proposed constitution will prevent "any true Virginian's holding office," and perpetuate "Radical rule by negro votes."

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper claims the system of representation and apportionment in the new constitution is "fraudulent."

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper denounces the new constitution for allowing black male suffrage when most northern states do not.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper argues that the new constitution will create a large number of public officials, increasing the tax-payer's burden.

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: George M. Francisco and Miss M. Z. Hereford were married on April 21st in Marshall, Missouri.
(Names in announcement: George M. Francisco, M. Z. Hereford)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: John O. Bowcock of Albemarle and Miss Mary R. S. Brooke, daughter of the late Major Robert S. P. Brooke of Staunton, were married at Trinity Church by the Rev. J. A. Latane on April 29th.
(Names in announcement: John O. Bowcock, Mary R. S. Brooke, Robert S. P. Brooke, Rev. J. A. Latane)

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: William Whitmore of Virginia and Mary N. Bennien, daughter of the late Col. J. W. M. Bennien of Georgia, were married at Bath on April 22nd by the Rev. Mr. Jacobs.
(Names in announcement: William Whitmore, Mary N. Bennien, Col. J. W. M. Bennien, Rev. Jacobs)

A State Ticket
(Column 01)

Summary: Urged the Conservative Executive Committee to select a man worthy to represent Virginia and the "White Man's Party." Prefered someone who would not take the test-oath, and risk continued military rule, rather than support someone who betrayed his loyalty to Virginia during the war.

Full Text of Article:

The Conservative Convention which assembled last winter in Richmond, says the Norfolk Virginian, appointed an Executive Committee, which is charged with the duty of marshaling the forces of the White Man's Party, and conducting the campaign against the adoption of the negro Constitution, and the establishment of negro supremacy in Virginia. One of the most important duties devolved upon the Executive Committee will be the nomination of an able and popular State ticket, upon which the votes of the Conservative party may be concentrated in the coming election. The time has arrived for the nomination of such a ticket, and we hope the members of the Executive Committee will be convened for the performance of that duty without further delay. The negro Convention is about to adjourn, and the proposed Constitution, the infamous work of their hands, will soon be promulgated. Are we prepared for action? Are our forces consolidaated, and ready to move at a moment's warning?--We take it for granted, that the county and district superintendents--the chiefs of fifty and leaders of ten, have already caused every man within their jurisdiction to be enroled, ready for registration, and voting when the time arrives. This being done, we want a leader worthy to represent our cause--a chieftain in whose hands the banner of the White Man's party may be placed. We want no truckling, time-serving place-hunter, but a Representative man, of the Old Dominion, thoroughly imbued with Virginia sentiments and feelings. We want a man who enjoys the confidence and respect of our people--one whose sympathies harmonize with theirs, and who is bound to them by the ties of a common suffering in the past and a common hope in the future. If the Executive Committee will nominate such a man for Governor, the people of Virginia will delight to honor him.--They will rally to his standard from the seaboard to the mountains, and elect him triumphantly. He may not be permitted to qualify, because he cannot subscribe to the odious test oath; but the responsibility will be upon the Radical Congress and not upon us. If he is not inaugurated, military government will be continued over us, and that is infinitely preferable to negro rule. At all events, whether he is inaugurated or not, we will be spared the shame and humiliation of voting for a man to be Chief Magistrate of the State, whose only recommendation is that in our greatest struggle for independence, all his sympathies were antagonisitic to those of his own people and kindred.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Quoted two newspapers which condemned carpet-baggers for betraying the white race by supporting social and political equality for blacks.

Full Text of Article:

The Richmond Enquirer says: "We beg that every decent white man in Virginia will help Cuffee to force the black mixture of social equality down the throats of the carpet-baggers. Let them be driven into the embraces of the negro. They should everywhere be placed under the ban, excluded from the society of the whites whom they have betrayed, and forced to live with the negroes. What right has a filthy carpet-bagger, who believes that a negro is his social and political equal, to pollute the house of a decent white man with his presence? We should treat these political out-laws as the lepers are treated in the East, and spurn them as unclean and contaminating. The negroes have informed these demoralized incendiaries that they must treat them as social equals, and the negroes are right. Let them dwell in sweet harmony and brotherly love until long and intimiate association gives to the world a mongrel race, which shall blend the rare qualities of the carpet-bagger and his negro brother."

The Lynchburg Republican adds: "This is correct advice. Every man with a white skin who has thrown himself into the political embrace of the negro, should be discountenanced by the white people of the South, and made to live and die on that side of the line. They are a disgrace to their race, and we should always prefer negroes to them."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Article asserting that the main issue of the state constitution, any other provisions notwithstanding, is "negro elevation and white depression." White Virginians have a duty to defeat it, even if they agree with some provisions.