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Staunton Spectator: July 28, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Outrageous Radical Legislation
(Column 01)

Summary: Criticizes recent Radical legislation, including acts that remove Virginia's right to select Presidential electors, acts that arm "loyal militias", and acts that extend the life of the Freedmen's Bureau.

Full Text of Article:

As the prospects of the defeat of the Radical party increase the Radical Congress devises schemes of the most outrageous character to secure the retention of power and the success of the party per fas aut nefus. In contrast with the blazing iniquity of its recent legislation, even the diabolical legislation heretofore enacted by the Rump Congress shines with a mild and gentle radiance -- beside the flaming diabolism of its recent legislation its former "pales its ineffectual fires." The Radicals seem conscious that their party is in an extremely dangerous condition, if not absolutely in articulo mortis, and, to save it, if possible, they hesitate not to resort to any device however wicked and violative of the constitution and every principle of liberty. To effect that purpose they refuse to allow Virginia an opportunity to vote upon this constitution, and deny her the exercise of her indubitable right to vote for Presidential electors. For the same purpose the Radical Senate passed a bill to arm the "loyal militia" -- i. e. negroes and scallawags -- with Springfield rifles. For the same purpose the Radical House of Representatives passed a bill putting the States of Virginia, Mississippi, and Texas -- the remaining "unreconstructed" States -- completely in the power of their respective scallawag Conventions, providing that the Convention of Virginia and Mississippi shall reassemble within four weeks -- that of Texas being now in session -- empowered by this outrageous bill to remove all officers, from Governor down; to appoint others; to revise the registration lists; to appoint registers and judges of elections; to count the vote; to appoint a constabulary force; and, in a word, to render them absolute masters of the people.

For the same purpose, the electoral College bill which in substance, deprives every Southern State of the right to vote for President, that does not vote for the Radical candidates, was passed over the President's veto by an overwhelming majority in both Houses of Congress. In the Senate the vote was 45 to 8 and in the House 134 to 36.

For the same purpose, the Freedmen's Bureau has been extended for another year from the 16th of July, at a cost of fifteen or twenty millions of dollars, to be paid by the oppressively taxed people who are forced to defray the expenses of their own enslavement.

We have not the space even to mention briefly half of the various diabolical schemes of the Radicals to outrage the rights of the people that they may retain the possession of that power which they so infamously abuse. The vocabulary of our language is inadequate to express in proper terms the character of the Radical legislation. Though it excites indignation, we do not regret it, but rather rejoice at it, for we consider it satisfactory evidence that the Radical party is in extremia, and feel assured that it will add to the force of that reaction in the North which is our only hope of deliverance from the living death of Radical rule.

Not So
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper disputes Horace Greeley's comments that the Republicans are treating the South fairly, and that Virginia's constitution was drafted by the state. Instead, "carpet-baggers and scallawags" drafted the document that Republicans wish to force upon Virginia.

Election in Virginia
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper asserts that a bill mandating Virginia elections was allowed to lapse because Republicans feared they would not win in the state.

Cheering Democratic Prospects
(Column 04)

Summary: Article from the New York World, claiming that the Radicals have lost many of their supporters, and will lose the election.

Full Text of Article:

The New York World says:

No person can watch the developments around him without becoming convinced that there is a large class who, for several years past, have voted for the Republican ticket, who will this year vote the Democratic. There is a feeling among a large class of non-partisans, who voted with the Republicans during the war, that a change will produce a beneficial result. They believe that the time for military rule to cease has arrived; and furthermore, that if the Radicals succeed this year there will be no end to the revolutionary schemes that they will propose and carry out. Their success will be taken by the leading Jacobins to mean a full endorsement of all their extreme measures, and they will become rampant. The business interest of the country is now for a change. The mechanics and laboring men are becoming tired of spending their time and labor for the benefit of the revolutionists who are keeping the country in a turmoil and unsettled condition, in order that they may profit by a continuation of an excessive expenditure of money. Democracy of to-day means opposition to the corruption, profligacy and revolutionary measures of the Radicals, and those opposed to those measures compose a large majority of the people of the country. In vain the Radicals will labor to prove to the contrary. Radicalism to-day means military rule, oppressive taxation, profligate expenditures, depreciated currency and dictatorial power concentrated at Washington. On the other hand, Democracy of to-day means the supremacy of civil law over the military, economy in all expenditures and reduction of taxation. Is there any person who doubts upon which side a majority of the people stands on these issues?

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper applauds the organization of a new Building Association in Staunton.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The executive committee of the Augusta County Bible Society will meet in the house of George P. Baker.
(Names in announcement: George P. Baker)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Mr. Hendry and Mr. Lumbaugh have a steam door, sash, and blind factory in operation near the central depot. They can do a variety of carpentry work.
(Names in announcement: Hendry, Lumbaugh)

Augusta County Fair
(Column 01)

Summary: The Augusta County Fair will be held the 27th, 28th, and 29th of October. The paper prints a list of prizes and urges citizens to enter. "Exhibitions of this kind are calculated to do an incalculable amount of good in the rivalry they excite among the manufacturing and producing interests, and we feel confident old Augusta can compete favorably with any of her sister counties."