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Staunton Spectator: January 5, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Condition of Virginia
(Column 01)

Summary: A response to a letter to the editor of the Richmond Whig, which urged the Conservatives of Virginia to concede the issue of universal suffrage in hopes of gaining universal amnesty. Claims that the experience of Arkansas and Georgia show that such concessions are unlikely to dampen Radical misrule.

Full Text of Article:

On Christmas day a communication signed "Senex" appeared in the Richmond Whig, advocating a change of policy by the Conservatives of this State. The writer, who is understood to be a gentleman of distinction and influence, takes the ground that the Underwood Constitution will probably be forced upon us unless we avert the calamity by agreeing to universal suffrage. He thereupon proposes that a Constitution unbodying "universal suffrage and universal amnesty" be presented to the Congress with a request that it, as well as the other instrument, be submitted to the vote of the people of Virginia. Another correspondent of the Whig, who signs himself "Augusta," expresses the belief that a majority of the people of this county will approve the scheme proposed by "Senex." In the absence of the editor of the Spectator, we do not feel at liberty to say more than that we think "Augusta" is mistaken in regard to the sentiment of our people. The Washington correspondent of the Baltimore Gazette, in his letter of the 29th, says:

"The condition of Virginia, beyond peradventure, is critical, and there are some gentlemen now here whose conservative status and general intelligence are unquestioned, who seem inclined to think that the people of that State have it in their power to prevent greater wrongs by anticipating some of the certain and unavoidable demands of their oppressors. The immediate concession of negro suffrage by the Legislature, it is thought by these gentlemen, (whose views are fairly represented by the writer of the recent editorials upon this subject in the Intelligencer -- himself a Virginian,) would mollify the bitterness of Radical hatred. Alas! the history of the past three years furnishes indubitable evidence that concessions but whet the edge of Radical vengeance.

The case of Georgia is in point. The people there complied with every demand of Congress. They adopted a Constitution recognizing negro suffrage to the fullest extent, and carrying but literally and equitably the whole infernal Congressional system of "reconstruction." The Constitution as adopted was submitted to Congress, and adopted by it without a syllable of objection. Yet the State did not bow down to heathen gods, and what do we see! Arkansas even went further. She not only did all that was required by the legislation of Congress, but (if the election returns are to be credited) actually voted the Radical "national" ticket. Did this subserviency save her from the deliberate inauguration of asystem of robbery, arson, murder and wholesale rape, committed by negro troops under the auspices, if not under immediate command of Federal military satraps!

But it may be imagined that an utter abandonment of the last vestige of manhood might operate favorably upon what is termed here the "Conservative" wing of the Republican party in Congress. Vain hope! These men are the mere echoes of Northern hate, fanaticism and revenge."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: An editorial from the Dispatch denying the Radicals' criticism of President Johnson's ineffectiveness. Says such criticism is hypocritical because the tenure of office act prevents Johnson from effectively running the government.

Full Text of Article:

Was there ever before in the world such a party as the present Radical party of this country? Mr. Van Wyck makes a report to Congress upon the subject of frauds committed upon the Government in the matter of collecting the revenue or evading the payment of the same, and can find no one to blame but the President. Mr. JOHNSON is the cause of "all our woes." Congress has passed a tenure-of-office law which deprives him of the power of removing incompetent and dishonest officials, or of appointing competent and honest ones; yet Mr. Van Wyck censures him because he has not collected as much revenue as he would have collected if he had been left untrammeled.-- This is the Radical idea of justice and fair dealing. -- Dispatch.

The Richmond Conference
(Column 03)

Summary: A meeting was held in Richmond to discuss ways to prevent the proposed constitution from being adopted. The group decided to accept suffrage for African-Americans but to modify the constitution if possible. "If we adopt the Constitution, our condition will be intolerable, because we will be under the absolute domination of adventurers and the worst classes of our population. If we reject it, we shall probably be regarded as contumacious, and be subjected to a harsh and coercive provisional government."
(Names in announcement: A. H. H. Stuart, Gen. J. Echols, Thomas J. Michie, Maj. H. M. Bell, N. K. Trout)

The New Stay Law
(Column 04)

Summary: Reproduces a military order, issued by General Stoneman, extending the protections of the recently revoked stay law on debts until July 1.

Full Text of Article:

The following order, issued on 22d. ult., by General Stoneman, so fully explains itself that no comments upon it seem to be needed.--So that real estate remains as free as before, whilst personal property is not in any event to be sold before the 1st of July, and not afterwards in case the owner can provide for the payment of interest upon his debt.

"HEADQUARTERS FIRST MILITARY DIS.

"STATE OF VIRGINIA,

"RICHMOND, VA., Dec. 22, 1868.

"General Orders No. 149.

"In view of the pecuniary distress and difficulties which must necessarily ensue throughout this military district upon the termination of the stay law on the 1st of January next, and in the absence of any Legislature or body competent to devise the appropriate remedy therefor, it is ordered:

"1. That the stay of executions against personal property, so far only as the same exists under laws now in force, and which by the provisions thereof expires on the first day of January, 1869, shall be, and is hereby, extended until the first day of July, 1869; and if, on or before the said last named day, the debtor shall have paid all the interest then due and owing thereon, execution shall be further stayed until other orders from these or superior headquarters.

"2. If, during the existence of this order, any debtor shall be eloigning any property which but for the existence of this order would be liable to said executions, or shall dispose, or attempt to dispose of the same to the prejudice of his creditor, it shall be lawful and right for such creditor to apply to any circuit court, or to any judge thereof in vacation, giving reasonable notice of such application to the debtor, and said court or judge thereof in vacation, upon the statement under oath of the parties, and such legal evidence as they may adduce, may make an order to the clerk to issue said execution for the entire debt, interest, and costs, or else dismiss such application, with costs to either party, as the said court or judge shall seem right.

"3. General Orders No. 24, of March 12th, 1868, are hereby continued in force, and the military commissioners and circuit judges entrusted with their execution are enjoined to observe and give effect to the same.

"4. It is intended by this order that, whilst affording relief to the debtor, not to impair the rights of the creditor, but to preserve and enforce the same by subjecting the whole personal estate which is now exempt by the stay law to the lien of the creditor's execution, and at the same time enforce a prompt payment of a part of the debt, and an early payment of the remainder.

By command of Brevet Major General

Stoneman
S. F. CHALFIN,

Assistant Adjutant General.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The ladies of Churchville raised $185 at their fair.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Mr. George Plume will hold a soiree at the American Hotel on January 7th. Tickets are $1.00.
(Names in announcement: George Plume)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that on Christmas Day " a slight row occurred" in Staunton "between the negroes and whites, in which the negroes came out second best. Some half dozen negroes were knocked down and severely handled. No one was seriously injured. It threatened to become a row of considerable proportions, but was promptly quelled by the energetic action of the regular and special police."

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: The Rev. E. M. Peterson of the Virginia Conference, M. E. Church South, and Miss Mary F. Ruth, daughter of Samuel Ruth of Richmond, were married on December 30th by the Rev. P. A. Peterson.
(Names in announcement: Rev. E. M. Peterson, Mary F. Ruth, Samuel Ruth, Rev. P. A. Peterson)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: William T. Bowers and Catherine A. E. Sheets, both of Augusta, were married on December 24th at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev. H. Tallhelm.
(Names in announcement: William T. Bowers, Catherine A. E. Sheets, Rev. H. Tallhelm)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: George Hogshead and Lydia O. Fudley, both of Augusta, were married on December 19th by the Rev. C. B. Hammack.
(Names in announcement: George Hogshead, Lydia O. Fudley, Rev. C. B. Hammack)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Louisa Wilson died at Spring Hill on December 12th. She was 53 years old.

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Mary A. Bolen died at Mt. Solon on December 26th. She was 26 years old.
(Names in announcement: Mary A. Bolen)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Miss Polly Matheny died at Mossy Creek on December 29th. She was 70 years old. "The deceased had been a strict member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for forty years."
(Names in announcement: Polly Matheny)