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Staunton Spectator: May 18, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Horse Thief Detective Club
(Column 05)

Summary: A group of citizens informs the people of Augusta that they have formed a club to search for and recover stolen horses.
(Names in announcement: Franklin Farrow, Jacob W. Harshbarger, D. W. Link, J. W. Landes, D. L. Sheets, Shumate, Johnston, Samuel Byers, Cyrus Brown, L. G. Jordan, D. T. Willbarger, James K. P. Richie, John C. Richie, Peter Sheets, Benjamin Hawkins, Peter C. Houff, William A. Houff, John Arinn, John P. Ochletree, Peter Echard, Samuel Landes, George Hulvy, I. J. Parkins, Joseph M. Jordan, Jacob G. Swink, D. W. Landes, William D. Roots, John Hawkins, Robert Alexander, David Hawkins, William LinkSr., E. L. Houff, John Harshbarger, William Landes, Joseph Shreckhise, Isaac Baker, John Switzer, Samuel D. Cook, David Alexander, James Jordan, William E. Sheets)

Staunton Without a Market-House
(Column 05)

Summary: "Pro Bono Public" writes to complain that Staunton has no permanent Market House. The town should construct one so that "we poor housekeepers can have a place to resort for something to eat without running to every Grocery in the large town of Staunton for a cabbage-head or something else."

[No Title]
(Column 06)

Summary: Reminds Virginians that though the upcoming election means choosing between two northerners for governor, simply making a choice is preferable to not voting at all. Calls on all Virginians to take part in the election to prevent Wells, and thus the Radicals, from seizing the governor's chair.

Full Text of Article:

The Richmond Enquirer and Examiner says: The withdrawal of Col. Withers was made on two grounds: first it was not believed that he could be elected, and secondly, it was known that if elected and the Constitution defeated, we should have but infuriated Congress, and would be handled more roughly than even Alabama or Mississippi; and that if elected and the modified constitution adopted, the cry of a "rebel triumph" would be raised when we went before Congress, and the constitution sharply overhauled by way of punishment. It was believed that Congress is determined on two things: 1. To put Virginia in the Union under the Underwood Constitution in some form, and 2. To bring her in under Republican auspices. Either they would not have allowed Col. Withers to take his seat, or they would have struck us a heavy blow by imposing some new and harsh conditions. This was the meaning of the acceptance of the resignation of Col. Withers as our candidate. It was felt that we were not free, and that it was idle to go through the farce of summoning the people to win a barren victory.

The result is, we have two Northern men running for the Governorship of this State. We shall certainly have one of them as our Governor. -- We are ordered to choose between them. We cannot see how any principle is involved in preferring one to the other. We preferred General Stoneman as our military governor to General Terry, and if we had been invited to choose, the people of Virginia would have so indicated. Had there been a prospect of Terry's returning here, they would have been glad enough to have had a vote between him and Stoneman, or between him and Schofield -- and nobody would have said there was anything discreditable in making a choice. And what is the difference in the cases? It is precisely the same case. We have got to have a governor, who will have veto power on the acts of the Legislature, who will nominate our Circuit and Appellate Judges, who will have great power in connection with the school system, who may have much to do with filling the county offices, and we have got to take one of these two men. It is Walker with the white people at his back, or Wells with the negroes at his back.

With Wells, we shall also have the negro Harris for Lieutenant Governor. People may say they do not care, but they will care. And we are urging this question on the idea that persons hold off from Walker on the ground of "mad" or of "honor." If it is mere sullenness, of course it is wrong, and right-minded men ought to abandon such nonsense at once; if it is a sentiment of duty or honor, then we want to know if a man of honor, or one governed by a sense of duty, can see any honor or duty in permitting an enemy to the white people of this State, at the head of 75,000 negroes, to take possession of the Gubernatorial Mansion, along with a negro for his colleague as President of the Virginia Senate? That's the question. Is this right -- if you set up to be fonder of right than other people? Can you look the people of this State in the face when by your act you shall have contributed to this result? Can you thank God after you have done this, "that you are not as other men?" No, the honor is all the other way: honor and duty require you to protect this people, and this poor Commonwealth. But you will say, you are not going to perform an affirmative act in the premises -- that you are only going to hold off, and have nothing to do with it. Your neighbor has just as much right to do this as you, and if everybody's neighbors do the same thing, then will nobody be responsible for the election of Wells?

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reminds Staunton citizens that there will be a new registration required to vote. The editors urge them to vote to decide the future of the state.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: "Augusta" writes an article urging Joseph A. Waddell to announce himself as a candidate to represent Augusta and Highland counties in the State Senate.
(Names in announcement: Joseph A. Waddell)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Although he opposed actions of the constitutional convention to date, the editor still calls on all Virginians to unite and vote in the upcoming election. Claims they have the opportunity to secure the legislature and abolish disenfranchising clauses if only they participate in the election.

Full Text of Article:

We may avert many evils of fearful magnitude by prompt and united action now. We can take the shackles off the thousands of our best citizens, who are now disfranchised and disqualified for holding office. We can drive from our borders the horde of hungry adventurers who are now gloating over the prospect of living upon the public treasury, which they will take good care to keep well filled by such taxation as we have never felt. We can secure the Legislature, and this is more important and vital to our interest than anything else.

Is not this enough to work for? Do we need any other stimulus to arouse us, to put forth every exertion to secure a full registration and a full vote? The struggle is one of life and death. It is no time to mince words. -- We must work, and work vigorously, to save even a remnant of liberty.

We have decided upon our own course. We think that every consideration of honor and duty requires us to labor with all our might to prevent the infliction upon our long-oppressed Commonwealth of such evils as the election of Wells and his negro lieutenant and the adoption of the unamended Constitution. We can see no way to do this, but to vote for Colonel Gilbert C. Walker, and voting in solid column against such obnoxious clauses as the President is pledged to submit to a separate vote.

Bitterly opposed as we have been to the course of the twenty-eight and their committee of nine, who have been so influential in bringing about the circumstances which now surround us, we shall indulge in no idle vaporings. We cannot afford to indulge in the luxury of ill-humor. The times are too serious for that. -- We shall work as earnestly and cheerfully to carry out the views of the Convention as if our own wishes had been met. It is true that the Convention did not, in words, recommend Mr. Walker. Their silence upon this subject was proper, for reasons obvious to all. We know very well what they intended.

Let us fall into line, and organize for a fight against carpet-baggers and thieves. -- Bedford Sentinel.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Mr. William Craig, "one of the oldest inhabitants and one of the most highly respected citizens of Staunton," died after a lingering illness.
(Names in announcement: William Craig)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The following were appointed to offices in Augusta: John Fauber, Overseer of the Poor for the third magisterial district; John Silors, Overseer of the Poor for the fourth magisterial district; J. W. Davis, Overseer of the Poor for the eighth magisterial district.
(Names in announcement: John Fauber, John Silors, J. W. Davis)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Bishop Whittle is expected in Staunton and will officiate in the Episcopal Church on Wednesday.
(Names in announcement: Bishop Whittle)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Augusta Fire Company and the Fire Company of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute marched in a torch-light procession led by the Institute Band. There was a large turnout reported.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Rev. James Young, state temperance lecturer, will speak at the public rally organized by Staunton Council No. 47, Friends of Temperance.
(Names in announcement: Rev. James Young)

Memorial Celebration
(Column 01)

Summary: The County Committee of the Ladies' Memorial Association will hold their Annual Celebration a day early on June 5th. "They are requested to prepare flowers and bring them with them on Saturday morning. It is hoped that there will be no lack of flowers and that this tribute to the memory of our lamented heroes will be one long to be remembered."

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Prints a letter from Alexander Cochran announcing his candidacy for a seat in the House of Delegates. Cochran states his position on key issues, supports Walker for governor, and calls for bringing control of Virginia back into the hands of Virginians.

Full Text of Article:

STAUNTON, MAY 10th, 1869.

Fellow-Citizens of the County of Augusta:

In obedience to the wishes of many friends residing in various portions of the county, expressed both publicly and privately, I announce myself a candidate for a seat in the next House of Delegates of Virginia.

If it should be the pleasure of the people to elect me to this position, I shall, irrespective of party considerations, work and vote to obtain the passage of such laws as will, in my judgment, secure the greatest amount of peace, prosperity and happiness to the people at large.

In the approaching election, soon to be held, I shall most unhesitatingly vote for the expurgated constitution and for what is known as the Walker ticket; believing the adoption of this course by the people is the only door of escape from the ultimate imposition on them of an odious, tyrannical and unbearable government. And although the result of this line of conduct, in any event, is not as we would like to have it, yet I am firmly persuaded, that in our subjugated, hapless condition, the exigency of the hour, makes it a high and patriotic duty to yield to the demands of inexorable necessity, accept the situation, and reconstruct the State, upon the basis of the expurgated Constitution and the election of such men as are opposed to disfranchisements and test-oaths, and who are identified with us in interest and sympathy.

This result, which is the best we can hope for, can certainly be achieved if all will register and vote -- Virginia, if her sons are true to her, can be placed under the control of Virginians, and the miserable carpet-bag scum and vultures of the north, who have come down among us to array one race against the other, in order that they may more easily prey upon the substance and vitals of our helpless and prostrate people, can be sent back, howling, to their old haunts of vice and depravity.

These salutary results will only be attained, however, as a distinguished countyman said, in the late Conservative Convention, by united effort, induced by mutual conciliation and forbearance one towards another.

Let us then obliterate from our minds all past political differences, leaving the dead past to bury its dead, and unite in one great band of friends and brothers, "among whom no contention shall exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation of who can best work and best agree" in saving Virginia from degradation and ruin.

My devotion to Virginia has always been great, but since dark, heavy clouds have lowered over her and broken with remorseless fury upon her devoted head, I have drawn her closer and closer to my heart, until her destiny and mine have become inseparably locked up together, and should it be the will of the people to make me an humble instrument, I shall ever be grateful for the confidence reposed.

Respectfully,

ALEXANDER B. COCHRAN.

Grand Temperance Demonstration in the County of Augusta
(Column 02)

Summary: Staunton Council Number 47, Friends of Temperance, announces plans for demonstrations to be held in Staunton on May 22nd, Sangersville on May 24th, Churchville and Middlebrook on May 26th, Greenville on May 27th, and Waynesboro on May 29th. The Rev. James Young, "grand lecturer for the Friends of Temperance in Virginia," will address all of the above meetings.
(Names in announcement: Rev. James Young)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: George D. Whitemore and Miss Eliza Jane Crawn, both of Augusta, were married on May 9th by the Rev. J. C. Hensell.
(Names in announcement: George D. Whitemore, Eliza Jane Crawn, Rev. J. C. Hensell)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Albert A. Wise of Harrisonburg and Miss Minnie E. Lowner of Augusta were married in Baltimore on May 2nd by the Rev. Dr. Deutsch.
(Names in announcement: Albert A. Wise, Minnie E. Lowner, Rev. Dr. Deutsch)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Katherine Hawpe died near Greenville on May 7th after a protracted illness. She was 63 years old.
(Names in announcement: Katherine Hawpe)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Miss Rebecca Strain died near Greenville on May 7th.
(Names in announcement: Rebecca Strain)