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Staunton Spectator: August 10, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reported on the vote of Virginia for Governor, broken down by race. Dismissed Republican assertions a reliable constituency in Virginia for their party.

Full Text of Article:

The registered vote of Virginia is: White, 144,545; colored, 118,768; total, 263,313. -- The vote cast at the late election was: for Walker, 119,492; for Wells, 101,291; aggregate 220,783, being 42,530 less than the registered vote.

There has been much bragging here over what is called the solid and ever-reliable Republican vote of 101,291, and we observe that the Philadelphia Press echoes the boast. Now, of what material is this composed? Of a a handful of whites and the remainder of negroes. Who does not know that the negroes, who, as yet, are uneducated politicians, were organized by white managers rather on the basis of race and color than of State or Federal politics? The calculation of the white managers was that by so organizing them and by calling the mixture "the Republican party," they would secure the Washington influence and carry the election in their own interests. -- But a considerable number of the blacks chose to think for themselves. Some voted for Walker, others did not vote at all. Had the canvass lasted a fortnight longer, it is more than probable that half of the blacks would have abandoned Wells. Since the election, there has been, and without "intimidation or bribery," a perfect stampede of the blacks from the Wells leagues and it threatens a clean sweep. They feel that they have been fooled by the name of Republicans, while they have been arrayed against the whites only on the ground of race and color. They feel that they can be as good Republicans under Walker as under Wells, and by acting with white men as by acting against them. -- Whig.

Conservative Party of Virginia
(Column 02)

Summary: The Enquirer and Examiner described the Conservative party in Virginia that elected Walker as governor. Claimed that this party is not corrupted by partisan concerns, and urged the Republicans to win over their support through a kind and conciliatory policy.

Full Text of Article:

Referring to the party in the State which elected Walker so triumphantly, the Enquirer and Examiner says: "As this party was not organized with reference to any participation in Federal politics, and as it is neither embarrassed nor trammeled by any conception with either the Democratic or Republican parties, it will not permit itself to be compromised by either. Its mission is to accomplish the speedy return of Virginia to the Union upon the basis of universal suffrage and universal amnesty, and its future support will be given to the party which, regardless of dead issues and old party lines, shall prove most generous, liberal and efficient in restoring our political liberties and in promoting the prosperity of Virginia and of other States.

Acknowledging the claims of neither of the political parties of the North upon us, it will be the policy of Virginia, when she is restored to the Union, to affiliate with that party which possesses sufficient sagacity to discover that kindness may win the support and esteem of a brave people who cannot be driven by proscription and merciless legislation.

It is in the power of the administration of General Grant, by a mild, just and conciliatory policy to elevate, purify and strengthen the Republican party, and the signs are indicative of such a course upon his part.

Here in Virginia everything presages an era of good feeling, conciliation and political reconcilement of differences of opinion among honest men.

The only disturbers of the peace at this time are the despairing and disgraced remnant of the carpet-bag body-guard of Wells. These Parians having deluded the negroes, attempted the blackest treason towards Grant's administration, and become deserved objects of general contempt and loathing, are howling and gnashing their teeth like the damned when they first feel the tortures of eternal punishment. For a while these poor wretches will squirm, yell and make night and day hideous by their false accusations of those whom they vainly attempted to intimidate and proscribe, but as their foul rebellion against Grant and the Republican party has been crushed out, they are as incapable of mischief as fangless serpents.

One by one their wretched organs will die of starvation and neglect, their shameless partisans will be silenced by public scorn, and the last carpet-bagger who committed treason against Grant and the Republican party will soon sneak off and be heard of no more. And if it is ever vouchsafed to us to hear the horn of the much "scratched" Lewis Lindsay again, it will be when he sounds a note of triumph at the departure of the vagabonds who sought to array the negroes of Virginia against the policy of Grant and the Republican party.

And when we remember that these incendiary adventurers lost, when they were routed, everything but the luxury of abusing their conquerors, we can listen with complacency to their impotent calumnies and abuse. If it does the poor creatures good, why let them howl."

Presentation to Mr. Peabody
(Column 03)

Summary: The editor reported on the speeches and resolutions offered by Southerners to philanthropist Mr. Peabody for his contributions. Also provided a summary of Peabody's response, which emphasized his work with education.

Full Text of Article:

On the 29th, there was a brilliant assemblage at the White Sulphur Springs, over 800 in number, to witness the presentation of the resolution of the southern visitors to Mr. Peabody. The liveliest interest was manifested in the purpose of the occasion. Mr. Peabody appeared duly attended by several personal friends. Hon. James Lyons addressed the distinguished philanthropist as follows:

Mr. Peabody: The Southern men assembled at this fountain of health and pleasure, have for a time, forgotten their pains as well as pleasures to perform a holy duty -- in rendering homage to the most distinguished philanthropist of this or any other age. I know, sir, that some whose nerves are delicate and vision imperfect do start, while others affect to start, when they hear of a meeting of Southern men, and pretend to suppose that the Union is in danger. To such disturbed and disturbing spirits I take leave to say that down-trodden and oppressed as never a Christian people were before -- placed below the negro and stripped of all their constitutional rights -- the Southern men, nevertheless, retain their lofty instincts which made their soldiers brave and their women more than Spartan wives and mothers, and to-day they assemble in the highest interests of peace and fraternity to do honor to the noblest friend of the Union -- a gentleman of Northern birth.

Sir, you will hear testimony for us, and when you shall have heard the resolutions, which I shall have the honor to read to you, will say of the people of the South that they love virtue, and justly appreciate a good spirit, whether of the North or South; that all good men are received by us as brothers, come from what clime they may, and the vicious from every clime rejected. In this spirit we approach you sir, to-day, to render homage to one who has distinguished himself above all other men by his unexampled beneficence, and to render thanks for the aid you have extended to the cause of education in the South. A great Roman, one of the profoundest thinkers and wisest moralists the world has produced, whose mind was a deep fountain of thought and learning, which his tongue poured out in a stream so pure and limpid that all who tasted received new life and vigor -- he whom a grateful people first proclaimed "Father of his country" -- said, long years ago, "nothing is more noble, more exalted, than to despise riches if you have them not, and if you have them, to employ them in beneficence and liberality." And the most learned man of modern times, of whom it was said that he was the wisest and greatest of mankind, said "Riches are to virtue like baggage to an army, the necessary impediments which hinder the march;" that of the greatest riches, the only real use of them is in the distribution. You, sir, of all men known to us, alone have united the wisdom and philanthropy of the great men of the ante-Christian and the Christian era, and in your noble conduct combine the wise philosophy of the heathen with the benignity of the Christian; and the rare spectacle is exhibited that while in one hemisphere royalty unveils the statue which is to hand down to after ages the likeness of the great American philanthropist, in another hemisphere a nation pours forth its plaudits of him, and all say "God bless him." Your beneficence is no afterthought of declining years and miserly ambition, for I happen to know that many years ago, while justly applauding the generosity of another distinguished American to a suffering nation, this great purpose which you have executed was avowed as the end for which wealth was sought. Rare man, rarely endowed -- rarely, but justly honored. Who may so well say "Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto." But sir, I forbear. My theme has led me too far. We have heard with deep regret of your ill health, and all of every clime and sex unite in heartfelt prayer for your restoration. With your leave, I will read the resolutions.

The resolution having been read and presented to Mr. Peabody, that gentleman responded as follows:

Mr Lyons and gentlemen of the Committee: I beg to thank you most kindly for the sentiments you have expressed towards me. They have affected me most deeply, and are such, followed as they are by the resolutions you have presented, that it is impossible for me to reply to them as I would. I can only answer briefly, and feel that even then I must claim your indulgence. I can but say, as regards the kind and flattering remarks of your chairman, that I trust the remainder of the time I have to live may not do otherwise than justify good opinion.

I should be glad if my strength would permit to speak of my own cordial esteem and regard for the high honor, integrity and heroism of the Southern people. But that, too, I must leave for the present.

But I must not omit to say that of all the kind words you have spoken, those referring to the Southern educational funds have been sweetest to my ears. Coming, as they do, from such a distinguished and intelligent body, they corroborate the opinions already expressed by other eminent men of the South. The fibers of my heart are interwoven with its success, as I am sure are yours, and those of all good men everywhere.

The enterprise is still very young -- only three years old -- but it is growing with every year, and under the superintendence of the trustees, eminent agent, and under the guidance of distinguished gentlemen of the trust, and with the warm co-operation experienced throughout the South, it cannot do otherwise than prove a success, and I am confident will serve as an auxiliary in restoring the South to a state of higher prosperity and happiness than ever before. God grant it may be so.

Married
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Summary: Benjamin T. August and Miss Gertrude Shell were married at the residence of the bride's mother in Richmond on August 5th by the Bishop Doggett.
(Names in announcement: Benjamin T. August, Gertrude Shell, Bishop Doggett)

Deaths
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Summary: Annie Statia Welsh, daughter of Andrew and Marian Welsh of Richmond, died at the Staunton boarding house of J. F. Maupin.
(Names in announcement: Annie Statia Welsh, Andrew Welsh, Marian Welsh, J. F. Maupin)

Deaths
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Summary: Hugh Shott died at his residence near Staunton on August 3rd. He was 78 years old.
(Names in announcement: Hugh Shott)

Deaths
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Summary: Mrs. Mary Jane Koiner, wife of Kasper Koiner, died on August 3rd at the residence of her husband on South River. She was 40 years old.
(Names in announcement: Mary Jane Koiner, Kasper Koiner)