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Staunton Spectator: August 17, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The Spectator claims that, since Virginia has already complied with all the provisions of Reconstruction, the Republican party can accomplish nothing by failing to fulfill their end of the bargain by re-admitting Virginia into the Union. This course of action would simply prevent the Republican party from every becoming a strong party in the South, and will hinder its national ambitions.

Full Text of Article:

The Republican party can make nothing, says the Enquirer, by violating faith with the people of Virginia. They can protract our State of unrest and prolong the embarrassments and vexations under which we have suffered for four years. They can annoy and harass us, but they cannot help themselves as a party by tampering with the compact which has just been executed on our side, but which remains unexecuted on theirs. We are amazed that the sagacious men who lead that party should permit any anxiety for a moment to exist as to their intentions in the premises. But it is unquestionably true that a portion of the party and some of those leaders have seriously calculated the advantages of breaking faith with us. The entertainment of such a thought is a blunder, no matter whether it is never realized or not. It leaves a stain behind it, and impairs the moral force which constitutes the vitality of the party.

Should, however, such a breach of faith be actually practised, it would, so far as Virginia is concerned, inflict an immediate and palpable injury on the party of a different kind. The exaction of the test-oath of the members of the Legislature, the dictation of individuals to that body as the recipients of office, any hesitation next winter about the admission of the State (the fifteenth amendment being ratified), would be remembered to the disadvantage of the party which perpetuated such outrages. -- The Republican party never can be a vigorous and healthy party in the Southern States until it abandons every vestige of its disabling and proscriptive policy, and appeals to the judgment and moral approbation of the whites. -- We say this deliberately, and every intelligent Republican must feel it to be true. Proscription, most infamous proscription, has been tried in Tennessee, and the mere force of public sentiment all over the country has burst the unnatural bands. It was attempted here in Virginia, and it defeated the party that attempted it. And now any chicanery and dishonesty, any armed fraud, while it may carry some immediate point, will recoil upon the party which practises it -- will inevitably be punished in the future. The Republican party is not only disliked in the South; it is in disrepute. We believe that it has dealt treacherously with us. -- Intensify this impression -- add to it by some unworthy act -- and it will take in proportion a longer time for the Republican party to have any real strength in the South.

When hereafter -- and we presume it looks to the hereafter -- it comes before the Southern voters, it must, if it wants to succeed, come with some show of character, with words of kindness, and with appeals to interest. The period for the lash is passed. The whole South will soon be in the Union, and will have a good many votes. Its alliance must be courted by any party. It must command as much respect as the Irish or the German vote.

The question which we shall ask, will be:-- Can we trust you? Will you be friends with us? Will you help us?

An affirmative answer to all these questions will build up a Republican party in the South. Any further persecution or treachery will delay that work.

Now let us be understood: we do not want any Republican party here, but you do. We want smooth water and rest at present, and therefore we tell you that you help yourselves by giving us no further trouble. It is a mere selfish calculation.

Now we say the people of Virginia have complied to the letter -- and more -- with the requirements of Congress. We have not only ratified (we, the whites) a constitution which goes far beyond the Reconstruction acts, but we have elected a New Yorker and a Republican our Governor; we have chosen two Republicans for our Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General; we have chosen Joseph Segar for our Congressman at large; we have elected Booker, Milnes, Ridgway, Gibson, McKenzie, all Republicans except Mr. Ridgway, and all Union men, to Congress. We voted for Hunnicutt in this Richmond district; but he was beaten. We expect to ratify the fifteenth amendment. And now we ask you, What more do you want? and we warn you to keep faith with us.

Greenbrier White Sulphur Springs
(Column 01)

Summary: Article advertising the upcoming "masked fancy ball" at the White Sulphur Springs.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Charles E. Young, principal of the Staunton Academy, called for student applications. "This is a good school and deserves to be patronized."

A Bad Practice
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper denounced the practice of young men gathering in crowds on street corners. "This is certainly not right for many reasons--not the least of which is that it often happens that ladies find it difficult to pass, and many times are compelled to go out of their way."

Accidents in Wells
(Column 01)

Summary: Samuel Finley and Walker Witt died in an accident in a well they were digging on the farm of Milton Brooks near Greenville. A third man almost died in an attempted rescue when he encountered foul air in the well. In a separate incident, Joseph Winfield, Jr., had an accident in the well of George Smith.
(Names in announcement: Samuel Finley, Walker Witt, Milton Brooks, Joseph WinfieldJr., George Smith)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper lauded Prof. Pike Powers's Eastwood School. "Powers's reputation as a successful teacher is well established."
(Names in announcement: Prof. Pike Powers)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: List of persons to whom a discharge of bankruptcy was issued.
(Names in announcement: Lewis Rosenbaum, Charles A. Gladke, J. N. Woodward, T. P. Eskridge, E. A. Aland, A. Clinedinst, C. E. Wood, A. Miller, Henry Bare, S. F. Huffman, J. M. Lickliter, Francs C. Roberts)

Tribute of Respect
(Column 02)

Summary: A committee of Staunton Lodge, Number 45, International Order of Odd Fellows, published resolutions of sympathy and respect upon the death of Joseph F. Winfield, Jr.
(Names in announcement: Joseph F. WinfieldJr., A. G. Points, Sandie Taylor, S. J. Davis, H. H. Forsyth, J. Hageman)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Walter Davis died near Barterbrook, Augusta County, on August 4th. He was 77.
(Names in announcement: Walter Davis)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Casper Koiner died after a short illness in his residence on South River, Augusta County, on August 5th. He was 47 years old.
(Names in announcement: Casper Koiner)