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Staunton Spectator: November 23, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Still More Plundering
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper quoted the Chambersburg Valley Spirit in arguing that several developing scandals revealed the true character of the Republican leadership. The article highlighted cases of fraud at the New York Custom House, the Whiskey Ring, and gold speculation at the Treasury Department.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Enquirer and Examiner found it ironic that, after a war waged over the question of a State's right to leave the Union, the victors would reverse their position and prevent Virginia from taking her place in the Union. Also ridiculed the fact that the Radical party swore to protect the Constitution, but now they claimed to do so by overriding and destroying it.

Full Text of Article:

The Enquirer and Examiner says that after such a conflict as was waged for four years in this country -- a conflict no less remarkable for its development of power than of passion -- that after such a conflict, we say, the general views of the conquering portion were to prevail was what reason and experience alike would teach; but surely it will be a matter of amazement to posterity that, after a war waged for the defeat of Secession, for the preservation of the Constitution, and the integrity of the Union, the party who had, after an arduous struggle, achieved a complete victory under a banner with these inscriptions, should, for four years, and, perhaps, for an indefinite period, falsify their own declarations, and practically vindicate the cause and course of their defeated opponents by refusing to admit the Southern States to a Union from which it had been contended they could not secede, and by the mutilation and utter destruction of the healthy spirit of a Constitution they had sworn to preserve intact.

What a distinguished writer says of the prototypes in England may be applied with greater force to the imitators in this country: "In truth their proceedings are as little to be reconciled to policy as to humanity and justice. -- The key to their conduct must probably be sought in their ambition. Having tasted the sweets of power, they can no longer endure the thought of a superior, or the presence of even an equal. The same lust of sway which they denounced at the outset has taken possession of their minds, and they believe, as despots always will, that no power can be safe in any hands but their own. Having converted themselves into an irresponsible, and, as they fondly trust, an irremovable oligarchy, they seek to complete the usurpation by rendering themselves absolute."

The End of the Stay Law
(Column 04)

Summary: The Spectator claimed that the fears of widespread property confiscation after the repeal of the Stay Law are groundless, and predicted that the courts and legislature would prevent creditors from abusing their new power. Advised people to buy land now before the law is repealed and prices rise.

Full Text of Article:

There is a great deal of needless apprehension entertained in this State, respecting the effect of the expiration of the Stay Law, which ceases with the acknowledgment by Congress of the new constitution. The opinion prevails that about one-fourth, or a very large portion of the real estate of Virginia will then change hands, at a ruinous sacrifice to the present owners. -- Those who take this gloomy view of the subject lose sight of the fact that the courts can, to a great extent, control this matter, and interpose to protect the interests of the property-holders. In all cases, except where deeds of trust exist, sales of real estate must depend upon a decree of court; and no sales will be permitted if the proceeds of annual rental for a term of years will liquidate the claim on account of principal and interest. But in any case, it is competent for the courts to have property appraised, and to set aside any sale where the value of the property, or something nearly approximating it, has not been secured. This power of the courts is ample to secure landholders against a ruinous sacrifice of their property; and further, we have no doubt that the Legislature will, by appropriate legislation, under the Constitution, see to it that wholesale ruin be not thus inflicted upon the debtors of the Commonwealth. -- The sharpers, therefore, in and out of the State, who are expecting to get land for a mere song, may find themselves egregiously mistaken. It is the interest of the property-holders who are not involved in debt, to see to it that the value of real estate in Virginia is not reduced to a merely nominal sum, that would, in that event, seriously affect themselves; and we trust that they will combine, if necessary, to protect their own interests. In a word: we would advise those who want land to buy now; for, in all probability, it is lower than it ever will be again, in Virginia. With the success of reconstruction and the restoration of general prosperity to the South, all values of this kind will be enhanced. The State is not going to be put under the hammer, as many people believe, and there will never occur a better opportunity to buy lands at reasonable figures than that afforded now. -- Lynch. Virginian.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Augusta Academy of Medicine passed resolutions of sympathy and respect upon the death of Dr. Samuel R. Hendren.
(Names in announcement: Dr. A. M. Fauntleroy, Dr. William S. McChesney, Dr. T. W. Shelton, Dr. Samuel R. Hendren, R. S. Hamilton, C. C. Phillips)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: James F. Taylor of Staunton and Miss Mattie A. Jordan, daughter of Albert Jordan, were married at the residence of the bride's father near Warm Springs, Bath County on November 18th by the Rev. S. Rider.
(Names in announcement: James F. Taylor, Mattie A. Jordan, Albert Jordan, Rev. S. Rider)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: T. Bullett Harrison and Mary Boykin Williams, daughter of David R. Williams and formerly of South Carolina, were married at the residence of the bride's father near Staunton on November 16th by the Rev. J. A. Latane.
(Names in announcement: T. Bullett Harrison, Mary Boykin Williams, David R. Williams, Rev. J. A. Latane)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: James H. Fauver and Miss Hettie E. Hanger, both of Augusta, were married on November 11th at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev. R. C. Walker.
(Names in announcement: James H. Fauver, Hettie E. Hanger, Rev. R. C. Walker)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Rev. E. P. Phelps of the Virginia Conference, M. E. Church, and Mrs. Jane W. Carrington of Texas were married at the residence of William L. Herr in Staunton on November 16th by the Rev. N. I. B. Morgan.
(Names in announcement: Rev. E. P. Phelps, Jane W. Carrington, William L. Herr, Rev. N. I. B. Morgan)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: D. H. Evans and Miss Mary A. Sibert, daughter of Lorenzo Sibert of Augusta, were married at Siberton on October 19th by the Rev. William E. Baker.
(Names in announcement: D. H. Evans, Mary A. Sibert, Lorenzo Sibert, Rev. William E. Baker)