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Staunton Spectator: January 25, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Admission of Virginia
(Column 01)

Summary: A reprint of the bill re-admitting Virginia to the Union. This bill contained many new amendments, including the reinstatement of loyalty oaths, to the one passed by the House of Representatives. Both houses have now passed this new bill, and it awaits the President's signature. The editor believed Virginians cannot fully rejoice over readmission now because the amended bill made Virginia "no longer the peer of her sister States."

Full Text of Article:

On Friday last a week, the House of Representatives, by a large majority, passed Bingham's Bill for the unconditional admission of Virginia, and, as the Senate had been considered more liberal than the House, it was supposed that the bill, as adopted by the House, would be unhesitatingly adopted by the Senate, and up to the time of going to press last week its adoption by the Senate was hourly expected by a majority of the citizens of the State. The result has shown that they were greatly mistaken. On Friday last, just a week to a day from the time the House passed Bingham's bill for the unconditional admission of the State, the Senate, after loading the bill with amendments and obnoxious conditions, so as wholly to change its character, passed it, by a vote of 48 ayes to 10 nays, as follows.

An act to admit the State of Virginia to representation in the Congress of the United States.

Whereas, The people of Virginia have framed and adopted a Constitution of State government, which is Republican; and whereas, the Legislature of Virginia elected under said Constitution have ratified the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the Constitution of the United States; and whereas, the performances of these several acts in good faith was a condition precedent to the representation of the State in Congress; therefore,

Be it enacted, &c., That the said State of Virginia is entitled to representation in the Congress of the United States; provided, that before any member of the Legislature of said State shall take or resume his seat, or any officer of the State shall enter upon the duties of his office, he shall take and subscribe and file in the office of the Secretary of State of Virginia for permanent preservation an oath in the form following:

"I, ----, do solemnly swear that I have never taken an oath as a member of Congress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State Legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, and afterwards engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. So help me God."

Or such person shall, in like manner, take, subscribe and file the following oath:

"I,------, do solemnly swear that I have by act of Congress of the United States, been relieved from the disabilities imposed upon me by the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution of the United States. So help me God." Which oath shall be taken before and certified by any officer, lawfully authorized to administer oaths. And any person who shall knowingly swear falsely in taking either of such oaths, shall be deemed guilty of perjury, and shall be punished therefor by imprisonment not less than one year and not more than ten years, and shall be fined not less than one thousand dollars. -- And in all trials for any violation of this act the certificate of the taking of either of said oaths, with proof of the signature of the party accused, shall be taken and lawfully held as conclusive evidence that such oath was lawfully and regularly administered by competent authority.

And provided further, That every such person who shall neglect, for the period of thirty days next after the passage of this act, to take, subscribe and file such oath, as aforesaid, shall be deemed and taken, to all intents and purposes, to have vacated his office.

And, provided further, That the State of Virginia is admitted to representation in Congress upon the following fundamental conditions:

That the Constitution of Virginia shall never be so amended or changed as to deprive any citizen, or class of citizens, of the United States of the right to vote who are entitled to vote by the Constitution herein recognized, except as a punishment for such crimes as are now felonies at common law, whereof they shall have been duly convicted under laws equally applicable to all inhabitants of said State, provided, that any alteration of said Constitution, prospective in its effects, may be made in regard to the time and place of residence of voters.

That it shall never be lawful for the said State to deprive any citizen of the United States, on account of his race, color, or previous condition of servitude, &c., of the right to hold office under the Constitution and laws of said State, or upon any such ground, to require of him any other qualification for offices than such as is required of all other citizens.

That the Constitution of Virginia shall never be so amended or changed as to deprive any citizen, or class of citizens, of the United States of the school rights and privileges secured by the Constitution of said State.

Whether it will be adopted in the House without further amendments remains to be seen. It will probably be changed and be bandied from one House of Congress to the other for some time. It is now evident that the announcement of the admission of the State, whenever made, will not furnish any occasion for rejoicing. It was a sad day when Virginia went out of the Union, and it will be a sad day when she goes in again -- upon the conditions of the Senate bill, which places the degrading brand of inferiority upon her, making her no longer the peer of her sister States.

P. S. -- On yesterday, (Monday,) the House passed the Senate bill as given above, as will be seen by the following special telegram:

WASHINGTON, January, 24th.

House concurred in the Senate amendments this evening -- ayes 156, noes 57. Bill goes to the President for signature. So old Virginia is in the Union again, of which she was the mother. I did not shout when she went out, and I shall not shout now that she is in; for Congress let her come in very ungracefully.

SIDNEY.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Baltimore Gazette drew a distinction between legitimate acts of reconstruction and the unjust actions of the Radical party. The paper defended itself for cultivating feelings of animosity towards Congress for its part in the latter's policies.

Full Text of Article:

We have urged, says the Baltimore Gazette, a full, patient and prompt acquiescence in the legitimate results of the war -- in the abolition of slavery and all its adjuncts and surroundings. -- We have encouraged the emigration of honest and decent men from the North to the South, and have insisted always that the latter should and would, if permitted, cheerfully co-operate in the work of reconstructing the Union and maintaining the Constitution. But if contempt for the unprincipled men who direct the course of the Radical faction; if detestation of the despicable means by which they have secured the ascendency of a Radical minority in the Southern States; if resentment at the daily and hourly violation of the fundamental law of this land, and the overthrow of the very corner-stone of civil freedom on this continent; if hatred of arbitrary rule and military despotism; if a loathing of a faction which seeks to perpetuate its power by making negroes and unprincipled adventurers the law-makers and governors of the Southern people; if these feelings come under the category of prejudices and animosities, then do we entertain these last most cordially. We shall encourage them now and hereafter to the best of our ability; we shall endeavor to strengthen their growth in the hearts of the Southern people, and we do most cordially pray that in the generations yet to come the convictions and feelings which animate us to-day may fire every Southern breast with ten-fold the intensity with which we cherish them. The love of honesty, the love of right, the love of law and the love of country, these are what the Radical faction affects to class with prejudices and animosities.

The Republican Party
(Column 03)

Summary: An article from the New York Herald primarily concerned with the ways in which the Democratic party can unify the country and regain power. Outlined the failings and weaknesses of the Republicans that the Democrats could exploit in the future. The Democrats might even elect the next President if they take advantage of the divisions within the Republican party and the absence of a clear, popular Republican platform.

Full Text of Article:

The New York Herald says that, if the Democrats be progressive and national, and will adopt a policy suited to the present and looking to the future, they may secure the Presidential succession and a long lease of power. -- "Looking," it says,"at the divisions in the dominant party on vital questions of public policy, at its violated promises and shortcomings, at its reckless extravagance, at its want of defined principles in the management of public affairs, and at its indifference with regard to supporting the administration it has chosen, we are naturally led to inquire what prospect there is for perpetuating its power, and what chance there may be for the opposition party. There was a positive issue on the slavery question -- the one, in fact, which brought the republicans into power -- as there was, too, in the prosecution of the war; but neither exists any longer. The Republicans, however, have used the slavery agitation and the war for political capital long after the questions were settled and until they are worn out. The people are tired of them, and look for other questions or issues that bear upon the present and future. -- In this respect the dominant party does not meet the wants and expectations of the country; for, as was said, it has no positive policy, no platform of principles, and no unity or cohesiveness beyond that which the spoils of office give. Who, then, is to govern this great country? What party can take the place of the one in power? Are we to drift along this negative way without principles and statesmen, or shall we have a party with a defined policy, that will represent the sentiment of the country and the living issues of the day?

The Democrats have a good prospect before them, if they know how to use their opportunity-- if they will leave the dead past and take a new departure in accordance with established facts and the spirits of the times. They may elect the next President, though General Grant may be again the candidate of the Republicans. Even his popularity and glorious war record would hardly overweigh the failures of his administration, the shortcomings of the Republican party and the desire of the people for a change. The great State of New York has taken the lead already in a political revolution favorable to the Democrats. In the last election for members of Congress they gained considerably, and in many local elections they have shown signs of returning life. Although the Radicals have made extraordinary efforts to establish their power in the Southern States they have evidently overreached themselves, and there is little doubt that these States will be Democratic. A large part of the negroes will go with the white people on political questions, for they will see that their interests are identical, and it requires no prophet to tell us what party the Southerners will affiliate with. Judging from all the signs of the times the Democrats have a good chance for the Presidential succession three years hence. But they will lose that, if they adhere to their old, exploded dogmas and attempt to undo what has been accomplished by and in consequence of the war. Our Northern Democrats must accept the platform and policy of the Southerners, with all the concessions to the negroes and the amendments to the Constitution. They cannot go back and succeed, for the mass of the people are opposed to a counter revolution. However much opposed before to some of the changes that have been made, they accept them now and want peace. Let the Democrats, then, drop the dead past; let them be progressive and broadly rational; and let them adopt a policy suited to the present and looking to the future, and they may secure the Presidential succession and a longe lease of power."

From Staunton to Buchanan
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper supported a suggestion from the Lexington Gazette to "McAdamize" the road from Staunton to Buchanan. The cost would be $120,000.

[No Title]
(Column 05)

Summary: The Baltimore Gazette criticized the reconstruction authorities in the various Southern states, particularly those in Georgia. It also denounced Congress for their recent treatment of Virginia.

Origin of Article: Balt. Gazette

Full Text of Article:

Unchecked by any sense of honesty or honor; uninfluenced by any respect for law; unfettered by any apprehension of a popular revolt against usurpation and tyranny, the Radical faction is steadily carrying out its partisan schemes. Most of the Southern States are already under the control of the negroes, and the interloping knaves who represent "the powers that be" in Washington, and those which are not quite so subservient to the will of Congress as it desires, are in process of dictatorial reconstruction. Georgia is now again remitted to the guardianship of the depraved and abandoned Bullock, who has entered a new career of infamy under the protection of General Terry's bayonets.

Virginia, standing for weeks by the doors of Congress, has been addressed in terms of contumely and insult, and has been given distinctly to understand that, in or out of the Union, she must bear herself as the obsequious slave of those who now control her destinies. Not only is every principle of right, of law, and of justice disregarded by the dominant party, but the solemnly plighted faith of the Federal Government and the pledges of a majority of the members of Congress are regarded by it as of as little value as "dicer's oaths." -- Balt. Gazette.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: B. F. Fifer has been appointed Staunton flour inspector.
(Names in announcement: B. F. Fifer)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: James W. Beard has been appointed postmaster at Mint Spring, Augusta County.
(Names in announcement: James W. Beard)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Blind Tom the pianist gave a concert in Winchester after successful performances in Staunton.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: A meeting will be held at the home of Joseph George to organize a company for people wishing to migrate to Florida.
(Names in announcement: Joseph George)

Revival in the M. E. Church South
(Column 01)

Summary: The revival continued at the M. E. Church South in Staunton, where twenty-five people have converted so far. The Rev. George Kramer and the Rev. Mr. Harris continue to direct the ceremonies.
(Names in announcement: Rev. George Kramer, Rev. Harris)

"Ladies' Library Association"
(Column 01)

Summary: The Ladies' Library Association has elected officers, and now plan to open a circulating library. The editor encouraged everyone to subscribe to the library.

Full Text of Article:

In accordance with the announcement published last week, a meeting of the "Ladies Library Association" was held at the Va. Hotel last Wednesday, at which the Association was regularly organized by the election of a President, Librarian, Treasurer and Secretary. Another meeting will be held at the Va. Hotel to-morrow -- Wednesday -- at 11 o'clock, A.M. The Ladies of this Association expect to open the circulating Library in a room over the store of Messrs. Ackerman & Co., by the 1st Thursday in February.

We would urge upon those citizens, who are able to do so, to make liberal donations of money and books to this Library Association. We would recommend to the young gentlemen as well as the young ladies of this place to become subscribers. They could not spend the amount of subscription more profitably. For a few dollars, they will have the use of the Library for twelve months.

Married
(Column 02)

Summary: George W. Wright and Miss Sarah Mildred Cox of Augusta were married on January 20th by the Rev. William E. Baker.
(Names in announcement: George W. Wright, Sarah Mildred Cox, Rev. William E. Baker)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Miss Margaret Hays died near Bethel Church, Augusta County on December 29th. She was 86 years old.
(Names in announcement: Margaret Hays)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Miss Mary Crist died at the residence of her brother near Mint Spring on December 26th. She had suffered a long illness.
(Names in announcement: Mary Crist)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Mrs. Nancy Poage, wife of James Poage, died on January 8th. She was 58 years old.
(Names in announcement: Nancy Poage, James Poage)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Nannie R. Hanger, daughter of William S. and Margaret Hanger, died at Churchville on December 31st. She was 21 years old. Nannie had been stricken with a disease at age 3, the effects of which caused her to suffer for the next 17 years before finally resulting in death.
(Names in announcement: Nannie R. Hanger, William S. Hanger, Margaret Hanger)