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

The Political Action of the South
(Column 02)

Summary: The French newspaper Courrier des Etats-Unis speculated on the political prospects of the South. The paper predicted that the South will turn to her own economic interests, but that she will continue to influence national politics simply by virtue of her cohesiveness and size as long as the region acted as a political unit.

Full Text of Article:

The French Courrier des Etats-Unis is discussing the probable course of the South and its relations to the parties of the North. It conceives that the South will hold the balance of power and be able to decide the party conflicts of the Union. This supposition takes for granted that all the Southern States will be a unit. This will depend on circumstances -- but the probabilities are in favor of such a result.

The Courrier proceeds to consider what will be the policy of the South. It thinks there would be no difficulty in answering, if the questions of to-day and those soon to arise were the same which fomented the antagonisms and inflamed the hate of the past. But most of the questions which led to discord heretofore are finally settled, and sentiment cannot long hold out against interest. That which the South has now to consider is, not how it may avenge the wrongs of the past and revive abolished institutions; but to devote itself to its economic interests, to its finances and credit -- to its ways of communication -- its railroads and canals; in a word, everything that will substitute wealth and prosperity for the smoking ruins of the war. Now, the party that will give to the South the strongest guarantees for the development of its riches -- for the revival of its agriculture and commerce, will be that which can most surely count on its political support. In this, the South will have neither to repudiate its friends nor compound with its enemies. -- Parties are nothing more than a shadow of their former selves. The principles which constitute them, the opinions or interests which separate them, are no longer what they were. -- Their names alone survive -- their signification is entirely changed; all is new, and a new start is to be made. The South has only to consult its most important interests, to choose its friends and its enemies.

From this situation it results that the South is henceforth not only mistress of its own destines, but, in a great measure, the arbiter of those of the entire country. That is a capital point which all will have to take into consideration. One serious matter, for example, and which should weigh upon the policy of the present Administration is, that the Presidential election of 1872 will depend in a great degree on the attitude of the South; and if, as seems probable, General Grant should desire a renewal of his trust, he should strive during his three remaining years to counterbalance the unfriendly disposition of the Radical majority of Congress towards the Southern States. -- Here lies without doubt the key to the next election; for it is beyond doubt that the South, with common interests with the West and common sympathies with the Democrats of the North, would be able to dictate conditions to the Republican party. This makes a situation entirely new.

There are the views, says the Richmond Whig, of an enlightened foreigner who has never been slow to avow his sympathies for the wrongs and sufferings of the South. They strike us as founded in good sense, and justified by a wise appreciation of the situation.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Virginia Advance asked Virginians to forget old prejudices and habits in order to rebuild the state. Also urged them to uphold the pledges made by the state during the process of readmission.

Full Text of Article:

The Virginia Advance says that "the duty of Virginians is now so plain and patent that it is almost a work of supererogation to point it out. The same calm dignity and political purity which shed such lustre upon her past history should be maintained in the future, and the pledges which she has made, however much they may conflict with former prejudices and opinions, should be kept in spirit and in letter. We must recognize the fact that there has been a radical change both in our political and pecuniary fortunes, and prepare ourselves to grapple with the emergency. Let us cast aside old prejudices and old habits and work together for the political, social and material redemption of our State. It is better to "take up arms against a sea of troubles and by opposing end them," than to sit supinely down and be engulfed by its waves."

The DILEMMA OF RECONSTRUCTION
(Column 02)

Summary: Claimed that either the southern states were not in the Union at the time of the ratification of the fifteenth amendment, which would thus void the amendment, or these states were never out of the Union, in which case the reconstruction acts were void.

Full Text of Article:

Southern States were required to ratify the fifteenth amendment as a condition of restoration to the Union. As they could not be trusted to come in and then ratify it, they ratified first and then came in. They were, therefore, not in the Union when they acted on the constitution, or else they were never out of the Union. Either, then, all the reconstruction laws of Congress are invalid, or these Southern ratifications of the fifteenth amendment are invalid. If the States were in the Union there was no need to admit them, and if they were not in the Union they could not participate in making laws for States that are in.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Bishop Whittle preached in the Episcopal Church of Staunton on Sunday.
(Names in announcement: Bishop Whittle)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The members of the Augusta Academy of Medicine were requested to attend a meeting on Friday.

Exodus
(Column 01)

Summary: Reported that the Freedmen continue to emigrate from the area.

Full Text of Article:

The exodus of the colored population continues. By the train of yesterday morning quite a number left. We understand that there were fifty-odd in that party, nearly half of them women, and that more will go in a short time.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The revival in Staunton's Southern Methodist Church continued. "The house is filled every night, and the altar is crowded nightly with penitents. Nine persons joined the Church on last Sunday morning."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Seven prisoners charged with felony were sent from the Waynesboro to the Chambersburg jail under the direction of Justice William W. Clinedinst. Two prisoners were white men: Alex Bush and James Terrill. The remaining five were black men: William Murry, Primus Bowles, Isaac Walker, Jesse Hardin, and Samuel Hardin.
(Names in announcement: Alex Bush, James Terrill, William Murry, Primus Bowles, Isaac Walker, Jesse Hardin, Samuel Hardin)

"Daniel"
(Column 01)

Summary: The Staunton Musical Association performed a sacred cantata in the Baptist Church. As usual, they played well.

Popular Lecture
(Column 01)

Summary: The Rev. G. W. Samson, president of Columbia College, will deliver a popular lecture in the Baptist Church on Friday. His subject will be the history of Jerusalem based on knowledge gained from research and travel in the Holy Land. Admission is 25 cents and proceeds will benefit the church.
(Names in announcement: Rev. G. W. Samson)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: John Palmer of Newport and Miss Mary Eago were married at Mr. Palmer's near Spring Hill on February 6th by the Rev. Mr. Engle.
(Names in announcement: John Palmer, Mary Eago, Palmer, Rev. Engle)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: George A. Hutcheson and Miss Maggie J. Robertson, both of Greenville, were married on January 25th at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev. Mr. Wilson.
(Names in announcement: George A. Hutcheson, Maggie J. Robertson, Rev. Wilson)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Mrs. Mary H. Cochrane, wife of B. F. Cochrane, died at the residence of her father, Dr. Isaac Hall, on January 31st. She was 23 years old.
(Names in announcement: Mary H. Cochrane, B. F. Cochrane, Dr. Isaac Hall)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Mrs. Sephrona Ann Trainum, wife of David C. Trainum, died on January 21st. She was 54 years old and a long-time member of the Methodist Church.
(Names in announcement: Sephrona Ann Trainum, David C. Trainum)

Obituary
(Column 03)

Summary: Henry Kisling died near McGaheysville on January 30th. He was 84 years old. "The hundreds and possibly thousands of Confederate soldiers, now scattered throughout the country, who came weary, or sick or hungry to his hospitable home, will never forget the name and hospitality of Henry Kisling. The refugees from neighboring and distant counties found open doors and a cheerful heart to welcome them, and a generous hand to alleviate their wants. He was a lover of liberty and a just government, and his sympathies were warmly enlisted in the 'Lost Cause.'" He was a long-time temperance advocate and member of the Methodist Church.
(Names in announcement: Henry Kisling)