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Staunton Spectator: December 06, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: Heavily criticized Radical measures involving using military force in elections. Editor said the Radicals failed to secure victory every time they used military force and would soon find themselves in ruins if they persisted in using it.

Full Text of Article:

"For the first time in the history of the country," says the Richmond Whig, "military interference in elections has been legalized, and has become as universal as suffrage itself. It is one of the curious contradictions of the times, that free suffrage should be made subject to military force, and that the ballot and the bullet should be brought into intimate association.

Such are the means resorted to by Radicalism to maintain its ascendancy. One thing is to be observed -- that after trying all other means, shifts, and contrivances, they have at length been driven to that last resort, ultima ratio, force. This brings them to the end of their tether, and, if it fails, down they must go to certain ruin. It failed in North Carolina, it failed here, it failed in New York, and it failed in other places. Should it fail in the great Presidential battle of '72, as seems likely, where will Radicalism be? The answer is plain: it will find itself standing exposed to the very enginery of war it prepared for its adversaries, and the only question is, whether that enginery will be used against it, or whether those adversaries will have the magnanimity to forbear its use?"

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: John Wilson died near Swoope's Depot of natural causes. Some papers mistakenly reported it as a suicide.
(Names in announcement: John Wilson)

Death of Capt. James A. McClung
(Column 01)

Summary: Capt. James A. McClung died in Staunton at the residence of his brother-in-law, Joseph A. Waddell, after a month-long illness. Many friends mourned his death.
(Names in announcement: Capt. James A. McClung, Joseph A. Waddell)

Christmas Tree
(Column 01)

Summary: The teachers and friends of the Southern M. E. Sunday School will hold a Christmas Tree ceremony for Staunton's children.
(Names in announcement: A. M. Simpson, George Harlan, N. S. Hall)

Temperance Address
(Column 02)

Summary: Highly praised an address given by Jas. W. Baldwin in favor of temperance. Fervently hoped for the success of the movement because alcohol "is the greatest evil that afflicts our country."
(Names in announcement: James W. Baldwin)

Full Text of Article:

On Friday night last, in the M. E. Church South, of this place, Mr. Jas. W. Baldwin, on behalf of Staunton Council, No. 47, "Friends of Temperance," delivered a well-conceived, methodical, and interesting address, abounding with good doctrine and wholesome counsel. In the language of Saint Paul, he spoke "the words of truth and soberness." The address was of a character, in temper, matter, and manner calculated to do much good, and we hope that such will prove to be the case. Next to church membership, with young men especially, membership in one of the temperance organizations is the most important -- it furnishes them with a safe refuge from the dangers of "the all-pervading destroyer," which annually slays its thousands and tens of thousands, and inflicts woes unutterable upon countless families, which otherwise would be blessed with happiness and prosperity. Intemperance, though not the greatest sin, is the greatest evil that afflicts our country.

Valley Virginian
(Column 02)

Summary: Major S. M. Yost purchased the Valley Virginian from Mr. Stoneburner and Co. He planned to assume editorial duties in a few weeks. "He needs no introduction to the citizens of this community, for a considerable portion of his life has been spent here, and he is known by the Press of the State generally in his character as Editor, as he was, before the war, the Editor for some years of the Staunton Vindicator, and, since the war, for a year or more, one of the editors of the Rockingham Register."
(Names in announcement: Maj. S. M. Yost, Mr. Stoneburner)

Public Free Schools
(Column 02)

Summary: Reprinted an article from the Virginia Herald expressing tacit support for the new public school system. The editor cannot guarantee the system will work but does appreciate that a majority of the people who could not afford private school will benefit.

Origin of Article: Va. Herald (Fincastle).

Full Text of Article:

The Free School system, in many places, has proved successful -- in some places it has been the reverse. Whether, in our midst, it will meet with success and the approval of our people remains to be tested by practical experience. We have no other alternative than to put the free schools into operation; to encourage them to the extent of our power, and endeavor to reap all the benefit we can from them. The tax to support them has been assessed, and will have to be paid; and although it is not sufficient to support the number of schools contemplated, the plan of the trustees to raise the amount sufficient, by private subscription, should be encouraged, as it seems to be the most feasible one, and one which will secure all the benefits of the institution, without discriminating in favor of any particular section of the Township.

To the greater portion of the people the public free schools will be a blessing, because their tax will not amount to one-fourth the tuition of a single child; and this class, (whose tax will be small, but who have children to educate,) should contribute liberally towards raising the additional sum necessary to carry out the programme of the trustees. -- Va. Herald (Fincastle)

Conservative Party
(Column 03)

Summary: Called on all Conservatives to forget old party labels and unite under the Conservative banner to ensure the reestablishment of southern prosperity. Assured conservatives that their movement was sweeping the country, as indicated by recent elections in Missouri, Tennessee, New York, etc.

Origin of Article: Montgomery Messenger

Full Text of Article:

The organization of the Conservative party of Virginia was thought to be merely local, and formed for an emergency -- self preservation. It has already assumed a national character and its principles will most certainly present the issues upon which the battle for the Presidency in '72 is to be won. To Virginia belongs the honor of having inaugurated what is now called the "Reform Movement in Politics." A close analysis of the principles and issues which were carried so triumphantly by the people of Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Alabama, New York, &c., against politicians, the influence of the administration and the force of bayonets, will be found to be the same principles and the same issues upon which Virginia planter herself in 1869; it will be further seen that where these principles were broadly and squarely presented, divested of all collateral issues, the majorities were much larger and the sentiments of the people more emphatic and decisive.

The example of Virginia has given 100 honest representatives in Congress instead of 59. Call them Democrats, Conservatives, Reformers, or what not, they are the representatives of the people and exponents of the principles of the Virginia Conservative party. Sixteen independent Republicans are also elected, whom it is said will co-operate cordially with the 109 in the election of speaker and the formation of the committees. Clearly we will have the power to control the House of Representatives and direct its policy. What then? The formation of a party based on the principles presented by Virginia in her local election in '69, which will sweep away the whole Union as it did Missouri and other States in the last election.

To all Conservatives, then, we have to say, stand firm -- be not drawn away by any side issue -- forget dead issues -- ignore party name, and array yourself under the banner and follow the lead of the man that promises the quickest deliverance to honest men, and the speediest retribution to rogues and carpet-baggers. -- Montgomery Messenger.

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: John G. Troxell and Miss Sarah J. Price, both of Augusta, were married near Newport on November 16th by the Rev. B. C. Wayman.
(Names in announcement: John G. Troxell, Sarah J. Price, Rev. B. C. Wayman)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: James F. Swisher of Rockbridge and Miss Mary J. Troxell of Augusta were married near Newport on November 17th by the Rev. B. C. Wayman.
(Names in announcement: James F. Swisher, Mary J. Troxell, Rev. B. C. Wayman)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: William Ellinger and Miss Sarah M. Gordon, both of Augusta, were married near Newport on December 1st by the Rev. B. C. Wayman.
(Names in announcement: William Ellinger, Sarah M. Gordon, Rev. B. C. Wayman)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Edward Crawford and Sadie Elizabeth Crawford, daughter of William Crawford of Augusta, were married on November 30th at the house of the bride's father by the Rev. Isaac W. K. Handy.
(Names in announcement: Edward Crawford, Sadie Elizabeth Crawford, William Crawford, Rev. Isaac W. K. Handy)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Thomas Shumate of Staunton and Miss Jennie M. Shafer, daughter of the late David Shafer of Rockbridge, were married on November 30th at the residence of the bride's mother by the Rev. Mr. Pratt.
(Names in announcement: Thomas Shumate, Jennie M. Shafer, David Shafer, Rev. Pratt)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Nimrod Gordon and Miss Nancy J. Swink, both of Augusta, were married on November 10th by the Rev. D. B. Ewing.
(Names in announcement: Nimrod Gordon, Nancy J. Swink, Rev. D. B. Ewing)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: John M. Brown and Miss Clara C. Lamb, both of Augusta, were married on December 1st by the Rev. D. B. Ewing.
(Names in announcement: John M. Brown, Clara C. Lamb, Rev. D. B. Ewing)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Samuel A. Dunlap and Miss Eliza D. Rohrer, both of Augusta, were married near Churchville on December 1st by the Rev. J. W. Hott.
(Names in announcement: Samuel A. Dunlap, Eliza D. Rohrer, Rev. J. W. Hott)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Willie Graham Cootes, daughter of B. F. and M. E. Cootes, died in Staunton of croup. He was 2 years old.
(Names in announcement: Willie Graham Cootes, B. F. Cootes, M. E. Cootes)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: John B. Waid died near Newport on November 27th of consumption. He was 27 years old.
(Names in announcement: John B. Waid)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Lieucetta H. Arehart, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Arehart, died on November 25th. He was 3 years old. A poem of mourning accompanied the notice.
(Names in announcement: Lieucetta H. Arehart, Andrew Arehart)