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Staunton Vindicator: September 2, 1859 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

New Alum Springs
(Column 1)

Summary: Harouff sent a bottle of Alum spring water from Bull Pasture road that is very tasty.
(Names in announcement: Jacob A. Harouff, Mr. Kerr)

Our Paper
(Column 1)

Summary: The Vindicator says that from now on it will publish stories that will be more pleasing to the general reader than boring political articles.

Laying of Corner Stone
(Column 1)

Summary: The Masonic Fraternity will lay the cornerstone of the new M.E. Church on September 16.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J.S. Martin)

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The Vindicator criticizes the Spectator for publishing an anonymous letter (written by "Conservator") that accused the Methodist Church of behavior unfitting for Christians. It also reprints a letter written by "Parnassus" that criticizes "Conservator."

Full Text of Article:

We admit the following communication, signed "Parnassus," from a highly respectable and intelligent source, not with a view of entering the ring, but, on the contrary, with a solemn pretext, that while we will take pride in making our paper the vehicle of all moral and religious instruction, we can never permit it to approach the field of sectarian controversy. Our labor will rather be to pour oil on the waves of excitement, or to make some suggestions to both parties which may tend to conciliation and peace. We regret that our usually prudent and right- thinking friends of the "Spectator" should, from what we must with great deference consider a mistaken, though we doubt not an honest view, of editorial responsibility, have admitted into their columns the fire-brand which has stirred this strife. If the very objectionable words contained in the communication to that paper, signed "Conservator," had been spoken of an individual and printed, there can be no doubt that the editors would have incurred all the legal responsibility of a prosecution and suit for libel; and the question is, whether, in the eye of natural justice, the responsibility is not infinitely greater, when they are addressed to the whole community. The charge that a sect of professing Christians, in obedience to an ancient and loved mode of assembling themselves together, "ignore the Sabbath," "violate the peace and good order of society," by permitting or giving occasion for "drunkenness, profanity, huckstering, fighting, lewdness, and almost every crime," is a very grave one, and the assailed party, though without legal remedy, and unwilling to violate the laws of peace by a call for personal satisfaction, surely has a right to place the responsibility somewhere--upon some visible agent in the commission of the wrong. It may be asked, then, should the wickedness of communities go unwhipped? By no means. The interests of society may often require their chastisement at the hands of an independent press. Nor should a press properly conducted shrink from the performance of such a duty when the sacred cause of virtue and religion requires. But we cannot concede that the performance of so high a duty should be covered under the shield of anonymous irresponsibility. The editor is bound, before he admits wholesale accusation into his columns, to be satisfied, personally, of its truth, and of the high public necessity for its correction or reform. Being so satisfied, it is his duty to assume the responsibility, but until so satisfied, he should reject such communications, come from whatever quarter they may. Now, from all our brothers of the "Spectator" have said, we are confident that they have no such opinion of the Methodist Episcopalians, as would induce them to adopt as their own the severe strictures of "Conservator," and that the article has been admitted into their columns under what we consider a mistaken view of editorial duty, which we hope they will reconsider, as it is a very important question for the press. To our friends of the Methodist Church, we would suggest that they can well afford to overlook and forgive the error. Their acknowledged and exemplary piety-- their extended usefulness as the glorious pioneers of the Christian Church--will blunt the shaft of accusation, and make it fall harmlessly at their feet, while the God- like virtues of chastity and love make it a sweet duty to forgive trespasses. Let bygones then be bygones. Messrs. Editors of Vindicator:--We have been no little surprised at the supercilious pride and arrogance with which the editor of the Staunton Spectator attempts to conceal the faux pas of which he plainly has been guilty. See with what complacency the editor of so widely circulated a sheet as the Spectator wraps himself and lies down to sleep in the pleasant delusion that all wrong things published or said, all immoral things, whatever be their tendencies, may be safely laid aside on the shoulders of correspondents. See with what effrontery he contends that the medium through which such deleterious writings come, shall be pure and stainless as the new-fallen snow. See with what calmness and dignity he steps aside to let the rebuke of the justly offended fall to the ground.--And does he really know no better than to pretend that a sheet is not morally responsible for, and identified with, all the ideas, whether for good or evil, it circulates to the world? He needn't be alarmed about the word responsible. We use it in no fighting sense, but we repeat that any editor is morally responsible for the general tone and tenor of the publication of which he has control; if not, his chair is only a dunce's stool, and our worthy friend should be adorned with a cap and bells. He is a puppet in the hands of some wire puller behind the scenes. Oh! blush even to intimate that the press, the great lever by which the world is moved, has sunk so low as to have lost all self-respect, all judgement of right and wrong, and has become the mere cat's paw of some artful demagogue. But we are glad to be able to give the editor of the Spectator credit for more intellect than his present predicament would indicate.--How long has it been since this same loud-mouthed defender of the privileges of the press refused to copy an article from another paper, although assured of the possession of the name of the author by that editor? And although that editor offered to hold himself responsible until the real name should be produced. Then, "mirabile dictu," we heard the startling fact that his sheet would be identifying itself with the article--would be held responsible by the public for its sentiments; but these changes are readily made by a man who in one year can denounce catholicism, and in the next preach up the doctrine of the right of freedom of worship. By the publication of such anonymous communications, are you not aware that you subject a great many innocent men to the suspicion of their authorship? Why, how is the community to know that you yourself are not the writer, or at least the instigator, of such slanderous trash? You offer the writer's name to any one who wishes personal redress! This is nonsense.--No one feels justified in making a personal affair of a communication which is insulting to a whole sect. We dread not the influence of its sentiments in the least, but we are unwilling to assist any sheet which is filled with such contemptible slurs against a form of worship which is identified with one particular denomination. This is what we mean by holding the editor responsible. You affect great superiority of editorial etiquette, &c., over him who has been forced thus publicly to defend his rights. Do you not think such expressions as "good fellow," "hold on to your belt," "puerile," and the general style of your reply, unworthy of an editor to a preacher of the gospel. Are they not silly attempts on your part to appear humorous, supercilious, in fact contemptuous. Beware, my dear sir, how you trifle with Methodist Camp-meetings and Methodist preachers. Your publishing the communication of "Conservator" was objectionable--your reply to the Rev. Mr. Tebbs was almost insulting. [You admit that this denomination has some power; they may learn where to bestow their patronage.] I understand that you remarked upon the first reading of the Reverend gentleman's letter, that you felt indignant, but upon a second, your wrath passed away, and you determined to make it a subject of merriment. If you had perceived that it was studendum non legendum, and exerted yourself to a third perusal, you might have discovered its "logical cogency," which would have rendered this exposition unnecessary. .

Trailer: PARNASSUS

Messrs. Editors of Vindicator
(Column 2)

Summary: Letter criticizes the Spectator's editors for failing to be morally responsible for what is written in their paper.

Full Text of Article:

"Oh! blush even to intimate that the press, the great lever by which the world is moved, has sunk so low as to have lost all self-respect, all judgment of right and wrong, and has become the mere cat's paw of some artful demagogue."

The County Court
(Column 3)

Summary: The County Court closed its sitting last Thursday.

Good Sale
(Column 3)

Summary: Argonbright auctioned off her property to Sellers at $45 per acre.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Argonbright, John Sellers)

Corns and Deformities of the Feet
(Column 3)

Summary: Dr. Schultz has served Staunton citizens with feet problems so well that he will stay a few days longer.
(Names in announcement: Dr. Schultz, C. Mases, G.C. Yeakle, To. Lebach, J.B. Watts, B.W. Bagby, Dr. B.B. Donaghe)

Full Text of Article:

Dr. Schultz, who has done such good service to the citizens of Staunton during the past week, has decided to remain here a few days longer. Any one who yet doubts his ability to perform all he promises, would do well to advise with the following gentlemen: C. R. Mason, G. C. Yeakle, To. Lebach, J. B. Watts, B. W. Bagby, and Dr. B. B. Donaghe.

Alleghany High School
(Column 3)

Summary: Alleghany High School is just as good as its east coast sister school.

Special Notice
(Column 3)

Summary: The tract of land advertised by Bramham is where all the editors of the Vindicator were born and bred.
(Names in announcement: John L. Bramham)

Important Decision
(Column 3)

Summary: The Court of Appeals has affirmed the decision of the Circuit Court of this county in the case of Sanger v. Central Railroad Co. Sanger wins damages for having his leg broken when the train went off the tracks.
(Names in announcement: Jacob Sanger, Judge Thompson, John B. Baldwin, J.D. Imboden, T.J. Michie, A.H.H. Stuart, James Lyons)

Origin of Article: The Spectator

Full Text of Article:

We understand that the Court of Appeals have unanimously affirmed the judgement of the Circuit Court of this county in the case of "Saner vs. the Central Railroad Company."--At the November term, 1856, of the Circuit Court of Augusta, Jacob Sanger recovered a verdict of $6,000 damages for injuries received by the plaintiff whilst a passenger on the cars of the defendant.-- The cars were thrown off the track by a large stone left lying near the rails by the carelessness of some hands in the employment of the contractors, who were "balasting" the road, and the plaintiff had his leg broken. At the trial the Company contended that they were not responsible for the acts of the hands in the employment of their Contractors. The Judge (Thompson) held that they were, and on this point the case went up. This is the first case in Virginia settling the extent of the liability of Railroad Companies as passenger carriers, and it holds them up to the most rigorous responsibility. The judgement amounts to over $7,000 at this time, exclusive of counsel fees paid by the Company. Counsel for Sanger, John B. Baldwin and J. D. Imboden, and for the Company, T. J. Michie, A. H. H. Stuart and James Lyons, Esqs.

Trailer: Spectator

Mr. Botts and the Presidency
(Column 4)

Summary: Because of the dedication of his allies, Botts's bid for the presidency should be taken seriously. Staunton better get moving soon and declare its support of Stuart.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Botts, A.H.H. Stuart, Mr. Rives, Mr. Goggin, Mr. Crittenden, Mr. Bell, Mr. Bates)

Married
(Column 1)

Summary: Married on August 25, 1859.
(Names in announcement: Rev. X.J. Richardson, Charles East, Mary E. Rowe)

Married
(Column 1)

Summary: Married on August 21, 1859.
(Names in announcement: Rev. G.W. Statton, Samuel Lambert, Sarah C. Caracofe)

Married
(Column 1)

Summary: Married on August 18, 1859.
(Names in announcement: Rev. G.G. Brook, Isaac N. Johnson, Cynthia Ann Palmer)

Died
(Column 1)

Summary: George Fishburn died in Waynesboro on August 15 at age of two.
(Names in announcement: George Fishburn)

Died
(Column 1)

Summary: An infant child of the Greiners died in Deerfield on August 10.
(Names in announcement: A.S. Greiner, Ann Greiner)

Died
(Column 1)

Summary: Mrs. Shreckhize died on August 27 on the Long Glade. She was a member of the Presbyterian Church.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Elizabeth Shreckhize, Jacob Shreckhize)