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Staunton Vindicator: January 18, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Gov. Letcher's Message
(Column 3)

Summary: The Vindicator reprints the portion of the Governor's message that deals with the subject of the banks. Most Virginia banks suspended specie payments on or around November 21.

"A Crazy Legislature"
(Column 1)

Summary: The Vindicator criticizes the Spectator for its "very silly and indelicate article under the above caption." The Vindicator believes that the call for a Convention will prevent war, not precipitate it.

Full Text of Article:

"A Crazy Legislature"

The Spectator has a very silly and indelicate article under the above caption, in which it charges the Legislature, "by nearly a unanimous vote," with having "pledged Virginia to fight the battles of South Carolina." This is all twaddle, and an abortive attempt at raw-head-and- bloody-bones to frighten the people. The call of a Convention is to prevent war and bloodshed; rather than precipitate them. If any body of men in the universe could be placed in a position to save this country from carnage and civil war, it will be a Convention of delegates fresh from the sovereign people of Virginia. It is admitted on all sides, that Virginia's relations to the Union are such as to be more potential for restoring peace and harmony than any other State. How would it be possible to make known her wishes and position, save through a body authorized by the people to represent their sentiments. Any action Virginia may take through her Convention will be for the conservation of peace, if that is possible. If War is inevitable, which we by no means believe, then what body so proper as the Convention to define the purpose of the Old Dominion? Be the result of our present difficulties peace or war, a Convention is the safest and most legitimate body to act for the State.

The idea of pledging Virginia to fight the battles of any State is simply ridiculous. If the madness of Black Republican fanaticism and treachery should ever attempt to coerce any seceding State, the question would become one embracing the constitutional rights of every Southern State that repudiates the right of coercion, and the conflict would become one of the South, defending the Constitution, against the North, violating it. In that event, Virginia would have as many battles of her own to fight as she could desire, without sending her armies to the cotton and rice fields of the extreme South.

It is a conflict we desire to prevent. If we send the proper men to the Convention, that conflict may be prevented. It is the solemn and sacred duty of the people therefore, to come to the polls on the 4th day of February and cast their votes for such men as they can trust, irrespective of Court-house recommendations or partizan [sic] influences. There will be no infamy too intense or degradation too deep, for the man whose craven soul would allow party considerations or associations to decide these momentous questions for him. A weightier responsibility never rested upon any people than the voters of Virginia will be called to assume on the 4th of February. Let each man meet it like a freeman, who in the sight of God and his loyalty to his State and country, feels like proving his patriotism and asserting his adherence to the Federal Constitution as framed by our fathers.

The People Against the Politicians
(Column 2)

Summary: Neither the President nor Congress appears able to confront the current political crisis. Gen. Scott seems to be the only functionary of the government who is taking any action, but he has adopted a policy of coercion. Nor can Southerners look to the incoming administration with any hope. Mr. Lincoln has been silent thus far, and it appears that Seward will be the dominant voice in the new administration. Instead, the South needs look inward and must present a unified front.

Court House Nominations
(Column 3)

Summary: The Vindicator disagrees with the Spectator's suggestion that a Court House meeting be held on January 28th to nominate candidates for the State Convention. A meeting at such a late date would give the voters only six days to find out about the candidates. To avoid the domination of a "Court House clique or packed caucus," the candidates should announce themselves immediately through the press.

Candidates for the Convention
(Column 3)

Summary: The men listed above have all announced themselves as candidates for the State Convention. The Vindicator highly recommends Messrs. Harman and Imboden.
(Names in announcement: Gen. W.H. Harman, Capt. J.D. Imboden, Col. J.B. Baldwin, Hugh Sheffey, Col. Geo. Baylor, W.P. Tate)

Full Text of Article:

Candidates for Convention

It will be seen by their cards, that Gen. W.H. Harman and Capt. J.D. Imboden have announced themselves as candidates for the State Convention, which meets on the 13th of February, in Richmond. The names of two other gentlemen are suggested, viz: Col. J.B. Baldwin and Hugh W. Sheffey, Esq. These gentlemen all possess a high order of talent--either one of whom has ability to represent the county in this important emergency. As it is our purpose to ignore everything like party in this contest, and to lend our support to those men who the most nearly represent what we believe the true interests and honor of Virginia, we shall await the announcement of other gentlemen, and the publication of their views, before we declare in favor of any. In the meanwhile, we call attention to the cards of Messrs. Harman and Imboden as containing sound and conservative views, well worthy the consideration of the people.

A State Convention
(Column 3)

Summary: The election for delegates to the State Convention will be held on February 4th. Augusta county is entitled to three delegates.

A County Meeting
(Column 3)

Summary: The Vindicator once again rejects the Spectator's call for a Court House meeting to nominate candidates to the Convention.

State Action
(Column 3)

Summary: New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have all recently taken actions to give "material aid and comfort" to the federal government in its policy of coercion of the South. According to the Vindicator, this is another sign that "the breach seems to be widening--our difficulties more complicated."

To the People of Augusta
(Column 4)

Summary: Imboden puts his name forward as a candidate for the State Convention and expresses his views on the current political crisis.

Trailer: John D. Imboden

To the People of Augusta
(Column 5)

Summary: William Harman places his name forward as a candidate for the State Convention and presents his views on the present crisis.

Trailer: Wm. H. Harman

God Bless the Ladies!
(Column 6)

Summary: Praises the ladies of Augusta, who will hold a Fair on the 22nd of February to raise money to purchase knapsacks and tents for the West Augusta Guard.

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Rev. Mr. May, Susan B. Anthony, and "others of that stripe" attempted to hold a meeting in Rochester, New York. It was broken up by local citizens, who passed resolutions in favor of the Union and gave cheers for General Scott and Major Anderson.

For the Vindicator
(Column 2)

Summary: The ladies of Staunton will hold a fair for the purpose of providing tents for the West Augusta Guards.

Full Text of Article:

For the Vindicator

Mr. Editor: The Ladies of Staunton propose holding a Fair for the purpose of providing Tents for the "West Augusta Guard," on the 22nd of February--in which they invite the ladies in the neighborhood to join them.

In view of the probable call soon to be made, on this, as well as all the volunteer Companies of our State, to defend us against Northern aggression; it seems needless to appeal to the patriotism of any of Virginia's daughters to lend their aid, with willing hands and hearts in this work of necessity, for the comfort of those, who have shown by their prompt and efficient service at Harper's Ferry, that the spirit of "76" still burns in the hearts of Virginia's Sons. Let then the daughters of Old Augusta show that the same spirit actuates them, to cheer the brave Soldier on, and by providing the necessary covering from the night dews and the pitiless blast, the thought that the fair hands of mothers, wives, sisters and those dearer than all have wrought this for them, will lighten the vigors of the Soldier's life and inspire them with fresh valor.

A LADY

Trailer: A Lady

For the Vindicator
(Column 2)

Summary: "A Farmer" writes a letter in support of the above candidates for the State Convention.
(Names in announcement: Gen. W.H. Harman, Col. J.B. Baldwin, Hugh Sheffey)

Trailer: A Farmer

Married
(Column 7)

Summary: Married on December 20.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Martin Garber, Jacob F. Flory, Elizabeth E. Grove)

Married
(Column 7)

Summary: Married on January 1 in Johnson County, Iowa. The bride and groom are both formerly of Augusta County.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Bowersox, Caswell B. Shuey, Clarinda Brown)

Died
(Column 7)

Summary: J.M. Price died on January 17th at age 17. He died at the residence of J.B. Evans.
(Names in announcement: J.B. Evans, J.M. Price)

Died
(Column 7)

Summary: Mrs. Wonderlick died on December 26 at age 58. She was a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Mary Wonderlick, Joseph Wonderlick)