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Staunton Vindicator: January 25, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Estimates that it will cost $25 million to maintain the State of Mississippi outside of the Union. The Vindicator wonders if the citizens of the state are ready for any emergency.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: The President has reportedly decided that he will not surrender Fort Sumpter to the authorities of South Carolina under any circumstances.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: The Vindicator has printed the Crittenden resolutions on this page of the paper and urges its readers to read them. The paper argues that the resolutions "constitute a fair and reasonable basis of adjustment."

Virginia Legislature
(Column 4)

Summary: Proceedings of the Virginia Legislature on the bill to authorize County Courts to arm the militias of their respective counties. The Legislature also reprints the Crittenden resolutions.

To James H. Skinner, Esq.
(Column 1)

Summary: The men listed above request that James Skinner make his views on the "present condition of the affairs of the country" known to them. In his response, Skinner accepted their invitation and agreed to meet them at the Court House on the following Saturday night.
(Names in announcement: W.H. Tams, W.A. Burke, Kenton Harper, H.B. Michie, W.H. Peyton, W.H. Wilson, J.C. Marquis, T.A. Berkeley, C.N. Kinney, W.H. Watts, J.C. Covell, J.B. McGuffin, D.W. Drake, T.J. Michie, Wm. Jordan, M.P. Funkhouser, Geo. E. Price, J.M. Carroll, P.H. Trout, T.J. Mitchell, R. Turk, J.B. Gilkeson, H.H. Peck, J.S. Byers, S.B. Brown, Jos. H. Woodward)

Public Speaking
(Column 1)

Summary: The candidates named above have agreed to address the people of Augusta at a number of locations. The times and places are listed.
(Names in announcement: J.D. Imboden, W.H. Harman, J.B. Baldwin, Geo. Baylor, H.W. Sheffey)

Hon. A.H.H. Stuart
(Column 1)

Summary: The Vindicator argues that Mr. Stuart, who just announced his candidacy for the Convention, cannot be a member of both the Convention and the Legislature. He should withdraw from either his candidacy or his office.

Wednesday Night
(Column 1)

Summary: Various candidates for the Convention addressed the people of Staunton on Wednesday night. After the candidates had finished, a call went up for J.H. Skinner. He made some "stunning and forcible" remarks, but some men attempted to make him stop speaking. The Vindicator strongly opposed this attempt at a gag rule.

Full Text of Article:

Wednesday Night

We have space merely to state that the various candidates for seats in the Convention addressed the people of Staunton on last Wednesday night. The Court House was crowded, and among the audience were not a few ladies.

After the candidates had concluded, J.H. Skinner, Esq., was loudly called for, and coming to the stand, proceeded to deliver some stunning and forcible remarks. An attempt was made to break the force of his arguments by various gentlemen upon whose toes he was treading with a great deal of weight. Finally, it was agreed that he should address the people on Saturday night the 26th, on the issues which now engross the public mind.

The attempt to enforce gag law was in bad taste, and had a decidedly unfavorable air.

Reconstruction--Not Preservation
(Column 2)

Summary: The Vindicator rejects the argument that the vote on the Convention is a vote to preserve the Union, since the Union has already been dissolved. Instead, the Union has to be reconstructed in order to prevent civil war.

Speaking at Mt. Sidney
(Column 3)

Summary: Report of the meeting between voters and candidates at Mt. Sidney. The Vindicator believes that Gen. Harman and Capt. Imboden took excellent positions, while the other speakers refused to recognize that the Union could not be preserved since it had already been dissolved.
(Names in announcement: Thornton Berry, Gen. Harman, Col. Baylor, Col. Baldwin, Capt. Imboden, Mr. Sheffey)

Full Text of Article:

Speaking at Mt. Sidney

Returning from Rockingham Court on last Monday evening, we stopped at Mt. Sidney to hear the candidates for the Convention address the people of that vicinity, as advertised. One of the most thoughtful, respectful and intelligent audiences, consisting of about three hundred, had assembled that we have ever seen. Thornton Berry, Esq., was called to the chair. Gen. Harman opened the discussion; Col. Baylor followed, and he was succeeded respectively by Col. Baldwin, Capt. Imboden, and Mr. Sheffey. Gen. Harman and Capt. Imboden took decided and almost similar positions, and declared their purpose, if elected, to use every effort to have our national difficulties promptly and finally settled, at least so far as Virginia's action could inaugurate a line of policy that would result in adjustment. They declared that resistance to coercion was a duty, and indicated their endorsement of the Crittenden-Douglas Compromise as a basis of settlement.

The other speakers, except when questioned, confined themselves mostly to appeals in behalf of the preservation of the Union, without defining any particular policy, except to wait for future developments. They seemed to lose sight of the fact that the Union was already dissolved, and that hence the question for the consideration and judgment of the people was not the preservation of the Union, for that was impossible, but its re-construction. They did not advert to the fact that there is no hope for the old Union--for the seceding States to come back and resume their original relations, unless the causes which led to their separation are removed. They evaded the practical points, which must be settled to prevent civil war, and confined themselves to exciting the feelings and fears of their hearers. We honestly believe this to be wrong. As much as we respect and admire the high order of talent and pure character of Cols. Baldwin and Baylor, and Mr. Sheffey, yet we are candid when we say that the speeches on Monday night last were calculated to mislead the people. We ask them what possible good can result from exciting the passions? Would it not be far more becoming in this important canvass, to tell the people plainly that we are in a revolution--lay bare the fact that five States have seceded and that to that extent this Union is dissolved to all intents and purposes? We want the plain, blunt truth presented to the voters of the county that some policy of reconstructing our shattered Union must be adopted--some terms upon which the seceding States will reunite must be adopted. We call upon the people to demand the positions of the candidates in this regard. It will not do to sing paeans to the Union and the stars and stripes when the waves of revolution and disunion are surging all around us.

We confess that we were disappointed in the speeches of these gentlemen. In our opinion, they did not meet the issues presented in the condition of the country. They consumed their time with "glittering generalities," instead of marching boldly forward and grappling with the mighty events which are upon us. We will not here particularize what we conceive to be positions fatal to the peace of the country, assumed by some of these gentlemen. We simply record our dissent from the general tone and tendency of their remarks. We can never consent to an endorsement of a temporizing, indecisive curse, when the fate of the nation depends upon a different policy.

Position of Virginia
(Column 4)

Summary: The Vindicator honors the "noble and conservative stand" the Virginia Legislature has taken recently, as evidenced by the proceedings printed on page one. The paper supports the recent appointments of men such as ex-President Taylor and Judge Brockenbrough to a commission designed to settle the present difficulties.

An Unfortunate Move
(Column 4)

Summary: A.H.H. Stuart introduced an "exceedingly unfortunate" resolution in the State Senate that stated that it was treason on the part of the people of Virginia to attempt to take the forts and arsenals within the state limits. The Vindicator believes that Stuart gave "the dignity and importance of Legislative sanction to an idle and unfounded rumor." If he has any evidence that such a movement is planned, Stuart should come forward. By publicizing this rumor, Stuart has greatly inflamed Northern opinion.

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Mr. Berry of Augusta county was recently requested to leave Amelia county, where he was acting as a daguerreotypist. He was suspected of being "too familiar with slaves." The Vindicator claims that Berry is "sound on the negro question."

Full Text of Article:

We notice in the Amelia county correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch, that a daguerreotypist was requested to leave that county on suspicion that he was too familiar with slaves. The daguerreotypist alluded to, is Mr. Berry of this county, who is just as sound on the negro question as the correspondent of the Dispatch or any citizens of Amelia. He was in our office a few days since. He has now a certificate of his residence and antecedents, with the seal of Augusta county attached, which we presume the over-wise inhabitants of Amelia will hardly disregard.

A Sad Picture
(Column 5)

Summary: Describes two women, a mother and her daughter, who are homeless and live beneath a stairway in Staunton.

Full Text of Article:

A Sad Picture

It is a true saying that one half the world does not know how the other half subsists. We were passing, the other day, along one of our principal thoroughfares, when our attention was called to a most distressing scene--one that made our hearts ache. Beneath a stairway that led down an embankment were two poorly clad women, the youngest with an infant in her arms. Around them were several pieces of old carpet and blankets, and near by a coffee pot. They had remained there all the night previous, exposed to the chilling winds of the season--no shelter, no home, no hope. The girl, who a few months ago, was light-hearted and innocent, but had fallen, fallen, was the very picture of despair. Hair disheveled, dress torn and uncomely, she was crouched upon the floor of the porch, with her child closely clasped to her bosom, rocking to and fro, evidencing in every expression the deepest agony of spirit and soul. We felt keenly and sadly for that outcast girl--houseless and homeless in the midst of winter's storms, with scarcely a ray of hope to beam upon her broken heart. And who was the other female? Her mother!--following her child in shame and want, and clinging to her in the deep misery that surrounded her, as only a mother can cling.

Fallen though they be, they are not yet lost. A friendly word, a kind act, might stay the march of crime, and touch a chord of the heart that would awaken other feelings and aspirations, and lift them out of the mire and clay, and place their feet upon a rock. "Inasmuch as yet did it unto one of these, ye did it unto me."

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: Disputes A.H.H. Stuart's assertion in the Spectator that slaves are taxed at $16 a head and that a wealthy man was forced to loan the state $3000. Instead, slaves are taxed at $1.66 per head, and the story of the loan is a fabrication.

Hon. A.H.H. Stuart, Col. John Baldwin and Col. George Baylor
(Column 6)

Summary: Petition from Augusta voters requesting Stuart, Baldwin, and Baylor to run for office. Names appear to be largely from the Churchville Precinct.
(Names in announcement: Wm. F. Acord, Jacob Adams, J.W. Ailor, F. Alexander, J.F. Argenbright, H.C. Armstrong, Wm. Armstrong, D.W. Arnold, Andrew Baylor, Geo. Baylor, J.R. Baylor, Christian Bear, Harvey BearJr., J.H. Bear, Wm. A. Bear, J.P. Biby, John Brown, Wm. Bumbgardner, Wm. Burns, J.W. Calhoun, T.F. Chrisman, James Cochran, Robert Cochran, A. Cooke, Isaac Craven, J.R. Crosby, Alex Crosby, Amos CrosbySr., Amos CrosbyJr., Geo. Crosby, Joshna Crosby, Wm. Crosby, E.G. Curry, Jacob Dedrick, James Dedrick, E.A. Dudley, S.D. Elliott, J.T. Eubank, Wm. J. Euritt, David Fall, Jas. Farrow, J. McK. Foley, H.H. Fultz, Ephraim Geeding, R.S. Hamilton, J.A. Hanger, A.J. Harruff, James Heizer, Mat Helmes, Wm. H. Hite, Wm. Hogshead, Jacob Hoover, A. Hoover, N.H. Hotchkiss, Benjamin Houseman, Wm. Houseman, J.W. Huff, Wm. H. Jackson, George W. Johns, Jeremiah Johns, Jacob Keller, John Key, Alf King, Absalom Knowles, R. Knowles, London Kootz, B.M. Lickliter, James M. Lickliter, T.N. Lindsay, Michael Livick, Wm. Mann, J.A. MartinJr., John MartinSr., S.J. McCord, John McNairSr., Andrew Miller, Henry Myers, Isaac Myers, Jackson Myers, Samuel Myers, Wm. Newman, Geo. Perry, Wm. Perry, Wm. K. Piper, J.B. Quidor, J. Ramsbottom, Wm. A. Reed, Martin Rohr, John Roudabush, Jacob Ruff, R.R. Ruff, John Sanderson, Frank Seba, David Shaver, Jacob Shaver, George Sherman, Wm. Shirley, Geo. Shuey, David Sieg, S.S. Sieg, David Sieg, Henry B. Sieg, G.R. Smith, Gid SmithSr., George Smith, Henry Sterrett, R.A. Stogdell, J.G. Stover, J.M. Taliaferro, John E. Whitmore, David Williams, James WilsonJr., James Wilson, J.B. Wilson, Joseph WilsonSr., Samuel C. Wilson, James Wooster, J.B. Wynant, J.S. Young)

For the Vindicator
(Column 6)

Summary: Warns voters that the people of Augusta must take their solemn duty to select delegates to the State Convention very seriously, and warns voters to beware those men who hold the "absurd and dangerous doctrine that their highest allegiance is due to the Federal Government." This is the Republican view. The government is a federation, and Virginia must protect its rights.

Trailer: Virginia

To the People of Augusta
(Column 7)

Summary: Hugh Sheffey announces his candidacy. He wants to preserve the Union and maintain the Constitution. He rejects being "'hitched on'" to South Carolina and the Cotton States. However, if no peaceful solution can be found, he will defend Virginia's honor and rights.

To the People of Augusta County
(Column 1)

Summary: John Baldwin announces his candidacy for delegate to the State Convention. He states that he is an "earnest and steadfast Union man." He also rejects the federal policy of coercion.

Trailer: John B. Baldwin

To the People of the County of Augusta
(Column 1)

Summary: George Baylor announces his candidacy for delegate to the State Convention. He supports the Crittenden-Douglas amendments to the Constitution, but believes that the South and North should part peacefully if they cannot find mutually agreeable terms.

Trailer: George Baylor

Virginia Legislature
(Column 2)

Summary: Text of the bill providing for authorizing the County Courts to arm the militia.

Appointment of Commissioners and Officers of Election
(Column 3)

Summary: List of election commissioners and officers, by precinct: Court House, No. 1 -- Joseph Smith; Franklin M. Young; Thornton Berry; Henry Harrison; Col. Wm. P. Tate; George A. Armentrout (officer); District No. 2 -- William W. Donaghe; John Trimble; Albert J. Garber; Judson McCoy; William H. Slanker; Robert W. Stevens (officer); Middlebrook -- William R. Dunlap; S. X. Kerr; William Thompson; James A. G. Scott; Elijah Hogshead; William H. Bell (officer); Craigsville -- David Kunkle; Robert Young; Luke Woodward; R. S. Craig; John Lockridge; G. W. McCutchen (officer); Greenville -- William F. Smith; William Hess; John Merrett; A. B. Shulz; Lewis Bumgardner; John Towberman (officer); Stuart's Draft -- Hugh G Guthrie; J.W. Hunter; John Brooke; Adam McChesney; Jacob Van Lear; William L. Hunter (officer); Waynesboro -- John J. Bell; William Patrick; Hugh McClure; Samuel Coiner, Sr; Dr. Cyrus Alexander; John T. Arnall (officer); Fishersville -- Franklin McCue; John Hamilton; J. G. Guthrie; Samuel McCune; D. W. Coiner; Elijah Bateman (officer); New Hope -- George C. Robertson; Jacob Coffman; Nathaniel Kerr; Samuel Coiner, Jr; James N. Gentry; J. D. Hanger (officer); Mt. Meridian -- James W. Crawford; Benjamin Byerly; James Johnson; James A. Patterson; Abraham Mohler; Benjamin Craig (officer); Mt. Sidney -- Addison Hyde; William Crawford; Dr. William C. Butler; John C. McCue; Thomas Burke; John H. Crawford (officer); Spring Hill -- Theophilus Gamble; Robert Gamble; Jacob Crist; John Rimel; Bethuel Herring; U. D. Poe (officer); Mt. Solon -- Daniel Forrer; A. R. Bell; James T. Clarke; John J. Cupp; David Kyle; S. M. Crawford (officer); Churchville -- James Wilson; Bailey Dunlap; Henry Sterrett; J. W.Huff; H. Bare; R. P. Eubank (officer); Swoope's Depot -- Samuel H. Bell; Washington Swoope, Sr; George Shuey; Jacob Baylor; A. G. Wayland; Washington Swoope, Jr. (officer); Midway -- M.T. Rush; John Carson; A. M. Moore; James Henry; J. D. McGuilin; H. A. Henry (officer); New Port -- H. Stewart; James J. Martin; Dr. John McChesney; James Berry; Thomas Steele; J. E. Echard (officer); Deerfield -- William Guy; W. W. Montgomery; Renix Hodge; J. Mann; Dr. McCutchen; Ed Montgomery (officer); Sherando -- Benjamin F. Lewis; William Grass; M. K. Manley; Samuel A. Hunter; Daniel Shaw; M. M. Moffett (officer); Parnassus -- James Byers; Martin Whitmore; Enos Sillings; Abraham Huffman; George Orebaugh; John Hogshead (officer)
(Names in announcement: Dr. Cyrus Alexander, George A. Armentrout, John T. Arnall, H. Bare, Elijah Bateman, Jacob Baylor, A.R. Bell, John J. Bell, Samuel H. Bell, William H. Bell, Thornton Berry, James Berry, John Brooke, Lewis Bumgardner, Thomas Burke, Dr. William C. Butler, Benjamin Byerly, James Byers, John Carson, James T. Clarke, Jacob Coffman, D.W. Coiner, Samuel CoinerJr., Samuel CoinerSr., R.S. Craig, Benjamin Craig, S.M. Crawford, William Crawford, John H. Crawford, James W. Crawford, Jacob Crist, John J. Cupp, William W. Donaghe, Bailey Dunlap, William R. Dunlap, J.E. Echard, R.P. Eubank, Daniel Forrer, Theophilus Gamble, Robert Gamble, Albert J. Garber, James N. Gentry, William Grass, Hugh G. Guthrie, J.G. Guthrie, William Guy, John Hamilton, J.D. Hanger, Henry Harrison, James Henry, H.A. Henry, Bethuel Herring, William Hess, Renix Hodge, John Hogshead, Elijah Hogshead, J.W. Huff, Abraham Huffman, William L. Hunter, J.W. Hunter, Samuel A. Hunter, Addison Hyde, James Johnson, S.X. Kerr, Nathaniel Kerr, David Kunkle, David Kyle, Benjamin Lewis, John Lockridge, M.K. Manley, J. Mann, James J. Martin, Adam McChesney, Dr. John McChesney, Hugh McClure, Judson McCoy, Franklin McCue, John C. McCue, Samuel McCune, Dr. McCutchen, G.W. McCutchen, J.D. McGuilin, John Merrett, M.M. Moffett, Abraham Mohler, Ed Montgomery, W.W. Montgomery, A.M. Moore, George Orebaugh, William Patrick, James A. Patterson, U.D. Poe, John Rimel, George C. Robertson, M.T. Rush, James A.G. Scott, Daniel Shaw, George Shuey, A.B. Shultz, Enos Sillings, William H. Slanker, Joseph Smith, William F. Smith, Thomas Steele, Henry Sterrett, Robert W. Stevens, H. Stewart, Washington SwoopeSr., Washington SwoopeJr., Col. Wm. P. Tate, William Thompson, John Towberman, John Trimble, Jacob Van Lear, A.G. Wayland, Martin Whitmore, James Wilson, Luke Woodward, Franklin Young, Robert Young)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Married on January 11. Mr. Reid is from Rockbridge.
(Names in announcement: Rev. R.C. Walker, David Reid, Virginia V. Baldwin)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Died of typhoid fever at age 35.
(Names in announcement: P.G. Almarode)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Miss Hutchison died on January 11 at age 75.
(Names in announcement: Thomas Calbreath, Martha B. Hutchison)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: Williard Staubus died on January 11 at age 10 months.
(Names in announcement: Willard Staubus, Alexander F. Staubus, Fannie Staubus)