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

Epauletts
(Column 3)

Summary: The Vindicator rejects the Spectator's assertion that Capt. Imboden and Gen. Harman should not be elected to the State Convention because they are military men. The Vindicator believes that Augusta voters will recognize this ruse, and will reject it when they go to the polls.

Duty of the People
(Column 3)

Summary: Argues that, just because a man signs a petition calling on someone to run for office, it does not mean that he must vote for that candidate.

Gov. Letcher
(Column 4)

Summary: Although Gov. Letcher's policies have not been adopted exactly by the Legislature, his general line of policy has been endorsed. However, the secessionists have been making "incessant war" on the Governor. The Vindicator warns this faction that Letcher is supported by the people of Virginia.

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: The N.Y. Herald denies the claim that a special tax has been laid on slaves in South Carolina. The contributions made of both slave labor and money have been voluntary.

For the Vindicator
(Column 5)

Summary: "Townsman" makes a number of recommendations to improve and protect Staunton. He argues that the town should donate money from the cemetery fund to the militia, should raise a Home Guard to protect the area in case of war, and should improve Lewis Street.

Full Text of Article:

For the Vindicator.

Mr. Editor:--A few thoughts have presented themselves to my mind, of a local character, whilst enjoying the luxury of a blazing fire and a rich Havana, during the inclement weather, which has so sorely afflicted us for the last week; and for the benefit of our community, as well as to gratify myself, I have determined to ask your permission to print them.

Cemetery Fund

About a year ago, I believe, a Fair was held by the ladies of Staunton, for the purpose of raising funds to improve the Cemetery. It is understood that the means thus raised through the energy of our fair ladies, have never been applied to the object originally designed, on account of some legal disability, or other sufficient cause. If this be true, and the fund is still lying idle, I respectfully suggest that it be loaned to the two military companies of Staunton, for the purpose of aiding them in purchasing the necessary equipments, such as tents, knapsacks, &c, for active service in the field. The unsettled state of our national affairs may render a call for the services of our volunteer companies by the State necessary at any moment, and in order to enable them to be prepared for marching, this suggestion is made. If complied with, a praiseworthy object will have been materially advanced, and the Cemetery fund be made interest-bearing.

Home Guard

Our two military companies have offered their services in case of war, and in the event of need, will doubtless be called away--that would leave our property and wives and children without organized protective force. This should not be, as in the kind of warfare which will prevail, if there should be war, every place is liable to attack or disturbance. I suggest, therefore, the formation of a Company, to be called the Staunton Home Guard, who are to act merely on the defensive, and not to act except in the absence of the two companies now existing. Men past military age, ministers and others, might join this company. It need have no uniform, but a simple badge, and need drill but little. Having organized selected arms and badge, they might agree that a certain alarm-signal should at any time summon them to an appointed place.

Lewis Street

All our streets are bad enough, in all conscience, but Lewis street, from Frederick street out, is my far too bad. It is all mud, with a ditch for sidewalks. On said street live many poor persons, who can't afford boots and shoes, and they get to church and their daily work (when they can get there) at the expense of health; and at the risk of their lives. I doubt not that some girls have, from wading along this street, gotten the seeds of death in their constitutions. Every Corporation owes it to its citizens to abolish nuisances, and Lewis street is certainly a nuisance. It has been said, "a Corporation can't sin;" but I say this Corporation is a grievous sinner, if it don't [sic] do something for Lewis street.

TOWNSMAN

Trailer: Townsman

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: When a certain Southern gentleman was asked if he would need ice during the coming summer, he replied in the negative and claimed that "the men of the South would drink boiling hot water on the 4th of July before they would receive or use any of the free soil ice of the States of the North."

Correspondence
(Column 1)

Summary: The men listed above asked that Thomas J. Michie make his views on the "important questions" known. Michie replied that he would be glad to meet with them on the evening of February 2nd.
(Names in announcement: Wm. H. Peyton, Geo. E. Price, Jas. E. Skinner, W.C. Eskridge, R.H. Phillips, B. Crawford, T.A. Berkley, H.I. Opie, Kenton Harper, N.K. Trout, H.H. Peck, W.D. Gilkeson, J.S. Byers, D.C. McGuffin, Jas. W. Crawford, Wm. H. Watts, Wm. Jordan, Edwin M. Taylor, W.H. Tams, P.H. Trout)

Public Speaking
(Column 1)

Summary: Alex. M. Cochran will address the people of Staunton on Saturday night in the Court House. The ladies of Staunton are invited to attend.

Mr. Sheffey Retires
(Column 1)

Summary: The Vindicator prints elsewhere in this issue an announcement that H.W. Sheffey has decided to withdraw his name from contention in the delegate race. The Vindicator regrets his decision, especially since it makes it more likely that Mr. Stuart might win. The paper argues that Stuart should not be elected because he has refused to resign from the Legislature.
(Names in announcement: H.W. Sheffey, A.H.H. Stuart)

Combination Ticket
(Column 1)

Summary: A ticket with the names of Baldwin, Baylor, and Stuart has been circulating in Staunton. The Vindicator claims that this is an "attempted fraud upon the people" and urges them not to vote for any combination ticket. The paper also cannot believe that Baldwin and Baylor support this effort.
(Names in announcement: Col. Baldwin, Col. Baylor, A.H.H. Stuart)

Speech of Mr. Skinner
(Column 1)

Summary: The Vindicator editor was unable to attend Skinner's speech last Monday night. While the paper does not endorse all of Mr. Skinner's views, it praises him for always making his arguments with "a great deal of candor and frankness."

Revolution
(Column 2)

Summary: Argues that revolutions always move forward: "Progress is the law--the shibboleth of civilization." The current revolution will also move forward unless the "irritating cause is removed. The Southern States will not recede from their position unless the basis of reconstruction embraces a clear and distinct enunciation and guarantee of equal rights and privileges."

Last Monday
(Column 2)

Summary: The candidates spoke at the Court House on Monday. The people present paid close attention to the candidates, which they must since "the destiny of the country may depend upon the course of Virginia, in this momentous crisis."
(Names in announcement: Col. Baldwin, Col. Baylor, A.H.H. Stuart, Mr. Sheffey, Gen. Harman, Capt. Imboden)

Fortress Monroe
(Column 2)

Summary: The people of Eastern Virginia have taken a great interest in the improvements that are being made at Fortress Monroe. This work indicates that the President is prepared to use coercive force against Virginia if it should secede, since the guns in the fort are now pointed in toward the State.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Senators Mason and Hunter and three members of Congress from Virginia have issued a statement from Washington saying that there is no hope that the present difficulties can be solved. The Vindicator didn't publish the statement because it believes that these men want an excuse to secede. The paper claims that it supports neither secession or submission.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: The Vindicator objects to the article printed in the Spectator on January 29th that encouraged mothers to influence their husbands to vote for Union men in the upcoming election. The papers asks if the Spectator meant to insult the women of West Augusta "by an appeal to their fear, when the question of patriotism is involved?"

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Blames Mr. Staurt's recent resolutions in the Senate for creating a climate of fear, which lead to the reinforcement of Fortress Monroe.

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Rejects the assertion of Stuart and Baldwin that certain Augusta candidates for the Convention support immediate secession. None of them have taken this position.
(Names in announcement: Stuart, Baldwin)

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Miss Mason and Miss Brown were thrown from the sleigh of C.R. Mason when the horses bolted. Neither one was badly hurt.
(Names in announcement: Miss Mason, Miss Brown, C.R. Mason, B. Crawford, T. Shumate, Byron Hoge)

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Old Uncle Frederick Hill, a servant at the Hospital in Staunton, died last week. He was a faithful servant, and his funeral was "largely attended by colored and white persons and as much respect paid his memory as if he had been one of our most respected citizens."
(Names in announcement: Frederick Hill)

Full Text of Article:

"Old Uncle Frederick Hill . . ."

Old Uncle Frederick Hill, for a number of years a servant at the Hospital at this place, died one day last week. Uncle Frederick was as regular in his visits to the Vindicator office, every Saturday, as clock work, until the past month, during which time he was too feeble. His funeral was largely attended by colored and white persons and as much respect paid his memory as if he had been one of our most respected citizens. Frederick was truly a pious man, and one of the most faithful servants we have ever known.

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: President-elect Lincoln will have a military escort when he travels to Washington for his inauguration. This is the first time military protection has been necessary for a high civil official passing from one part of the country to another. The Vindicator thinks that Lincoln is "investing idle rumors with too much importance."

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Complains that neither the Staunton Council nor the Street Commissioners have paid attention to the paper's complaints about the deplorable condition of the sidewalks on the town's main thoroughfares.

Full Text of Article:

"We have frequently . . ."

We have frequently called the attention of the Council and Street Commissioners to the condition of the side-walks on our principal thoroughfares. As yet there has been no regard paid to these timely and appropriate notices. We once again remind these public functionaries, that the people--the tax payers--DEMAND some improvement in the condition of the streets. Next May is not far distance, and we shall take especial pleasure in ventilating the present Council before the sovereigns, if they do not do something towards making our side-walks tolerable. A word to the wise is sufficient.

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: The Vindicator publishes the resolutions adopted by the South Carolina Legislature in response to Virginia's sending a commissioner to the Southern states. The paper believes that the "spirit of these resolutions is anything but encouraging."

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Argues that the Republicans have been sending out conflicting reports about the nature of the incoming administration. The Vindicator recommends that Southerners should "Mistrust a suspected traitor until his character is proven."

Hay Scales
(Column 5)

Summary: The Staunton hay scales were damaged in last summer's flood. The Vindicator hopes that the Town Council will act to fix these scales, which benefit the whole community.

Full Text of Article:

>Hay Scales

Ever since the destructive freshet of last Summer, by which the foundation of the Hay Scales was washed away, that useful town improvement has been non est inventus. We call the attention of the Town Council to this fact, and urge upon them the imperative necessity of at once putting the Hay Scales in order. It is a convenience the benefits of which almost every citizen feels, and we trust they will at once be rebuilt. We deem it only necessary to remind the Council of the omission, believing that they will promptly order them to be placed in weighing order.

If the town authorities will not go to the expense of fixing up the Scales, if they will give the authority, there are a number of public spirited citizens who will, provided they can have the revenue from them for their trouble and outlay.

Beware the Roorbacks!
(Column 5)

Summary: Denies the rumor that Gen. Harman and Capt. Imboden are disunion candidates who favor immediate secession.
(Names in announcement: Gen. Harman, Capt. Imboden)

Louisiana Out
(Column 5)

Summary: Louisiana has seceded from the Union, the sixth state to do so.

For the Vindicator
(Column 6)

Summary: Defines disunionists and submissionists. The former are actually "boldly and firmly demanding all their rights under the Constitution, and [are] determined to take nothing less." The latter are "influenced by a hereditary love of the Union as our fathers made it" and are "willing to yield much to preserve it." The writer believes that only the former course will allow the South to secure its rights.

Trailer: Virginia

Fair Play
(Column 6)

Summary: Objects to Mr. Stuart's candidacy for delegate while he is still a member of the State Legislature.

Trailer: One of the People

To the People of Augusta
(Column 6)

Summary: Hugh Sheffey announces his withdrawal from the delegate race.

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: Andrew Stuart and Sarah McClure, daughter of John McClure, were married on January 17 near Greenville, Augusta County.
(Names in announcement: Sarah McClure, Andrew Stuart, Rev. Dr. McFarland, John McClure)