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Staunton Vindicator: February 22, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Rev. J.W. Greer of Charlotte will preach in the Baptist Church for several nights beginning next Tuesday.

Party Complexion
(Column 1)

Summary: Criticizes the Whigs, who have made the State Convention into a party vehicle.

Full Text of Article:

Party Complexion

It is known to every one that in the recent canvass for Delegates to the State Convention, everything like old party lines was obliterated. By this means, it happens that a majority of those elected are of the Whig party. Instead of carrying out the catholic spirit by which they were sent to Richmond, the Convention has been organized upon the strictest party policy, and Democracy considered an insuperable disqualification for any important position. It is emphatically a Whig or Opposition Convention, indebted for its success, however, to an ingenious and well concealed deception of the people. And, mark the prediction, the legislation of this Convention will have a more immediate reference to the supremacy of the party faith of the dominant political sentiment there, than to the primary object for which the body was convened. Whilst, by the irresistible influence of events, it may be forced to take position [sic], it will not be until precious hours have been consumed in an attempted effort to consolidate a powerful party against the Democracy, and resurrect the fossil remains of the various competitors slain upon the political highways of the country by the shibboleth of Democracy. We warn Democrats in advance. The thing must be strangled in its infancy.

The Position of Virginia
(Column 1)

Summary: States that two delegates to the State Convention have expressed the view of the Vindicator--that "Virginia will be forced to separate from the Northern States, if security, ample and comprehensive, is not given for the future."

Full Text of Article:

The Position of Virginia

It will be seen by the proceedings of the Convention that the resolutions of Mr. Marr of Fauquier, and Mr. Flournoy, of Halifax, partake of the right spirit. These gentlemen were elected as Union men, and are looked upon abroad as submissionists. The resolutions indicate the character of their submission. They take precisely the position we now occupy, and that which we have advocated ever since the Convention bill passed. It is the position to which the Convention will be driven by the force of circumstances; and call it secession, revolution, or whatever it may please the fastidious, Virginia will be forced to separate from the Northern States, if security, ample and comprehensive, is not given for the future. It is useless to talk about preserving the Union, we again repeat. It is gone, so far as the six States are concerned, and if the causes which made them leave are not removed, Virginia will also go. This fact, the people might as well look full in the face.

The Southern Confederacy
(Column 1)

Summary: Claims that the Confederacy will soon have $14 million and fifty regiments of soldiers at its command. If Lincoln attempts to blockade the Southern ports, the Confederate army will capture Washington, D.C.

Look at the Figures
(Column 2)

Summary: Rejects the assertion of Mr. Moore, a delegate to the State Convention from Rockbridge, that the Southern Confederacy wants to reopen the slave trade.

Full Text of Article:

Look at the Figures

S. McD. Moore, Esq., one of the delegates in the State Convention from Rockbridge, in some remarks the other day, intimated, or rather stated, that the reason for the extreme submission views he entertained was the probability of the Southern Confederacy re-opening the African slave trade and establishing free trade and direct taxation. Had Mr. Moore read the fundamental law of the New Confederacy, he would there have found a clause forever prohibiting the African slave trade. Had he read the proceedings of the Convention he would there have seen that a revenue tariff is to be adopted, sufficient for the support of the government. We must attribute Mr. Moore's remarks to ignorance of these facts, and not a wilful intention to misrepresent actual history.

But suppose the cotton States were disposed to open the African slave trade and adopt free trade, would not they be at the mercy of the other slave States, were the entire South to unite? Look at the figures: South Carolina, under the new apportionment, in Congress, would have 4 representatives; Georgia 7; Florida 1; Alabama 7; Mississippi 5; Louisiana 4; Texas 4. Total 31.

The other slave States would stand thus: Virginia 11; Delaware 1; Maryland 6; North Carolina 7; Tennessee 8; Kentucky 8; Missouri 9; Arkansas 3. Total 52.

It will be seen that there would be a majority of twenty-one against the Cotton States, even supposing that the seven States first named were unanimous for opening the slave trade, and for free importations. How would any proposition for such a purpose be treated? We leave it for the common sense of the reader to determine. If Mr. Moore bases his position alone upon his assumption, he must forsake his submission ideas, for the facts are against him.

Mr. Harris' Speech
(Column 2)

Summary: The Vindicator directs its readers attention to the speech of the Hon. John T. Harris, Congressman from the local district, printed elsewhere in the paper. However, the paper states that it must "express our unqualified dissent from some of the positions it assumes and the arguments advanced."

Treason and Traitors
(Column 3)

Summary: The New York Courier and Enquirer, the organ of the conservative, anti-abolitionist wing of the Republican party, has called for Lincoln to arrest and try as traitors Jefferson Davis and Alexander Stevens. The Vindicator believes that this is clear evidence that the coercion policy is to be "vigorously adopted" by the administration.

Baltimore Conference
(Column 4)

Summary: As the time for the assembly of the Baltimore Conference draws closer, many Methodists are anxiously awaiting its actions on the question of slavery. The actions of the General Conference of the M.E. Church last spring have "laid the seeds of a revolution."

Relief for Editors
(Column 4)

Summary: The Vindicator urges the state Legislature to authorize the banks of Virginia to issue bank notes of denominations less than five dollars. The lack of small bills has made it difficult to transact ordinary business.

Inauguration of President Jefferson Davis
(Column 5)

Summary: Text of Jefferson Davis' inauguration address.

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: The Vindicator calls on the Virginia State Convention to take a "firm and decisive stand" if Virginia is to maintain her honor.

Scene in Hades
(Column 3)

Summary: An allegory about Union and secession featuring the Devil and his minions.

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: Married on February 14.
(Names in announcement: Rev. D.W. Arnold, Richard N. Pool, Josie Hite)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: Married on January 31.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J.L. Blakemore, Reuben B. Bazzel, Sarah C. Horn)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: Horace and William, ages 6 years and 3 years respectively, died of Scarlet Fever on February 17 and Febuary 19.
(Names in announcement: Horace Martin Lushbaugh, William Dorsy Lushbaugh, Samuel J. Lushbaugh)