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Staunton Vindicator: October 20, 1865 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper applauds the Democratic party in the North for strongly challenging the agenda of the radical Republicans. Though the Democrats did not score a complete electoral victory, they forced the Republicans to abandon a platform that included black suffrage, the editors argue.

Full Text of Article:

We do not know anything which challenges our admiration, to a greater extent, than the heroic fight just made by the Democratic party of Pennsylvania and Ohio against the radicals. They threw down the gauntlet, with the knowledge that they would probably meet overpowering numbers, but like David they went gallantly forth, with confidence in their principles, to meet the great Goliath of Radicalism.

Fearing that the Democratic party would win, the Republicans cast off part of programme intended to be played by them, and virtually ignored their pet scheme of negro suffrage. By this, and a quasi endorsement of President Johnson's policy, they defeated the Democracy, but the vote shows an increase for the Democratic party. If the contest had been waged on the question of negro suffrage, as it was in Connecticut, the result would have been different, as it is the Democracy can rejoice over the defeat of the Republicans on this issue, from the fact that they were compelled to ignore it, or leave their policy entirely in doubt.

After the next Congress, the issues will be plain and well defined, and the Democracy fighting upon principles based upon the Constitution, pledged to the support of no measure that does not insure equal and exact justice to all, with the prosperity and perpetuity of the Union for its aim, must and will succeed.

Fight on noble old Democracy! Though the dark cloud of defeat overshadows you at present, the bright sun-light of success will ere long dispel it. The triumph of principles may be delayed but is eventually certain.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper applauds President Johnson for persisting in his course to restore the Union "on the broad basis of the Constitution." The editors argue that through the release of ex-Confederate officials from prison, the President has "shown additional generous magnanimity to an overpowered people and laid them under an obligation they will amply repay."

Full Text of Article:

A short time since, judging by the acts of President Johnson, we called the attention of our readers to the fact that, notwithstanding the immense pressure brought to bear by the radical faction, President Johnson was bending all his energies to the restoration of the Union on the broad basis of the Constitution. That, step by step, having planted himself firmly on the great charter of American freedom, did he move onward to the accomplishment of the ends he had so much at heart, and which, attained, would redound to his everlasting praise, and would result in a deep and firmly rooted attachment to the Union.

We are now more than ever convinced that he firmly adheres to his [unclear] intentions and need only cite his proclamation (published on our first page) releasing, on their parole, Messrs. Stevens, Campbell, Reagan, Trenholm and Clark, to convince even the most skeptical. By this act has he shown additional generous magnanimity to an overpowered people and laid them under an obligation they will amply repay. These gentlemen, freed from the restraints of imprisonment, and having the confidence of our people, will be the best co-workers President Johnson could have engaged to assist in the great work of restoring a happy and prosperous Union. They will not betray the confidence he has reposed in them and an immensity of good will follow this additional step taken in the right direction.

Official Vote of Augusta County
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Summary: The paper publishes the results of elections for Congress, Senate, House of Delegates, and a referendum on the Virginia Constitution.
(Names in announcement: Stuart, Lewis, Trout, Baldwin, Waddell, Baylor, Sterrett, Berry, Hallman, Peyton)

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper argues that the only threat to a "completely restored Union" lies with those Republicans who oppose President Johnson's plan of Reconstruction. The editors argue that if newly elected Southern congressmen are not allowed to take their seats, it will prove that Republicans care more about power than about Union.

Full Text of Article:

"The Washington Union states truly that every State in the South which participated in the late rebellion has returned to its allegiance, and having in good faith sought with all the means in its power to take itself out of the Union, has abided the issue, and now in as good faith seeks to put itself upon its old footing in the Government. The change from a state of war to that of peace and restoration has been swift and well illustrates the wonderful energy of the American character. Prior to the first of last April the Southern Confederacy reared its head defiantly, and though upon the point of being hopelessly crushed, still threw the gauntlet to its more powerful adversary. Six months have elapsed, and despite of Radical interference and fanatical opposition, the work of restoration is practically complete. On the first Monday of December there will be nothing to prevent the representatives of the Southern States taking their seats in Congress, and hence a completely restored Union, but the sectional agitation and interference of the Republican party."

Thus speaks the "Scranton (Pa) Register," one of the earnest advocates of a Constitutional Union.

There is nothing to prevent a completely restored Union, but the agitation of the party, which opposes the President's plan of reconstruction. This plan has progressed so happily, that, at the convening of the next Congress, representatives, elected by the loyal voters of the Southern States, will present themselves for admission. Whether they will be admitted or not, depends upon the action of the Republican members. In nearly all the Republican convenings the policy of the President has been endorsed. By some this has been suspected as a trick, as meaning nothing but simply to fight the Democracy without an issue, and reserving for the next Congress the war against the President's policy. We shall then see whether, in reality, they endorse the President's policy, and desire the existence of the Union, for the preservation of which they have persistently prated, by which they gained their great successes, or, by endeavoring to prevent Southern representation, their acts do not belie their protestations, and show that it is not the preservation of the Union which they desired, but rather the continuance of power in their hands. If the Republicans act as it is to be expected the Northern Democracy need not fear the result of future elections.

Local Items
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Summary: The paper recommends pocket lanterns for use at night to cope with "the horrible condition of some of our streets and pavements."
(Names in announcement: P. H. Trout, Capt. Peck)

Full Text of Article:

We have frequently inveighed against the horrible condition of some of our streets and pavements, and hope, with the present desire for improvement, they may shortly be put in respectable order, but until that is done, persons who are compelled to move about at night, are, in many places, in imminent hazard of bruising or fracturing a limb.

We are pleased to state, however, that our worthy fellow-citizen, P. H. Trout, has a preventive for bruised shins, from bad pavements and open cellar doors, in the shape of a pocket lantern, which, when closed, can be buried without inconvenience in a side pocket, when opened and adjusted, is a neat and useful lantern. Don't fail to call and get one and at the same time examine his Kerosene Lamps, of all shapes and sizes. They are economical, and Kerosene, different from the old Coal Oil, being without smell and giving a brilliant light makes them very desirable.

Capt. Peck is very much pleased with the Lantern, but about the Kerosene Lamps we don't know so well. He, like ourselves, is in the Gas business, but in a different line, and may possibly recommend Rosin as preferable to Kerosene.

Local items
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Summary: The paper announces that Roane and Alby have stocked their store, accross from the Virginia Hotel, with men's clothing.

Local Items
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Summary: The paper announces that J. W. S Taylor has opened a General Grocery, Commission, and Forwarding House next door to Points Tin, accross from the Post Office.
(Names in announcement: J. W. S. Taylor)

Local items
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Summary: The paper announces that the following Post Offices in Augusta have been re-opened: New Hope, D. Cullen Postmaster, T. G. Stout Vice Postmaster; Mt. Sidney, [names unclear].
(Names in announcement: D. Cullen, T. G. Stout)

Obituary
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Summary: Maggie Eskridge Newton, daughter of J. W. and M. W. Newton, died on August 13th at the residence of her grandfather in Greenville. She was 9 months and 9 days old. "At a time when deep affliction rested upon this household, the sweet babe seemed specially sent to cheer the saddened hearts. For a few short months it gladdened fond hearts by its presence. But death has claimed the jewel./ Its mission is over,/ To cheer the darkened path of life, then soar/ From earth, and point the way to Heaven./ Fair babe, it seemed too joyous and too pure for this sad earth. Only a few weeks had passed since another infant of the same age was committed to the silent tomb. The joyous song of childhood is heard no more in that once happy home. May God comfort the bereaved parents and enable them to feel/ "They are not lost, but only gone before/ To welcome us upon a happier shore."