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Staunton Vindicator: April 19, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Great Power of the Southern Leaders--"Send Negroes to Congress and Bring the Revolution to Its Logical Conclusion"
(Column 4)

Summary: Because the "leading men" of the South continue to have a significant sway over the general public in that region, the article argues that they should use this power to elect "intelligent blacks" to Congress to represent their views in Washington, including their desire to end Reconstruction.

Origin of Article: New York Herald

Full Text of Article:

The Southern whites, and particularly the leading men among them , possess a power they may not have yet realized. Such men as Wade Hampton, Henry A. Wise, and others, like them, while they have not the suffrage and cannot hold office, are able to exercise great influence over the negroes and political affairs. There are from fifty to a hundred thousand of these ostracised old leaders, who are still powerful through their intelligence and position and on the stump. We advise them, then, to carry the revolution which the Northern Radicals have inaugurated to its end -- to its utmost limit. In doing this they should advocate sending negroes to Congress. In every State and district intelligent blacks can be found. Let them be sent to Congress in the proportion of the negro vote. Supposing the Southern States entitled to ninety members in the House of Representatives under the increased vote, thirty negroes should be sent, as that would be about a fair proportion to the numbers of the two races, and out of the twenty Senators six should be black by the same rule. Henry A. Wise has a fine, intelligent and faithful servant, who should be sent from the Old Dominion, to sit by the side of Mr. Sumner in the Senate, and that negro friend of whom Wade Hampton spoke so pathetically, a noble fellow, evidently, might be seated by Wilson, Chandler, Sprague or Trumbull, and be called to the chair occasionally by Ben Wade, the President of the Senate. This is practicable reasonable and fair, and would only be carrying out the theories already established. True, the smell of the negroes might be unpleasant to the dainty Northern Senators and members; but the Southerners would not find it so they could have no objection to black colleagues on that score; for as Yancey once said, the smell was perfume to Southerners. By all means let the South carry out the theories of the Radicals to their logical results by sending both negro Representatives and Senators to Congress. It would create an extraordinary fermentation and reaction in the North, undoubtedly; but what of that? The principle is the thing. Perish every-thing rather than sacrifice principle. In whatever point of view we look at the movements now going on in the South and at the position of parties with regard to the issues that have been raised, we foresee that remarkable changes must take place. We advise the Southerners to use the power the Radicals have placed in their hands and bring the revolution to its logical end.

A New Southern Staple
(Column 5)

Summary: The article discusses a plant called the ramic, which it contends has the potential to become a lucrative cash crop in the South. The plant, a native of Java used to make textiles, is believed to be perfectly suited to the region's climate.

Improved Farming Implements
(Column 5)

Summary: Based on the results from a test conducted on a corn field, the article reports on some technical innovations in farm production, including the use of some partially mechanized machinery.

Origin of Article: New York Evening Post

Substitute for Wool
(Column 6)

Summary: Describes a method of transforming the foliage of pine trees into a "certain kind of cloth." Fabricated in Austria, the experimental textile has the potential to replace wool because of the "comparatively small cost" required to produce it.

Origin of Article: Philadelphia Sunday Dispatch

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Sensing that their time has come and gone, the Radicals are forcing their Reconstruction policies, including universal suffrage, on the South in order to maintain their hold on power. To circumvent the Radicals' plans, the editors argue white conservatives must seek an alliance with the freedmen and must not oppose granting them suffrage so long as blacks "vote intelligently."

Full Text of Article:

We of the South are but illy cognizant of the importance which attaches to us in the eyes of Northern men at present. Parties there are looking out to secure success in the next Presidential campaign. The Northern election held since the war, have generally resulted in favor of the Radicals, but with decreasing majorities. Just now the tables seem to be turning and we hear on all sides of Democratic and Conservative triumphs at the polls. The Democratic and Conservatives are taking courage and are looking wistfully to the time when a reconstructed South will add its vote to theirs and aid in restoring the Government to its old Constitutional landmarks. The Radicals on the other hand are trembling lest the power they have swayed so long and so mercifully will be snatched from them. They begin to believe that their high-handed measures will not stand the test of a fair discussion before the people. They fear that the efforts to "republicanize" the South by their "universal manhood suffrage" scheme is a failure, as will cast an almost united vote in favor of conservatism. This fear, from the signs of the times, is likely to induce them to send among us their Senators and Representatives, and lesser lights of the Republican household, to stump every Southern State in the interest of Radicalism. The Conservatives want us reconstructed speedily to accomplish the end they desire, and rather than fail would have us reconstruct under any scheme. The Radicals have gone too far to retreat and will not change their plan, but hope yet by lecturers, stump speakers and the like, to carry the Southern vote in favor of Radicalism. They hold the power and have completely ignored the Executive, as they will the Judicial Department of Government, if its decision is adverse to their policy. We are, therefore, for all that we can see, doomed to have universal suffrage forced upon us. With this fate before us, shall we lie idly by, while Northern canvassers mould to their will the plastic mind of the ignorant freedmen and thus render permanent Radical predominance in this country, and more humiliating the condition of the Southern whites, in that their present condition will be their future one, and for all time to come? Or shall we essay to explain, truthfully and candidly to the newly enfranchised their condition, which has been thrust upon them as well as ourselves, and instruct them in regard to the policy they should pursue, which will alike conduce to their interest and ours? We think there can be no question as to our course. Already the action of prominent Southern men has shown conclusively that there has ever been and is now an abiding sympathy between the Southern whites an blacks, which has made the Radicals doubtful of the success of their reconstruction experiment. The course we have indicated and which we have advocated before can do no possible harm, even should the Supreme Court decide, and speedily, against the constitutionality of the reconstruction scheme an some unanticipated power relieve us, and forever, of its disagreeable onus. We are therefore delighted to learn that prominent gentlemen of Richmond, have accepted an invitation to address the freedmen and give them solicited counsel and advice: This should be done at every point, so that if vote he must he will vote intelligently, which will be for his own interest and that of those who have been his sympathizing friends from early childhood.

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: As the editors predicted, Georgia's counsel has followed Mississippi's lead and filed an appeal to the U. S. Supreme Court. The suit seeks an injunction to halt the implementation of the Reconstruction acts.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: On March 1, reports the article, Walter R. Staples delivered a political oration in Christiansburg to the "people of Montgomery irrespective of color." Attendance was large. Staples is scheduled to give a speech in Wytheville on the opening day of the County Court's May term.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The black residents of Richmond invited Marmaduke Johnson, Raleigh T. Dauil, William H. McFarland, Mr. Sturdivant, and Dr. Burrows to speak at a political meeting last Monday, says the article. The "addresses were plain and candid and were well received" by the audience.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: Company officers were selected at the stockholders meeting of the Virginia Express Company last Tuesday, notes article.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The New Jersey Legislature, which is dominated by Republicans, defeated a measure to grant blacks suffrage last week. Paradoxically, the piece relates, the state's Congressmen "do not hesitate in voting to force colored suffrage on the unfortunate South."

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: By a margin of 8,200, Maryland voters approved a measure calling for a constitutional convention to be held.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that the black residents of Farmville extended an invitation to two white residents, F. N. Watkins and William R. Berkeley, to speak to them tonight; the pair have agreed.

Origin of Article: Farmville Journal

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: General Sickles has suspended executions in his district for twelve months. According to the article, his decision has been well received.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that the "South Carolina News", a journal published by a black man named Beverly Nash, will operate as a Conservative organ.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The Wisconsin Legislature recently approved a bill granting suffrage rights to women.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: It is reported that the Treasury ordered an inspection of all National Banks in the South.

Origin of Article: New York World

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: Southern Relief organizations in New York, Boston, and Cairo, Ill., have contributed more than $200,000 to alleviate conditions in the South, relates the article.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that Richmond blacks celebrated the anniversary of Lincoln's death last Monday.

Democratic Gains in the West.
(Column 3)

Summary: Relates that the Democrats have made substantial gains in recent elections in Ohio and Michigan.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: The article assails Hunnicutt and all other southern politicians who strive to turn the freedmen against their former masters.

Origin of Article: New York Tribune

Editorial Comment: "The New York Tribune has a lengthy article on the policy of the Republican party in the South, and speaks in strong terms against those few extremists among us who are striving to array to the colored people against their former masters. On this subject the Tribune says."

Full Text of Article:

The New York Tribune has a lengthy article on the policy of the Republican party in the South, and speaks in strong terms against those few extremists among us who are striving to array the colored population against their former masters. On this subject the Tribune says:

"Far be if rom us to advise a campaign of bitterness. We do not propose to influence the negro by exciting his mind a hatred of his former masters. Nor should we advise any organization antagonistic to those masters. Agitators like Mr. Hunnicutt in Virginia may mean well -- but their zeal is bitter and offensive. to organize a campaign on the Hunnicutt plan is to abandon any hope of a permanent Union party in the South. We cannot afford to array the White against the Black, or the Black against the White. 'White men's ticket' and 'Black men's tickets' -- any ticket, indeed, which represents a prejudice, or a grievance, or the remembrance of any wrong, any party of vengeance and wrath, we shall oppose."

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: The article contains a brief summary of the proceedings at a meeting of local black residents and a copy of the resolutions approved by those in attendance.
(Names in announcement: Philip Rosell)

Full Text of Article:

A meeting of the colored people was held in this place on Monday night last. Phillip Russell presided.

The object of the meeting is fully set forth in the Preamble and Resolutions which we publish below.

Preamble and Resolution

We, the freedmen of Augusta County, is Mass Meeting Assembled, do recognize in the events of the late war the judgement and mercies of Divine Providence in sweeping, as with the bosom of [unclear], the foul wrong of human bondage from the face of our country, and trusting to Him for guidance, we will strive to use our personal and political freedom for the glory of His name, and the advancement of the moral and material interests of all. And Whereas, we are called upon to exercise the great privilege of the Franchise, it is due to our friends in other States, as well as to our fellow citizens in Virginia, that we define our political belief on the great questions of the day, and seek such National political association as will add strength to freedom, and also see to it that in the Constitution about to be framed for the government of ourselves and posterity we ask no more than justice, nor accept less than safety.

Therefore, be it Resolved,

That our grateful thanks are due to the gallant armies of the United States who under Providence followed the flag of Liberty and Union until victory crowned their efforts.

Resolved, That we hold in reverent remembrance the memories of those who fell in the cause of Freedom and especially of Abraham Lincoln, "the good," the signer of our deed of emancipation, and the last martyr.

Resolved, That our profound gratitude is due to those in the 39th Congress who, step by step, have perfected for our security the legitimate fruits of successful contest.

Resolved, That our late masters were not themselves legally responsible for withholding from us our natural rights, so we enter upon the exercise of them "with malice towards none, with charity towards all."

Resolved, That we believe the principles dominant in the 39th Congress to be just as well as necessary for our future security, we identify ourselves, and seek affiliation with the National Union Republican Association at Washington and elsewhere.

Resolved, That believing in principles before men, we will not support by our votes at the coming elections any candidates who will not pledge themselves faithfully to advocate our wants and insist upon what we believe to our rights, and shall enforce strict responsibility to such pledges.

Resolved, That we demand,

1st. That all Elections, National, State and Local, shall be by secret Ballot.

2nd. That no man shall be ineligible to office by reason of sect of color.

3rd. That trial by Jury of peers is a right not to be withheld from any man, and we demand admission to the Jury list as well as the Poll list.

4th. That thanking Major Gen. Scholfield for his General order No. 2. March 15th, 1867, we demand that the "prohibition of whipping or maiming as a punishment for any crime, misdemeanor or offence," be made part of the organic law of the State.

5th. That while we are willing to the utmost of our ability to bear our share of the necessary burden of taxation, we demand equal distribution between person and property, and that careful provision be made in the State constitution, and Legislature hereafter assembled under its provisions, to prevent absolutely, and forever, the payment by taxation, directly or indirectly, of any debt contracted by any State or corporation for the support of the late Confederacy, or the armies thereof.

6th. That believing ignorance to be the fruitful parent of crime, wrong and discord, we demand extraordinary State provision for the free education of the young of all classes.

7th. That we deprecate the attempt wherever, or however made, to deter us from the free and untrammelled exercise of the franchise, and look with contempt upon any who are willing to sell this dear bought right for "a mess of pottage."

8th. That believing we ask no more than Justice and safety demand, we pledge ourselves to support by our votes, men committed to the principles set forth herein, and no others -- and firmly realizing that union is strength, we will lay aside all private dissensions, and unite as one man in support those candidates whose nominations are ratified at mass meetings to be held at the call of the Executive Committee.

On motion as Executive Committee was appointed, with power to fill vacancies, and it was mad part of the duties to wait upon Gen. Echols, and other prominent citizens and request them to address the freedmen at such time and places as may be convenient. Delegates were also appointed to the convention to meet at Richmond, April 17th. Rev. N. C. Brackett, Superintendent of the Freedmen's Schools, and Phillip Roselle (colored,) were chosen delegates to said convention.

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: Recounts the matters discussed at the April meeting of the Town Council.
(Names in announcement: N. K. Trout, Kayser, Bickle, Evans, Bunch, Scherer, C. R. Mason)

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: Before a large crowd at the Staunton Lyceum last Monday, the question "Is a falsehood justifiable under any circumstances?" was determined in the affirmative by a "decided majority." Next Monday, Prof. J. H. Hewitt will deliver a lecture entitled "Hints to the Ladies."
(Names in announcement: Capt. Bumgardner, Prof. Pike Powers, Col. Skinner, Col. Christian, Rev. William A. Harris, Prof. J. H. Hewitt)

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: States that M. D. Gayhart and his wife were injured in an accident while riding in their wagon. Mr. Gayhart "severely bruised" his legs and arms and Mrs. Gayhart "received a slight scratch on her face."
(Names in announcement: M. D. Gayhart, Mrs. Gayhart)

Local Items
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces that the Commissioners of streets have ordered Staunton residents to clean up their premises because town ordinances requiring such will soon be enforced.

Local Items
(Column 2)

Summary: Dr. C. R. Harris gave an encore performance of his lecture entitled "Independent Thought" last Thursday, which was well-received.
(Names in announcement: Dr. C. R. Harris)

Local Items
(Column 2)

Summary: Relates that Thomas P. Jackson replaced Mr. Tukey as the local Freedmen's Bureau agent.
(Names in announcement: Thomas P. Jackson, Tukey)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On April 4 J. Marshall Jones and Ledora Pellen, daughter of Rev. J. S. Pullen, were married by Rev. M. Butt.
(Names in announcement: J. Marshall Jones, Ledora Pullen, Rev. J. S. Pullen, Rev. M. Butt)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On April 9 A. A. Crawford and Lucy Hiner, of Highland, were married by Rev. W. T. Price.
(Names in announcement: A. A. Crawford, Lucy Hiner, Rev. W. T. Price)