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Staunton Vindicator: April 26, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Nomadic Character of the Black Population
(Column 5)

Summary: The article notes that, according to the latest population figures, the number of blacks in the South has decreased considerably since 1860. In addition to the North and West, it relates, large numbers of blacks have departed the Upper South for Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas, and Florida.

Origin of Article: Richmond Esquire; New York Evening Post

Full Text of Article:

The New York Evening Post calls the attention of the political calculators to the fact that a great change has been made in the last few years, in the distribution of the negroes as compared with the census of 1800. Apart from those who went Northward, and from the increased mortality, the more northern of the Southern States have suffered a large loss from the tide of emigration that sets southward.

"With the removal of all restraints the negroes have wandered at will, sometimes towards the cities, but generally southwards. Late statistics show that in some counties in Virginia the number of laborers has been reduced full one-half, and throughout the State the negroes have noticeably thinned out. No figures are given in Kentucky to show the extent of the exodus from that State, but there is general complaint of the loss of labor, and the local journals say that all the best field hands are going to the Southern cotton grounds.

"From States South of Kentucky and Virginia the negro movement is still southward. Within a year the two Carolinas are estimated to have lost from one-forth to one-third of their negro population, though the Charleston News thinks that only 25,000 field hands have gone from South Carolina, and these went, it says, to Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Texas and Florida. Still further South, the Macon Telegraph is still confident that Georgia has lost one-third of her negroes, and that the loss of North Carolina and South Carolina is still greater. The Augusta Constitutionalist says, "if a correct census should be taken of the negro population of Georgia, a startling exhibit of decrease would be manifest;" and that "one of the chief causes of this decrease is migration to the South and Southwest." Even in Alabama, which would seem, at least in summer, about as far South as the most aspiring or perspiring colored laborer would desire to go, there is a marked scarcity of labor which the Selma Times explains by stating the depletion is due to the agents who are everywhere "offering extraordinary inducements to the negroes to go to Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas."

This disposition to migrate will interfere very much with the calculation of the radical politicians, even could they control the negro vote as they hope. As twelve months' residence is requisite to voting, most of these rovers will be disfranchised everywhere; so that while the States which they have left will have the white preponderance greatly increased, those to which they have gone will be but little effected. This emigration will put the States of Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and Arkansas, wholly above any serious interference thro' colored suffrage; while the whites of South Carolina, Mississippi and Louisiana will be able to maintain themselves without difficulty.

Nor will Texas, which has drawn off so many of the blacks, be in any jeopardy of coming under their control, as its white population exceeds the black nearly three to one.

It will be seen, therefore, that those who would organize the black population against the whites, would engage them in an utterly hopeless contest in every State in the South. They would be outvoted every where, and would besides forfeit that good will which is infinitely more important to them than votes.

Distribution of Seeds in Virginia
(Column 6)

Summary: Contains a letter from Gen. Scholfield in which he appeals for the appointment of a representative to serve as the Agriculture Bureau's agent in Virginia. The agent's task would include disbursing seeds to farmers.

Trailer: J. M. Scholfield Brevet Major General U. S. A.

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors offer a critical appraisal of the political convention held by black Virginians last week. The delegates, several of whom were selected at a meeting in Staunton two weeks ago, agreed upon a program that "committed the unfortunate and ignorant black people of the State to a policy calculated to result in great injury to them." The editors place blame for the radical sentiments expressed in the convention's resolutions on "designing whites" who misled the freedmen.

Full Text of Article:

In our last issue we publish the proceedings of the meeting of the colored people, held here, without comment, in the first place for want of space, they being received just before going to press and secondly, that we preferred to see the result of the convention which assembled in Richmond, on the 17th, to which the meeting here sent delegates.--The Richmond convention has had its say and has committed the unfortunate and ignorant colored people of this State to a policy, calculated to result is great injury to them. Judging from the resolutions which we published, the meeting of the colored people here was anything but conservative, yet the Richmond convention went a bow shot beyond. We feel that our colored people have been greatly misled by designing whites in the meeting here as well as at Richmond. They had no hand in getting up the resolution in either case, and infatuated with the idea of participating in a political meeting they could be and were easily manipulated to vote for any and everything. Great allowances should be made for them. They are ignorant and credulous. They surely have no ill will to those who have shown them only kindness throughout their lives, and have not the slightest idea of the purport of the resolutions they have voted for, and we again repeat that we should make many allowances for them.

There is, however, a duty incumbent upon each and every one of us. By our inertness we have allowed the ignorance of the colored people to be abused by evil-designers. Although we cautioned our people weeks since that they must explain candidly and truthfully to the colored people their new condition, yet we forebear to upbraid, but suggest that they lose no more time in dalliance between inclination and duty, but follow the course indicated by the latter. It is incumbent upon each and every one of us to explain to those around us their exact condition. That it was no love for them that induced those, who were brought them from the wilds of Africa and first enslaved them, and, finding them unprofitable chattels, not only sold them for a price, but guaranteed their possession and servitude forever to their Southern purchasers, but the exigencies of a war, thought to be fruitless by any other course, which caused the proclamation of their freedom. That is was no desire to see them awarded justice that they were suddenly lifted to the position of suffragans, but simply that the power and spoils might remain in the hands of the Radical leaders, the first crumb of which will be awarded none of those who wear dusky skins. If the contrary obtained, why are the few in the Northern States denied the political privileges thrust upon their sable brethren at the South? It must be truthfully explained to them wherein their interests and the interests of the whites of the South are identical and that a mutual dependence exists between them, the one for labor and the other for the means of honorable sustenance, and that this will only be interrupted by their failure to realize the fact, and act with confidence in and not distrust of those whites among whom they were born and raised. Then action based upon distrust of their former masters, and most reliable and sympathizing, friends, must exhibit itself sooner or later, and must result in their being supplanted by white labor which will understand that confidence between employer and employee is essential to the success of both. They must have it explained to them that the white people in every part of the world have been duped by fair promises, which were never intended to be kept, but simply to win their confidence to secure some benefit to the wily and unprincipled, and be warned that they are now being beset by adventurers, who seek only their own self emolument, which they deem easily attainable through the ignorance of the suddenly enfranchised blacks. We must cause them to consider who has aided in sustaining them since they were freed and see if they do not find it to be their old and tried friends in the South and not their pretended friends in the North. The negro, being called upon, is learning to reason, and with a little effort on our part, will reach the proper conclusion and act upon it. But if we allow him, by our inertness, to become the prey of those who will excite his passions and prejudices for their own advantage, it will not be his fault, but ours. We repeat therefore, that it is incumbent on us to impress upon the minds of the colored people these, and many other things which will suggest themselves to all, and which the narrow limits of a newspaper article forbids us to mention. Justice to ourselves and duty to those who were once our faithful slaves, and, from their general conduct, still entitled largely to our sympathy and friendship, alike demand it. We learn with pleasure that General Echols will address them, by invitation, on Saturday night, but we are not content with this.--Other prominent gentlemen must follow with timely advice, and each and every one must use our efforts to get the colored people to reason and reflect upon their condition and exercise judgement and discretion in their acts, and give them timely advice and counsel lest they be led astray by those who ever the lay in wait for the innocent.

Thank God we are not responsible for the present unfortunate conditions of the blacks, but unless we are alive to our duty we will be in a great degree responsible for the terrible future which awaits the colored people of this country. We have seen the Indian waste away because no sympathizing friend was by when avarice sought his broad domain, and "make room for the white man" was the cry which thrust him, reluctant, a pitiful pension from the Government, to the further side of the Continent whence the track of the last [unclear] vanished leaving [unclear] of time. It [unclear] from the black man we must instruct him and make him understand that his interests are ours, that his existence is no more incompatible with ours then when he was a slave, but that his labor is needed and desired, and that his place will only be supplied when he fails to do his duty and act for the best interest of his employer.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: It is reported that the U. S. Internal Revenue will lose almost $10 million due to crop damage caused by the late floods in Louisiana.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: Relates that several thousand Indians have evaded Gen. Custer's forces in Colorado.

A Disgusted Delegate
(Column 3)

Summary: Houff's preamble and resolutions express conservative, non-politically threatening views; the resolutions condemn cession, call for reconciliation, and oppose confiscation.

Origin of Article: "We have been called on by Mr. E. L. Houff, a delegate from Augusta to the African Church pow-wow at whose request we publish the subjoined preamble and resolutions which were offered by him in that body and were unanimously and contemptuously voted 'under the table.' Mr. H., who seems to be a sensible and well-meaning person, is satisfied that he was entirely out of place in any such body, and that the convention was got up and controlled by corrupt and designing (white men) for their own selfish ends. He will take care, in the future, not to be caught in any such company. The following is the paper which was submitted by Mr. H., and which expresses his own sentiments and, as he assures us those of the 'Union men' of Augusta:"

Starvation in South Carolina
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports that several women's deaths in the Kershaw and Sumter districts in South Carolina have been attributed to starvation.

Another General Order
(Column 4)

Summary: Contains a copy of Gen. Scholfield's order requiring all temporary county and city appointments to be "made upon the concurrent recommendations of the county court or city council and the president of the board of registration."

Terrible State of Things in Georgia
(Column 4)

Summary: It is reported that there have been violent confrontations between blacks and whites in two Georgia counties--Camden and Bryan.

Origin of Article: Savannah Republican

Local Items--Proceedings of the County Court
(Column 1)

Summary: "The following cases were presented before the County Court during the April term. W. H. Marshall, charged with rape, was examined and acquitted. R. L. Robinson, charged with bastardy, was discharged from his recognizance and complaint dismissed. The use of the Court House was granted to Gen. Echols, to address the black population of the Town and County. The Sheriff and deputies returned the delinquent Tax list for the year 1866, which was allowed and ordered to be certified. Col. George Baylor renewed his bond as Notary Public. Orlando Smith was granted the privilege of extending the Law office of D. S. Young, on the north-west corner of the Jail lot 4 feet, 8 inches. E . W. Bailey was appointed Surveyor of the public road, vice W. A. Bell resigned. The usual certificate was granted E. B. Strouse, to obtain a license to practice law in the Courts of the Commonwealth. An order was entered certifying that W. D. McCausland, William Simes, James H. Berry, Samuel Carrot, John C. Ott, Moses Cavanaugh, Jacob S. Sheets, and William E. Vanfossen are residents of the State for the purpose of procuring artificial limbs."
(Names in announcement: W H. Marshall, R. L. Robinson, Gen. Echols, Col. George Baylor, Orlando Smith, D. S. Young, E. W. Balley, W. A. Bell, E. B. Strouse, W. D. McCausland, William Simes, James H. Berry, Samuel Carrot, John C. Ott, Moses Cavanaugh, Jacob S. Sheets, William E. Vanfossen)

Local Items--Staunton Lyceum
(Column 1)

Summary: During the last meeting of the Staunton Lyceum, officers were selected for the ensuing year. After the selection process, Dr. J. H. Hewitt gave a satirical lecture to the ladies.
(Names in announcement: Dr. J. H. Hewitt, Bolivar Christian, James H. Skinner, R. M. Guy, Leonidas Points)

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: Almost a year after a similar incident, reports that article, another body was found under Rev. William Baird's lot near Burke's Foundry. Though the body was in "a very decayed condition," the article asserts the remains appear to be from a white child. The editors call for an investigation into what appears to be a "favorite place for burying children" who "have come to their death by foul means."
(Names in announcement: Rev. William Baird)

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: From the Staunton's Chief of Police, it is learned that only $10,000 of the $13,000 in taxes assessed for Stanton has been collected. The article asserts that the outstanding sum is mostly owed by black residents.
(Names in announcement: Chief of Police Jacob Partent)

Local Items
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces that Rev. S. L. M. Consor, assigned to Staunton by the Baltimore Conference of the M. E. Church, has arrived and taken over his duties.
(Names in announcement: Rev. S. L. M. Consor)

Local Items
(Column 2)

Summary: Gen. Echols is among the guests scheduled to speak tomorrow night before Staunton's black community, relates the article. The various speeches will be delivered at the Court House.

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On April 4 Joseph Wilson and Margaret E. Wilson were married by Rev. Pinkerton.
(Names in announcement: Joseph Wilson, Margaret E. Wilson, Alex Brownlee, Rev. Pinkerton)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On April 4 William C. Miller and Mary S. Brownlee were married by Rev. Pinkerton.
(Names in announcement: William C. Miller, Mary S. Brownlee, Rev. Pinkerton)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On April 11 William Vance, Jr., and Helen M. Jenkins, formerly of Rockbridge, were married by Rev. S. F. Butts.
(Names in announcement: Rev. S. F. Butts, William VanceJr., Helen M. Jenkins, George Vance)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On April 21 Mary Hanrahan, widow of Patrick Hanrahan, of Ireland, died at the residence of W. H. Tams in Staunton.
(Names in announcement: Mary Hanrahan, Patrick Hanrahan, W. H. Tams)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On April 11 Maria Slanker died at her residence in Staunton. She was 70 years old.
(Names in announcement: Maria Slanker)