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Staunton Vindicator: May 10, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Interesting Incident
(Column 6)

Summary: Recounts the story of a group of former slaves who visited the grave of a young man for whom they had once worked; the man died while in the Confederate service. This incident, argues the article, "portrays more elegantly than words" the "tender relations" that exist between "the two races."

Origin of Article: Lynchburg Virginian

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: In the current political situation, in which confusion and conflict flourish, it is difficult to ascertain which political advice to follow, avow the editors.

Full Text of Article:

We regret exceedingly to see so much agitation in the South at present -- so many efforts to build up parties and to divide, disturb an distract our people. Party lines will inevitably be drawn but we think that time has not arrived yet. There is by far too much talk about "dirt eaters," "Passivists," &c. No man can tell exactly what to do or how to do it. What is the interest of one in this Southern land is clearly the interest of all, without distinctions. We are all afloat in the same little bark (?), and are, fortunately or unfortunately bereft of rudder and compass, and, whether we will or not, must sink or swim together. There is no necessity -- in fact it is down right madness for us to quarrel about the course we must steer which all see but through "a glass darkly."

We have advocated to give our readers from time to time the views of prominent Radicals, Republicans and Democrats, in order that they might judge for themselves as to the proper course. The Radicals declare that if we do not adopt the plan they have laid down, which in the same breath they assert is not a finality, it will be th last chance, and the reconstruction of the Southern States will be turned over to the known "loyalists" and freedom in our midst and perhaps confiscation may be restored to.--The former might occur, but the latter finds but few advocates in the Northern States and we have never dreaded it. The Republicans scout the idea of confiscation, while they beseech us to accept the reconstruction plan and claim it as a finality -- a failure to do so they say will insure a continuance of the present condition ad infinitum. The Democrats cry out, stand firm to your rights -- yield nothing -- accept nothing less, and in the end you will obtain them, otherwise they are lost forever.

In the multiplicity and diversity of advice and threats we are utterly confounded. We know not whom to believe. We can not see for ourselves whether it is better to reconstruct on the Congressional plan or be blessed with the continuance of military domination. One thinks we should reconstruct and is hailed as the "dirt eater." Another thinks we should not accept the unpalatable terms by voting for a convention and is immediately styled a "passivist." We think this is all wrong. We have never inclined to the Reconstruction and Supplementary bills as magnanimous in the victors and we think them unconstitutional, unjust and totally uncalled for. We have never believed, vote as we will, that they would be realized as a finality, for there are too many "ifs" to be accomplished, as we stated when we published the bill and supplement, for them ever to reach that realization. Yet we do not see that the occasion exists to engage in bickerings, one with another, because we entertain the one or the other opinion. Each and all of us will act, as we believe for the best interests of all and while all are striving to reach a common goal -- the peace and prosperity of our country, no one knows exactly whither the road he proposes to take will lead.

It is indeed a sad condition in which the Southern people find themselves to-day -- neither in the Union nor out of it -- neither possessed of rights and privileges nor totally deprived of them -- certain only of the rest, discussing the present and without any experience by which to reach an approximated judgement as to the future. The old landmarks obliterated or overridden by the surges of passion and prejudice which swell and foam around about us, and the which way we turn we may find breakers ahead. Will bickerings and contentions avail? We think not. Let each then act as he conscientiously believe for the best, reasoning from the narrow premises allowed, and hoping that our little craft will reach a haven of safety, trust in Him who holds the tempests in the hollow of His hand and who alone rules with justice tempered with mercy.

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: When the U. S. Circuit Court began its session on May 6th, states the article, no less than six of the men called to be on the Grand Jury were black.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: Relates that voter registration will commence shortly, and urges all those eligible to vote to register so that they may counter the influence of the Radicals.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The case between the Commonwealth of Virginia and the State of West Virginia over possession of two contested counties--Berkeley and Jefferson--has been taken up by the Supreme Court, says the piece. The justices' ruling is "awaited with great interest by Virginians."

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: From Richmond, it is reported that stocks in the company that operates the streetcars in Richmond plunged twenty-five percent after blacks were granted the right to ride on the trains.

Origin of Article: Richmond Times

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: It is rumored that Gen. Scholfield intends to extend the Stay Law "for some time longer" to "prevent the sacrifice of property, which, under the present circumstances of the country, would be certain to ensue."

Origin of Article: Petersburg Express

The Case Stated
(Column 3)

Summary: The extract endorses the constitutional convention, as mandated by Congress and the Reconstruction acts, to secure re-admission to the Union, but balks at electing "Governors, Judges and Legislators who have no claim to these positions except that they represent a minority, and are taken from a class which controls the elections in the North."

Origin of Article: Lynchburg Times

Editorial Comment: "We think the Lynchburg News 'states the case' plainly, forcibly, and calmly--and assumes the proper ground with regard to our duties under the Military Reconstruction act:"

Full Text of Article:

We think the Lynchburg News "states the case, plainly, forcibly, and calmly -- and assumes the proper ground with regard to our duties under the Military Reconstruction act:"

Congress demands of us certain conditions as indispensable in admission into the Union. These are briefly, we know, the acceptance of the constitutional amendment, and the enfranchisement of the colored race. They do not demand that the negro or the "loyalists" shall monopolize the offices or control the legislation of the State. They only demand that all classes and color shall be made equal before the law. To contend that Congress requires that the majority shall bow before the minority , and surrender to their keeping all political rights, and the monopoly of all political offices, under penalty of confiscation and perpetual disfranchisement, is in direct contravention of the provisions of the act of Congress, under which the process of reconstruction is required to be consummated. Had such been the determination of Congress, it is fair to presume that it would have been to have prescribed a constitution for us, and required its acceptance by the people as a condition precedent to re-admission. We therefore assume that a convention called in accordance with the provisions of the S. S. S. bill, which shall form a constitution embodying a recognition of the perfect equality of whites and blacks before the law, including the right of suffrage, and the ratification of the proposed constitutional amendment, will have complied with every requirement of Congress, will have fulfilled every condition demanded, and so far as its action is concerned, would be entitled to admission. True we doubt very much whether so action would secure admission. Mr. Wilson's assertion to the contrary notwithstanding but we would nevertheless have complied with the terms demanded.

Why then should we go a bow shot beyond this, and in addition elect as Governors, Judges and Legislators, men who have no claim to these positions, except that they represent a minority, and are taken from a class which controls the elections in the North?"

Marriage of an Indian Chief to a White Woman
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports that the celebrated Indian chief, Hole-in-the-Day, recently married a white woman in St. Paul. The chief plans to live "in St. Cloud, in the style and manner of 'white folks.'"

A Colored Notary Public
(Column 3)

Summary: Notes that John Oliver, "a mulatto man" from Petersburg, was appointed notary public for the city of Richmond and the county of Henrico. At the recent political meeting in Richmond, Oliver, a "man of respectability and intelligence," displayed "shrewdness and common sense" "superior" to the white men who attended the event.

Origin of Article: Petersburg Express

Virginia Voters To Be Classified
(Column 4)

Summary: It is reported that Gen. Scholfield plans to implement a new policy to categorize voters into three groups: the first would include those individuals whose right to vote is undisputed; the second would comprise those whose right to vote has been "challenged, but decided affirmatively"; the last would include those whose votes were rejected.

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: The article discusses the issues attended to at the last meeting of the Town Council; most of the business related to public improvements.
(Names in announcement: N. K. Trout, B. T. Bagby, William Kinney)

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces that Jacob H. Marshall has "connected" himself to a business based in Richmond that is led by Maj. C. E. Snodgrass.
(Names in announcement: Jacob H. Marshall)

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that the Staunton Fire Company participated in a training exercise last Saturday, and was joined by its counterpart from the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute.

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: Notes that the Staunton Musical Association will present its first concert tonight at the Chapel of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute.

Local Items
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that students from the Freedmen's School held a picnic last Saturday near Walnut Creek, where they crowned a "Queen of May."

Singular Disease Among Negroes In Pulaski
(Column 2)

Summary: It is reported that a "fatal epidemic" has broken out in Pulaski County, resulting in five deaths. Thus far the disease, which seems to strike blacks primarily, has "baffled" doctors called in to offer a diagnosis.

Origin of Article: Lynchburg News