Search the Newspapers Browse Newspapers by Date Articles Indexed by Topic About the Newspapers Valley of the Shadow Home

Staunton Vindicator: May 17, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

A Blessing Which May Be a Curse
(Column 5)

Summary: The article questions the legitimacy of American democracy if the political system can be manipulated by "thieves, cut-throats, hypocrites, and scoundrels" who confer suffrage rights upon blacks solely in order to entrench the Radicals' hold on power.

Origin of Article: Chicago Times

Full Text of Article:

It is the common habit of people in this country to look upon hte right to vote a very great blessing. The number of those who entertain this opinion is very large, compared to the number of those who also believe that the right to vote may be, and not unfrequently is, a very great curse.

Suppose a political party, wielding the patronage a government, and filling every office with bad men -- thieves, cut-throats, hypocrites and scoundrels. With such men to make and execute the laws, can a people be blessed with good government? Finding that power is about to pass from them, the thieves, cut-throats, hypocrites and scoundrels proceed to confer the elective franchise upon a class of persons who have never been made acquianted with its use; who understand not even the first rudiments of political economy; who have lived and propagated in the lowest ignorance for age. Having done this, the bad men. To say that the right to vote, would be blessing, and not a curse, to the class which should thus be made to exercise that right to their own injury, would be to speak very obvious nonsense.

Now this is what the Jacobin party has done, and is striving to do, with reference to the southern freedmen. The leaders in that party voted to enfranchise the freedmen in the expectation that they could be used, as a class, to continue those leaders in power.--They are now engaged in a desperate effort to realize that exportation by counseling the freedmen to organize a black man's party in the South, and vote as a class to put certain northern white men in office. If the freedmen listen to these pernicious counsels, the right to vote, instead of a blessing to their race, will be a curse not only to themselves, but to the nation.

The right to vote is a blessing only when the possessor of it is left perfectly free to act upon his own individual judgement. Whenever that judgement is subordinated to the purposes or interests of another, instead of a blessing, the right to vote is a curse to its possessor.--Chicago Times.

Girls In College
(Column 6)

Summary: Reports that two women have applied to attend the University of Michigan, and, judging by the sentiments expressed by the state legislature, they are expected to get in.

Excursion of Capitalists
(Column 7)

Summary: Notes that a group of fifteen capitalists from Philadelphia will soon tour southwestern Virginia in search of investment opportunities.

Origin of Article: Lynchburg Virginian

Immigration
(Column 7)

Summary: From Ireland, it is reported that "a heavy tide" of emigrants recently departed for the U. S. The tide of emigrants is expected to grow over the course of the year.

Origin of Article: Democratic Mirror

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: The article reports on a melee that occurred in Richmond last Thursday, after an fight broke out between a local black man and a visiting white fireman. In the ensuing violence, both men were arrested, but the black man was freed after the crowd forced policemen to give him up. The next night a similar incident occurred, but ended on a far more tragic note after the police killed two men and injured several others before the army arrived to help arrest the ringleaders, which included one white man.

Full Text of Article:

On Thursday of last week, while the "Washingto Fire Company" of Wilmington, Delaware, on a visit to Richmond, and the Richmond Fire Companies were testing the relative capacities of their steam engines, in that city, a difficulty occurred between one of the Wilmington Fireman and a negro man. This subsided, but in measuring the distance to which the engines had respectively thrown streams of water, the negroes crowded upon the firemen, and one of them being pushed back by a fireman, another negro struck the fireman and was knocked down in return by another fireman. The police came up and arrested both the negro and the fireman and were taking them off when the negroes made an attempt to rescue their comrade. The police received accessions to their numbers and prevented the rescue for some time, and although armed, and attacked by sticks, brickets, and missiles of all descriptions, and some of their number badly damaged by the blows received, yet they refrained from using their weapons. When the police had nearly reached the second station House the negroes made a final and successful effort to rescue the negro prisoner and carried him away in triumph. Gen. Scholfield was apprised of the riotous conduct of the negroes and appeared upon the scene, with Mayor Mayo and several companies of soldiers. He requested the sulky, sullen mob to disperse. But they did not heed his request, adn he ordered the soldiers to clear the streets, which they did in "doublt quick," but not until they had bruised the heads of several freedmen with the butts of their muskets. During that night mounted soldiers patroled the streets and all was quiet.

On Saturday night the Police arrested a negro for disorderly conduct on the streets, when another attempt was made by the blacks to rescue him. This time several of the police were badly bruised, but they used their firearms, and prevented the rescue of the rescue of the prisoner and well night dispersed the negroes, two of whom were shot, before the soldiers arrived on the scene. By the assistance of the soldiers the ringleaders were arrested, among them was one white man. After this arrest everything again relapsed into quiet.

We are sorry to chronicle this, but as long as the negroes listen to the low, mean whites, hired with a price to come among them and stir up strife between them and the Southern whites, for pecuniary gain to their pretended friends, the Radicals, we can but expect a repetition of just such scenes, which must redound to their great disadvantage, if it does not lead to their speedy extinction.

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that Horace Greeley delivered a speech in Richmond last Tuesday before a large audience composed of blacks and whites. Greeley told the crowd that confiscation was a "delusion" and urged blacks to seek other means of procuring land.

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that the Maryland Radical Convention assembled in Baltimore last Tuesday; blacks represent half of the delegates attending the convention.

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Cyrus McCormick, a former resident of Augusta, made $167,760 last year from the Reaper he invented, relates the piece. McCormick now lives in Chicago.
(Names in announcement: Cyrus McCormick)

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: Expresses outrage at Judge Underwood for his latest charge to the Grand Jury in Richmond, labeling his words an "abusive production."

Origin of Article: Baltimore Sun

Jefferson Davis
(Column 2)

Summary: The article chronicles Jefferson Davis's appearance in a Richmond court and his release from custody.

Arrest of Massachusetts Lawyer on the Charge of Inciting the Negroes to Riot and Bloodshed
(Column 5)

Summary: Contains a copy of the speech delivered by a white northerner who was arrested for inciting blacks to riot in Richmond.

Origin of Article: Richmond Times

Editorial Comment: "Last night Jedekiah K. Haywood, of Mass., was arrested for using language at the negro meeting on Friday night calculated to create a riot. His language was as follows:"

Full Text of Article:

Last night Jedekiah K. Hayward, of Mass., was arrested for using language at the negro meeting on Friday night calculated to create a riot. His language was as follows:

When I go back to Massachusetts, shall I tell the people there that you are determined to ride in the same street cars in which white man and woman ride? ("Yes!") Shall I tell thtem that you intend to occupy any boxes or seats in the theatre for which you pay your money? ("Yes, yes!")--Shall I tell them that you will go to any public school where people are taught? ("Yes!") Shall I tell them that you intend, in whatever manner you may see fit, to have every right that any white citizens of the State of Massachusetts enjoys? ("Yes!") If you want these things and cannot get them of yourselves the young men of the Old Bay State will help you to get them. They came once adn laid for months for you in the Chickahominy swamps, and they will come again.--(Cheers.) We have paid taxes to make you free, and we will pay more to get you what you want. (Cheers.)

He then went on, as he said, to caution this vast audience. During his visit to Richmond he had discovered bravery among them that was astonishing. But those who might be disposed to be reckless, he would warn that they owed a duty to the brave men who had risked, he would warn that they owed a duty to the brave men who had risked so much for them.--(Cheers.) You would not endanger the life of the illustrious Underwood, would you? ("No! No! That we wouldn't!") Well, then as soon as he leaves you may have a high carnival for what you please. It is useless for me to advise you as to what to do; for great masses generally do what they have a mind to [Long and continued cheering.]

here John A. Fitchett arose and said: "Mr. Speake, you may tell the people of Massachusetts that the colored people of Richmond are determined to enter any barroom, hotel, theatre or street car they may wish." ["Yes, they will!" Cheers.]

The speaker said that a law would have to be passed for Virginia as had been passed for Massachusetts, compelling hotel proprietors, etc., to allow the colored men equal privileges with the whites. [Loud cheers, and cries of "That's what we want here," and "We are going to have it here, too!"]

He was arrested on a warrant from the mayor, and was bailed in $3,000 to appear to-morrow.

Hayward was arrested by order of the Mayor, it is understood, at the instance of General Scholfield, but on our putting the question to the Mayor, with a view of learning the facts, he declined to answer. We therefore think it safe to conclude that the arrest was made at the instance of General Scholfield.--Rich. Times.

The trial was in progress Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, but up to the time of going to press, we have been unable to learn the decision of the Mayor.

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: Recounts the proceedings at the celebration of the fourth anniversary of Stonewall Jackson's death. The events included a parade and a host of speeches by prominent local men.
(Names in announcement: Rev. William E. Baker, Col. Bolivar Christian, Col. O'Ferral, Rev. J. L. Clark, Col. J. B. Baldwin, Capt. Berkeley, Major Hanger, Capt. Harrison, Capt. Bumgardner, Capt. Balthis, Capt. Arnall)

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: States that the Staunton Musical Association's first concert was a smashing success.

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: Samuel B. Brown, formerly of Staunton, is visiting town this week. Brown says the wheat and cotton harvests in the area around his new home in southwest Georgia are expected to be bountiful.
(Names in announcement: Samuel B. Brown)

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: Notes that the Council of the Clergy and Laity of the Episcopal Church of the Diocese of Virginia convened in Staunton last Wednesday.

Local Items
(Column 1)

Summary: Richard Taylor Smith, "colored," was arrested and brought before Mayor Trout for breaking into the residence of Jordan Powell, "colored," and stealing a trunk and its contents. Smith acknowledged his guilt and was sent to face the Grand Jury charged with Grand Larceny and Burglary.
(Names in announcement: Richard Taylor Smith, Mayor Trout, Jordan Powell)

Local Items
(Column 2)

Summary: It is reported that Henry Mahoney, the "efficient" Superintendent of the Staunton and Parkersburg Turnpike Company, has "gotten his road into excellent condition."
(Names in announcement: Henry Mahoney)

Local Items
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces that Valley Railroad Company stockholders will hold a meeting in Staunton on May 27.

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On May 15 P. H. Trout and Olivia Benson, fourth daughter of Judge N. E. Benson, dec'd, of Montgomery, Alabama, were married by Rev. M. Mahan.
(Names in announcement: P. H. Trout, Olivia Benson)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On May 13 Henry Cuff and Mary Jane Cuff were married by Rev. John L. Clarke.
(Names in announcement: Henry Cuff, Mary Jane Cuff, Rev. John L. Clarke)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On May 14 Lt. Joseph N. Ryan and Mattie E. Francisco were married by Rev. W. E. Baker.
(Names in announcement: Joseph N. Ryan, Mattie E. Francisco, Rev. W. E. Baker, C. C. Francisco)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On May 14 Robert Cochran, formerly of Augusta, and Sallie C. Francisco were married by Rev. W. E. Baker.
(Names in announcement: Robert Cochran, Sallie C. Francisco, Rev. W. E. Baker)