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Staunton Vindicator: March 19, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

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Summary: Reports on the state Republican convention, which nominated men for top state offices. Notes with glee the split in the Republican ranks over the nominee for governor and the placement of a black man on the ticket for Lieutenant Governor. Also warns Virginians not to endorse either faction because they both support the Underwood Constitution.

Full Text of Article:

The Republican Convention, which assembled in Petersburg last week, after a noisy contention between the Wells and anti-Wells members, and after much labor and travail, brought forth the following ticket.

For Governor, H.H. Wells

Lieut-Governor, Dr. J. D. Harris, (colored.)

For Attorney General, Thomas R. Bowden.

For Congressman at large, A. M. Crane.

There are various rumors as to how Wells secured the nomination, one correspondent stating that negro members, who had not enough money to pay for meals and lodging, were suddenly darting around asking every one to change $20 Greenbacks for them. Whether this is true or not, the anti-Wells men certainly euchered the Wells men, though they held a full hand. They brought forward a negro and, by warming up the sympathies of his colored brethren, nominated him by an overwhelming vote for the office of Lieut. Governor. This piece of strategy of the anti-Wells men, who had been beaten in the effort to secure the nomination of Clements for Governor, fully accomplished the purpose intended and destroys all chance of the success of the ticket. The more moderate Republicans, those who can not swallow the negro, "wool, heels and hide," are kicking up a row over it, and have issued the following address:

To the Republican Party of Virginia:

We, the undersigned members of the Republican party, and some of us delegates to the late Convention held in the city of Petersburg, dissenting from the action taken and nominations made by that body, express the following cause of incurable dissatisfaction:

That the nominations there made are of such a character as to render it utterly impossible to make the party successful in the State and thereby secure the best interest of the country.

Now, with a view to the very best interests of the Republican party and of our Commonwealth, and to the more permanent establishment of this political organization in the State of Virginia upon the broad principles of true Republicanism, and with a further view to the reconstruction of our State and its restoration to the Federal Union upon the terms prescribed by the reconstruction acts of Congress, and in the solemn belief that the existing dissensions which have resulted from the action of the Petersburg Convention will militate fatally against all these objects, impair the efficiency of the existing administration of the National Government, and finally culminate in the disintegration of the Republican party in the State of Virginia we do hereby most earnestly invoke your presence at a Convention to be held in the city of Richmond on the 15th day of April next. And the Hon. George Rye, Franklin Stearns and W. Henry Read, Esq., of Richmond, Va. are hereby appointed a committee for the furtherance of such a Convention. They are authorized to associate with them any gentleman from each Congressional district of the State. The whole to act as an Executive Committee.

The Wells party, report says, are also sick of the ticket, with the name of Harris on it, and have made overtures to the bolters to reconcile the matter by removing the name of Harris from the ticket. This, we learn, was respectfully declined, and that the bolters have prepared the following ticket: General Gilbert C. Walker, of Norfolk, for Governor; John F. Lewis, of Rockingham, for Lieutenant-Governor, and James C. Taylor, of Montgomery, for Attorney General.

There is evidently a positive split in the Republican party of this State, which is likely to widen more and more every day, and we should make the most of it.

Some of our "Conservative" exchanges speak of the ticket made out by the bolters as a "respectable" ticket. Do not be deluded by this idea, men of Virginia. Both of the Republican tickets carry with them the odious Underwood Constitution, which will be none the less onerous and odious, whether enforced by the "black-and-tans," or the "respectables." Stick to the ticket which brings nought of shame or dishonor to you or our beloved old Virginia. Stand by the men who battled for your rights when all looked darker than the present. Remember the noble canvass made by our bold standard-bearers, and "rally round" the flag which they bore, inscribed with such names as Col. Robt. E. Withers, Gen. Jas. Walker, and Col. Marmaduke Johnson, and emblazoned with the motto "down with the Underwood Constitution." You will thus be true to principles and preserve your honor and your self-respect intact, and Virginia's bright escutcheon will remain untarnshed by a single stain. It may be said that such a course will continue military domination in this State. In reply we say, better that, a thousand times better, than the odious Underwood Constitution, sapping the very life blood of the proud old State and beggaring her citizens. Better, a thousand times better that, than ruin under the rule of either "respectables" or "black-and-tans."

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Summary: The paper denounces Dr. George K. Gilmer who had signed a petition asking for the removal of Gen. Stoneman for declaring he would not appoint African Americans to office.

The Last "New Movement"
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Summary: Prints a statement given by the "respectables" faction of the state Republican party, citing their troubles with the other faction and naming their own slate of candidates. Editor again stresses that though they may appear respectable, they are still Republicans and so true Virginians should avoid them like the plague.

Full Text of Article:

The following address signed by 151 persons and placing in nomination another Republican State ticket, was published in the Richmond papers, of Tuesday last:

The undersigned citizens of Virginia, and earnest friends of the restoration of our State to the Union, under the reconstruction acts of Congress, believe that the time has fully come when a determined and zealous effort, should be made to rescue the Republican party of Virginia from the management and control of designing and selfish politicians.

We are satisfied that the Convention which assembled at Petersburg on the 9th instant, did not reflect the feelings and wishes of the Republicans of the State, and that the means used to secure the nomination of the persons who are placed upon the State ticket were such as cannot secure the sanction or approval of those who desire to promote the welfare our people. We feel that there has never been a period in her history when the counsel and direction of wise, experienced and patriotic men, whose unselfish regard for the public weal commend them to the confidence and support of the people, were more eminently needed. The men who are put forward for the highest honors of our restored Commonwealth are not sufficiently identified with our people to secure that confidence, and we fear that defeat awaits the party, because many of the best of our citizens who are now identified with it anticipate the worst consequence to our material interests in the event of their election, and are disposed to resent and resist the dictation of the arrogant and presumptuous clique of political adventurers by whom the late Convention was controlled.

We believe that a large majority of the intelligent and reflecting people of Virginia who have a permanent interest in the prosperity of the State are becoming convinced that wisdom and sound policy alike demand that they shall accept and carry out, in good faith, the measures proposed by Congress for the reconstruction of the Southern States, and are earnestly desirous of adoptigg the great principles enunciated by the Republican Party of the country. We believe that they will cheerfully support true and well-known Republicans for State officers; and to afford them an opportunity to do this we respectfully recommend.

For Governor--G.C. Walker, of Norfolk city.

For Lieutenant Governor--John F. Lewis, of Rockingham county.

For Attorney General--J.C. Taylor, of Montgomery county.

Among the signers we find the names of the following persons well known here: W. J. Dews, A. B. Arthur, W. R. Morris, Geo. A. Smith, Jno. B. Engleman, Reuben D. Hill, Henry H. Peck, Benjamin T. Bagby, Robt. G. Bickle, David Fultz, and N.K. Trout. These gentlemen endorse the Reconstruction acts of Congress, which secure to the negro all and more than the Petersburg convention gave, but they can't stand the fire of a negro on the ticket.---Surely these are model Republicans, or rather as they delight to call themselves "respectable" Republicans.

And how magnanimously does W. J. Dews and Co. step forth to "rescue the Republican party of Va, from the management and control of designing and selfish men." This we could applaud had we only known that all these gentleman had all along been such zealous Republicans. We knew that Dews and a portion of his company were, but the majority of them have been secreting their Republican lights in a Conservative bushel. Perhaps they were only waiting until the "respectables" arose--only waiting o jine Capt. Dews' company.

To those who purpose jining the "respectables" we say, cease to hide your lights and then lay claim to so much, but send along your names that we may give publicity to them, that all may know exactly where you stand, and that you may also, at once, be entered on Capt. Dews' pay roll.

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Summary: The paper reports that many northerners are alarmed at the prominence of military officers in Grant's administration. It raises the prospect of "military despotism."

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Summary: The Rev. J. L. Clark, longtime pastor of Staunton's Methodist Episcopal Church, will relocate next year to West Virginia.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. L. Clark)

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Summary: The ladies of the Bethel Church Congregation in Greenville are planning to hold a dinner to raise money for the construction of a parsonage.

Married
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Summary: John Samuel McCorkle and Mrs. Mary Jane White were married near Middlebrook at the residence of Elijah Hogshead by the Rev. P. C. Hoge.
(Names in announcement: John Samuel McCorkle, Mary Jane White, Elijah Hogshead, Rev. P. C. Hoge)

Died
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Summary: Lyttleton Waddell, Sr., died in Augusta on March 12th at the house of his son, L. Waddell, Jr. He was 79 years old.
(Names in announcement: Lyttleton WaddellSr., L. WaddellJr.)

Died
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Summary: Mrs. Elizabeth McClung died in Staunton on March 9th of pneumonia. She was 86 years old.
(Names in announcement: Elizabeth McClung)

Died
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Summary: Mrs. Betsy Ann Kinney, wife of Chesley Kinney, died at Stribling Springs, Augusta County, on March 3rd. She was 48 years old.
(Names in announcement: Betsy Ann Kinney, Chesley Kinney)

Died
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Summary: Mrs. Elizabeth Eubank died in Staunton at the residence of Mr. John B. Hoge on March 10th. She was 76 years old.
(Names in announcement: Elizabeth Eubank, John B. Hoge)

Died
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Summary: Mr. William Cochran died on February 15th at his residence near Greenville. He was 71 years old.
(Names in announcement: William Cochran)

Died
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Summary: Miss Mary Almira Wheat, daughter of the Rev. J. C. Wheat, died in Staunton on March 12th. She was 28 years old.
(Names in announcement: Mary Almira Wheat, Rev. J. C. Wheat)

Died
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Summary: Mrs. Sarah Craver died at Barterbrook on February 28th at age 63. "She was a member of Hebron Presbyterian Church and died as a christian."
(Names in announcement: Sarah Craver)

Died
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Summary: Mrs. Elizabeth Turk died on the Long Meadows on March 2nd. She was 61 years old. "She was a consistent member of Tinkling Spring Church and died in peace."
(Names in announcement: Elizabeth Turk)