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

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Reports on a Walkerite meeting where Walker spelled out his movement's policies. Editor denounces him as just another Republican out to destroy the dignity of the state, and pleads with Virginians not to support him.

Full Text of Article:

The tame Republicans held a meeting in Richmond on the 25th ult and were addressed by Gilbert C. Walker, Candidate for Governor, Jno. B. Crenshaw and Franklin Stearns.

Mr. Walker accepted the nomination tendered him by the "Grant Administration Republicans," as he styled those who signed the address nominating him. He proclaimed himself, and the other Republicans who were with him, as not only accepting the situation but "wishing to see the reconstruction laws faithfully executed." He said in reference to the Underwood Constitution he was opposed to the disqualification, test-oath and county organization clauses. As to the colored people he was in favor of placing them on an equality civil and political with the whites.

From this exposition of principles by their leader, we can see but very little difference between them and the Wells party. Many of the Wells party will vote against the test oath and disqualification clauses and would doubtlessly vote against the county organization clause if submitted separately. But it is not to be submitted separately. A committee of Walkerites after the manner of the Committee of nine, are besieging Congress to order a separate vote on this clause, but we incline to the belief that they will meet with as little success as the Nine. On the question of equality, civil and political, the Walkerites come up fully to the Wells party in theory, but fail to carry the theory into practice. The difference between them only amounts to having a ticket composed of mere respectable men. The conservative who supports this ticket, then, as certainly and surely endorses the Republican dogmas, as if he supported the Wells party. It amounts to this and nothing less. No amount of quibbling can get out of it.--And yet the "respectables" beseech us to unite with them in supporting the Republican doctrines, with which we have nothing in common. Stand aloof from this, men of Virginia, if you do not wish to sell out the old state, bag and baggage, to the Republican party. If you unite with it you are, beyond controversy, allied with the Republican party. You will have gone into it with your eyes open and thereby knowingly saddled yourself with the onus of its monstrosities, and its oppressions of the unfortunate South. Beware of taking this step and placing yourselves in a position that you would, if in your power, give the labor of a lifetime to withdraw from.

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Summary: Comments on a meeting of the Conservative Executive Committee in Richmond. Praises their efforts to keep conservatives united and hopes they will be successful in defeating the Underwood Constitution.

Full Text of Article:

At a meeting of the resident members of the Conservative Executive Committee, held in Richmond, on the 25th ult., the following preamble and resolution were adopted:

Whereas at a meeting of the Conservative Executive Committee of the State in December, 1868, it was resolved that it was inexpedient to take any decided action until Congress had fixed some day for an election in Virginia, and the resident Committee in Richmond was directed to convene the General Committee at an early day after such fixed purpose of this Committee to call such a meeting in the event of such action by Congress.

Therefore, resolved, that it is the earnest request of this Committee to the Conservative voters of the State to adhere to the organization and resolves heretofore established and proclaimed.

R.T. Daniel

Chairman

This has the ring of the true metal about it. There is no wishy-washy pandering to to the powers that be in these resolutions, but an evidence of determined purpose, on the part of those who were charged with guidance of the most unanimous party organization in Virginia, to manfully contend for their rights against the horde of carpetbaggers and scalawags that infest our State, at every city, town and cross roads.

There is a peculiar significance in this action at this time. The Republican party is split and the gap widens daily. This action looks to taking advantage of this split to secure the defeat of the most obnoxious constitution offered to any Southern State. The Committee have not slept--only bided their time. They now counsel adherence to the organization and the resolves heretofore proclaimed. This is wise, for, if we stand together, we can defeat the Underwood Constitution, with all its odious features, beyond a peradventure. It is also opportune, for, in the fear that the Conservative executive Committee would do nothing further, many might be forced to choose between the two Republican evils. They now have the assurance needed. Then let every man who would defend the right against the wrong, who looks with exultant pride on the glorious past of the beloved Old Dominion, and would see her future painted in still more gorgeous colors, avoid being entrapped by the insidious arguments of the Walkerites and stand by the only organization which proposes to battle, and that manfully, for Virginia's time-honored and time-acknowledged rights and does not propose to tarnish her fair fame.

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Summary: Thanks its patrons for supporting the newspaper's stand against Walker's movement. Gives a blanket reply to all its supporters.

Full Text of Article:

We have received a number of letters from all portions of this County endorsing the stand we have taken against the Walker movement and those who signed the address. An answer seems demanded to some of them and, as we can not answer each one separately, we copy the following and ask that our reply to it may suffice for all:

Augusta Va,
March 27th, 1869.

Mr. Editor:--

We are more than pleased, in this proximity, with the course pursued by the "Vindicator" in regard to the signers of the late Republican address of Hannicutt, Dews, Gilmer & Co., and to the Walker movement generally. We trust you will pursue the same course in similar cases. I also deem it but due to you to state that your course meets with the hearty endorsation, not only of the people of this section, but of every portion of glorious old Augusta. I have been among them and know that of which I speak.

Respecfully

We have never pursued any course for the purpose of winning popular approval, and the endorsation of the people is the more gratifying on that score. We return our thanks to the many who have addressed us words of encouragement. We shall, to the best of our ability, defend the interests and honor of our people and shall, if possible, give timely notes of warning, that they may ward off impending dangers to either.

We are satisfied that the policy heretofore pursued by the press, for the sake of peace and quiet--to smoothe over the public acts of individuals rather than to censure--is dangerous, in these times especially, and as for ourselves we are done with it. We shall, however, avoid, as much as possible, anything personal as to the private acts of individuals, save where they trench on the rights of the people and the welfare of community, but public acts are public property and we shall deem it our legitimate right to use them, to critcise, praise or condemn.--When there is ulceration and cauterizing will relive we shall only cauterize but if necessary to affect a cure we shall not hesitate to use the knife.

Trusting this plain statement may satisfactorily answer one and all, I may also express the hope (which each and every one will doubtless endorse,) that even cauterization may not be necessary hereafter.

Boys Take Warning
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Summary: A "young sportsman" was arrested and tried before Squire Herr for hunting on the grounds of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution. He was fined $3.

More Appointments
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Summary: General Stoneman has appointed J. R. Popham Attorney for the Commonwealth for the district including Augusta.
(Names in announcement: Gen. Stoneman, J. R. Popham)

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Summary: Samuel Cline has been appointed and qualified as Augusta County Court Clerk. William A. Burnett has been retained as assistant.
(Names in announcement: Samuel Cline, William A. Burnett)

Sad Accident
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Summary: Henry Ott of Moffet's Creek, Augusta County, accidently shot himself last Saturday. He died from the wound.
(Names in announcement: Henry Ott)

Married
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Summary: William A. Marrell and Miss Nancy E. Odor, both of Augusta, were married at Mossy Creek on March 11th by the Rev. Thomas F. Carson.
(Names in announcement: William A. Marrell, Nancy E. Odor, Rev. Thomas F. Carson)

Married
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Summary: David T. Wheelbarger and Miss Ann Eliza C. Jordan, both of Augusta, were married at the residence of the bride's father near Spring Hill on March 25th by the Rev. C. Beard.
(Names in announcement: David T. Wheelbarger, Ann Eliza C. Jordan, Rev. C. Beard)

Died
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Summary: Lucy Ellen Lawrence, infant daughter of Sarah J. and Thomas Lawrence died near Staunton on March 24th. She was 17 days old.
(Names in announcement: Lucy Ellen Lawrence, Sarah J. Lawrence, Thomas Lawrence)