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Staunton Vindicator: April 16, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Gives a negative opinion of the conditions Virginia must meet in order to end reconstruction in the state. Especially dislikes the disqualifications of classes of voters and the requirement to pass the 15th amendment. Calls on Virginians to never submit to these conditions even if they must endure military rule forever after.

Full Text of Article:

From the bill published elsewhere it will be seen that an early election in Virginia is probable.

The bill provides that the President may order an election, at such a time as he may deem best, on the ratification or rejection of the Underwood Constitution and may submit to a separate vote such provisions as he may deem best. It also provides that the constitution, and separate clauses, shall be submitted to the registered voters of the State, registered at the time of said submission and empowers the commanding General to re-open the registered lists to be revised, enlarged and corrected, prior to such election, according to law.

What clauses President Grant may deem best to submit to a separate vote is yet unknown and it were useless at present to discuss the merits, or rather demerits, of these clauses, or the result of the adoption of the remainder on the future welfare and prosperity of the State and its citizens. There is one point, however, which can be and should be mentioned at this time. There is but little doubt that the disqualification provisions will be submitted to a separate vote. No man, be he white or black, can plead inability to vote against such clauses because of a desire to vote for the adoption of the constitution. Then, any one, for purposes of self aggrandizement, or fiendishness, who votes for disqualification, writes himself down as an enemy to the mass our of our people. He can not, having thrown the first stone, expect to be tolerated by proper thinking people and he will not be. Such individuals had as well calculate upon emigrating, for they can expect no support or employment form those they have attempted to stab in a vital part. We have no idea that such individuals would be driven away or be in jeopardy of their lives if they remained, but, if in business would be forced by sheer necessity, to shut up shop, or if employed could only expect to find their places supplied by those less inimical to employers, and would fail to find employment from others. This is but natural and to be expected and we therefore warn all inclined that way of the dangers of that course.

Tacked on to this bill is a proviso for the ratification of the fifteenth amendment, as a necessary precedent to restoration. There is great fear among Radicals that this amendment will fail to be ratified and hence the proviso coercing its ratification by Virginia, Texas and Mississippi. If enough States ratify it, not counting Virginia, Texas and Mississippi, Congress will take its time about admitting these, no matter what we do, but if the ratification by these States is needed to engraft the 15th amendment on the Constitution then they will admit them. We know not what others may think or desire but for ourselves, we never like to play the part of a cat's-paw to pull hot chestnuts out of the fire for any one, and in this instance we would leave them to pull them out as best they may. We have no very strong predilections for restoration, on the terms proposed from time to time, and with this last proviso we would have none of it. We would prefer a military governor for all time to come, rather than take a hand in sowing the seed of an irrevocable mongrelism in this country. We are not of those who belive that the mogrelism forced on the South now is irrevocable and hence, in regard to restoration, with the ratification of the 15th amendment as an act precedent, we would advise all, in the classic language of Beast Butler, "to let it slide."

[No Title]
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Summary: Notes how many people have failed to register to vote, which could be disastrous in upcoming elections on the proposed constitution. Declares it the duty of all Virginians to register and vote for the best interests of the state.

Full Text of Article:

The clause in the new reconstruction act, which empowers the military commandant of District No. 1, to open the lists of registration previous to the election on the ratification or rejection of the proposed Constitution, is a most important one. Many of our people failed to register heretofore, from disgust at the course pursued towards the Southern people, from disinclination to engage in political affairs in any shape, or by home interests and duties preventing them from attending at the proper times and places. This must not be the case when the lists are again re-opened. They must forget that home has claims, when the best interests of the State, the prosperity and happiness of the people and the welfare of posterity calls so loudly upon every man to perform his whole duty. There must be no longer a disinclination to register and vote. A crisis, such as Virginia has never witnessed before, is near at hand, in which it is imperatively demanded that all of her sons shall rally to her support. Dereliction of duty may have been overlooked in the past, but it can not be in the present.

Many who were denied the privilege of registering when the lists were first opened in this State were afterwards permitted to register. Some availed themselves of it others did not. These must come forward and register when the lists are again opened, and not only these, but all who were denied the privilege must again make the effort to register.

The duty of each and every one is plain. Let them fail not to perform it.

Conservative State Committee
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Summary: Announces the call of the Conservative party for a meeting to unite all conservatives in anticipation of the vote on restoration as set by Congress. Praises the Conservative party's efforts and urges all Virginians to heed the call.

Full Text of Article:

At a meeting of the State Executive Committee of the Conservative Party of Virginia, consisting of the Resident Committee and Consulting Members, held in the city of Richmond on the 15th day of December, 1868, the following resolution was adopted:

"Resolved, That the chairman of this committee be instructed, as soon as the day is fixed for the election in Virginia, to issue a call immediately, inviting the consulting members of the committee and the county and city superintendents to assemble in Richmond for the purpose of perfecting the organization of the Conservative Party and adopting such measures as the public exigencies may seem to require."

And at a meeting of the Resident Members of the State Executive Committee held this 10th day of April, 1869, the following preamble and resolution was adopted:

Whereas, by act of Congress, it has been referred to the President of the United States to fix the time for an election in Virginia, with power to submit to a vote of the people separately, such parts of the constitution as he may deem expedient:

Resolved, That in compliance with the object of the above resolution of the 15th of December, 1868, the meeting contemplated by the said resolution, be fixed for Wednesday, the 28th day of April, 1869, at 12 o'clock M., at the Exchange Hotel, in the city of Richmond, at which time and place, punctual attendance is requested.

R.T. Daniel, Chairman.

RICHMOND, April 10th, 1869.

The above call speaks for itself. It has been promptly issued on the passage of the bill, by Congress, authorizing an election in this State. The attendance at the meeting on Saturday last which issued this call was large, exhibiting the importance they attached to prompt action in this matter. It is a matter of the greatest importance to future interests of the State that there shall be a full attendance of Consulting Members and of County and City Superintendents at the meeting in Richmond on the 28th inst.

Without this, the Conservative party can not be properly organized and will go into action in a semi-demoralized condition. With a full attendance and wise action on the part of the proposed meeting, the organization of the Conservatives will be perfected and their vote cast as a unit, which will tell, no matter what be the opposition.

Let this meeting be borne in mind and all who can attend, and above all, let their action be well-considered and wise. The future welfare of Virginia hangs upon and all will await, with anxiety, the action of this body.

[No Title]
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Summary: William Allen, Edward Sears, and A. J. Ackerman have been appointed Aldermen for the town of Staunton.
(Names in announcement: William Allen, Edward Sears, A. J. Ackerman)

[No Title]
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Summary: Erasmus L. Houff replaces John G. Stover as Commissioner of the Revenue for the 2nd district of Augusta.
(Names in announcement: Erasmus L. Houff, John G. Stover)

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Summary: The Staunton Council No. 47, Friends of Temperance, will hold a procession and public speaking on May 1st. The Institution Band will perform.

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper anticipates the "novelty" of a velocipede race at the next county fair.

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper touts the health benefits of cleaning Staunton's cellars, streets, and yards.

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Summary: The Staunton Musical Association will give the first concert of the season tonight at the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution. Dr. J. L. Brown is directing the vocal department, Prof. E. Louis Ide is directing the orchestra, and Prof. August Ide will play a piano solo.
(Names in announcement: Dr. J. L. Brown, Prof. E. Louis Ide, Prof. August Ide)

[No Title]
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Summary: A man named Robert H. Dudley was arrested by Chief of Police J. F. Parent on charges of stealing a mule from Judge Page of Hanover.
(Names in announcement: Robert H. Dudley, J. F. Parent)

Married
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Summary: Jared W. Spitler and Miss Sallie F. Eakle, both of Augusta, were married at Mt. Sidney at the residence of the bride's parents on March 25th by the Rev. J. J. Engle.
(Names in announcement: Jared W. Spitler, Sallie F. Eakle, Rev. J. J. Engle)

Married
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Summary: Robert L. Roberts of West Virginia and Miss Margaret E. Shreckhise, daughter of Jacob Shreckhise, were married at the house of the bride's father on April 6th by the Rev. John Pinkerton.
(Names in announcement: Robert L. Roberts, Margaret E. Shreckhise, Jacob Shreckhise, Rev. John Pinkerton)

Died
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Summary: Katie Crockwell, daughter of Dr. and Mrs. J. R. Crockwell, died in Staunton on April 12th. She was 14 months old.
(Names in announcement: Katie Crockwell, Dr. Crockwell, J. R. Crockwell)

Died
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Summary: Minnie O. Craun, infant daughter of George A. and Amanda E. Craun, died near Centerville, Augusta County, on March 27th. She was 3 months old.
(Names in announcement: Minnie O. Craun, George A. Craun, Amanda A. Craun)

Died
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Summary: J. William Props died near Moscow, Va, on April 5th of chronic rheumatism. He was 29 years old.
(Names in announcement: J. William Props)