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

Staunton Vindicator: May 21, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Stands by its long time conviction of repudiating the whole Underwood Constitution, which is scheduled now for a vote in July. Claims many expediency men have seen the error of their ways and now support the idea of voting down the whole Constitution.

Full Text of Article:

Elsewhere will be found the proclamation of President Grant ordering an election on Tuesday July 6th.

From this proclamation it will be seen that only the test oath and disqualification clauses of the Constitution are to be submitted to a separate vote. The county organization clause, far more objectionable in its result to the people of the State than either of the above, is left to be voted upon with the remainder of the Constitution. This will necessitate the appointment of near 200 salaried officers in this county and a proportionate number in other Counties. And such a set of officers! It will also entail a burthen of about $100,000 in the shape of additional taxation to be borne by the people of each county. Disregard, if you choose, the other objectionable features remaining in the Constitution, and what man in Virginia, for the sake merely of Reconstruction, could vote for saddling himself and posterity with such a curse?

We have not expected the present Administration, judging from the past, to be guided by a generous magnanimity, and to allow us an opportunity to modify the proposed Constitution, so that it might be even bearable and we have not been disappointed. Hence have we, on that account, as well as on account of preserving, if we can, the very principles on which the existence and permanency of Republican Government depends, counseled all to be led astray by none of the supposed expediency movements of the past year. We have been more than sustained in the line we have pursued, by the course political events have taken and we again raise our voice to warn all to vote against the clauses to be submitted separately and then vote against the remainder. Vote against the whole Underwood Constitution. Safety to our people and their posterity lies in this course alone.

We have been jeered as impracticable because we would not barter principles for false hopes--because we would not sacrifice what we believe would alone conduce to the present and future welfare of Virginia for the expurgated Underwood Constitution and the anticipated beauties (?) of reconstruction under it. We have nevertheless, stood firm and have the proud satisfaction of knowing, that many, who jeered us, now acknowledge their error and stand with us in support of the policy of voting down the whole Constitution.

To the very few papers in the State, who have battled continuously for principle and for the defeat of the Underwood COnstitution entire, we say, be of good cheer. Those who were led off by a cry of expediency are re-enlisting under our banners by hundreds. Our compeers, blinded for a time by the dust thrown in their eyes, are again, one by one, shouting our battle cry. From this time till the election our old allies will join us by of each and every abomination of the Underwood abortion.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper prints an announcement from the Association of Superintendents of Insane Asylums giving details on their upcoming meeting in Staunton.
(Names in announcement: Dr. Stribling)

Negro Labor in Virginia
(Column 02)

Summary: Reports on the exodus of black workers from Virginia to greater opportunities farther south.

Full Text of Article:

A government officer stationed at Richmond, Va., writes to Washington that negro labor is at a discount in that portion of Virginia. The extensive sales of land in small portions to white immigrants, who are cultivating the land themselves, renders it necessary for colored laborers to go further South in order to seek employment. Over 300 colored people have gone South by rail from Virginia in the last month. Indications are that the number during the present month will be greatly in excess of last month.

For the Vindicator
(Column 03)

Summary: Prints an opinion piece by an anonymous person originally from Alabama describing how blacks and Radicals now control Alabama and asks if Virginians will allow the same thing to happen to their own state.

Full Text of Article:

Your correspondent desires to submit to the voters of the Valley of Virginia the following facts:

A gentleman who formerly resided in Alabama, now a resident of this County, told me this morning, that in Alabama, wherever the negroes are in the majority, the voters are permitted to vote for their County and municipal officers, but where the whites are most numerous, those officers are appointed by the Radical state officers.

The entire control of the community is thus in the hands of the negroes and Radicals. Will the people of this Valley vote for the Underwood Constitution in any form, either as it now stands or expurgated (as the phrase goes,) after knowing how these new Constitutions are worked in the reconstructed States? If they have any kindliness of feeling for their friends in Eastern Virginia, will not they give proof of it by voting against it entire and in every shape that it may be submitted, and trust in God to deliver them from the dangers which are anticipated by its rejection.

A VIRGINIAN

May 17, 1869.

Our Duty
(Column 03)

Summary: Selections from the Lynchburg News and the Petersburg Express declare that everyone has a duty to ensure the largest registration possible for upcoming elections.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: Prints an announcement by Alexander Cochran announcing his candidacy for the House of Delegates. He comes out in favor of Walker and the Underwood Constitution, and claims it affords the only way to let Virginia be run by Virginians and not carpetbaggers.

Full Text of Article:

STAUNTON, May 10th, 1869.

Fellow-Citizens of the County of Augusta:

In obedience to the wishes of many friends residing in various portions of the County, expressed both publicly and privately, I announce myself a candidate for a seat in the next House of Delegates of Virginia.

If it should be the pleasure of the people to elect me to this position, I shall, irrespective of party consideration, work and vote to obtain the passage of such laws as will, in my judgment, secure the greatest amount of peace, prosperity and happiness to the people at large.

In the approaching election, soon to be held, I shall most unhesitatingly vote for the expurgated constitution and for what is known as the Walker ticket; believing the adoption of this course by the people is the only door of escape from the ultimate imposition upon them of an odious, tyrannical and unbearable government. And although the result of this line of conduct, in any event, is not as we would like to have it, yet I am firmly persuaded that in our subjugated, helpless condition, the exigency of the hour, makes it a high and patriotic duty to yield to the demands of inexorable necessity, accept the situation, and reconstruct the State upon the basis of the expurgated Constitution and the election of such men as are opposed to disfranchisements and test oaths, and who are identified with us in interest and sympathy.

This result, which is the best we can hope for, can certainly be achieved if all will register and vote--Virginia, if her sons are true to her, can be placed under the control of Virginians, and the miserable carpet bag scum and vultures of the north, who have come down among us to array one race against the other, in order that they may more easily prey upon the substance and vitals of our helpless and prostrate people, can be sent back, howling to their old haunts of vice and depravity.

These salutary results will only be attained, however as a distinguished countryman said, in the late Convention, by united effort, induced by mutual conciliation and forbearance one towards another.

Let us then obliterate from our minds all past political differences, leaving the dead past to bury the dead, and unite in one great band of friends and brothers, "among whom no contention shall exist, but that noble contention, or rather emulation of who can best work and best agree" in saving Virginia from degradation and ruin.

My devotion to Virginia has always been great, but since dark, heavy clouds have lowered over her and broken with remorseless fury upon her devoted head. I have drawn her close and closer to my heart, until her destiny and mine have become inseparably locked up together, and should it be the will of the people to make me an humble instrument to aid in restoring her to peace and prosperity, I shall ever be grateful for the confidence reposed.

Respectfully,

ALEXANDER B. COCHRAN

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Ladies of the Methodist Episcopal Church South will hold a fair on June 24th to raise money for their parsonage.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Valley Musical Association will give a grand concert at Tinkling Spring Church on May 21st.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Rev. R. A. Holland, pastor of Trinity Church, Baltimore, will preach the commencement sermon at the Wesleyan Female Institute on June 24th.
(Names in announcement: Rev. R. A. Holland)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Dr. C. R. Harris will repeat his popular lecture on "The Influence of the Fine Arts on the Moral Sensibilities."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The members of the M. E. Church South in Mt. Crawford will give a dinner on May 25th to raise money for the construction of their church. A procession of the Masonic Fraternity, Odd Fellows, Red Men, and Friends of Temperance will also be held.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Dr. A. M. Fauntleroy delivered an "instructive and elegant address" at the anniversary meeting of the Augusta Academy of Medicine.
(Names in announcement: Dr. A. M. Fauntleroy)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Collector of Internal Revenue will be in Staunton on the 27th, 28th, and 29th of May. He will be collecting taxes on income, gold watches, silver plate, carriages, and special licenses.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Augusta Fire Company and the Fire Company of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute held a torchlight procession last week. They used the event to call attention to their need for equipment.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Augusta Academy of Medicine discussed whether or not diseases have changed their type. Dr. A. M. Fauntleroy spoke in the negative and Dr. C. R. Harris in the affirmative. Dr. V. T. Churchman sustained the affirmative.
(Names in announcement: Dr. A. M. Fauntleroy, Dr. C. R. Harris, Dr. V. T. Churchman)

Town Council
(Column 02)

Summary: Discusses business conducted at a town meeting, mainly dealing with street reforms, labor on the waterworks, and ordinances proposed.
(Names in announcement: R. D. Sears, William L. Herr, James F. Patterson, Robert Cowan, Nicholas K. Trout)

Full Text of Article:

The Water Committee presented Reports from the Superintendent of Water works, showing amount of work of individuals to be, for the month of March, $45,12, and for the month of April, $101,60.

A report was presented from the Commissioners of streets recommending the repairing of the side walks of New street, between Beverly and New C.H. street--for said repairs, the sum of $580,00 was appropriated.

Messrs. R. D. Sears, Wm. L. Herr and James F. Patterson were appointed a Committee to draft and report an Ordinance, as tax bill for the current year.

Robert Cowan and Nicholas K. Trout were appointed delegates to represent this town in the Commercial Convention, to be held at the city of Memphis Tenn., on the 18th inst.

The Commissioners of streets were directed to procure four suitable lamps for lighting the street with coal oil where new posts have been lately placed, until the Gas Company is prepared to furnish gas.

An Ordinance prohibiting the obstruction of the side-walks, streets and alleys by sales and by the congregating of persons thereon, was passed and ordered to be published in hand bill form, and posted throughout the town.

An appropriation of $200 was made for the support of the Poor of the Town.

Married
(Column 02)

Summary: George D. Whitemore and Miss Eliza Jane Crawn, both of Augusta, were married on May 9th by the Rev. J. C. Hensell.
(Names in announcement: George D. Whitemore, Eliza Jane Crawn, Rev. J. C. Hensell)

Married
(Column 02)

Summary: Albert A. Wise of Harrisonburg and Miss Minnie E. Lowner of Augusta were married in Baltimore on May 2nd by the Rev. D. Deutsch.
(Names in announcement: Albert A. Wise, Minnie E. Lowner, Rev. D. Deutsch)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: Mrs. Katharine Hawpe died near Greenville on May 7th after a protracted illness. She was 63 years old.
(Names in announcement: Katharine Hawpe)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: Miss Rebecca Strain died near Greenville on May 7th.
(Names in announcement: Rebecca Strain)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: William Craig died on May 17th at his Staunton residence. He was 70 years old.
(Names in announcement: William Craig)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Mary Elizabeth Clark, infant daughter of William and Sarah J. Clark, died near New Hope on May 2nd. She was 6 months old. A poem of mourning addressed to William and Sarah Jane accompanies the notice.
(Names in announcement: Mary Elizabeth Clark, William Clark, Sarah Jane Clark)