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Staunton Vindicator: December 23, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Assault Upon Gen. Lee in the U.S. Senate
(Column 01)

Summary: Appalled by a recent Senate speech which besmirches the character of the recently departed General Lee. Gave examples from antiquity and poetry in which warriors speak well of the dead. Especially upset with Sumner's role in attacking Lee's memory on the Senate floor.

Full Text of Article:

The debate which occurred in the Senate of the United States on the 13th inst., of which we publish a sketch in another column, breathes, a more vindictive spirit, and is more repugnant to decency, than could possibly have been looked for even from a body, in which of late years, rage has so often triumphed over reason.

The proposition of Mr. McCreary, whatsoever his intentions was, in one of its features--as matters now stand at Arlington--altogether unreasonable, and its introduction, at this time, was, in any aspect, censurably unwise. But who could have expected that the occasion would be seized upon for the emptying of more than seven vials of wrath, and as many more cess-pools of obloquy, upon the life and character of the now departed and ever-glorious Lee.

The noble and generous in all ages have fixed limits to animosity, and have set examples of forbearance and magnanimity, when death has interposed between a man and his foe--examples, which the good and the chivalrous have always found it in accord with their natures to follow. Thus the Master-spirit of the British Drama, who knew well what touches of gentleness might naturally consist with even the sternness of steel-clad warriors, makes Prince Henry, after he slays Percy in battle--Percy who was a rebel in fact as well as in name--pay this tribute to his fallen foe:

This earth that bears thee dead
Bears not alive so stout a gentleman
If thou wert sensible of courtesy
I should not make so dear a show of zeal:--
But let my favors hide thy mangled face;
And even in thy behalf, I'll thank myself
For doing these fair rites of tenderness.
Adieu, and take thy praise with thee to Heaven!"

But the Poet, equally familiar with the inglorious elements of humanity, presents to us, in the next moment, Falstaff, who inflicts a fresh stab on the dead body of the hero. The play, in this feature, has been recently re-acted in the Senate of the United States--the great Council Chamber of the restored Union--the Falstaffs were many; but to play the role of Henry there was not one!

But what shall we say of the classic Sumner on this occasion, of him who, dwelling in "the Athens of America," makes Greek and Roman models his study. Alas for him that the outside alone of the cup and the platter conforms to the antique pattern!--He imitates, it may be, the style, but forgets altogether the morals of the Roman.--In this the Pagan puts the Christian (Heaven save the mark!) to the blush. Where, the other day, was his memory of that oft-commended Roman maxim, "De mortuis mil nisi bonum," "say nothing of the dead but what is good." Or, if his memory travelled not back so far, had he forgotten the lessons of the more modern tragedy, in which Zanga, the barbarian, who had been stricken "a blow" by Alonzo, makes revenge the study of his after life. There is such a resemblance between Zanga's wrongs, and Zanga's spirit, and those of the Senator, that one might have expected him, as he has followed Zanga so closely thus far in his passion of revenge--not to be outdone by the barbarian in magnanimity; for even Zanga, over the dead form of Alonzo, exclaims

"And art thou dead! So is my enmity.

I war not with the dust!

But we forbear; fer we feel that to point the assailants of Gen. Lee to such examples as these, is to "cast pearls" before those, who, swinelike, will "trample them under their feet, and turn again and read us."

An Old Movement--Called New
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Summary: Called for all of Virginia to take its rightful place back in the Democratic Party fold.

Full Text of Article:

The proposal to put the Virginia people in their proper position as members of the Democratic party is called a "New Movement." That may be new to some, but the old State looks new and awkward in any other movement. Let us, without any airs, or affectation, go right to our proper position, and exercise our proper influence.--Exchange.

We agree with our cotemporary, and the sooner we put aside our airs, affectation and prejudice and take our position in the National Democratic party, the better for the Country, our State and ourselves.

[No Title]
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Summary: The ladies of the Baptist Church raised $265 at their recent fair.

[No Title]
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Summary: Rev. G. W. Hott and Rev. J. J. Engle will hold a protracted meeting at Churchville.
(Names in announcement: Rev. G. W. Hott, Rev. J. J. Engle)

[No Title]
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Summary: Rev. Dr. Handy, Pastor of Augusta Church, has been leading a protracted meeting that is drawing large crowds.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Dr. Handy)

[No Title]
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Summary: Peter Independence Kurtz, the "Happy man of the Valley" and carrier of the Vindicator, will make the rounds to deliver his carrier's address containing a tribute to General Lee. The paper urges subscribers to tip him generously.
(Names in announcement: Peter Independence Kurtz)

[No Title]
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Summary: Mr. Porter of the select committee on reconstruction reported a bill that would remove the political disabilities of Alex B. Cochran.
(Names in announcement: Alex B. Cochran)

[No Title]
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Summary: The Presbyterian Church announces that pews will now be free. The paper suspects it is a temporary arrangement designed to help them furnish a seat to the entire congregation. "Persons formerly frightened away from this Church by 'rented pews,' will now be able to attend its services without embarrassment."

Married
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Summary: Thomas Randolph Henning, formerly of Baltimore, and Miss Mary Virginia Wood of Staunton were married in Staunton on December 21st at the residence of the bride's mother by the Rev. J. I. Miller.
(Names in announcement: Thomas Randolph Henning, Mary Virginia Wood, Rev. J. I. Miller)

Married
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Summary: M. Erskine Miller of Huntsville, Alabama, and Miss Harriet Echols, daughter of John Echols of Staunton, were married in Trinity Church on December 15th by the Rev. J. A. Latane.
(Names in announcement: M. Erskine Miller, Harriet Echols, John Echols, Rev. J. A. Latane)

Married
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Summary: G. W. Stogdale and Miss Maggie J. Brown, both of Augusta, were married near Parnassus on December 15th by the Rev. G. W. Hott.
(Names in announcement: G. W. Stogdale, Maggie J. Brown, Rev. G. W. Hott)

Married
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Summary: James P. Hawkins of Danville and Miss Pheilipina Behn McDowell, formerly of Charleston, S.C., were married in Staunton at the residence of Richard Hawkins on December 19th by the Rev. William H. Williams.
(Names in announcement: James P. Hawkins, Pheilipina Behn McDowell, Richard Hawkins, William H. Williams)

Married
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Summary: Dr. W. B. Conway of Weyer's Cave and Miss Julia E. Thomas, daughter of Col. William Thomas, were married in Blacksburg on December 14th by the Rev. W. F. Wilhelm.
(Names in announcement: Dr. W. B. Conway, Julia E. Thomas, Col. William Thomas, Rev. W. F. Wilhelm)

Married
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Summary: Franklin Bell and Miss Esta C. Trotter, daughter of the late Archie Trotter, all of Augusta, were married on November 22nd at the residence of the bride's uncle, Cyrus Brown, by the Rev. Isaac Handy.
(Names in announcement: Franklin Bell, Esta C. Trotter, Archie Trotter, Cyrus Brown, Rev. Isaac Handy)

Married
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Summary: Harrison Ross and Miss Catharine M. Switzer, both of Augusta, were married near Salem Church on December 15th by the Rev. Levi Garber.
(Names in announcement: Harrison Ross, Catharine M. Switzer, Levi Garber)

Married
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Summary: George P. Sheets and Miss Margaret C. Shiflett, both of Augusta, were married on December 21st at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev. C. Beard.
(Names in announcement: George P. Sheets, Margaret C. Shiflett, Rev. C. Beard)