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Valley Virginian: July 25, 1866 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper reports that the Radicals are practicing religious persecution in Missouri.

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper endorses Stevens for Senate from Pennsylvania because he is an "open enemy" while his opponent, Forney, is a "sneak."

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper denounces Northern cities for sending "large quantities of relief supplies" to victims of a fire in Portland, Maine, while there are "thousands of 'colored people' in the South who have not yet been supplied with spelling books."

Staunton Office and Our Mail Lines
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Summary: The paper prints an exchange of letters between the Staunton postmaster A. T. Maupin and the editor of the Gazette and Banner. The two argued over allegations that Maupin's post office was responsible for slow mails in Lexington.
(Names in announcement: A. T. Maupin)

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper reports that General Grant "has issued an order directing the district and post commanders in the Southern States to arrest all persons who have been, or may hereafter be charged with commission of crimes and offences against officers, agents, citizens and inhabitants of the United States, irrespective of color, in cases where the authorities have neglected or are unable to arrest and bring the parties to trial. The offenders are kept in military confinement until such time as a proper tribunal may be ready and willing to try them."

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper reports that an African American in Gilmer county, West Virginia is suing the clerk of the county court for denying to issue a marriage license for his marriage to a white woman. "Could she have been a resident or imported? In either case, we think the Clerk, by refusing, was doing his best to keep the 'nig' out of bad company."

[No Title]
(Column 05)

Summary: This article encourages all Virginia farmers to invest in and support the Southern Fertilizing Company, newly founded in Richmond. The Company is a "home enterprise" that promises to help develop the prosperity of the State.

Origin of Article: Richmond Enquirer

[No Title]
(Column 06)

Summary: This article reports "a most atrocious outrage" committed at Wilcox's Landing on the James River. Six black men allegedly robbed a storehouse after assaulting the owners.

Origin of Article: Richmond Enquirer

The Tables Turned
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Summary: The paper prints a story of a Freedman in Demopolis, Alabama, who inquired for his missing employer at the Freedman's Bureau. The man had fled his lands after realizing he could not make money on his crop.

The Conservative Convention
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Summary: This editorial comes out in favor of the goals of the Philadelphia convention, which involve uniting all conservative politicians against the Republican Congress. The paper, however, argues against sending a formal delegation from the South since it could lead to disagreement between war and peace Democrats and disruption of the convention.

Full Text of Article:

The Great National Union Convention called to meet at Philadelphia on the 14th of August, is exciting profound interest and much comment throughout the country, North and South. The general policy of the Southern States in the coming political struggles, is, we think, so plain that they cannot go amiss. But two political parties at present divide the nation, and the South must choose between them. One, the Radical disunion faction which threatens the utter destruction of the country, and the establishment of a hideous irresponsible mob despotism upon the ruins of a free Constitutional Republic; the other is composed of all those who are opposed to the destructive policy of this faction, and it is the object, as we understand it, of the Philadelphia Convention to mould and shape into one powerful organization all these, at present, scattered and disjointed elements of conservatism. Such an object must meet with the cordial approval of every well-wisher of the country, and especially is it the duty as well as the interest of the Southern people to forward by every means in their power a "consummation" so "devoutly to be wished for."

The advantage to the country of the consolidation of all the conservative elements North, is beyond doubt. The only question for us, is how can WE best advance that end. Taking this view of the matter, we very much doubt the propriety and sound policy of sending a formal delegation to represent us on the floor of that convention. To send men (and if representative men, of such this delegation must be composed) who a little more than twelve months ago, were, in the current cant of the day, rebels of the deepest dye; who fought and labored for the success of the Southern cause and the disruption of the Federal Union; who yet protest the purity of their motives, and see no reason to doubt the righteousness of the cause for which they suffered, and the loss of which they mourn--to meet in council and debate, northern men, the majority of whom, no matter how conservative, no matter how willing to "let the dead past bury its dead," still believe and assert that we have been conscious Rebels, warring against "the best government the sun ever shone upon," and only reinstated to the rights of citizenship by the pardoning power of the President--any attempt to unite in council and debate such irreconcilable elements is fraught with imminent danger to the ends for which we all hope and labor. It is next to impossible that gentlemen differing so radically as to the stirring and all absorbing events of the last five years can meet in political debate without heated and angry crimination and recrimination, which would most probably end in the disruption of the Convention and the consequent failure or at least postponement of the movement for which it was convened. It is hardly probably that moderate Republicans and war Democrats will listen with patience to the enunciation of the Southern idea of the causes of the war, the rights of the States, and the utter and scornful repudiation by the disfranchised States of the right of Congress or any other existing body to proscribe extra constitutional test oaths as the condition precedent to the admission of representatives, and it is absolutely certain that Southern gentlemen could never sit mute under the torrent of tom-foolery about Union, loyalty and treason which must be jabbered by any politician who hopes to catch the ear of the Northern people.

For these and other reasons grave doubts present themselves to our mind as to the policy of our sending a formal delegation to Philadelphia. But as the call for the assembling of that convention unfortunately, in our opinion, includes the Southern States, it is incumbent upon us to respond in such a manner as will assure the Conservatives of the North of our earnest co-operation in any movement which has for its object the final settlement of the difficulties between the sections and the restoration, or rather re-establishment of the government on a firm constitutional basis; for the radical despotism now enthroned at Washington can hardly be termed more than a miserable burlesque on constitutional Republicanism.

In view of all the difficulties and perplexities of the question, we would earnestly endorse the suggestion of many of the ablest of our exchanges, that instead of sending delegates to the floor of the Convention we should content ourselves with commissioning a few of our best representative men to attend the Convention as a corps of observation, to assure our friends there of our sympathy in the movement, and cordial co-operation in any action which may be initiated on a sound, constitutional platform.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports that Lindsey Mitchell and William Murray, two Freedmen committed to jail for larceny, escaped on Sunday night by sawing through the grating.
(Names in announcement: Lindsey Mitchell, William Murray)

Civil War
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Summary: This editorial discusses the prospects of a second civil war. It argues that the country is drifting toward armed conflict between Radical Republicans and conservatives North and South.

Full Text of Article:

The predictions of a civil war in the North soon to be inaugurated, come upon us thick and fast, and from some of the most prominent politicians of that section. The remarks of Mr. Raymond, says the Lynchburg News of the 21st, copied yesterday, tell us, in so many words, that in the event of a Radical triumph this Fall, such a war is inevitable. Mr. Blair also raises the voice of warning, and foreshadows the impending contest. In addressing the students of Yale College last week, General Sherman said, "I tell you that before you pass from the stage there will be fighting in comparison with which mine will seem slight, and I have had enough."

When the contest commences it will be no mere sectional war like that between the North and South, but will be strictly and truly a "civil war." The battle will be among Northern men, neighbors, friends, brothers and relatives, and will be waged with all the intensity of hate, and all the unrelenting ferocity, which ever characterized such internecine strifes. On one side will be arrayed all the elements of Radicalism, all the cohorts of Jacobinism--on the other the friends of the Constitution, of law, and of order. It will not be difficult for the South to decide what part she will take in such a contest.

The "signs of the times" at the North--the warnings of her prominent public men--the mad fanaticism which rules the hour--the unconstitutional, illiberal, unjust and aggressive spirit, which pervades the Jacobin majority in Congress, and to a large extent the popular mind of the North, all tend to force upon us the conclusion that this country is fast drifting into chaos of anarchy, and is destined to add another to the long list of examples, which history furnishes, both in ancient and modern times, that republics are short lived. Let us hope that it may be otherwise. Let us hope that the returning good sense of the people of the North, will avert the impending calamity, and save the country from a scene of bloodshed and carnage, unparalleled in the annals of the world.

Southern Women
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Summary: The paper reprints this article from the N. Y. News honoring Southern women.

Origin of Article: N. Y. News

Full Text of Article:

Speaking of the conduct of the women of the South during the war, Forney thus shows up their iniquities: "Between the roar of the first gun and shriek of the last victim they displayed an indomitable energy, a fertility of resource, a boundless enthusiasm, a contempt for danger, a hatred to the North and a devotion to the South which found no parallel among the sternest who mounted the deadly breach or aimed the deadlier shot. If a political meeting was called and only three attended, one was a woman; if praises, prayers and blessings were required, women performed the pleasing duty, with a feeling and pathos that were exceeded in fervor only by the curses they showered upon their opponents and faint-hearted countrymen; from the beardless youth to the gray-haired sire, there was none able to resist their graciousness, their charms, their smiles, their tears, their love, but above all their scorns, sarcasm and contempt."

It never has been the habit of the women of the South to attend political meetings, and we have never heard that they did so during the war. But the other charges brought against them are true--to their immortal honor be it said. The fervent love of country, the devotion to principle, the unaffected piety, the generous self-sacrifice, the calm courage, the womanly tenderness, the unflinching fortitude they exhibited whenever circumstances provoked their exercise, which this man Forney imputes as crimes to the women of the South, will form their crown of glory in ages to come. And long, long after Forney shall have gone down

"To the vile dust from which he sprang,
Unwept, unhonored, and unsung."

Poetry and Art shall combine to do honor to the memory of that splendid sisterhood--the "Women of the South."--N. Y. News.

The Travel
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Summary: The paper reports that cars full of travelers are constantly going west, and visitors to Staunton hotels are increasing. 368 arrived in the past week; 208 at the American and 160 at the Virginia. In addition, there are 175 visitors at Rockbridge Alum and 75 at Rockbridge Baths. "The other watering places have a good number and the mountains are filling up."

[No Title]
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Summary: The editors wonder what the Street Commissioner is doing to carry out the orders of the Town Council that the streets be lighted with gas. "When it is dark it is dangerous to walk about at night."

Curious
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Summary: The paper reports rumors of northerners offering $5 to ex-slaveholders for the rights to each emancipated slave.

The Barbacue at Greenville
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Summary: The paper reports on a successful barbecue at Greenville that entertained over 1000 people. Capt. James Bumgardner, Jr., Capt. Powell Harrison, and Y. Howe Peyton delivered speeches, the Stonewall Band provided music, and a medieval Tournament was held for the young people.
(Names in announcement: Capt. James Bumgardner, Capt. Powell Harrison, Y. Howe Peyton)

A Successful Surgical Operation
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Summary: Dr. A. M. Fauntleroy, of Staunton, assisted by Drs. Churchman, Watson, and Dr. Carter Berkeley, of Mint Spring, performed a successful tracheotomy upon the daughter of Deputy Sheriff Towberman, of Mint Spring. The young girl had swallowed a grain of corn which then lodged in her windpipe. The surgeons removed it. A tracheotomy had not been performed in Augusta county for 20 years, when Dr. Edmond Berkeley faced a similar case.
(Names in announcement: Dr. A. M. Fauntleroy, Dr. Churchman, Dr. Watson, Dr. Carter Berkeley, Sheriff Towberman, Dr. Edmond Berkeley)

A Hard Case
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Summary: The paper gloats over the lament of northerners that Confederate Generals such as Lee are more widely respected than Union heroes such as Sherman.

Full Text of Article:

The Radicals talk a great deal about making "treason odious and loyalty respectable" and Gen. Logan of Illinois, says that such men as Sherman should be made more respectable "morally, politically and socially" than Lee and others. It ain't in the "power of the die" to accomplish that object, even by a Constitutional amendment. Its hard on the Yankees, but some men will be gentlemen and be respected, while others will not.

[No Title]
(Column 05)

Summary: The paper reports that the National Republican, "as if speaking with the full authority of the President," declares that the Southern States will have their votes counted in the election of 1868. The article also predicted that "any attempt to prevent them from exercising their usual influence in choosing a President would 'provoke a conflict quite as irrepressible, if not as bloody, as that which has just been terminated.'"

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper relays a report from the Raleigh Sentinel that Confederate prisoners of war remain on Johnson's Island, "too sick to get away" and, since the government no longer provides transportation, "without means of travelling to their homes." The editors ask: "While we are decorating the graves of the dead, cannot something be done to help these living victims of cruel war?"

[No Title]
(Column 05)

Summary: The paper denounces as "a call for a mob" a statement of a Philadelphia newspaper warning southern delegates to the Philadelphia convention that the presence of "traitors and rebels" in the city may be more than citizens can stand.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that New Wheat is selling for $3 or $3.10 a bushel in Richmond.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reminds Staunton residents that "throwing dirt, dead dogs, cats, &c., on the street, any day but Saturday, will subject them to arrest and fine."

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper announces that Dr. J. R. Crockwell, formerly of Washington, D. C., and the Confederate Army has become a half-owner of the Valley Virginian.
(Names in announcement: Dr. J. R. Crockwell)

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper calls upon the celebrated Thespians of Harrisonburg to put on a show for the benefit of the Soldiers' Cemetery. They promise a "warm welcome."

Fast Driving
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Summary: Harris, an African American, was arrested by Sergeant Parrent for fast driving down Gospel Hill. He was fined $1 and costs by Mayor Trout.
(Names in announcement: Harris, Sergeant Parrent, Mayor Trout)

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper reports that "Lots of folks about here are getting married and they all seem to like it. A few hardened old sinners, of our acquaintance should follow the example so generally given in to-day's paper."

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper announces that the old 93rd Militia Regiment is organizing at Greenville. All persons who were members are required to attend, or face a $10 fine.

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper crows that Harrisonburg has imitated Staunton by forming a base ball club. "It shows they are progressing and waking up.--Where are you Lexington?"

Died
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Summary: Frances W. McFarland died on July 21st at the Augusta residence of his father, Rev. Dr. McFarland. Frances was a "gallant soldier, a brilliant writer and a true patriot. He died on the anniversary of the first battle of Manassas in which he played a conspicuous part. Peace to he ashes."
(Names in announcement: Frances W. McFarland, Rev. Dr. McFarland)

Marriages
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Summary: G. A. Gulley and Miss Lucy Keplinger, both of Charlottesville, were married in Staunton at the Virginia Hotel on July 19th.
(Names in announcement: G. A. Gulley, Lucy Keplinger)

Marriages
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Summary: George K. Harper and Miss Millie S. Bruce, both of Staunton, were married on July 19th by the Rev. W. E. Baker.
(Names in announcement: George K. Harper, Millie S. Bruce, Rev. W. E. Baker)

Deaths
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Summary: Simon Loeb died in Mobile on July 8th. He was 74 years old.
(Names in announcement: Simon Loeb)

Obituary
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Summary: The paper prints the obituary of Nelson Shelton, a freedman and former slave of Thomas J. Michie.
(Names in announcement: Nelson Shelton, Thomas J. Michie)

Full Text of Article:

A good man--an humble and consistent Christian, full of years, and conscious of duties well and faithfully performed, has passed from among us. On the 28th day of June 1866, Nelson Shelton, a freedman, formerly the servant of Thomas J. Michie, but for many years indulged in the practical enjoyment of his freedom, departed this life at the residence of his former master in Staunton, leaving an affectionate wife, and numerous descendants to mourn his loss. No man in any station could have acted out his part with more fidelity than did the subject of this notice. Kind and affectionate to those around him, honest and upright in all his dealings, a faithful and trusted servant, a loving and indulgent husband and father, he added to all these graces, that of an humble Christian, having a full trust in the merits of a crucified Saviour, and died in perfect peace.

His old master who had known him well for forty years and was a witness of his excellencies, renders this tribute to his honored memory.