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

Valley Virginian: February 27, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

A Few Plain Facts
(Column 02)

Summary: This editorial argues that the North, not the South, has violated the terms of the surrender at Appomattox by passing the Military Reconstruction Bill. The South is in the right, and has thus far lived up to its pledge, as well as all the other requirements imposed by Congress. The only way to resist radical reconstruction and regain political rights lies in a unified effort at restoring material prosperity to the South.

Full Text of Article:

Truth never dies and, disguise them as you please, facts will make themselves known in spite of everything, so long as the press is free. Our people are now exercising themselves over the last bills of Congress and never look at the past. Some are even so unthinking as to blame the Southern press for all the ills and oppressions showered on us by the Radicals. They say "the papers did it" and never recollect that the press stood up for their rights when every other channel of thought was closed; they forget that the much abused "newspaper" is merely an expression of their sentiments; of the thoughts and feelings of the great mass of the Southern people; the defender of their rights and the recorder of their past heroism. It stands in the front from day to day and fearlessly gives expression to the sentiments of a people. There may be evils in the press, still, the good overbalances them.

But to the facts, the truth of history which timid people should not forget and the brave ponder over. The Military bill, which we publish to-day, may be enforced and an odious tyranny forced upon a disarmed people. At present we cannot resist it, but it is consoling to know and feel we are in the right; that nothing we, as a people, have done since the surrender at Appomatox Court-House, gives the mob at Washington the slightest shadow of an excuse for the cowardly blows they strike us. On the 9th of April, 1865, General Lee surrendered. The terms of that surrender were simple: The soldiers were given a written parole, which said they, in consideration of their pledge, not to take up arms, were "permitted to return to their homes and remain unmolested and undisturbed." The faith of the U. S. Government; the honor of its armies was pledged to keep this compact inviolate. This Military bill violates that pledge, for it "molests and disturbs us." Next, Andrew Johnson, President of the United States, offered Amnesty and restoration to all rights, on condition of taking a prescribed oath. It was taken and has been kept in good faith. Then we were asked to elect members to Congress; to reorganize our States, by legally abolishing slavery; to repudiate just debts, &c. Those things were done, bitter as the pills were to swallow. The laws have been obeyed; the Freedmen protected; our part of the contract faithfully carried out, and we see the result of our faithful obedience to the laws of the United States, in the bill which has just passed Congress.

These are plain facts, patent to every one and they can not be too often repeated; for in the "hurly-burly" of such times as these, men are apt to give even the right away for expediency. Never did the Southern people need all their native manhood; all their pride of character so much as now. And their course is simple. We must endure the evils inflicted on us by a base and cowardly foe, and work out of our troubles. Material prosperity will bring political independence. We are poor and abused now, but we have a climate; a soil and resources such as no people ever had, and we must hold to them. Our position is strong for it is right, and the right must prevail in the end. We have faced too many horrors and endured too much, to despond or give back now. Look up! labor with head and hands; be charitable to one another, press no man; all work together and for one grand object, the practical independence of the South, and the day is not far distant when we can bid defiance to the most accursed tyranny ever endured by a brave but unfortunate people.

The Military Bill
(Column 02)

Summary: This excerpt from the Richmond Times points out that under the new Military Bill, Virginia cannot "avoid almost immediate negro equality at the ballot-box." The article urges lawyers to challenge the bill in the Supreme Court, the only "refuge" for the white South.

Full Text of Article:

The Richmond Times truly says: "If this bill becomes a law, at the Virginia elections, in May next, for Governor, Lieutenant-Governor, Attorney General and members of the General Assembly, every male negro in Virginia above the age of twenty-one will be entitled to vote. Nor are we permitted to allow this election to go by default, for the Alexandria Constitution provides that these elections shall take place in May next. We are denied the privilege of seeking refuge in a purely military despotism by the abolition of this provisional government, for it rests with the Federal Government, and not with ourselves, to determine whether this State government shall be continued or abolished.

Whether, therefore, we adopt the "constitutional amendment," with negro suffrage, and Constitutional representation "annexed," or prefer to continue as we are, we cannot, if SHERMAN's bill becomes a law, avoid almost immediate negro equality at the ballot-box.

The Alexandria Constitution says we shall have certain elections in the spring, and the SHERMAN bill says that, at those elections, all male negroes twenty-one years of age shall be allowed to vote.

We lose no time in pointing out to our readers the horns of the dilemma upon which this bill impales us. It allows no refuge from negro suffrage, and there is no escape except through the agency of the Supreme Court.

The monstrous features of this bill should at once receive the attention of the ablest lawyers of the General Assembly, and steps should be taken to have it brought under the fire of the Supreme Court where it will be thoroughly demolished."

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Spectator reports that N. K. Trout is planning to resign his position as Virginia State Senator for Augusta County. The Virginian suggests Col. Charles T. O'Ferrall as a replacement.
(Names in announcement: N. K. Trout, Col. Charles T. O'Ferrall)

Remember
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper "reminds" its readers that the South was is in the right, and no concessions will halt the "despotism" imposed by the Radicals.

Full Text of Article:

First, That there has not been a pledge made to us by the Radicals which has not been broken.

Second, That no concession on our part will satisfy them, for they intend to hold the power, as long as they can, and they don't want or intend us to come back into the Union.

Third, That we are right and our only hope and strength is in working and sticking together.

Fourth, That our struggle for Independence is justified by every act of Congress since the war.

Fifth, That the greatest material prosperity can be attained under the most grinding despotism, with our resources--and that the brave do not despond, but meet the "situation" and overcome it by WORK. "The darkest hour is just before dawn!"--And while we are not in favor of making any concessions, we must meet "the situation," negro suffrage and all, if forced upon us, and we are convinced that the best plan is for the Legislature to call a Convention under the Military Act, (if it becomes law, 'so called,') and take every advantage of it we can. If true men do not, rascals will.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper comments that the "matrimonial epidemic" has again broken out in the Valley.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: 372,000 pounds of freight was shipped from Augusta via Staunton on the Virginia Central Rail Road in the past week. 500,000 pounds still await shipment.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The African American Bethel Church Choir will give an exhibition at the town hall. Admission is 25 cents.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Samuel Sterling, U. S. Collector for the district including Augusta, reports that $222,017.69 was collected in taxes for the year ending June 30th, 1866. "And this 'is the best government the world ever saw!'"
(Names in announcement: Samuel Sterling)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: This excerpt from the Memphis Ledger jokes that "the reason so many marriages occur immediately after a great war, is that bachelors become so accustomed to strife that they learn to like it, and after the return of peace they enlist in matrimony as the next thing to war."

Clean Up
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper urges Staunton residents to clean their back yards and the streets. "Lime should be used plentifully, and 'every man and his wife,' should see that they are not responsible if the cholera should visit us."

The Memorial Fair
(Column 03)

Summary: The ladies of Staunton plan to have a fair and give a dinner on March 4th. Charley Arnall is accepting contributions. "Don't say you 'can't do anything,' but go to work and pay the debt you owe the heroes who 'sleep their last sleep' on that barren hillside. Our word for it, your sleep will be sounder and your dreams sweeter when you have performed this sacred duty."
(Names in announcement: Charley Arnall)

County Court--Feb. Term
(Column 03)

Summary: The February term of the County Court met, J. Marshall McCue presiding. George Harland, the jailor, was appointed Commissioner of Public Buildings. H. M. Bell, John Parris, and N. D. Poe renewed their bonds as Notaries Public. William Bird, Thomas Brent, and John Cary, "colored," were charged with felony and discharged. John H. Bird, "colored," was charged with felony and remanded to Circuit Court for trial. W. Wilson, "colored," was tried for felony.
(Names in announcement: J. Marshall McCue, George Harland, H. M. Bell, John Parris, N. D. Poe, William Bird, Thomas Brent, John Cary, John H. Bird, W. Wilson)

"West Virginia"
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper prints a letter from a "white man" living in West Virginia who declares that the state "is no longer a home for white men" as it is subject to the "rule of radical mongrelism over those who, at one time, considered themselves white. Mixed society is an abomination to me, and I long to be out of it." The paper calls for "a careful perusal by those who still foolishly think the Valley will ever join her fortunes to this 'Bastard.'"

Marriages
(Column 04)

Summary: William Wholey, of the Stonewall Birgade, and Miss Hannah Collins, of Staunton, were married on February 27th at St. Frances Church by the Rev. Father Farran.
(Names in announcement: William Wholey, Hannah Collins, Father Farran)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Ephrain Kerr, aged 67 years, died near New Hope on February 9th.
(Names in announcement: Ephrain Kerr)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Miss Jane Kerr, aged 66 years, died at New Hope on February 10th.
(Names in announcement: Jane Kerr)