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Valley Virginian: July 17, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Situation
(Column 02)

Summary: This editorial comments on the new Military Bill which allegedly gives District Commanders despotic power over the South. The paper encourages readers to have hope, and to work for material prosperity despite the difficult political situation.

Full Text of Article:

To a people situated as we are this heading can have but one attraction--they want to know the worst. We publish, to-day, the supplement to the old Military Bill, a forced construction of that bill, by the Congress now in session. It virtually deposes the President, and he is powerless, or thinks he is. It gives to Military Commanders South dictatorial powers, and not only endorses all their acts but gives them, subject only to General Grant, powers never before granted to men in this much glorified Republic, whose corner stone was the "consent of the governed." This is hard; it is hard for a people, once proud, prosperous and free, to submit to this harsh decision of the conqueror but, then, it really gives the District Commanders no more power than they have heretofore exercised, and it would ill become a people who have suffered so much for the right, to give up in despair or doubts its final triumph. Every new order to the South only goes to show the weakness of the party in power North, while the bounteous provisions a merciful God has vouchsafed to us, for our material comfort, shows that He, who doeth all things well, has not given us over, forever, to our enemies.

We should recollect that, with all our trials, we are blessed above many people on this earth, and that there are indications which bid us be of "good cheer," for the end is not yet. Some of the Southern leaders are blindly running into the Radical party for safety from imagined evils to come, or rather they are trying to rush in; others are laying back, waiting for "something to turn up," but none of them truly represent the great mass. The people are at work, they have generally registered and obeyed orders to the letter, and, when the time comes for action, at the elections, the country will be surprised at the result. This hard struggle for existence; this terrible fight against fate, has had one good effect. It has kept our people from all the political complications--ready to act as circumstances may dictate in the future.

Let the people continue to work for their material advancement, regardless of the ravings of madmen North or the whining crys of the weak at home: let them obey orders, and frown down parties in the South--always remembering that material prosperity brings political strength; and that causes are at work, which will surely, so surely as God is Just, bring them the "reward" promised for works faithfully performed and suffering patiently endured.

The "Valley Virginian" Enlarged
(Column 02)

Summary: The editors of the Valley Virginian announce that the paper has been expanded in size and reduced in cost. It will add more selection to enhance the "literary character" of the paper. "The 'Virginian,' born amidst the poverty and desolation of its people, determined 'to keep pace with their giant strides in the material development of the great Valley.'"

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The wheat crop is expected to bring in 200,000,000 bushels, "about a barrel and a third of flour for every inhabitant," making it the largest ever.

Congressional--The New Reconstruction Bill So-Called
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper prints a copy of the new Reconstruction Bill outlining the powers of the military district commanders.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Over 900 visitors arrived at Staunton hotels in the past two days.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Hams are in demand in Staunton and going for 1 shilling a pound.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Baseball is reportedly very popular in the Valley.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Internal Revenue Service collected $150,216.08 in the district including Staunton for the year ending in June. "Our fore-fathers fought against taxation without representation."

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: Northern men, especially from Pennsylvania, travel through the Valley daily looking to buy homes.

Registration in Augusta
(Column 03)

Summary: The voter registration totals to date are as follows: Staunton 1st District, 380 whites, 184 blacks; Staunton 2nd District, 466 whites, 258 blacks; Middlebrook, 401 whites, 123 blacks; Greenville, 123 whites, 123 blacks; Waynesboro, 470 whites, 221 blacks. At Greensville and Waynesboro 23 whites and no blacks were rejected. This brings the county total to 2423 whites and 1015 blacks, a white majority of 1015. Four districts are still to report which are expected to augment the white majority.

A Census
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper calls for a census "not only to prevent registration frauds, but to show us where we are, in population." The editors suggest that the chief of police and his deputies could take it at minimal cost. "We want an alphabetical list of all the white and black male adults in the town."