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

Valley Virginian: September 18, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Political "Situation."
(Column 02)

Summary: The Valley Virginian agrees with an excerpt from the Baltimore Gazette that argues that the conservative and radical wings of the Republican party have come to a critical juncture in disagreement. If elections continue to trend conservative, President Johnson may claim victory in the end and "save the Constitution and civil liberty."

Full Text of Article:

The Southern people have been taught by oppression and tyranny, an important lesson to watch, work and trust no party, but they like to know what others think about the situation of political affairs. We don't know what to think sometimes--things change so rapidly now-a-days, but the following from the Baltimore Gazette seems to come about to the point:

"In national affairs a crisis has been reached which threatens to culminate in the total overthrow of either the extreme or the more conservative wing of the dominant party, and which may result in the restoration of the Constitution, or the deposition of the President and another and a madder epoch of revolution and anarchy. The Radical party has in the recent elections the strongest incentives to action, for it cannot venture to carry out its scheme for the removal of the President unless it can show that it can still carry with it, as it has done heretofore, a large majority of the people. It is in a situation where it can ill-afford to manifest any sign of weakness, and it has doubtless done its best. The result is that about fifteen thousand voters in Maine, who went with it only twelve months ago, have declined to adhere to its fortunes now. We cannot, therefore, regard the fact, especially when considered in connection with other indications, in any other light than as evidence of a reaction against the Radical revolutionary movement. If this be so, the same influences which have been at work in California, in Montana and in Maine must also have been quietly operating in Ohio and Pennsylvania, and will be productive of similar results. Elections are held in those States shortly, and we shall then know with certainty whether we are justified in the hope that the power of the Radicals has culminated and is on the wane. If the Ohio and Pennsylvania elections are of the same character as that which has just been held in Maine, Mr. Johnson will be master of the situation, and may even, in his way and time, save the Constitution and civil liberty."

Facts For Colored Folks
(Column 02)

Summary: This editorial advises the Freedmen to labor and avoid politics since white men in the North are more racist than those in the South. Many northern immigrants settle in the Valley because of its low black population, and don't want to be "bothered" by the race.

Full Text of Article:

There has been a comparatively large immigration of Northern people to the Valley; they have invested their money here and more are coming. They all wish to come South and prefer the Valley because the number of colored people is so small in proportion to the whites. The prejudice, of the working white man North, against the negro is intense and he is the man who will settle up the South. He, or his friends, fought for free white labor and they won. The first question a white immigrant from the North asks, is: "You aint bothered with the niggers here, are you?" Finding we, in the Valley, are not, he buys land and settles. These facts should teach colored folks something. They should study over them and make themselves the best laboring class in the world; they should stick to their old friends and avoid voting and politics.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that "opium eating" is prevalent in Staunton.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Travel is reportedly dull, with only 400 travellers in the mountains.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The peach crop in the Valley is "immense" and "much money has been made out of it. Every farmer should put out a good orchard."

Increase in Property Values
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper gives an example in the "general advance in Staunton" of property values. Twenty years ago, a man bought 2 1/2 acres of land near town. He made $3,000 off it and recently sold it in lots for $4,500.

Badly Needed
(Column 02)

Summary: The editors advocate building a sidewalk to Thornrose Cemetery. "It is a disgrace not to have one and a great inconvenience. The Street Commissioners will die some of these days, and they should prepare a walk for the mourning people who desire to follow them decently."

Marching
(Column 02)

Summary: A veteran of the Stonewall Brigade claims to have marched 36,243 1/8 miles during the war, and often passed sleeping in camp "Uncle Bob's Soldier" of Longstreet's Corps who bragged about his exploits the week before. The ordinance train of Jackson's corps allegedly travelled 15,000 miles in two years.

The Valley Railroad
(Column 02)

Summary: Construction on the Manassas Gap Railroad is reportedly progressing rapidly. Cars should run to Mount Jackson by Christmas, Harrisonburg by May, and Staunton by September, 1868.

Staunton's Quota For Washington College
(Column 03)

Summary: The following "recruits" from Staunton will be sent to "Uncle Bob" at Washington College this session: Plunket O'Ferrall, S. B. Mason, W. B. McChesney, Benjamin Crawford, Jr., Edward Echols and Francisco.
(Names in announcement: Plunket O'Ferrall, S. B. Mason, W. B. McChesney, Benjamin CrawfordJr., Edward Echols, Francisco)

Camp Meeting
(Column 03)

Summary: A successful camp meeting was held at Mt. Crawford. Only "a little misbehavior on the part of some young men who were excited on the 'spiritual question'" marred the event. A list of ministers present is included.
(Names in announcement: G. W. Statten, J. W. Howe, H. Bovey, C. B. Hammock, J. W. Kertcoff, J. C. Freed, A. M. Evers, J. W. Holt, J. L. Grim, H. Tallholm, C. T. Stern, George Huffman)

Land Sales and New Settlers in Virginia
(Column 01)

Summary: The Richmond Whig reports that an "imposing" amount of land has been quietly sold in Virginia. Most of the purchasers are from northern states. "Shrewd capitalists from the North and from abroad have explored the State, searched out the finest lands, and examined carefully into such as have the advantage of water power and contain coal and mineral deposits. The process of colonization and of individual settlement thus quietly going on is but the beginning of that tide which, in a few years, will sweep over the State, bringing an influx of capital and immigration that will place Virginia in the front rank of American States."

Origin of Article: Richmond Whig