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Valley Virginian: May 6, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The author of this article is concerned primarily with the upcoming presidential election. Like many others, he favors northern Democrats who support constitutional liberties of white men. As usual, the idea of Negro suffrage is regarded with contempt. Still, the author reminds his readers that they are obligated to a higher class of men, such as R.E. Lee. If one were to "discard considerations of policy or availability," then "principle" should trump all else and lead to the nomination of a member of the higher class.

Full Text of Article:

The following well put sentences of the Mobile Register so well express our sentiments in reference to the suicidal dissensions which are springing up in the ranks of the Northern Democracy, that we adopt them as our own. We can tell the New York World and the "War" Democracy on the one hand, and "Brick" Pomeroy and the "Peace" Democracy on the other, that neither need appeal to the Southern people in this unhappy controversy which, if persisted in, will prove so fatal to all our hopes and constitutional freedom on this continent. The first wish of the Southern people is to enter the canvass next fall to win, and it makes but very little difference to them who bears the standard, provided he stands on a platform of principle which will relieve us from negro suffrage, military domination, &c., and restore us to our equal rights in the Union.

"In the section where the La Crosse Democrat is published, the people may perhaps afford to sacrifice success to preference. They are not yet under the pressure of an unmitigated despotism; they are not in danger of negro domination; they are not walking on the edge of a social volcano; they can afford to indulge themselves in the luxury of making their own choices.

But the case is far different with us of the South. The interests dependent upon the success of the right in the next Presidential election are too momentous to permit us to regard the promptings of fancy or sentiment. Ultimate success is necessary to the salvation of the North, but it is indispensable to us that it should be immediate success: the alternative is ruin. The man who sneers at the idea of availability under these circumstances is a fool or a fanatic.

We fully admit the claims upon our admiration, respect, and support of these Northern men "who kept political faith and integrity" under all the trials and temptations of the late war. Our right hands would forget their cunning, and the pen would fall powerless form our fingers before we could forget or forsake them. But there is another class of men, whom people that talk like the assailants of Mr. Forsyth appear to forget, and to whom our obligations are still higher. This class includes Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, Joseph E. Johnston, and a few others of the same sort. If we are to discard all our considerations of policy or availability, why not go to the fountainhead of principle, or sentiment, and nominate one of those at once? Follow your principles, gentlemen, even if they take you out of the window."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper quotes the Richmond Examiner who argue that African Americans "are being led like sheep by the white carpet-baggers." Black men will supply the votes and white men will receive all the spoils.

What if the Senate becomes an Obstruction?
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Summary: The paper argues that Johnson was impeached and faces Senate trial because he was deemed an "obstruction" to the Republican agenda. The editors ask what should be done with the Senate when it proves an obstruction to the Democratic administration expected after the next election.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper asks "white people who wish to see the State made a hell on earth" to stay home on election day.

[No Title]
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Summary: The paper reports that 35 new members joined Staunton's Presbyterian Church, 33 by profession and 2 by certificate.

Lyceum
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Summary: The Staunton Lyceum decided that liberty of the press ought to be restricted in a Republican Government.
(Names in announcement: Col. Skinner, Capt. Pierce, Y. H. Peyton, Capt. Bumgardner, Col. Christian, Col. Baylor)

Staunton Thespians
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Summary: The Thespians will repeat their performance of "The Bride of Death."

A Quiet City
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Summary: The paper boasts that Staunton is one of the "most orderly places in the State" because everyone works and there "are no drones, of either color." Fires, robberies, and fighting are all largely absent.

Firemen's Parade
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Summary: The Staunton Fire Company and the Fire Company of the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institution paraded through Staunton joined by the Institution's band and a chariot drawn by four bays from the stable of Donovan and O'Toole.
(Names in announcement: Donovan, O'Toole)