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

Valley Virginian: October 21, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Beauties of Radicalism
(Column 01)

Summary: This article calls for all citizens to support the Democratic party against the radicals. If not, the author suggests, poverty stricken white southerners will continue to suffer the wrath of radicals. They will continue to go hungry, perhaps die in great numbers, while the radicals provide only for negroes. Doing nothing is tantamount to supporting the Republicans.

Full Text of Article:

As will be seen in this issue, the wife of a poor mechanic in the city of Richmond a short time ago died of starvation. It is a sad thing to have a human being die from want in a Christian community, but we have no doubt that ere the close of this winter there will be many a poor mortal carried to his last resting place for the want of bread. It cannot be otherwise so long as the Radical party have control of the Government. It was as much as the poor man could do to maintain his family when the negroes were compelled to work and their masters had to pay tax on them, but the poor man now is taxed to perpetuate the most abominable nuisance that ever existed in this or any country--the Freedmens' bureau--while the negro pays very little, if any tax. We do not wonder at poor white people starving, nor will we so long as the bread is taken out of their mouths and put in those of the negro, and bond holder. There will, there must be a change in some way. For while our sufferings are almost unbearable, those of the people of North and South Carolina are a thousand times worse; depredations of the most appalling character are perpetuated upon the persons of both sex, old and young. Can this state of affairs be continued for any length of time? We think not, for while the brave men of those States, if permitted, will be good, law-abiding citizens, they are not going to submit to treatment of this kind, as peacefully as the "trooly loil" would have them to.

We should not be despondent because of the partial success of Radicalism in the States of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Nebraska, but work harder for the success of the Democratic party. Should our people give up all hope of electing the Democratic nominees, and do nothing towards aiding them, they will not only act in accordance with the wishes of the Republicans but will turn a deaf ear to the cries of the women and children who were committed to their care by those heroic, self sacrificing men who yielded up their lives on Southern battle fields.

The Commercial Convention at Norfolk
(Column 01)

Summary: The delegates at the Norfolk commercial convention will be discussing ways to link Virginia to the Ohio River.

The Contest
(Column 02)

Summary: This report of a Washington Evening Express article informs readers that the "Democratic party will save the country." Even though there is evidence that Radicals hold a "nominal majority" in the "great states," the presidential election is far from decided. This article calls for all conservatives to press on. Only with a Democratic victory will free institutions continue to exist.

Full Text of Article:

The Washington Evening Express, of the 16, instant says:--We have seen as yet nothing to discourage us. The opposing statesmen must, at any rate, lean upon us. The Democratic party, true to its mission, will yet save the country. Our opponents feel at this moment of apparent triumph more than ever the absolute necessity of our strength and help.--Of the prospects before us, it also says:

We notice with regret that the New York World suggests a change of candidates, meaning probably, the nomination of Judge Chase. Not a few of our friends have suspected that the World was not heartily for the nominations made by the party, and its course, in pressing even now the adoption of its candidates, who could not be supported by the Democratic party, except for the sake of carrying the election at the expense of its principles, goes far to justify the distrust commonly entertained. No practical mind, upon serious reflection, could entertain a hope of rallying the party for the World's candidates even if we had six months before us to do the work in. The attempt in present circumstances can only be attended with disaster. Nor does the paper in this moment speak for any one having the confidence of the party. Tilden, Belmont, and Schell, the representative men of the party in the city of New York, will discard all responsibility for this foolish freak of the World --to call it by no worse a name.

And why are we called on at this time to surrender? By the World's own showing we have not lost the field. By concentrating all the resources of the corrupt money ring which controls the Government in the great States, the Radicals may have a nominal majority in each of them. But this does not decide the Presidential election. In November the battle has to be fought over this whole Union. We shall then have a much fairer election than we had Tuesday last. It is the duty of every earnest Democrat and Conservative to press on the good work. Now is the time for a renewed vigorous charge all along the line. Our friends must not for one moment mistrust the future. We are the party of the people, and embody the majority of that race which created the Government and upon whom alone its perpetuity depends. We must continue to stand together for the sake of the country and its free institutions. It will be impossible to overthrow them whilst we do so.

More Room
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper argues that in order to supply demand, 40 new stores and 100 new dwelling houses are needed in Staunton. The editors urge formation of a joint stock company to undertake construction projects.

Oyster Supper
(Column 01)

Summary: The ladies of the Baptist Church will give an oyster supper every day during the agricultural fair. Proceeds will benefit their church.

Staunton Ahead
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper remarks on the large numbers of babies in Staunton.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Rice's Minstrel Troop is coming to perform in Staunton. "The troop embrace a number of first class performers, including the funny Rice himself."

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Some of the best musicians in Staunton will give a concert to raise funds to enclose the Episcopal Church yard, that for a long time served as Staunton's only cemetery.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: This reproduction of an article from the Lexington Gazette describes the well being of the people of Staunton owing to the railroad. Staunton is a growing and prosperous town, the article says, and it would do the people of Lexington no harm to adopt some Stauntonian "go-aheaditiveness."

Full Text of Article:

The Lexington Gazette says of Staunton and the Stauntonians:--it really might be of great service to some of our self-satisfied and over contented townsmen of Lexington, to visit our enterprising little neighboring "city" of Staunton--better known as the county seat of Augusta county. There is a certain go-aheaditiveness about the place, the contagion of which couldn't do Lexington any harm. One thing that we admire about Staunton and the Staunton people, is the supreme complacency with which they pass through life. Everybody in Staunton seems to be certain that Staunton is the first place upon the continent, and that it is going to be the first town on the planet. With what unutterable condescension do they look upon the little villages of Lexington and Charlottesville. "Sir," said one of the most intelligent of all the Stauntonians to a friend of ours, a few days since--"Sir, we have a very prosperous town, but if Washington College and the Military Institute had been located here, our city would extend to Harrisonburg. Sir, they ought to have been located here." Staunton really is a growing town. Its population is estimated to have increased more than 2,000 since the war, and its capital and enterprise have increased proportionately. The secret of all this is said to be the railroad. We must have a railroad too. Let our business men and farmers and mechanics make the proper exertions, and we shall have one. $300,000 from Rockbridge county to the Valley Railroad, and it will be made.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: After a series of robberies in the Staunton business district, amounting to the loss of several hundred dollars in property, the author proposes that local businessmen contribute to a fund set aside to pay a night security officer. The "one or more" security agents would enhance to small number of Staunton policemen and work to prevent future crime in the area.

Full Text of Article:

Now is the time of the year when those worthless, lazy vagabonds, who have been lounging about all summer when there was plenty of work to do, and would not, will begin to commit their thieving depredation throughout the county, and it behooves the business men of this and every community, to be on their watch, lest at the still hour of the night they may find themselves minus their hard wrought earnings. Hardly an exchange can we pick up but we read of house-breaking, robberies, &c., without number, and already we have had a call at their hands. On Wednesday night of last week Messrs. Taylor & Powell's store, on Main street, was broken into and goods to the amount of several hundred dollars worth were taken therefrom, and, as yet, no clue to the perpetrators. Taking into consideration the limited number of police in the city--scarcely composed of a corporal's guard--it is surprising that more depredations of a similar character have not taken place, as it is utterly beyond the power of the police, and too great a tax upon them to watch the city both day and night, and unless something is done, and that soon, we may expect to hear of numerous instances of this kind.

It is known that a large number of convicts from the penitentiary have lately escaped from the line of the Ohio & Chesapeake Railroad, as also on their transit to that place, and it is doubtless true that some of them are lurking in this vicinity, "seeking whom they may devour;" and lest we may be devoured, we should at once take the initiatory steps to prevent it.

What we would propose to suggest is, that the business men should call a meeting to hire out one or more efficient secret night-watch, and devise means for that purpose, whose duty it will be to patrol the streets during the night, at all hours, and see that everything is right. The sum to be contributed, would be small per week to each business man, and might be the means of saving them hundreds of dollars. We wait patiently to hear what steps may be taken in the premises.

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: Thomas Eubank and Miss Annie E. Proffett, both of Augusta, were married near Churchville on October 8th by the Rev. A. A. P. Neel.
(Names in announcement: Thomas Eubank, Annie E. Proffett, Rev. A. A. P. Neel)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: William Tanner and Miss Mary Susan Cook, both of Augusta, were married near Staunton at the residence of Mr. E. W. Schott on October 15th by the Rev. George B. Taylor.
(Names in announcement: William Tanner, Mary Susan Cook, E. W. Schott, Rev. George B. Taylor)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: C. E. Hodge of Staunton and Miss A. B. French of Abingdon were married in Abingdon on October 15th by the Rev. James McChain.
(Names in announcement: C. E. Hodge, A. B. French, Rev. James McChain)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Emma C. Booz, wife of J. W. Booz and daughter of C. D. McGhee of Bedford County, died in Staunton on October 19th. She was 24 years old. "Thus early in life was this young wife and mother called from earth to Heaven. Cut down like a flower that had scarcely bloomed; taken from loved ones who so much needed her care; deeply mysterious indeed, seems this dark dispensation of Providence to surviving relatives and friends. 'Thou knowest not now, but shall know hereafter,' speaks the Saviour to all earth's mourners; and though we cannot see why God's hand should be so heavily laid on us, as in taking away a mother from her two helpless babes; a wife from a fond husband; yet in the light of Eternity, in the better land, it will be made plain. The deceased was a member of the Presbyterian Church, and those who knew her best, testify to her pious life, her gentle, amiable disposition; and though it was not permitted her to recognize the loved faces around her bed-side, yet they can have the comfortable assurance, all is well with her; she now rests in the heavenly home."
(Names in announcement: Emma C. Booz, J. W. Booz, C. D. McGhee)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: George H. Conklin died in Staunton on October 18th. He was 57 years old.
(Names in announcement: George H. Conklin)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Braxton Davis died in his Waynesboro residence on October 12th. He was 74 years old.
(Names in announcement: Braxton Davis)