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Valley Virginian: March 4, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Inauguration Day
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper announces that today is inauguration day for General Grant. "We shall soon know our fate. In other words, it will be 'sunshine or shade' in the South."

The New Movement
(Column 01)

Summary: Despite the title, this article digresses from a discussion of the new movement to a condemnation of the black Congressman from Louisiana. Monard, the author claims, rejects any special privilege due to color, yet acts on these privileges by taking financial compensation when his seat has been denied. Privilege of color has become an important question and includes what the author thinks of as the preposterous idea that God himself is black.

Full Text of Article:

The Richmond Whig, in speaking of this "special privilege," gives Congress a rather severe rap upon the knuckles. Wonder if some of the recently "converted" hereaways do not envy "friend" Monard in his "special privilege"--stink, money, and all?

Monsieur Monard, the colored gentleman who claimed a seat in Congress from Louisiana, made a speech the other day in support of his pretensions. He concluded by the condescending assurance that he "claimed no special privileges on account of his color." We are not told what effect this complimentary assurance and self-denial had upon the House; but while he was refused the seat to which he had no shadow of right, he was allowed $2,500--for what? For waving the privilege of his color? Well, what is that privilege? This is becoming an important and practical question. Some of the Wendell Phillips school tell us that the original man was black, and that, being made in the image of God, God himself was black, and that consequently the pale faces are degenerates, or, according to the Cincinnati philosopher, not human beings at all. We know not the authority for all this; but if true, we had better take back seats at once, and frankly recognize the privilege of color.

Another New Movement
(Column 01)

Summary: A group of gentlemen met in Washington to discuss plans for development of the South. Captain Hotchkiss attended. They called for putting material interest over political difference.

Southern Prosperity
(Column 02)

Summary: Article describing the abundant natural resources of the South.

The Newest "New Movement"
(Column 04)

Summary: Fervently attacking carpetbaggers, the author suggests Union men, scalawags, and other white southerners unite against the plundering "set of vultures." This is the best path to reconstruction. Following new movement logic, the author concludes that black suffrage is a political fact and should be accepted through making the best from bad circumstances. The carpetbagger is the real enemy, and those who give in to the radical party are only playing into the hands of vultures.

Full Text of Article:

When Henry A. Wise acted with the Whig party, his motto was "the union of Whigs for the sake of the Union." Now under existing circumstances would it not be well for the people of Virginia to rally under a banner bearing the motto, "the union of Virginians for the sake of Virginia."

The recent action of Congress in removing all the officers of the State who could not take the test oath was intended for a set of Carpet-baggers, and no sooner was the resolution passed in the House than thousands of them rushed to Richmond, ready to enjoy the feast prepared for them. And what has been the result so far? In nearly every instance all the offices that were supposed to be worth anything in the way of pickings had been given to the Carpet-baggers.--The native Union men and the Scalawags have been left out or put in such little and inferior offices as no Carpet-bagger would have or none could be found to fill. This is the case all over the State so far as I have been able to learn. And such will continue to be the case as long as the State remains under the present Carpet-bag dynasty.

Our native Union men, and even the Scalawags must see this, and feel it too, so far as their hopes and aspirations for office are concerned, and I submit this question to them: Is it not better to unite with your friends and neighbors--those whom you have known long and well--and who have respect for you and your honest opinion, than to longer affiliate with a set of vultures who have come down here from everywhere to prey upon the very vitals of your State and to eat up the substance of yourselves and neighbors?

These Carpet-baggers care not a whit for you or the fate of your State and people.--Their whole object is to plunder and they care not from whom so they get it. They own no property to be taxed or suffer in depreciation by the bad government they put upon us. Plunder is all they are here for and plunder they will have as long as they can get it.

The present seems to me the proper time for a reconciliation among those who have differed as to the proper course to pursue in regard to the reconstruction of the State.--A large portion of the conservative party has been forced to the conviction that negro suffrage is bound to be the basis upon which any reconstruction we can get must rest, and our entire people will soon come to the same conviction. What is the use then of any portion of our people uniting themselves with the Radical party, and playing into the hands of the Carpet-baggers? It is like "cutting off your nose to spite your face." --Correspondence of Fincastle Herald

Temperance
(Column 01)

Summary: James W. Baldwin will speak before Staunton's Temperance Council, No. 47.
(Names in announcement: James W. Baldwin)

Sibert Co.
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports that ground has been broken at Buffalo Gap for one of three furnaces that will make up Sibert Steel. Workers are chopping wood, "ore is convenient and abundant, and friend Sibert in the best of spirits. What a change in the appearance of things in that section may we expect."

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: John C. Valentine of Augusta and Miss Sarah F. Burgess of Albemarle were married on February 18th by the Rev. Mr. Bowman.
(Names in announcement: John C. Valentine, Sarah F. Burgess, Rev. Bowman)

Marriages
(Column 03)

Summary: William B. Garber and Nancy J. Grove, both of Augusta, were married on February 18th by the Rev. Martin Garber.
(Names in announcement: William B. Garber, Nancy J. Grove, Rev. Martin Garber)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Miss Mattie Byers died in Staunton at the residence of her father on February 22nd. She was 25 years old.
(Names in announcement: Mattie Byers)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Thomas Butler died in his Staunton residence on February 22nd. He was 66 years old.
(Names in announcement: Thomas Butler)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: Mrs. Ann E. Walker died at her residence near New Hope, Augusta County, on February 5th. She was 53 years old.
(Names in announcement: Ann E. Walker)

Deaths
(Column 03)

Summary: John L. McCreary died in his residence in Augusta on February 15th. He was 36 years old.
(Names in announcement: John L. McCreary)