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Valley Virginian: September 30, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Our County Fair
(Column 01)

Summary: Augusta is expecting a large turnout for the fair. Citizens are urged to display mineral products in addition to produce and manufactures.

The Winchester Times
(Column 02)

Summary: The author of this article wishes to clarify a recent accusation that Staunton was attempting to monopolize Virginia's national representation by electing two Stauntonians to the U.S. Senate. The author says that by offering both names as Senators, that either one would ably fill the position. Quite possibly both men could serve in succession, but not at the same time. This article points out that both prospects are not unprincipled office seekers but rather upstanding citizens who have only Virginia's best interest in mind.
(Names in announcement: A. H. H. Stuart, John B. Baldwin)

Full Text of Article:

Our esteemed contemporary has undertaken to read us a lecture, and at the same time to make an ungenerous "fling" at our town, in consequence of an editorial in a recent number of our paper, in which we spoke approvingly of the nominations made elsewhere of our fellow citizens Hon. A.H.H. Stuart and Hon. John B. Baldwin for the Senate of the U.S. We respectfully submit that the lecture was unnecessary, and the "fling" at our people wholly uncalled for. If blame attached to anybody for writing and publishing the article, it rests, exclusively, at our door. We alone are responsible for it, and it would seem to be unjust to seek to cast odium on a whole community, for the act of an individual.

But, we maintain, that our contemporary has done an injustice. We are not the first to name Messrs. Stuart and Baldwin in connection with the Senate. The Richmond Whig and other papers, mentioned the fact that their names were currently spoken of in connection with the office of Senator, and it was in noticing this announcement that we expressed our pleasure that these gentlemen seemed to enjoy the confidence and good will of the people of Virginia. The idea of urging the election of both, or indeed of either of these gentlemen, did not enter our minds. We knew, that according to the usage of Virginia, it would be absurd to think of electing two Senators from any one locality--even from Winchester which so long enjoyed the honor of having one!

We mentioned both gentlemen because we regarded both as well qualified for the office, and we would be perfectly satisfied with either--though we would prefer to see both fill the position--but, as out contemporary remarks, "one at a time."

We trust then, that our friend of the Times will dismiss the groundless fears of our seeking to establish a monopoly in regard to the Senate. We venture to affirm, that neither of the gentlemen named, will ever offend the sensibilities of the Times, by any unseemly aspirations after that, or any other office. Such has not been the course in the past, and we hazard nothing in saying, that it will not be in the future. They have never thrust themselves forward as candidates.--When they have filled public positions, the offices have sought them. But when the safety of the State was endangered, they have not been the men to hang back to ascertain how the popular current was drifting. On such occasions they have been found at the post of duty, regardless of the denunciation and obloquy which are sometimes meted out to those who are in the advance of public opinion.

We stated in the terrible crisis through which Virginia has recently passed, Messrs. Stuart and Baldwin were among the first to see the danger and among the foremost to try and arrest it. Everybody knows that for long months, denunciation and ridicule were the only reward which they received at the hands of a large portion of the press and of the politicians of Virginia, but they faltered not for a moment, until their work was accomplished. When that was done, they retired to their offices, and we venture to affirm, that neither of them has by act or word, indicated any wish or purpose to seek any reward for the service they may have rendered to their native State. Nor, do we believe, that either would allow his name to be used in connection with any office, if by so doing the best interests of Virginia were placed in jeopardy.

Life Insurance
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper endorses the Virginia Life Insurance Company. The editors assert that at least $10,000, most of which goes to northern capitalists, is collected in premiums each year from Augusta. It would be better to do business with a local company. The "Virginia" has a capital of $125,000 and is worthy of patronage.

Colonel John B. Baldwin
(Column 03)

Summary: This letter excerpt clarifies the political position and potential candidacy of Col. John B. Baldwin. Being disfranchised and disqualified for all offices, he finds it absurd that he might consider any political "engagement." However, while he does not plan to enter the "political market," he nevertheless points out that he is "emphatically Virginian," and thus anti-Radical. Any concession, he argues, that he has ever made to the Radicals, was because Virginians had already lost all means of maintaining whatever was at issue.

Origin of Article: Winchester Sentinel

Full Text of Article:

We have been permitted by a friend to quote the following extracts from a private letter lately received from this gentleman:

"I am as you know, thoroughly disfranchised and disqualified for all official preferment, either State or Federal, and have never had any idea of applying for any relief from my disabilities in advance of that general amnesty which some day or other, I presume, will come alike to all the people of Virginia. It would, therefore, be very absurd in me to engage in any political combinations at a time of such political uncertainty as that upon which we have fallen. I am not in the political market as buyer or seller, nor have I anything to barter. * * My politics are emphatically Virginian. If I have ever forgotten for one moment to look after her rights, her interest or her honor, I am not conscious of the delinquency. If I have seemed to surrender any of her rights, it has been only because I had utterly lost all means and all hope of maintaining them entire, and felt that the only way to save anything would be to let go frankly whatever was clearly lost. If I have ever conceded anything to a Radical, it was because he had it already.

A Card from the Rev. Dr. Sears
(Column 03)

Summary: B. Sears, General Agent of the Peabody Fund, qualified rumors that he had given $300 for the education of orphans of Virginia soldiers. In truth, $21,000 has been appropriated to Virginia including $9,400 for free public city schools, $6,200 for normal schools and normal classes, and $6,000 for African American schools.
(Names in announcement: B. Sears)

Origin of Article: Richmond Dispatch

Shomo and Co.
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper praises Shomo and Company for the industry and energy they are bringing to Staunton. The Sash, Door, and Blind Factory has been a huge success, and their "untiring energy, splendid machinery and powerful engine sweeps everything before them."

Augusta County Fair
(Column 02)

Summary: Schedule for the Augusta County Fair, including band performances, sports competitions, agricultural exhibitions, and speeches.

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: Alex C. King of Augusta and Mrs. Martha F. Brown of Albemarle were married in Staunton at the residence of George Harlan on September 26th by the Rev. George C. Kramer.
(Names in announcement: Alex C. King, Martha F. Brown, George Harlan, Rev. George C. Kramer)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Washington Swink died at his residence near Moscow on September 19th. He was 55 years old.
(Names in announcement: Washington Swink)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: John T. Arnall died at his Staunton residence of paralysis on September 22nd. He was 65 years old.
(Names in announcement: John T. Arnall)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Mrs. Lucretia Cox died in Staunton at the residence of her husband on September 14th. She was 43 years old. "She had been for a long time in delicate health, but during the summer she was attacked with the disease that slowly and painfully exhausted her strength, until she fell asleep in death. For many years she had lived a consistent and exemplary member of the Presbyterian Church. In health she was hopeful and cheerful and her long and painful illness was borne with resignation to the Divine will. She spoke of her approaching death with composure and thanked her numerous friends who visited her during her illness for their kind attention. She was a kind and indulgent mother, a dutiful and affectionate wife, and a kind and obliging neighbor and friend."
(Names in announcement: Lucretia Cox)