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Valley Virginian: November 3, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

No Bolting!
(Column 01)

Summary: This article instructs all members of the Conservative party to give their unqualified support to judge Harris in the upcoming election for Congress. The author understands that a great many people supported various other candidates in the Nominating Convention held prior. However, since the result of the Convention was the nomination of Harris, the author, who did not support Harris, nevertheless offers his support now and suggests that all who "bolt" will only be hurting the Conservative party platform.

Full Text of Article:

From all we can learn the recent Convention which assembled in the town of Harrisonburg, on the 13th ultimo, for the purpose of nominating a standard bearer on the approaching contest for Congressional honors, was a legitimate and regularly organized body of untrammeled freemen, fairly appointed by the people to represent them in that Convention. With one or two exceptions, all of the counties in the District were represented by delegates properly elected by public meeting, held in the various Townships of the different counties composing the Sixth Congressional District; and they went into that Convention with the avowed determination to select the most available standard-bearer of the several candidates presented and put in nomination their friends, in that regularly constituted body. Now, did they not resolve that--whoever he might be--the candidate who received the requisite number of votes of the body should be the nominee of the Convention? And did not they resolve and swear to abide by and support the nominee, be he their own or somebody else's favorite? They all knew that each one could not obtain or secure the coveted nomination for his particular friend; and in bringing the names of the respective candidates forward and putting them in nomination, they pledged themselves and their favorites to abide by the decision of the Convention--nominated or not nominated.

It was an old aphorism in ante bellum days, with the unterrified Democracy, that "to nominate was to elect." We hope the same wise action will govern the great Conservative party of the present day. Let no bickering or disaffected spirits create dissention in its ranks. All its members are banded together for one good and noble cause, the overthrow of Radicalism, villany and corruption in high places. Let not, then, the few, the very few malcontents swerve the independent voters from casting their suffrage for the nominee of the Convention. All admire the calm dignity and grace with which the majority of the defeated candidates bowed in the decision and fiat of the Convention. It would have been uncourteous and unbecoming in them to have done otherwise. We have no confidence in, nor can we trust the conservative who would "bolt" from the nominee. And it would be and is unpardonable in the defeated conservative candidates to run counter or do otherwise than uphold the nominee of the Convention. To act differently evinces a selfish and unmanly principle, and we hope to see this bad spirit summarily rebuked at the polls on the day of election.--To do otherwise would be setting and holding out a mischievous precedent.

On Tuesday next we hope the voters will remember principles and not men. Judge Harris was not the first choice of this journal, but as he has received the Conservative nomination we mean to give him our unqualified support. He may be unpopular in some quarters, and his past course not in accordance with our views, but we have nothing to do with the dead past; ours is the living present and to treat of the future now so auspiciously bright for the invincible Conservatives. John T. Harris may have enemies; we doubt not he has; who is without them? We don't intend to "go back" on a man on that account, or ignore his platform or principles. Every man has enemies, backbiters and slanders, let him be ever so good or popular. No man has ever entered the portals of Heaven without them; and it is very certain that John T. Harris, or any other man will not make his entree into the halls of Congress without them, bless their--coffins! We do not hope Judge Harris will be elected; we do not feel he will be elected; but we know he will be elected as sure as the sun rises next Tuesday morning.

And now, having said this much, we end as we commenced--No bolting!

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: "Augusta" urges conservative voters to vote for Corbin M. Reynolds as an alternative to John T. Harris. It is not necessary to support Harris out of fear of a radical victory. Reynolds is a viable alternative.

"Augusta."
(Column 03)

Summary: This article demands that conservative voters put differences aside and support Harris for election to Congress. It seems that the party has divided between two candidates, Harris and Skinner. The problem is a discrepancy within the nominating process--both can make claim to the nomination. The author warns that these divisions will kill the party. Gray, the Radical nominee, will surely win without a rally to the common cause.

Full Text of Article:

Under this caption a bolter from the Conservative party and an aider of the Radicals, appears in the last Spectator. It is evident that he does not care what becomes of the Conservative party, so that he defeats its nominee. He seeks to justify himself by saying that Harris once beat Jas. H. Skinner, a nominee. "Augusta" knows the cases are entirely different. In 1857 the Whigs of Augusta held a meeting at their January court and by resolution declared they would not run a candidate. Every Democratic paper in the District came out against a Convention and invited aspirants to pitch in. Mr. Skinner and the lamented General Harman announced themselves. Harris followed and after the canvass had been made in every county in the District and it became certain that Harris would be elected--the upper end being divided between Skinner and Harman and the lower end for Harris, then the friends of Skinner began to call for a Convention. Rockingham and Shenandoah then representing a majority of the whole Democratic vote of the District, by large public meetings, said their was no necessity for a Convention. Then, "the friends of a Convention," not the people held a Convention and nominated Skinner. Harris and the party generally said before the Convention, we will have nothing to do with it. Harris said in a speech in Staunton, that Skinner might go to the Convention, he would go to Congress. In this, Rockingham and Shenandoah, the large Democratic counties, sustained him two to one.

Now, how about the late Convention? It was called by Hon. J.B. Baldwin and J.H. Williams, Esq., District Committee. Every County acquiesced and appointed delegates. All hands agreed to have the Convention and abide by it. It was held and the fullest and largest ever held in the District. Every gentleman whose name was before it (except Reynolds and Woodson) says abide by it. The scholar and soldier, Col. Moore, of Clarke, says, "good faith requires all to support the nominee." N.K. Trout, the sterling gentleman and patriot, writes "we must support the nominee." Col. Ward, of Botetourt says the same and so on through the whole list.

If it were "treachery" in Harris to run against a Convention not called by a majority of the party with which he said he would have nothing to do, it must be "rank treason" in Augusta to oppose a Convention, regularly call and demanded by every body in the party. But this is not a question of Harris and Skinner. That matter was settled years ago and ought to have been forgotten and not taken to heart. But it is a question now of life or death to the Conservative party and if Skinner was its nominee Harris would be found on the stump advocating his claims as the Conservative nominee.

A Radical is in the field. He will poll every vote of his party. Let the Conservative party divide--part stay at home and my word for it, Gray will be elected. We cannot count now on Walker's vote, Lewis with all his white Republicans voted for Walker.--They have all gone back to Gray--thus making our vote less and theirs larger.

Let the party not look to little things, but to the common cause and rally as one man for its nominee.

Interesting Correspondence
(Column 04)

Summary: This article reproduces the communication between prominent members of Augusta's Conservative party in regard to the upcoming Congressional election. In reply to those who wish N.K. Trout to break from the Conservatives and seek election as an independent, he responds by stating he was not the "right man in the right place." Further, he vows loyalty to the party by offering support for the Committee's nominee. Several high-ranking Conservatives solicit the opinion of John B. Baldwin, who in turn suggests any divisions within the party will only cause difficulties for the future. He likewise supports the Committee's nominee.

Full Text of Article:

Below we append a communication from Hon. N.K. Trout in response to a solicitation made to him, to become an independent candidate for Congress, and with it the reply of Col. Baldwin to Messrs. Baylor and others card, inviting an expression of his opinion as Superintendent of the Conservative organization. The views of such men carry with them their claims to the earnest attention of the voters of this Congressional District, and constitute in themselves a sufficient rebuke to those who are trying to impair the strength of the Conservative party by useless bickering and unprovoked assaults upon the action of its State Convention.

Staunton, Oct. 15, 1870.

Gents:--I have your kind letter. The complementary manner in which you are pleased to address me, and the highly respectable names subscribed to your communication, demand from me a prompt and candid reply. I have been repeatedly urged to run for Congress and have invariably replied that, in my opinion, I would not be the "right man in the right place," and that, it would not suit me. My name was, without my wish or solicitation, put before the nominating Convention, and I will ever greatly appreciate the very large vote voluntarily cast, in my favor; and were I now at all ambitious to occupy the honorable seat so many are seeking I could not consent to run for it as you propose without violating a covenant which my friends entered into when they nominated and supported me in the Convention.

I trust you will concur with me that I am in "honor bound," under the circumstances to abide by and stand to the nomination.

I am, with very high regard,
Your ob't serv't
Nick. K. Trout.

Staunton, Va. Nov. 1, 1870
Hon. John B. Baldwin,

Dear Sir--We feel a deep interest in the preservation of the organization of the Conservative party of the State, and especially in this Congressional District. Being one of its highest officers, we would like to have your views upon the duty of the party, in regard thereto. Hoping a prompt reply,

We are respectfully yours,
George Baylor,
John Crawford,
Wm. Frazier,
W.H. Salk,
Geo. S. White,
Jas. Bumgardner, Jr.
Wm. D. Anderson,
Thos. J. Burke,
T.G. Stuart,
N.K. Trout.

Staunton, Va. Nov. 1, 1870.
Messrs. George Baylor and Others,

Gentlemen:--I have just received your note of this date:

As superintendent of organization for the Conservative party in Augusta county, and as a member of the State Conservative committee for this Congressional District, I admit your right to call for my opinion as to the duty of the Conservatives of this county and District in the pending Congressional election and I therefore reply: That in my opinion, the preservation of our Conservative organization is too important to be hazarded by any division among ourselves and that it is alike our duty and our policy to stand by the party organization and the party nomination.

Respectfully yours truly
John B. Baldwin.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: R. W. Garrett has been elected president of the Valley Railroad. He is the son of John W. Garrett, president of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
(Names in announcement: R. W. Garrett, John W. Garrett)

Notaries Appointed
(Column 01)

Summary: John G. Stover has been appointed notary public for Augusta.
(Names in announcement: John G. Stover)

A New Telegraph Company
(Column 01)

Summary: A new telegraph company has been formed to link valley towns. An agent has been in Staunton soliciting stock subscriptions.

To the Conservative Voters of the Sixth Congressional District
(Column 01)

Summary: This article announces the candidacy of C.M. Reynolds for the Congressional election. Reynolds insists that he is not a politician but has decided to run for Congress as an independent because the nominating Convention was not a true representation of the people. Although not affiliated with a party in this election, Reynolds declares himself of Conservative principles.
(Names in announcement: C. M. Reynolds)

Full Text of Article:

Harrisonburg, Va., Oct., 31, 1870.

Fellow-Citizens:-- A few days since I announced myself an independent candidate for Congress. Since I issued my first address I have visited various portions of the District and have been received with the warmest manifestations of favor by the people. Gentlemen, I have but little more to say to you. I have already told you that I am not a politician and have never worn political harness. I have offered myself as a candidate because of the outrageous frauds perpetrated on the people by the so-called Convention, held at Harrisonburg on the 18th inst. That body admitted representatives without authority from the people and manufactured delegates who had no authority to bind the people.

In Botetourt, my own county, the wishes of my people were outrageously misrepresented and the representative men of the county were prevented by the flood from attending the Convention. I believe that the farming laboring and practical interests of the District have a right to representation, and I know that it is their wish to disregard broken down professional politicians. I refer to my record as a Southern man as a guarantee for my conduct, should you elect me as your representative. The people have a right to choose and to them I appeal! I have always been true to my people and section and have "no recantations to make or palinodes to sing." I neither ask, or expect Radical support and the enormous Conservative majority in the District--nearly 12000--precludes the possibility of the election of an OPEN Radical candidate with but three candidates in the field.

I come before you as an out and out Conservative, and as such am willing to stand or fall.

I am of Virginia, with Virginia, for Virginia, first, last and all the time.

If I cannot be elected as a true and uncompromising representative of the best interests of our native State, I do not desire to be elected at all.
C.M. Reynolds

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: Jerome Keller and Miss Addie McCutchen, both of Augusta, were married at Churchville on October 24th by the Rev. J. J. Engle.
(Names in announcement: Jerome Keller, Addie McCutchen, Rev. J. J. Engle)

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: Edwin F. Taliaferro and Miss Lizzie Stover, both of Augusta, were married at Jenning's Gap on October 28th by the Rev. J. J. Engle.
(Names in announcement: Edwin F. Taliaferro, Lizzie Stover, Rev. J. J. Engle)

Marriages
(Column 02)

Summary: William F. Acord and Annie E. Yago, both of Augusta, were married at West View on October 19th by the Rev. P. Fletcher.
(Names in announcement: William F. Acord, Annie E. Yago, Rev. P. Fletcher)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Mrs. Lelia Hendren Wilson, wife of D. N. Wilson and daughter of W. M. Dudley, died at Aspen Hill, Augusta County, on September 22nd. She was 25 years old.
(Names in announcement: Lelia Hendren Wilson, D. N. Wilson, W. M. Dudley)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Edwin M. Taylor died at his Staunton residence on October 29th. He was 57 years old.
(Names in announcement: Edwin M. Taylor)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Robert Lee Cochran, son of George W. and Mary Jane Cochran, died near Summerdean on October 12th. He was 7 months old.
(Names in announcement: Robert Lee Cochran, George W. Cochran, Mary Jane Cochran)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Mary Ann Brunt died on September 27th. She was 26 years old. "Mrs. B. left a husband, two little girls, and many friends to mourn her loss. But their loss is her gain for she died in the full confidence of a blissful immortality."
(Names in announcement: Mary Ann Brunt)

Deaths
(Column 02)

Summary: Josie B. Richardson, wife of Charles A. Richardson, died on October 13th. She was 18 years old. "A few short months ago she was the blushing bride, but...has gone to her reward of rest, beyond the reach of disease and decline. Mrs. R. was left motherless at quite a tender age but was raised by her aunt Miss Henrietta Brooks, in the way she should go, consequently she was religious in her feelings and life, but did not make a public profession until 1868. Uniting with the Presbyterian Church she lived a consistent life and fell asleep in Jesus." A poem of mourning accompanies the notice.
(Names in announcement: Josie B. Richardson, Charles A. Richardson)