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

Staunton Vindicator: December 9, 1859 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Arrest and Extradition of Witnesses
(Column 7)

Summary: Stevens, one of the Harper's Ferry conspirators, is being held in Staunton, Virginia.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Stevens)

Capt. Brown and Capt. Pate
(Column 7)

Summary: Brown was visited by Henry Clay Pate, the commander of the pro-slavery forces at the battle of Black-Jack.

Origin of Article: Charlestown Spirit of Jefferson

Governor's Message
(Column 1)

Summary: Wise gave a very sectional speech on Harper's Ferry to the Virginia House of Delegates, calling Brown's invasion an invasion on slaveholders and on their property. Wise recalls the events of the invasion.

Execution of John Brown
(Column 6)

Summary: Article details what happened the day Brown was executed; claims that the prisoner was affectionate to everyone except for Cook. Before his hanging Brown visited with the other prisoners.

Charlestown Intelligence
(Column 6)

Summary: Brown was refused his request to let Mrs. Brown stay with him; during her visit they discussed family matters and his impending death.

Demonstrations of the Sympathizers of Brown's Execution
(Column 7)

Summary: The African-American community of Boston is holding vigils in memory of Brown; in Albany, New York, there were church meetings in his honor. There were also demonstrations in Ohio; Massachusetts; and Canada, New Hampshire.

The Governor's Message
(Column 1)

Summary: The Vindicator endorses Wise's message, noting the significance of the difference between the governor and the president over the use of federal power, especially in situations like Harper's Ferry.

Full Text of Article:

"If this contruction obtains--if the Federal Government refuses to interpose to prevent such inroads as that which took place at Harper's Ferry, while Virginia is forbid by the Federal constitution, to protect herself--she must of necessity go out of the Union, and provide for her own defence."

The Eclectic Magazine
(Column 1)

Summary: The Eclectic Magazine denies any responsibility for the wrong-doings of its agent Rood, who has been accused of tampering with slaves while seeking subscriptions. Article includes a letter from the magazine.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Rood)

Full Text of Article:

The following letter from the editor and proprietor of the "Eclectic Magazine," (to a gentleman in this place) of denial of all knowledge of, and responsibility for, the action of his agent Rood, who was arrested in Charlottesville on suspicion of tampering with slaves, we publish with pleasure. It has never been our desire to misrepresent or injure any one, either in their person or business, and if unintentionally we do the one or the other, we are always ready, when approached in the proper manner, to make all the reparation in our power.--The fact that the agent of a Magazine, who was sent about by its editor to procure subscribers in the South, had been caught tampering with the slaves of the community in which he happened to be, was, we thought, sufficient evidence to convict his employer of complicity, or at least knowledge of his designs; but we are willing to receive his emphatic disclaimer, and acquit him of either complicity or knowledge of the affair. We are al! so, as a reader of the Eclectic, willing to bear testimony to the general soundness and conservatism of that magazine:

* * * * * "
I should regret to find myself deceived in the views and conduct of the agent to whom you allude, especially in the face of his own solemn declarations. But I am not his keeper. He is not under my control or direction, as such. But if he has, by word or deed, knowingly and intentionally done aught to disturb the peace, or trench on the rights of the community, where he many happen to be, then I am with you to denounce him to the law, and invoke that stern old magistrate to teach him better manners and a proper regard to the rights of others. He can have no sympathy from me beyond his good behavior. I disclaim all responsibility on his account.

I thank you for your kind testimony to the course of the Eclectic as unexceptionable during the long years in which you have been its reader and patron. I enclose you a slip of the cover upon which I printed, some sixteen months ago, an expression of my views. I hope and trust the good opinions and confidence of our friends in the South will not be easily disturbed or impaired in regard to the Eclectic, without good reason. Let me say, I shall feel personally obliged to the editor of the "Vindicator"--a slip of which you enclosed--if he will make some kind explanation of the matter, using this hasty letter if needful, to neutralize the injurious effects of the paragraph, which I am sure he would not unnecessarily do. But enough. My pen has run on beyond my intention in replying to your very friendly note.

Trailer: I am, very truly and cordially yours, W. H. BIDWELL.

Davis and Harris
(Column 1)

Summary: The Vindicator blasts Mr. Harris and Mr. Davis, representatives from Maryland, for voting for Mr. Sherman, a Black Republican, for Speaker. The paper questions how a Southern man could do such a thing.

Correspondents of the Staunton Vindicator
(Column 2)

Summary: Letter from a "Mountaineer" advising Vindicator readers of goings-on in the Virginia legislature; Robert Burke of Augusta was elected 2nd door keeper. Richmond has a war-like appearance due to the presence of all the returning troops from Brown's execution.
(Names in announcement: Col. Haymond, Robert Burke)

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Dooley died on December 2 at age 50 in Staunton.
(Names in announcement: Edward Dooley)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Long died near Buffalo Gap on November 27 at age 21.
(Names in announcement: J.B. Long)

Installation Services
(Column 3)

Summary: Gilbert will be installed as new pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church.
(Names in announcement: Rev. D.M. Gilbert, Rev. Mr. Baum, Rev. J.B. Davis, Rev. X.J. Richardson)