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Staunton Vindicator: September 27, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
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Summary: After discussing the potential repercussions of the election, the editors declare their opposition to the proposed constitutional convention.

Full Text of Article:

Our people will shortly be required to decide upon the question of a Convention or no Convention, which is, perhaps, the most important question over presented to them with less to guide them in the formation of a rational, not to say a correct conclusion. The Reconstruction Acts leave them the option of calling a Convention or not and the orders of the Commandant of District No. 1 require them to vote "Convention" or "no Convention." Their votes then will decide the question as to whether a Convention to frame a Constitution for Virginia shall be called. It would seem but just that, with the choice left them and required to make it, the matter should be at rest, whether they decide in favor of or in opposition to the call of a Convention. Those, however, who favor a Convention, claim that a failure to call it will exhibit a contumacy and rebellious spirit, which will occasion more stringent and oppressive legislation against our unfortunate people and should not be thought of. Those who oppose it declare that in voting for it we will be perjuring ourselves and helping to place ignorance and vice in control of our State, at the expense of intelligence and virtue. That no worse fate can befall our people than to call a Convention under the present registration, which, while it exhibits a majority of Whites in the whole State, yet, according to the apportionment of representation, gives, probably, sixty or seventy local majorities to the colored votes, who will vote for radicals, against thirty or forty white local majorities, enough to give the radicals a preponderance in the Convention, thus fixing before hand the character of the Constitution likely to be framed.

According to this if they vote for a Convention they are likely to be burdened with a proscriptive constitution, with its dire concomitants, whereas if they vote against it punishment is to be meted out to them for exercising the only choice left them by Congressional desire. We know, however, honest and conscientious men who favor either horn of this dilemma. With equal honesty of purpose we have long since formed our opinion, which we did not deem proper to give our readers, preferring rather to keep them posted on all points necessary for them to form an approximately correct conclusion, and we have seen nothing to cause us to change our views and much to confirm us in them. Believing the whole Reconstruction legislation in conflict with the constitution and subversive of the principles upon which the Government was founded and prospered for such a length of time, and, that yielding to it is but a step further in the establishment of a despotism on the ruins of our much vaunted "Model Republic," we are opposed to the call of a Convention. We shall not, however, quarrel with those who differ with us, but would desire that all should calmly consider the subject and when called on to decide, vote, without bias, as their judgement dictates is best for themselves, their State, the prosperity of their whole country and the stability of her long cherished Constitution and Government.

[No Title]
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Summary: With the prospect of a constitutional convention becoming increasingly likely, the editors advise readers to select only the "very best men" as delegates to counter any attempt by the Radicals to draft an "ill advised and proscriptive Constitution."

Full Text of Article:

From the fact that there are a number of the white voters in the State who favor the calling of a Convention, it seems to be thought that a Convention will be called and we think it altogether probable. In view of this fact it behooves our people to select good men and act as a unit in support of them.--There is a great probability that the Convention, if called, will contain a majority of delegates committed to Radical theories and it is therefore more important that there should be no division where there are assured Conservative majorities, lest the Radicals may be strengthened thereby. There is one consolation, however, in the event of Radical predominance in the Convention and the framing of an ill advised and proscriptive Constitution, that it has to be referred to the people of the State, when, if unjust, it can readly be rejected by the large Conservative majority in the State. Nevertheless, as delegates must be voted for, we advise concert of action on the part of Conservatives and the selection of the very best men who are eligible to seats.

[No Title]
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Summary: Reports that an "immense" crowd attended a Democratic rally in Ohio last week to hear C. L. Vallandigham speak.

Origin of Article: New York Herald

[No Title]
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Summary: The article states that a "gang of colored desperadoes" wanted in connection with a spate of highway robberies was captured last Monday near Petersburg. The police arrested the six men with the help of a number of local blacks, who were so irate at the behavior of the criminals that the authorities had to restrain them from "inflicting Summary punishment."

[No Title]
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Summary: Notes that voters in Maryland rejected the state's Radical Constitution by a margin of 23,000.

[No Title]
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Summary: The brief piece asserts that Gen. Scholfield "has decided that the only restriction upon eligibility to membership of the State Convention is having taken an oath to the United States and afterwards having aided the rebellion."

Radical Programme
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Summary: To counter the influence of Irish immigrants, who tend to support the Democratic party, the article states that Radicals will encourage African immigration, if they have to, to insure the ascent of "Republican principles."

Origin of Article: New Nation

Editorial Comment: "The following from the New Nation, Hunnicutt's paper seems to be the Radical programme, in view of the present change in sentiment in the North. The Dispatch says if this does not damage Radicalism in the Northern States, especially Pennsylvania and Ohio, it will be greatly surprised. So say we:"

The Approaching Election
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Summary: The article contains Gen. Scholfield's order "prescribing regulations for the election"; the order requires black and white votes to be recorded separately.

Polish Emigration To Virginia
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Summary: Notes that Gen. J. E. Tochman, the agent for the Virginia Emigration Society, arrived in Norfolk to investigate the possibility of making that city the port of entry for the 1,200 Polish emigrants who are expected to arrive shortly.

Illness of Mr. Stevens
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Summary: It is reported that Thad Stevens is "dangerously ill."

Local Items
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Summary: Rev. William E. Munsey will deliver a sermon at the Methodist Church on Sunday.
(Names in announcement: Rev. William E. Munsey)

Local Items
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Summary: States that Rev. Harrison Getzendanner will preach at Cochran's Mill next Sunday.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Harrison Getzendanner)

Local Items
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Summary: Reports that an acre lot located near the Richardson land, west of the Green Street Railroad Bridge, was sold for $1,500 equivalent to cash.
(Names in announcement: Echols, Bell, Catlett, Hotchkiss)

Local Items
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Summary: Informs readers that the Directors of the Augusta County Fair will hold a meeting on Oct. 4 to select grounds for this year's event.

Local Items
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Summary: Reports that the little daughter of G. W. and M. S. Lilly drowned after she fell into a spring near the family's home in Churchville. The girl was 2 years old.
(Names in announcement: G. W. Lilly, M. S. Lilly)

Local Items
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Summary: States that William L. Balthis bought Jacob Yount's farm for $1,700 cash. It is believed Balthis intends to devote the land to the cultivation of fruits.
(Names in announcement: William L. Balthis, Jacob Yount)

Local Items
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Summary: The article reports that B. F. Spicer, of Burke's Mill, who has seven children, eloped with a widow, who has four children of her own, on Wednesday morning. Shortly after leaving, however, Spicer evidently had second thoughts and contacted his wife to see if it "would be safe for him to return."
(Names in announcement: B. F. Spicer)

Local Items
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Summary: Augusta County resident Col. C. T. O'Ferrall and his partner, W. W. Majors, of Rockbridge, purchased the Lexington Hotel in Lexington, Va., for $48,000, relates the article.
(Names in announcement: Col. C. T. O'Ferrall)

Local Items
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Summary: Millard Kerr, son of William Kerr, dec'd, was shot by his roommate at Roanoke College last Saturday, but is expected to recover fully. Apparently, Kerr suffered the wound when he tried to climb through the ventilator above the door. The roommate fired his gun because he thought Kerr was an older student who had teased him and threatened to break into their room at night to play a prank on him.
(Names in announcement: Millard Kerr, William Kerr)

Local Items
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Summary: At the Court House last Monday, local residents debated the question of subscribing $300,000 to the stock of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company: arguing in favor of the motion were Maj. J. G. Paxton, Maj. H. M. Bell, Maj. J. H. Watts, Col. Bolivar Christian, and Gen. John Echols; opposed to the tax were James Bumgardner, George M. Cochran, Jr., and James Hanger. The Court decided unanimously to submit the matter to a vote on Nov. 21.
(Names in announcement: Maj. J. G. Paxton, Maj. H. M. Bell, Maj. J. H. Watts, Col. Bolivar Christian, Gen. John Echols, James Bumgardner, George M. Cochran, James M. Hanger)

Local Items
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Summary: Relates that I. S. & N. B. Hendry purchased Capt. Jed. Hotchkiss's corner lot, near the upper R. R. bridge, for $850. The men plan to open a steam operated sash, blind, and door factory as well as a lumber, coal, and wood yard.
(Names in announcement: I. S. Hendry, N. B. Hendry, Capt. Jed. Hotchkiss)

Married
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Summary: On Sept. 21 Stanley F. Snyder and Lucilla A. Calvert were married by Rev. William E. Baker.
(Names in announcement: Stanley F. Snyder, Lucilla A. Calvert, Rev. William E. Baker)

Married
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Summary: On Sept. 15, St. Clair Coiner and Sallie M. Mowry were married by Rev. J. J. Engle.
(Names in announcement: St. Clair Coiner, Sallie M. Mowry, Rev. J. J. Engle)

Died
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Summary: On Sept. 13 James E. Crawford died near Deerfield. He was 79 years old.
(Names in announcement: James E. Crawford)

Died
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Summary: On Sept. 13, Anna Laura, daughter of G. W. and M. S. Lilly, died. She was 13 months old.
(Names in announcement: G. W. Lilly, M. S. Lilly, Anna Laura Lilly)