The Vindicator, January 4, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
Not withstanding the clear, beautiful sky and genial sun which blessed us last week, Saturday brought us a gloomy heaven and the commencement of the heaviest snow we have had for several years. The snow fell constantly until Sunday night, and Monday morning it was about two feet in depth. Bright and early the merry sleigh bells made music on our streets, and frolicksome [sic] men and boys amused themselves by tossing snow balls. A real, genuine wintry snow rejuvenates age and makes us all feel like boys again.
The Vindicator, January 4, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
A few negro women were hired publicly in this place on New Year's day, by Col. R. Turk. One of them brought $86.50 and another $84, large increase [sic] over last year's prices. Women servants are in great demand, while men are less sought after.
The Vindicator, January 4, 1861, p. 2, c. 2
This number commences the Seventeenth Volume of the Vindicator. Coming into existence at a time when the Democratic party of the county numbered not more than six hundred, it has sustained ardently under most unpropitious circumstances and amid the varying fortunes of a doubtful enterprise, the cause of the Democratic party, until the numerical strength of the organization has been more than doubled and the paper established upon a firm foundation.
Seventeen years have witnessed the steady growth of the Democracy and its triumphs over the elements of opposition, under whatever name presented, with almost unvarying success, until the year 1860, when through its own dissensions and disintegration, it yielded to the more firmly united and better disciplined forces of the enemy.
It is no difficult task to trace the recent result of the Presidential election to the human agencies that brought it about. But why it should have entered into the hearts of men to plot the destruction of the most perfect system of government the world has ever seen, is past finite comprehension, and is one of those unfathomable mysteries which the more confound us as we approach their investigation. There can be no rational motive given as an excuse for the action of men, that is pregnant with such untold disaster and misery, not only to the present generation of our country, but to the generations yet unborn, and to the cause of human freedom, religious and political throughout the world. Were we alone to realize the blighting and destructive influences of the dissolution of the Union of these States--a Union hallowed by so many glorious associations, cemented by such sacred ties, and baptized in the blood of our fathers--then we might with some palliating excuse assume the responsibility of so tremendous an undertaking. But this is not the case. We are acting for posterity. Many of us believing that the government has failed to accomplish that good designed and contemplated by its founders, are unwilling that a living libel upon their wisdom, patriotism and philanthropy, shall longer exist. A recurrence to the fundamental idea of our political system convinces many that in the practical operation of our governmental machinery, the end there proposed is not being carried out. Instead of the equality of all, the tyranny of numbers is substituted. Instead of sovereign State independence and State responsibility, the people of other States assume to say what we shall do, and regulate our system of morals as well as our domestic institutions. Solemn and serious warning does not bring them to a sense of the injustice they would perpetrate. Expostulation they "will none of." But determined upon the point that they are right and every body else is wrong, they are daily seeking by all the devices of the hypocrite, the bully and the incendiary to force their views upon an unwilling people, regardless of consequences.
These causes have brought the Southern people to the investigation of the fact, whether or not the legacy bequeathed by our revolutionary fathers is being faithfully administered--whether its designs are being studied and its ends encompassed--that posterity may receive it from us as we received it from them.
The consideration of such momentous questions and the contemplation of the probable result, will necessarily absorb all mere party issues and erase party distinctions. Henceforth, it is a contest of Sections. Things are rapidly drifting to a focus. The reasonable demands of the South that the North should retrace their hostile steps, give assurance of future fidelity to the national compact, and cease their aggressions, have been met with insulting sneer and taunting defiance. They dream little of the volcano over which they are sporting. If the North by such means expect to intimidate the South then they are fearfully deluded. What heretofore has been deemed conservatism in Virginia, is being aroused to stern and relentless indignation. If the North expect co-operation, then they are mistaken. The South will be as one man in defense of her honor, her rights, her sovereignty and her equality.
Heretofore, we have remarked, the Vindicator has been enlisted in the interests of the Democratic party, with the firm conviction that the faithful administration of its doctrines is the most efficient agency by which to perpetuate the Union. The defeat of that organization, has sounded the deathknell of the confederacy. While we shall cherish the tenants of the Democracy as those most assimilative to the true idea of our government, their advocacy and elimination have become unnecessary for the present, and henceforth we shall unite our efforts with all good men in the vindication of the honor of Virginia and the South, and the maintenance of the principles of constitutional liberty as understood by our fathers.
We commence the seventeenth volume of the Vindicator and the year 1861, with a dark and portentous cloud lowering over our political horizon, but whatever may betide, through civil war may rage and the country be drenched in blood, with Virginia and the South our destiny is cast, and with the same zeal and energy we have in the past endeavored to uphold the flag of the National Democratic party, will we rally to the support of Virginia and the South. Where Virginia leads there will we follow to victory or to death. With her glorious motto, "sic semper tyrannis," streaming in the breeze, we will join in resisting an oppression more odious than that of George the Third, and crushing out a despotic fanaticism as repulsive as the Spanish Inquisition.
The Vindicator, January 4, 1861, p. 2, c. 5
The Legislature of Virginia meets in extra session on Monday next, the 7th inst. In no period of the history of the country has a deliberative body been called upon to consider graver, or more important and stirring events than those that will be presented to the General Assembly of Virginia during its present session. Among its first duties will be to call a State Convention, and take efficient steps towards thoroughly arming the State. While there are objections that might be urged to the Convention at this time, we think the considerations which call for it are paramount, and that it should be instantly authorized, and the day of the election of delegates fixed as early as possible, to the end that the Convention may meet before the fourth of March. We are utterly opposed to the suggestion of our esteemed contemporary of the Whig, that several months should transpire before the assembling of the Convention, and that its action be submitted to the people. In ordinary times, we should favor the policy of "making haste slowly," but now, it seems to us urgently important that Virginia should act at once, decidedly and promptly. Her position should be clearly and distinctly taken before the 1st of March. Events of great import are pressing upon us. We should meet them, and be prepared for any emergency. The rule of Black Republican treason and fanaticism should never be permitted to be inaugurated at Washington city. Virginia should be prepared to play her part in resisting the act which would place the purse and the sword of the government in the hands of a power that will use them for her destruction and that of the South. We do not wish to act rashly. But it would be madness--inexcusable suicide--for us to sit quietly down with arms folded in supine indifference to our own identity, while our avowed enemy is forging the chains that are to manacle us, and whetting the sword that is to prove our executioner. Let the Legislature consider these matters, and act as becomes brave men and patriots who have the nerve to stare death in the face when honor and right are at stake.
The Vindicator, January 11, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
There are a number of free negroes about town, who are not registered, and consequently have no business here. It is the duty of the proper authorities to forthwith commence the correction of the serious evil by notifying them to leave, or suffer the penalty imposed by law of remaining.
Another source of great annoyance to our town is the policy of permitting slaves to hire their own time, or get persons to stand as their masters. The habit induces idleness among slaves, and is the cause of all kinds of trafficing [sic] among them, which is more or less connected with petty thefts. These evils should be radically corrected without delay. The quicker the better.
The Vindicator, January 11, 1861, p. 2, c. 2
"He is in favor of a Convention but we have no doubt he will, in accordance with the sentiments of his constituents, vote against it."--Spectator
The above sentence we find in a paragraph in the last Spectator, referring to Col. J.M. McCue, one of the delegates in the Legislature from this county. Upon what authority the editor of the Spectator bases the conclusion that the people of Augusta are opposed to a State Convention we are at a loss to conjecture. We venture the assertion that ten out of every twelve voters in the county are decidedly in favor of a Convention. Our acquaintance extends to every portion of the county, and to members of all parties, and we have not conversed with half a dozen men, within the past month, who are not for Virginia taking her position through the action of a Convention. Certainly two out of the three representatives in the House of Delegates from this county will vote for the call of a Convention. We have not heard the views of Mr. Massie expressed. Mr. Stuart, our Senator, we understand, is, as now advised, opposed to such a step. But we are very sure, if the gentlemen who represent us wish to do it properly, they will all, without hesitation, favor a Convention and speedy and prompt action.
We should like to learn the Spectator's authority for making the broad charge that the people of Augusta are opposed to a Convention. Col. McC. has not been in this State for several months, and consequently, does not know precisely where his constituents stand; but we can inform him that, according to our understanding, he could not more fully represent the sentiments of his constituents, than by voting in accordance with his own convictions in favor of a Convention.
The Vindicator, January 11, 1861, p. 2, c. 3
A fine looking negro woman aged about 28 years, belonging to Mr. Joseph Cline, living about four miles from Staunton, becoming unruly, he determined to bring her to town and sell her. While she was going to get her clothes, she picked up an axe which she had concealed, and deliberately cut three of her fingers off, taking two licks at them. She was brought to town, placed in jail, and her hand was dressed by Dr. Baldwin. She did the act for the double purpose of preventing her sale and taking revenge upon her master.
The Vindicator, January 18, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
The Spectator has a very silly and indelicate article under the above caption, in which it charges the Legislature, "by nearly a unanimous vote," with having "pledged Virginia to fight the battles of South Carolina." This is all twaddle, and an abortive attempt at raw-head-and- bloody-bones to frighten the people. The call of a Convention is to prevent war and bloodshed; rather than precipitate them. If any body of men in the universe could be placed in a position to save this country from carnage and civil war, it will be a Convention of delegates fresh from the sovereign people of Virginia. It is admitted on all sides, that Virginia's relations to the Union are such as to be more potential for restoring peace and harmony than any other State. How would it be possible to make known her wishes and position, save through a body authorized by the people to represent their sentiments. Any action Virginia may take through her Convention will be for the conservation of peace, if that is possible. If War is inevitable, which we by no means believe, then what body so proper as the Convention to define the purpose of the Old Dominion? Be the result of our present difficulties peace or war, a Convention is the safest and most legitimate body to act for the State.
The idea of pledging Virginia to fight the battles of any State is simply ridiculous. If the madness of Black Republican fanaticism and treachery should ever attempt to coerce any seceding State, the question would become one embracing the constitutional rights of every Southern State that repudiates the right of coercion, and the conflict would become one of the South, defending the Constitution, against the North, violating it. In that event, Virginia would have as many battles of her own to fight as she could desire, without sending her armies to the cotton and rice fields of the extreme South.
It is a conflict we desire to prevent. If we send the proper men to the Convention, that conflict may be prevented. It is the solemn and sacred duty of the people therefore, to come to the polls on the 4th day of February and cast their votes for such men as they can trust, irrespective of Court-house recommendations or partizan [sic] influences. There will be no infamy too intense or degradation too deep, for the man whose craven soul would allow party considerations or associations to decide these momentous questions for him. A weightier responsibility never rested upon any people than the voters of Virginia will be called to assume on the 4th of February. Let each man meet it like a freeman, who in the sight of God and his loyalty to his State and country, feels like proving his patriotism and asserting his adherence to the Federal Constitution as framed by our fathers.
The Vindicator, January 18, 1861, p. 2, c. 3
It will be seen by their cards, that Gen. W.H. Harman and Capt. J.D. Imboden have announced themselves as candidates for the State Convention, which meets on the 13th of February, in Richmond. The names of two other gentlemen are suggested, viz: Col. J.B. Baldwin and Hugh W. Sheffey, Esq. These gentlemen all possess a high order of talent--either one of whom has ability to represent the county in this important emergency. As it is our purpose to ignore everything like party in this contest, and to lend our support to those men who the most nearly represent what we believe the true interests and honor of Virginia, we shall await the announcement of other gentlemen, and the publication of their views, before we declare in favor of any. In the meanwhile, we call attention to the cards of Messrs. Harman and Imboden as containing sound and conservative views, well worthy the consideration of the people.
The Vindicator, January 18, 1861, p. 3, c. 2
Mr. Editor: The Ladies of Staunton propose holding a Fair for the purpose of providing Tents for the "West Augusta Guard," on the 22nd of February--in which they invite the ladies in the neighborhood to join them.
In view of the probable call soon to be made, on this, as well as all the volunteer Companies of our State, to defend us against Northern aggression; it seems needless to appeal to the patriotism of any of Virginia's daughters to lend their aid, with willing hands and hearts in this work of necessity, for the comfort of those, who have shown by their prompt and efficient service at Harper's Ferry, that the spirit of "76" still burns in the hearts of Virginia's Sons. Let then the daughters of Old Augusta show that the same spirit actuates them, to cheer the brave Soldier on, and by providing the necessary covering from the night dews and the pitiless blast, the thought that the fair hands of mothers, wives, sisters and those dearer than all have wrought this for them, will lighten the vigors of the Soldier's life and inspire them with fresh valor.
A LADY
The Vindicator, January 25, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
We have space merely to state that the various candidates for seats in the Convention addressed the people of Staunton on last Wednesday night. The Court House was crowded, and among the audience were not a few ladies.
After the candidates had concluded, J.H. Skinner, Esq., was loudly called for, and coming to the stand, proceeded to deliver some stunning and forcible remarks. An attempt was made to break the force of his arguments by various gentlemen upon whose toes he was treading with a great deal of weight. Finally, it was agreed that he should address the people on Saturday night the 26th, on the issues which now engross the public mind.
The attempt to enforce gag law was in bad taste, and had a decidedly unfavorable air.
The Vindicator, January 25, 1861, p. 2, c. 3
Returning from Rockingham Court on last Monday evening, we stopped at Mt. Sidney to hear the candidates for the Convention address the people of that vicinity, as advertised. One of the most thoughtful, respectful and intelligent audiences, consisting of about three hundred, had assembled that we have ever seen. Thornton Berry, Esq., was called to the chair. Gen. Harman opened the discussion; Col. Baylor followed, and he was succeeded respectively by Col. Baldwin, Capt. Imboden, and Mr. Sheffey. Gen. Harman and Capt. Imboden took decided and almost similar positions, and declared their purpose, if elected, to use every effort to have our national difficulties promptly and finally settled, at least so far as Virginia's action could inaugurate a line of policy that would result in adjustment. They declared that resistance to coercion was a duty, and indicated their endorsement of the Crittenden-Douglas Compromise as a basis of settlement.
The other speakers, except when questioned, confined themselves mostly to appeals in behalf of the preservation of the Union, without defining any particular policy, except to wait for future developments. They seemed to lose sight of the fact that the Union was already dissolved, and that hence the question for the consideration and judgment of the people was not the preservation of the Union, for that was impossible, but its re-construction. They did not advert to the fact that there is no hope for the old Union--for the seceding States to come back and resume their original relations, unless the causes which led to their separation are removed. They evaded the practical points, which must be settled to prevent civil war, and confined themselves to exciting the feelings and fears of their hearers. We honestly believe this to be wrong. As much as we respect and admire the high order of talent and pure character of Cols. Baldwin and Baylor, and Mr. Sheffey, yet we are candid when we say that the speeches on Monday night last were calculated to mislead the people. We ask them what possible good can result from exciting the passions? Would it not be far more becoming in this important canvass, to tell the people plainly that we are in a revolution--lay bare the fact that five States have seceded and that to that extent this Union is dissolved to all intents and purposes? We want the plain, blunt truth presented to the voters of the county that some policy of reconstructing our shattered Union must be adopted--some terms upon which the seceding States will reunite must be adopted. We call upon the people to demand the positions of the candidates in this regard. It will not do to sing paeans to the Union and the stars and stripes when the waves of revolution and disunion are surging all around us.
We confess that we were disappointed in the speeches of these gentlemen. In our opinion, they did not meet the issues presented in the condition of the country. They consumed their time with "glittering generalities," instead of marching boldly forward and grappling with the mighty events which are upon us. We will not here particularize what we conceive to be positions fatal to the peace of the country, assumed by some of these gentlemen. We simply record our dissent from the general tone and tendency of their remarks. We can never consent to an endorsement of a temporizing, indecisive curse, when the fate of the nation depends upon a different policy.
The Vindicator, January 25, 1861, p. 2, c. 4
We notice in the Amelia county correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch, that a daguerreotypist was requested to leave that county on suspicion that he was too familiar with slaves. The daguerreotypist alluded to, is Mr. Berry of this county, who is just as sound on the negro question as the correspondent of the Dispatch or any citizens of Amelia. He was in our office a few days since. He has now a certificate of his residence and antecedents, with the seal of Augusta county attached, which we presume the over-wise inhabitants of Amelia will hardly disregard.
The Vindicator, January 25, 1861, p. 2, c. 5
It is a true saying that one half the world does not know how the other half subsists. We were passing, the other day, along one of our principal thoroughfares, when our attention was called to a most distressing scene--one that made our hearts ache. Beneath a stairway that led down an embankment were two poorly clad women, the youngest with an infant in her arms. Around them were several pieces of old carpet and blankets, and near by a coffee pot. They had remained there all the night previous, exposed to the chilling winds of the season--no shelter, no home, no hope. The girl, who a few months ago, was light-hearted and innocent, but had fallen, fallen, was the very picture of despair. Hair disheveled, dress torn and uncomely, she was crouched upon the floor of the porch, with her child closely clasped to her bosom, rocking to and fro, evidencing in every expression the deepest agony of spirit and soul. We felt keenly and sadly for that outcast girl--houseless and homeless in the midst of winter's storms, with scarcely a ray of hope to beam upon her broken heart. And who was the other female? Her mother!--following her child in shame and want, and clinging to her in the deep misery that surrounded her, as only a mother can cling.
Fallen though they be, they are not yet lost. A friendly word, a kind act, might stay the march of crime, and touch a chord of the heart that would awaken other feelings and aspirations, and lift them out of the mire and clay, and place their feet upon a rock. "Inasmuch as yet did it unto one of these, ye did it unto me."