The Vindicator, May 3, 1861, p. 1 , c. 3
We are able only to give our readers a half sheet this week. It will be seen however, that we furnish almost as much reading matter as usual, as we have thrown out all the Yankee advertisements except one or two that have paid in advance. We devote our space almost entirely to the publication of news relating to the present crisis.
The Vindicator, May 3, 1861, p. 1 , c. 3
It is now believed that Richmond will become the Capital of the South. The resolution of invitation, published elsewhere by the Virginia Convention, will go far to bring about a result so desirable. Everything combines to make Richmond the very place for the Southern Capital.
The Vindicator, May 3, 1861, p. 1 , c. 4
To prevent any misapprehension on the part of our readers relative to an expression in our paper last week, "that the war would be carried into Africa," we make this explanation. Gen. Scott has extended the Military Department of Washington as to include Pennsylvania and Delaware.--Should a battle occur and we take Washington, then it will in all probability be the policy of President Davis to drive the enemy from his position on Southern soil. The base line of the operations of General Scott will have to be broken up. This accomplished, the South will not advance one foot further. We simply want our own soil relieved from the oppression of the North. We want and mean to have our rights and our liberty, or else honourable graves. We are acting on the defensive exclusively. We are repelling aggression. We are defending our firesides and homes. "Lives there a man with soul so dead," that he is not willing to spring eagerly to the trigger for such a purpose?
The Vindicator, May 3, 1861, p. 1 , c. 4
The pretentious editor of the Winchester Republican, in noticing the Tenth Legion troops, says that they used the "chaste and dignified language, 'hoggled' sure," when alluding to the result of their contest with "old Abe." Now, we do not believe any such expression fell from a single member of either company that went from any county in the District. Those who compose the "Tenth Legion" companies are equally as chaste and dignified as the editor of the Republican, and would certainly not be guilty of a contemptible attempt to make sport when there was no occasion for it. The idea having gotten out that the people of Rockingham and Shenandoah were crude and uncultivated--nothing more false--it seems to be the pride of pedantic and superficial scribblers to make them the text for disguising and abortive witticisms.
The Vindicator, May 3, 1861, p. 1 , c. 3
The impression has become almost general with our country friends that their horses, cattle, sheep, cows, &c., would be "pressed" into the service, and for the use of the army of the State. We are glad to have it in our power to relieve them. The Governor has issued an order expressly forbidding any and every thing of the kind.--We hope therefore that our farmers and other who may have been apprehensive on this point, will be contented with the assurance that there will be no "pressing." Our most excellent, wise and able Governor has taken every precaution to protect the people from unnecessary and unjust annoyance.
The Vindicator, May 3, 1861, p. 1 , c. 4
Mr. Phillips desires to correct a statement in the last issue of the Vindicator, calculated to detract from the merits of the many noble citizens in Staunton, who are daily working to equip our solders for field service. B. Crawford, Esq., at the head, was followed by all the merchants in town, in selling their goods at cost, besides donating a part for tents, camp jackets, &c. The ladies, all over town, offered their services to sew, and prepare bandages, &c. and the difficulty has been to get the work ready for them. The pupils and teachers at the Virginia Female, Wesleyan, and Augusta Institutes have done nobly. The large band of ladies at work in the basement of the Lutheran Church, and ladies at the Italian Villa on Gospel Hill, the teachers and pupils at the Deaf and Dumb Institute, in short, all the ladies of the town are ready to go on with their efforts to equip the gallant old State to defend her rights. When all have done so nobly, and are willing to do any thing in their power, distinctions are improper, and, of course, were innocently made. A letter from the Governor of the State promises us a plenty of work, and it is hoped the ladies will organize themselves and be ready for action when the materials are received. There is work enough for all to do, and every one can assist in thus achieving our Independence.
The Vindicator, May 3, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
About fifty free negroes in Amelia county have offered themselves to the Government for any service.
In our neighboring city of Petersburg, two hundred free negroes offered for any work that might be assigned to them, either to fight under white officers, dig ditches, or any thing that could show their desire to serve Old Virginia. In the same city, a negro hackman came to his master, and with tears in his eyes, insisted that he should accept all his savings, $100, to help equip the volunteers. The free negroes of Chesterfield have made a similar proposition. Such is the spirit among bond and free, throughout the whole of the State. Those who calculate on a different state of things, will soon discover their mistake.
Rich. Dispatch.
The Vindicator, May 10, 1861, p. 1, c. 5
Having travelled during the past week through Rockingham and Augusta, we are pleased to be able to say that the wheat crop never was more promising. If the ordinary growth is not checked, the supply will be more abundant than has been known for many years. Our people need not, therefore, fear any great increase in the price of flour. There is enough of Flour in Virginia now to answer all demands until after harvest, and the Governor having wisely prohibited its exportation, we would not be surprised, in less than sixty days, to find the price of Flour much lower than at present.
Our farmers are now about finishing corn planting, a large quantity of land having been thus appropriated. If we have a good season, and Providence smiles upon us, we will have the substantials of life in abundance.
The Vindicator, May 10, 1861, p. 2, c. 3
Some of our contemporaries are exceedingly nervous relative to the corn crop, and advise extensive planting. We are entirely ignorant of the source of their apprehension. The Cotton States, this year, are devoting much of their land heretofore used for Cotton, to raising corn, exportation of all cereals is prohibited from Virginia and to our mind, the prospect is that we shall have more than an abundance of corn and wheat (should the season prove favorable) in Virginia and the South, even should the war continue. Flour, after harvest, cannot be over from $4 to $6, and corn, after October, must be much lower than at present.
The Vindicator, May 17, 1861, p. 1, c. 3
The Ordinance which has been passed by the Virginia Convention, and which the People will be called upon to ratify on the fourth Thursday in this month, is commonly designated as "the Ordinance of Secession." Let no man be induced to vote against it because of party prejudices against the name. It is in fact an ordinance of separation. It simply provides that we shall no longer live in Union with them. Those Northern States have refused to keep the faith which their fathers plighted to our fathers; they first endeavored to rob us of our rights by electing men who were pledged to administer the government to our ruin. Virginia implored them to desist from their purposes. Virginia urged them to concede terms under which she might continue to live in union with them., but they turned a deaf ear to her entreaties, and are now in arms to reduce us to subjects. Seeing this, the Convention of Virginia have ordained that Virginia shall be free from the tyranny sought to be imposed upon her by the Northern States. Is there a freeman in Augusta who will vote against that ordinance and declare himself willing to be enslaved by the North? An answer will be given on the day of the election.
The Vindicator, May 17, 1861, p. 1 , c. 4
While many of our young men and middle-aged are at Harper's Ferry to resist invasion of Virginia soil by the minions of Lincoln, we hear that there are a few men in the Valley who are still talking about the "Union." We look upon such conduct as treason, and deserving the halter. Any man who now votes against the separation of Virginia from the Northern States, records himself an enemy of Virginia, and virtually invest the myrmidons of Black Republican power to march upon and murder our brave soldiers now facing death in defense of our rights. There can be no other interpretation given to action of that character. Every such vote is a declaration of hostility to Virginia and the South; and should be so dealt with. Mark the prediction: the man who casts his suffrage against the Ordinance of Separation, will regret it as long as he lives, and posterity will curse his children. Beware, people of Virginia, how you vote on Thursday next.
The Vindicator, May 17, 1861, p. 2, c. 2
Staunton, May 13, 1861.
Hon. A.H.H. Stuart:
Sir:--As it is represented that diversity of sentiment exists in some portions of Western Virginia as to the course proper to be taken in regard to ratifying or rejecting the Ordinance of Secession, and as we have reason to believe that many of your constituents would place much confidence in your opinions on the subject, we respectfully ask that you will express them in writing with a view to their immediate publication.
Your friends and fellow citizens.
R. Turk, Jno. M. Lilly, R. Hawkins, D.J. Bumgardner, J.R. Bell, Jno. Newton, A.M. Hawpe, H.M. Bell, H.H. Peck, W.W. Donaghe, A.J. Garber, E.M. Taylor, R. Mauzy, J.N. Hendren, J.A. Waddell, H.W. Sheffey, Wm. P. Tate, William Kinney, N.K. Trout, J. Wayt, Jas. C. Cochran, Fras. T. Stribling, S.B. Finley, G.M. Cochran, Lucas P. Thompson.
Staunton, May 13, 1861.
Gentlemen:--I have had the honor to receive your note of this morning, asking me to express "my opinion in writing," as to the course which the people of Augusta ought to pursue in regard to the ratification or rejection of the Ordinance of Secession with a view to its publication. I hasten to reply to it, and as the editor informs me his columns are very much occupied, my answer must necessarily be brief.
You all know I was a devoted friend of the Union. I was educated in the belief that it was the palladium of our liberties, and the best security for our rights at home and abroad. As such I cherished for it a cordial, habitual, and almost immovable attachment. I thought it unwise for Virginia to secede when she did. I believed that the proposed Border State Conference would probably lead to a peaceful and satisfactory settlement of our difficulties. But my counsels did not prevail, and the rash and ill-advised proclamation of President Lincoln has induced Virginia, through her Convention, to adopt an Ordinance of Secession.
The question now presents itself, what course our people should adopt in regard to the Ordinance. In my judgment, it is the duty of all good citizens to stand by the action of the State. It is no time for crimination or recrimination. We cannot stop now to enquire who brought the troubles upon us, or why. It is enough to know that they are upon us, and we must meet them like men. We must stand shoulder to shoulder. Our State is threatened with invasion, and we must repel them as best we can.
The only way to preserve peace is to present a united front. If we show divisions among ourselves, the enemy will be encouraged by them, and make them the pretext for sending armies into our borders for the purpose of sustaining the bands of the disaffected. Our true policy, then, is to stand together as one man in the hour of danger, and leave our family feuds to be adjusted after the contest is over.
Very respectfully,
Your ob't servant,
Alex. H. H. Stuart.
The Vindicator, May 17, 1861, p. 2, c. 4
Dr. Wm. Miller, formerly of Rockingham, and now of Baltimore, stopped at Waynesboro Thursday morning and delivered himself of very obnoxious sentiments, declaring that Lincoln was right and his Administration was Washington-like. The citizens became very much excited and were about to administer summary punishment, when the intervention of several gentlemen prevented it. He was ordered off, as we are informed, which he obeyed. Mr. Miller practices Dentistry, and has for years visited the counties of Rockingham, Augusta and Albemarle, where he is well known.
The Vindicator, May 24, 1861, p. 2, c. 3
The full returns of the election held yesterday have not come in, and therefore we do not give a table. It is ascertained, however, that about twenty-three hundred votes were cast, and not more than ten against the Ordinance of Secession. Taking into consideration that about 1200 of the voters of the county are absent in the service of the State, this is the usual vote of the county. There will not be over ten votes out of thirty-five hundred, cast against "Ratification." Christian is elected to the Senate, and Sheffey and Walker, and probably W.M. Tate, to the House. The contest is between Tate and J.A. Harman, and is very close. Broun leads Holliday for the Board of Public Works from 1200 to 1500.
We will publish the full returns hereafter.
In Rockingham a very large vote was polled, and not over twenty against the Ordinance. Hopkins, Woodson and Grattan are elected to the Legislature. Broun beats Holladay for Board of Public Works.
In Shenandoah, a very large vote was cast, and unanimous for ratification.
In Rockbridge a large vote cast, and one only against ratification. Anderson and Dorman elected to the Legislature. Broun leads for Board of Public Works.
The Vindicator, May 31, 1861, p. 1, c. 5
Now that the Capital of the Confederate States is to be removed to Richmond, the opinion seems to be almost universal that Staunton will be selected as the Capital of the State. We are sure no more desirable place could be found within the limits of the Commonwealth. Liberal inducements would be offered by our citizens.
The Vindicator, May 31, 1861, p. 1, c. 5
It appears that Gov. Letcher has given direction that the telegrams relating to the operations of the army which come to the Richmond office, shall be withheld from the newspapers of that city. We think this entirely right. The people are kept in constant excitement and suspense by the various announcements and contradictions which of late have been sent over the wires. The imposition has been cruel. It is better to be without information at all, than to be receiving so many false statements. We think the Governor has acted wisely and prudently in ordering the telegrams to be withheld.