Staunton Vindicator

For years past the negro has been made to play a conspicuous part in the politics of the country. One party has grown into enormous dimensions at the expense of the poor African, until attaining the reigns of power it forced him into an abnormal condition. At his expense the Union was disrupted and sovereignties wrested of their rights and prerogatives and his only friends placed under the yoke of oppression. When all this was accomplished and the party which had arisen on his shoulders were in undisturbed possession of the fruits of their political victories, it was the hope of all that for a time at least the negro would have no place in the polities of the day, but, that relieved of this great disturbing cause, there would be divisions of parties on questions only of great national import. This was indeed a vain hope. The negro as a freeman seems destined, if fanaticism continue its sway, to play a still more conspicuous part. Scarcely able to care for themselves and those dependent upon them, they are about to be forced into a position they not only are not qualified to fill, but at which their very instincts revolt. They are not only to have a controlling voice in the government of this once proud and prosperous republic but are to assist in the enactment and enforcement of its laws, positions which, for the right conduct of all governments, requires the ablest and most experienced citizens. This even is but a step in the onward progress of fanaticism. With the privilege of voting and holding office this fury of the age can not stop. Its ultimate sequence is equality in a social as well as in a political aspect. The equalizing theory must continue to this end. There is no half way house this side of that ultimate and inevitable result. Those who avow or embrace the theories of Radicalism may flatter themselves that the negro will, in the future as in the past, be but a stepping stone to place and power, but we warn them that they labor under a baneful delusion. They may stand aghast at the idea of social equality but we admonish them that it is but the sequence of the theories they profess or endorse. Have you, who, for expediency sake, would accept the dogmas of Radicalism, counted the costs? Are you willing to acknowledge the social as well as the political equality of all men? If not, pause and retrace your steps ere it be too late.--Return to the stand point of your forefathers. Be true to the principle of a homogeneity or prepare to sink with your country in the maelstrom that has engulfed all mongrel Republics.

Caucasians alone, have converted Barbarism into Civilization and advanced Civilization to Enlightenment, and Caucasians alone can maintain the high standard they have raised. Beware then, ye who for place, preferment, power or insidious and temporary expediency, would hazard an attempt to reverse the decrees of Omnipotence.

Robert Stevens, colored, has received in Underwood's Court, at Richmond, $1,600 damages(?) from the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac Railroad, for refusing his wife a seat in the Ladies' car, and compelling her to ride in a second class car, she having purchased a first class ticket. The company alleged that car "D," in which colored persons are assigned seats, was not a second class car, but was expressly fitted up to accommodate persons of color only, that a separate car was fitted up for gentlemen unaccompanied by ladies &c., but of no avail. Underwood so charged the (mixed) jury that they brought in the verdict as above stated. In this charge he went out of the way, as usual with him, to heap epithets on the people of Virginia, and especially denounced the citizens of Richmond, charging that "rottenness, drunkenness and corruption pervaded all classes from the bar even to the pulpit."

Comment is unnecessary on the course of such a man, who, every day of his judicial life, disgusts more and more every decent man in the State, regardless of party, and is a lasting disgrace to the judicial ermine.

For a long time Southern Journals have attempted, in vain, to convince the masses of the North that the effort of Congress to destroy every vestige of State-rights in the South, on the false plea assumed, was but the initiative of the same course to be pursued as to the Northern States, ultimately to result in a huge centralization of power, in which States would lose their distinctiveness as well as their rights.

Judging from the tone of some of the leading Radical Journals, on the proposed suffrage amendment, the predicted result is now anticipated by the Northern people, who are beginning to exhibit their alarm at its monstrosity. As an evidence of this we copy the following comments of the Providence (R. I.) Journal, (Republican) and would suggest that the plea of "necessity," alluded to by the Journal, may serve to cover up the unconstitutional action towards the South, but is a dangerous plea. It will be used with equal effect against the North. The only remedy is to meet the thing squarely and defeat every attempt of partisans to interfere with the reserved rights of States, North or South, upon any plea whatever.--In this only lies the hope of the preservation of the Union of our fathers.

The Journal thus discourses:

"Should this amendment be confirmed by the States, and go into effect, it cannot fail to work a very important change in the government and institutions of the country.--The article annuls forever all special qualifications for holding office in any of the States, and will inevitably require very important alterations in several of the State constitutions, as well as in the relations of all the States to the general government. It will prove by far the longest step that has thus far been taken toward the consolidation of our political power and the virtual overthrow of State institutions.

"A change like this which is proposed by the Senate is fundamental and far-reaching. As was earnestly contended by several leading members of that body, it is essentially revolutionary in its tendencies and results. Our political system will be very greatly modified by its operation, and with the facility, which will thus be introduced of making still further changes, it is impossible fully to estimate or even to anticipate the ulterior consequences that are likely to flow from it. Out of a necessity which the rebellion forced upon the States of the South, and which really pertained only to them, the champions of a particular theory of social rights have carried through the Senate a change in the fundamental law which strikes down everything like local independence in State affairs, and abolishes all power in a State to protect itself against any social or political evils to which it may be especially exposed. The constitution of the United States, as thus amended, will clearly no longer be the constitution which was adopted by our fathers. With such a provision, even as a possible anticipation, it could never have passed the convention of 1787; still less could it have been accepted by the popular conventions of any of the States. If it is now confirmed, it will be only an overthrow of State constitutions, under the spurious guise of a constitutional amendment in favor of freedom."

The County Court Court convened on Monday last, Presiding Justice J. Marshall McCue, presiding.

Geo. W. McCutchen qualified as Sheriff, under appointment of Gen. Stoneman, and Wm. Hoover, Jno. W. Cline, Jos. H. Crawn and Geo. Harlan qualified as deputies.

Junius F. Maupin, Henry Rippetoe, and Jacob Bear, lately appointed by Gen. Stoneman, qualified as Magistrates, by taking the usual oaths and the oath of July 2nd, 1862.

Jno. Miller, Isaac Hoy and Abraham Eckard, (colored,) were exempted from payment of parish and county levies on account of age and infirmity, being respectively, 73, 80, 69 years of age.

Saml. Humbert, Geo. W. Lyman, Thomas J. Clarke and Hugh L. Gallaher were appointed surveyors of roads.

Eight cases on the misdemeanor docket were disposed of, leaving only two cases on this docket.

The sum of fifty dollars was appropriated to blast rock to build an abutment for the Middle River Bridge, in precinct No. 141, of which R. H. Hunley is Surveyor.

The deputies of the late Sheriff, Samuel Paul, returned their delinquent lists, which were allowed and ordered to be certified.

Jno. G. Stover, Jno. B. Watts and N.P. Catlett renewed their bonds as Notaries Public.

The Secretary's report of the proceedings of the Republican meeting, held in the Town Hall on Monday last, published elsewhere, is liable to create a wrong impression from the fact that nothing is said concerning the character of the meeting--the words "white" and "colored" not appearing in this report.

This meeting was mixed--very much mixed, there being a huge preponderance of the colored element, with only a very few whites participating.

The chairman was white--but he was assisted by three Vice-Presidents, one white and two colored. The committees were likewise mixed and the delegates to the Petersburg Convention were two colored and one white. In fact it was a very mixed affair, and seemed to carry out the sentiment, uttered by a colored member, as we entered the door, in response to a request from some other member to move over and let the "white folks" (who were spectators) have their seats.--"No," said he "we want a little mixin in this thing--the white folks have had sugar in thern and now by G--we are going to have sugar in ourn.'

This was particularly observable in the votes taken. When Mr. A.T. Maupin nominated Maj. Jno. A. Harman and put it to the vote there was an almost unanimous no, and Henry-Davenport, colored, was nominated, which nomination was not put to the meeting. After some little delay Mr. A.T. Maupin again nominated Maj. Harman, stating at the same time that he was thoroughly identified with the Republican party. Phil Roselle (colored) also advocated the claims of Maj. Harman. The vote was then put and he was unanimously elected. On taking the chair Maj. Harman said he felt very much embarrassed.--His position was a novel one. But he assured the meeting that he cordially endorsed the Reconstruction measures, and was heartily with them in the political issues of the day. He urged them to work for the success of their party.

The equalizing theory was carried out in the selection of committees also, and we suppose that the colored members were satisfied that they were getting sugar in thern."

Speeches were made by Messrs Tukey and Maupin. We heard a portion of the first only. It abounded in a discussion of dead issues, about the only capital on which Republicans operate.

As to the whites who participated in the meeting here, or who affiliate with Southern Republicans elsewhere, we have nothing to say, for de gustibus non disputandum. They will have more than political equality to swallow and however bitter the pill, it must be taken.

When the full draught is quaffed they may well be regarded most thorough Republicans.

In pursuance of the call of the Republican State Executive Committee, the Republicans of Augusta county met at the Town Hall in Staunton on Monday the 22nd inst. On motion, Maj. John A. Harman was called to the Chair and W.W. Newman, appointed Secretary.

On motion a committee of five were appointed to report the names of suitable persons to represent the county of Augusta in the Petersburg nominating convention. The committee retired and after consultation agreed to report the names of A.T. Maupin, Joseph Black, and Oscar Morris, as delegates, and Geo. A. Smith, Wm. Lewis and Philip Rosell, as alternates. The report was unanimously adopted.

Upon motion this same committee was empowered to appoint an Executive committee for the county, and to report the same to the State Central committee at Richmond.

Mr. F.S. Tukey of Caroline, being present was called upon and in response to the call, addressed the meeting at some length. A short address was also made by A.T. Maupin.

The State Journal, at Richmond, and the papers of the town were requested to publish the proceedings of this meeting.

Upon motion the meeting adjourned.

JOHN A HARMAN, Chairman,

W.W. Newman, Secretary.