Staunton Spectator: October 23, 1866 — Newspapers

For the Ladies

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Summary:

Paraphrases an article from the Louisville Courier from "a lady" who sought "to have a friendly talk with the ladies of our land upon questions of vital importance, both to our moral and national character."

Origin of Article:

Louisville Courier

Page 2

Radicals Threaten Bloodshed

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Summary:

Referring to a conflict during recent elections in Baltimore, the article claims that the Radical faction "avows the determination of precipitating another civil war upon the country, sooner than surrender their hold on office, and their enjoyment of political power."

Merit Should be the Stanard

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Summary:

Argues that "wealth ought to cease from constituting the basis of social distinction," to be replaced with an "aristocracy of morals, culture and intelligence."

Editorial Comment:

"Merit should be the stanard of respectability, and not wealth, as has been too much the case in this country. We think, with the Lynchburg News, that:"

Origin of Article:

Lynchburg News

Full Text of Article

Merit should be the stanard of respectability, and not wealth, as has been too much the case in this country. We think, with the Lynchburg News, that "wealth ought to cease from constituting the basis of social distinction.--When we consider the way in which wealth was used by some and kept by others among Confederates during the late war, we have more reason to honor to those who lost than those who saved or added to their propriety. That which was meanly held back from suffering soldiers and the starving poor ought no now to be looked upon as a title to high social rank.--Now, in fact, is a propitious time for the formation of a genuine code of social distinctions, founded on patriotism, intelligence, and character, wholly independent of accidents, and more especially of property. Now that we are all brought so nearly to a common level by the destruction of property incident to war it seems highly appropriate to abandon wealth as a token of social consideration, and to develop an aristocracy of morals, culture, intelligence. After the trials, sufferings, and temptations of the frightful and searching ordeal through which they have passed, the characters of the survivors are well known to each other. They know who can be trusted, whom to follow, who to honor. They are all poor together, and the most of them must so continue for a long time; but that poverty need not compel them to do homage to vulgar wealth dishonorably saved, or disreputably won.

Let us inaugurate the ear we have suggested above, and them, if our radical enemies will but let us alone, and mind their own business, we will show them that we can live and be content without the profits of their shops, or the products of their looms.

Let not the good people among us once made rich by thrift and good management, but since made poor by the war, feel that they have lost in caste by the loss of wealth; the continuance of the esteem and respect of their friends will take from their loss half its pain. Let nothing be said or done to make any worthy Southern men, woman or child feel ashamed of poverty. It is now more than ever incumbent upon those few who have the means of procuring luxuries, to refrain from ostentation and extravagance, out of deference to the feelings of their less fortunate neighbors. A new social era ought now to be inaugurated where society can be enjoyed in homespun and calico, free from any hankerings of imported luxuries of the table, the menage or the wardrobe. Some of these privations are found not a little annoying, more especially to those once used to abundance; but a little patience, aided by a little just and proper pride, will enable them to endure the change without murmur."

Richmond Examiner

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Summary:

Claims that "we have always felt great interest in the welfare of the negroes" and that "no true Southerner could but entertain the kindliest feelings toward them." The writer also argues that "during the war they stood by us with remarkable fidelity" and suggests that, if they had allowed them "to take the field with us," the war might have concluded differently.

Page 3

Local News

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Summary:

William Graham, teacher of music at the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute, died on October 21. He was 49.

Names in Announcement:

Wm. C. Graham

Local News

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Summary:

Reports that the Court has postponed indefinitely the vote on whether to subscribe $200,000 to the Valley Railroad Company.

Local News

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Summary:

Reports that several persons have recently gotten lost in the county because "of the want of finger-boards at the forks of the roads."

Local News

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Summary:

The home and lot of the late Judge L. P. Thompson were recently sold for $13,030.

Names in Announcement:

Judge L. P. Thompson; Mrs. Hull

Greenbacks Not a Legal Tender

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Summary:

Reports that a judge in the Circuit Court located in Baltimore has declared the act of Congress making greenbacks legal tender is "unconstitutional and void."

Marriages

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Summary:

Martha Trayer and William Rowh were married on October 8 by Rev. James Armstrong.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. James E. Armstrong; Wm. H. Rowh; Martha F. Trayer

Marriages

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Summary:

Margaret Smith and Thomas Rankin were married on October 16 by Rev. James E. Armstrong.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. James E. Armstrong; Thomas Rankin; Margaret Smith

Marriages

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Summary:

Ellen Cushirg and David Yount were married on October 17 by Rev. James E. Armstrong.

Names in Announcement:

James E. Armstrong; David B. Yount; Ellen R. Cushirg

Marriages

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Summary:

Belle Harman and Jno. Opie were married at Trinity Church on October 17 by Rev. Jas. A. Latane.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. Jas. A. Latane; Capt. Jno. N. Opie; Belle Harman; Col. M. G. Harman

Marriages

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Summary:

Rebecca Lewis and R. H. Anderson were married on October 10 by Rev. J. C. Wheat.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. J. C. Wheat; R. H. Anderson; Rebecca C. Lewis; Col. Charles Lewis

Marriages

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Summary:

Barbara Silvey and John Alexander were married at Trinity Church on September 6 by Rev. W. W. Trimble.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. W. W. Trimble; John F. Alexander; Barbara Ann Silvey; John Silvey

Marriages

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Summary:

Susan Eidson and A. B. Stuart were married on September 19 by Rev. W. W. Trimble.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. W. W. Trimble; Maj. A. B. Stuart; Susan Eidson

Marriages

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Summary:

Agnes Davidson and William McCorkle were married on October 18 by Rev. A. L. Hogshead.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. A. L. Hogshead; Wm. A. McCorkle; Agnes R. Davidson

Marriages

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Summary:

Ann Hicks and John Lotts were married on October 18 by Rev. E. P. Phelps.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. E. P. Phelps; John Lotts; Ann E. Hicks

Marriages

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Summary:

Mary Letchew, of Augusta, and Robert Dickens, of Washington D.C., were married on October 4 by Rev. H. Getzendanner.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. H. Getzendanner; Robert Dickens; Mary E. Letchew

Deaths

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Summary:

Maggie Yeakle died on October 4. She was five months old.

Names in Announcement:

Maggie E. Yeakle; G. C. Yeakle; Maggie E. Yeakle

Page 4

The Proposed Constitutional Amendment

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Summary:

A detailed repudiation of the proposed constitutional amendment, as a ploy designed "to make negro suffrage the act of the Southern people, so that hereafter the Southerners may be stopped from denying negro equality" and warns that "political equality soon leads to social communion."

Origin of Article:

Richmond Whig