Staunton Vindicator

A strange disease has appeared among the hogs of several farmers in this vicinity, which taxes the ingenuity of all to account for. The skin becomes covered with pimples and little sores, resembling leprosy, and the affected hog dies off suddenly. The disease does not appear to have any effect on the hog internally, as the cholera, which is also prevailing to some extent. Petersburg Express.

We are always willing to meet, and if possible, to refute, an attack made in a becoming manner upon any position which may have been assumed by us; but a batch of impertinences like the following, which are prominent characteristics of the style of the editor of the "Virginia Citizen," whenever he speaks of his contemporaries who differ with him in politics, and which are alike unbecoming a journalist and gentleman,--we pass by with no other than this brief notice:

THE STAUNTON VINDICATOR AND THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE.--The Staunton Vindicator is an amusing sheet. Its editorials are really rich, rare and racy. It has had two or three articles on the African slave trade that are the most amusing things ever conceived by mortal man. We would defy all the Philadelphia lawyers in christendom to "make hair or hid" out of them. Why, gentlemen, if you are in favor of legalizing that horrid traffic, the African slave trade, why in the name of common sense don't you say so at once,! and be done with it; and if you oppose it why not say so? Why all that stuff about slavery as an institution, slavery as a right, slavery as the natural and normal condition of all human society, and all that rigmarole of stuff you have about slavery, and liberty, and education, all of which exhibit the merest jumble of ideas. Come, now, right out with what you wish to say, and be done with it. People love directness and plain talk.

We would recommend to the pleasure seeking public, this excellent Circus, not only on account of the superiority of its exhibitions, which is great, but also, because of the politeness and gentlemanly behavior of the managers and all the actors. The free tickets which they gave unasked, to the unfortunates of the Deaf and Dumb and Blind Institution, indicates a spirit of kindness and generosity, commendable in the highest degree.

The Rev. Mr. Davis, for some years past the pastor of the Lutheran Church in this place, has resigned his post, and will preach his valedictory sermon on Sunday next.

Our town is rendered quite lively now by the return of the Spring's travel, which is as large, if not larger, than the corresponding season of last year. All of the hotels, of which Staunton can boast of three of the best of any inland town in the State, are doing a fast business.

On Monday last a negro boy aged 14, the property of Mr. Zachariah Johnson, was sold at auction for the snug sum of $1500. Sold by Messrs. Turk & Cushing. Thos. Turk, Esq., was the purchaser.

Messrs. Editors:--You will please give publicity to a brief notice of a procession of the Sons of Temperance and a pic-nic got up, and successfully carried out by the Mint Spring Division on Saturday last.--Rarely have I ever been more fully persuaded to take the pen in hand to describe an occasion of the kind, than the above mentioned, and think those that were not present should be informed and have some conception of the pleasure and enjoyment realized by the assemblage of that day. The procession formed at their Hall, headed by some of Eve's fair daughters, who have enlisted to wield their mighty influence in the cause, and thence proceeded to a grove near by where they and the crowd at large were entertained for a short time in a very able and eloquent address, by the Rev. Mr. Cummins, who described the Star of Temperance as it rose above a gloomy horizon, and traced it in its course, rising higher and higher, and shining with greater and greater brilliancy and splendor. He portrayed in bright and vivid colors, the good and beneficial effects of the Temperance Order, relating how many had been snatched from the brink of a drunkard's grave, and turned from the error of their way to be greeted by their friends, and enliven their family circles with a parental smile, instead of rendering them miserable by the oaths and harsh epithets of the inebriate. On the other hand he painted with the skill of the artistic painter, the horrible and baneful influence of Intemperance, which, when unchecked and unbridled, like a tempest, sweeps every thing before it in its mad career, and brings its victim to a sad and untimely end. The company was then invited to the table where a rich and dainty collation was prepared, to which all were plentifully helped and filled, leaving many baskets full of fragments to be taken up. After the pic-nic was over the county convention order met in which several prominent members of the different Divisions represented, made some very appropriate remarks about the importance of their cause and their success in impeding the progress, and raising great barriers against the inroads of Old King Alcohol.--The assembly then dispersed, and everything went off in the finest style. The weather was cool and pleasant, scarcely a cloud obscuring the azure canopy of Heaven. It speaks well for the young and prosperous Mint Spring Division, which bids fair to be a great herald in proclaiming the glad tidings of Temperance, and especially so since it is favored by the bewitching smiles of the young ladies who have rallied to their support with untiring zeal. In conclusion much praise is due to the ladies of Mint Spring and vicinity for the enterprise and industry exhibited in preparing such a choice repast, and should be long remembered by all present..