Staunton Vindicator

A Word to Democrats.

We are on the eve of an important political campaign, and it is all important to the success of the Democracy that every voter in the county should have a Democratic paper. We therefore appeal to our Democratic friends to exert themselves in extending the circulation of the VINDICATOR. Let every man who feels an interest in the triumph of our cause, and the healthy and profitable existence of a Democratic organ in "Old Federal Augusta," procure an additional name. We want none but paying subscribers. We will shortly present the paper in an improved and handsome dress, by which we will be enabled to give a larger amount of reading matter, and in more readable type. See to it, Democrats, that our list in increased.

The Presidency.

The line of demarcation which divides the Democratic and Opposition parties, is daily assuming a more distinct and pertinent significance. As with Abram and Lot, either the right or the left has to be taken, and a palpable line of separation designated. The aspirant of the Opposition who presents the most modified and plausible claim, by reason of his geographical position, is Mr. Bates, of Mo., who has recently written a letter which fully throws him into the embrace of the Black Republican party, and places him in the position of a formidable competitor with Mr. Seward for the Chicago nomination. There is nothing in all the tactics and pretensions of the Opposition which discourages the idea of a programme being adopted at the National Convention, which will make all other issues and questions subsidiary to the all-engrossing one of opposition to the Democratic party and the interest and institutions of the South. Any difference of opinion which heretofore may have existed upon questions of governmental policy, is totally ignored, and the painfully significant aspect presented of a party seeking and determined to make the next Presidential contest hinge upon and aggression, on the one part, of the Constitutional rights of one section, and on the other, a defense of those rights. There is not an organ in the confidence of the Opposition which does not freely admit that there is not the shadow of a hope for carrying the electoral vote of a single State south of Mason & Dixon's line. If successful at all, they expect to attain it purely by a sectional vote--an expression of deep seated and aggressive hostility to the South--and upon principles so entirely antagonistic to, and destructive of, the equality of the Southern States, as to make that success the synonym of dissolution.

This being the position of the Opposition, defiantly and boldly taken, it only rests with the Democratic party to again come to the rescue of our inheritance of constitutional freedom, and again vindicate its claim to the proud character of being the only national organization known to the country.--This solemn and momentous duty thus pressing heavily, it will be a question of the weightiest concern, as to whom the Charleston Convention will designate as the proper person to be presented for the suffrages of the people of the United States. The great battle of the Union and the Constitution against the heterogeneous mass of corruption which compose the Opposition, will have to be fought in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Indiana, and Minnesota.--There are 303 electoral votes, 152 of which will be necessary to secure an election. Of these, 120 are cast by the southern slaveholding States, which can be safely claimed to be fore the Democratic candidate. We will then have to secure 32 more votes to achieve a triumph. If we carry Illinois, (11) Indiana, (13) California, (4) Oregon, (3) Minnesota, (3) and New Jersey, (7) we will have then 161 votes--more than sufficient by 9 to elect. Or even should w lose New Jersey and Pennsylvania, and win the others, we will still have a surplus of two votes. It will thus be seen that the contest will necessarily be thrown into the non-slaveholding States we have mentioned, and the important duty will devolve upon the Charleston Convention of selecting a Candidate who can carry 32 of the 68 votes cast by the free States enumerated.

We are free to confess that our predilections are strongly in favor of some sound, conservative Southern man, not only for the reasons of a confirmed faith in the safety of such nomination, but for the additional consideration that it is justly due of the South upon the ground of reciprocal claim and courtesy. But the issues involved in the action of the Charleston Convention, and the result of the November election, loom up in such grand and momentous proportions, as to make all questions of individual preference or sectional predilection pale into insignificance, and present in bold relief the great paramount idea of the success of the Democratic party and the defeat of the Black Republicans.--That is the question. Men are mere ciphers save only in the proportion of their ability to achieve that end. That is the essence--the Alpha and Omega--of the issue, and he is the proper person for the nomination--be he from the North or South, East or West--who can the more surely secure so desirable a result.

It is a duty as sternly incumbent upon the delegates to Charleston to go there in a spirit of conciliation, free from individual partisanship or captious prejudices, and open to the light and information which must necessarily flood in upon them as it is for them to consult the interests of the Democratic party, and respect the dignity and importance of the position they will fill. If it is made apparent, or even probable, that a Southern man can not carry a sufficient number of electoral votes in the free States to secure his election, then, by every consideration of policy and patriotism, that man who can receive such votes, should, with cordiality and unity, be chosen. It is made the duty of the Democratic party to crush out the odious factions that have combined against it, and which, with ruthless and impious tread, would trample down the Constitution and the laws of the country. Success we must have, though men now prominent in the public eye, sink beneath the surging current of the people's patriotism, never again to rise. No sacrifice of personal and individual attachments and predilections is too great, when it is made to secure the triumph of our principles; and by this controlling, conservative, catholic feeling, every delegate to Charleston should be actuated--a patriotic ambition to do the country good, instead of the contracted desire of promoting the interests of men.

It seems to us, then, in order to embrace and comprehend the whole range of considerations involved, that Charleston would be the proper place to mature an intelligent opinion as to the most available, at the same time orthodox Democrat, to be nominated. If this idea is acted upon, harmony and good feeling will pervade the deliberations, and a spirit of confidence and enthusiasm be inspired, that will lead us on to a victory as decisive and significant as that which defeated John C. Fremont in 1856.

No Sunday Train on the Central Railroad.

By an order of the Board of Directors of the Central Railroad, there will not be hereafter a Sunday train of cars on that road further west than Charlottesville. Whether this remarkable determination is the result of a superabundance of piety on the part of the Directory, or the fruits of the absence of common prudence and justice, we are unable, with the lights now before us, to divine. How much greater violation of the moral laws of the christian dispensation it would be to continue the cars to Staunton, than it is to run them to Charlottesville on Sunday, is a nice question in metaphysical theology, which is alone solvable by the pious disciples who preside over the destinies of the Central Road. There may be an immense deal of justice in the policy of making the stockholders west of the Blue Ridge pay for the accommodation of the people east of the mountain, but if so, it is past our dull comprehension to perceive it. We respectfully suggest that the Board have committed a very grievous, unjustifiable and inexcusable wrong, and nothing but a prompt return to the former usage can atone for it. If it is not their wish to do so, an appeal will be made to the Postmaster General, through the Representatives in Congress from this, the Albemarle and the Botetourt Districts, to see whether the Central Road cannot be made to repeal their "penny wise and pound foolish" action. This pharisaical and puritanical movement is too transparent to deceive or mislead any one, and the sooner the board retrace their steps the better for them. The people along the western line of the Road have rights as well as those east of the Blue Ridge, and they do not mean to quietly submit to so palpable an imposition.

Boot, Shoe and Leather Manufacturing Company.

Our enterprising citizens, availing themselves of a late act incorporating a company by the above title, have already subscribed $20,000 to the capital stock, and organized by the election of the following officers:

President - H. W. Sheffey.

Directors - M. G. Harman, Benj. Crawford, R. G. Bickle, Jno. D. Imboden, W. J. D. Bell.

It is proposed at once to establish a large Tannery, and connect with it an extensive manufactory of Boots and Shoes. A committee has been appointed to select suitable grounds for the building, who will shortly report, when the work of erecting the establishment will immediately commence.

We are glad to see this evidence of reviving enterprise. Instead hereafter of sending our hides to the North to be dressed, manufactured into Boots and Shoes, and then returned to use with a heavy profit to Northern enterprise, we will have a producing and consuming market of our own--facilitating home commerce and enriching our citizens.

The Election for Corporation officers came off on the 4th inst., and resulted as follows: For Mayor N. K. Trout. Sergeant B. W. Stevenson. Council M. G. Harman, E. M. Taylor, Simpson F. Taylor, J. H. Skinner, H. M. Bell, George Baylor, Benj. Crawford, B. F. Points, W.G. Sterrett, J. D. Imboden and G. E. Price.

There was no contest, except for the office of Sergeant, the candidates being R. W. Stevenson, James H. Waters and Wm. Craig. Mr. Craig withdrawing in the morning, Mr. Stevenson was elected by 34 majority.

The council on Wednesday, after being sworn in, proceeded to elect officers, which resulted in Mr. Stevenson being chosen Chief of Police; W. H. Harman, Chamberlain; Benj. Crawford, Recorder; James W. Patterson, Clerk, and M. G. Harman, W. G. Sterrett, John D. Imboden, J. H. Skinner and S. F. Tylor, Aldermen.

Corporation Election.

The Election for Corporation officers came off on the 4th inst., and resulted as follows:

For Mayor N. K. Trout.

Sergeant B. W. Stevenson.

Council M. G. Harman, E. M. Taylor, Simpson F. Taylor, J. H. Skinner, H. M. Bell, George Baylor, Benj. Crawford, B. F. Points, W.G. Sterrett, J. D. Imboden and G. E. Price.

There was no contest, except for the office of Sergeant, the candidates being R. W. Stevenson, James H. Waters and Wm. Craig. Mr. Craig withdrawing in the morning, Mr. Stevenson was elected by 34 majority.

The council on Wednesday, after being sworn in, proceeded to elect officers, which resulted in Mr. Stevenson being chosen Chief of Police; W. H. Harman, Chamberlain; Benj. Crawford, Recorder; James W. Patterson, Clerk, and M. G. Harman, W. G. Sterrett, John D. Imboden, J. H. Skinner and S. F. Tylor, Aldermen.