Staunton Vindicator

Deep Snow.

Not withstanding the clear, beautiful sky and genial sun which blessed us last week, Saturday brought us a gloomy heaven and the commencement of the heaviest snow we have had for several years. The snow fell constantly until Sunday night, and Monday morning it was about two feet in depth. Bright and early the merry sleigh bells made music on our streets, and frolicksome [sic] men and boys amused themselves by tossing snow balls. A real, genuine wintry snow rejuvenates age and makes us all feel like boys again.

A few negro women were hired publicly in this place on New Year's day, by Col. R. Turk. One of them brought $86.50 and another $84, large increase [sic] over last year's prices. Women servants are in great demand, while men are less sought after.

Seventeenth Volume

This number commences the Seventeenth Volume of the Vindicator. Coming into existence at a time when the Democratic party of the county numbered not more than six hundred, it has sustained ardently under most unpropitious circumstances and amid the varying fortunes of a doubtful enterprise, the cause of the Democratic party, until the numerical strength of the organization has been more than doubled and the paper established upon a firm foundation.

Seventeen years have witnessed the steady growth of the Democracy and its triumphs over the elements of opposition, under whatever name presented, with almost unvarying success, until the year 1860, when through its own dissensions and disintegration, it yielded to the more firmly united and better disciplined forces of the enemy.

It is no difficult task to trace the recent result of the Presidential election to the human agencies that brought it about. But why it should have entered into the hearts of men to plot the destruction of the most perfect system of government the world has ever seen, is past finite comprehension, and is one of those unfathomable mysteries which the more confound us as we approach their investigation. There can be no rational motive given as an excuse for the action of men, that is pregnant with such untold disaster and misery, not only to the present generation of our country, but to the generations yet unborn, and to the cause of human freedom, religious and political throughout the world. Were we alone to realize the blighting and destructive influences of the dissolution of the Union of these States--a Union hallowed by so many glorious associations, cemented by such sacred ties, and baptized in the blood of our fathers--then we might with some palliating excuse assume the responsibility of so tremendous an undertaking. But this is not the case. We are acting for posterity. Many of us believing that the government has failed to accomplish that good designed and contemplated by its founders, are unwilling that a living libel upon their wisdom, patriotism and philanthropy, shall longer exist. A recurrence to the fundamental idea of our political system convinces many that in the practical operation of our governmental machinery, the end there proposed is not being carried out. Instead of the equality of all, the tyranny of numbers is substituted. Instead of sovereign State independence and State responsibility, the people of other States assume to say what we shall do, and regulate our system of morals as well as our domestic institutions. Solemn and serious warning does not bring them to a sense of the injustice they would perpetrate. Expostulation they "will none of." But determined upon the point that they are right and every body else is wrong, they are daily seeking by all the devices of the hypocrite, the bully and the incendiary to force their views upon an unwilling people, regardless of consequences.

These causes have brought the Southern people to the investigation of the fact, whether or not the legacy bequeathed by our revolutionary fathers is being faithfully administered--whether its designs are being studied and its ends encompassed--that posterity may receive it from us as we received it from them.

The consideration of such momentous questions and the contemplation of the probable result, will necessarily absorb all mere party issues and erase party distinctions. Henceforth, it is a contest of Sections. Things are rapidly drifting to a focus. The reasonable demands of the South that the North should retrace their hostile steps, give assurance of future fidelity to the national compact, and cease their aggressions, have been met with insulting sneer and taunting defiance. They dream little of the volcano over which they are sporting. If the North by such means expect to intimidate the South then they are fearfully deluded. What heretofore has been deemed conservatism in Virginia, is being aroused to stern and relentless indignation. If the North expect co-operation, then they are mistaken. The South will be as one man in defense of her honor, her rights, her sovereignty and her equality.

Heretofore, we have remarked, the Vindicator has been enlisted in the interests of the Democratic party, with the firm conviction that the faithful administration of its doctrines is the most efficient agency by which to perpetuate the Union. The defeat of that organization, has sounded the deathknell of the confederacy. While we shall cherish the tenants of the Democracy as those most assimilative to the true idea of our government, their advocacy and elimination have become unnecessary for the present, and henceforth we shall unite our efforts with all good men in the vindication of the honor of Virginia and the South, and the maintenance of the principles of constitutional liberty as understood by our fathers.

We commence the seventeenth volume of the Vindicator and the year 1861, with a dark and portentous cloud lowering over our political horizon, but whatever may betide, through civil war may rage and the country be drenched in blood, with Virginia and the South our destiny is cast, and with the same zeal and energy we have in the past endeavored to uphold the flag of the National Democratic party, will we rally to the support of Virginia and the South. Where Virginia leads there will we follow to victory or to death. With her glorious motto, "sic semper tyrannis," streaming in the breeze, we will join in resisting an oppression more odious than that of George the Third, and crushing out a despotic fanaticism as repulsive as the Spanish Inquisition.

Meeting of the Legislature

The Legislature of Virginia meets in extra session on Monday next, the 7th inst. In no period of the history of the country has a deliberative body been called upon to consider graver, or more important and stirring events than those that will be presented to the General Assembly of Virginia during its present session. Among its first duties will be to call a State Convention, and take efficient steps towards thoroughly arming the State. While there are objections that might be urged to the Convention at this time, we think the considerations which call for it are paramount, and that it should be instantly authorized, and the day of the election of delegates fixed as early as possible, to the end that the Convention may meet before the fourth of March. We are utterly opposed to the suggestion of our esteemed contemporary of the Whig, that several months should transpire before the assembling of the Convention, and that its action be submitted to the people. In ordinary times, we should favor the policy of "making haste slowly," but now, it seems to us urgently important that Virginia should act at once, decidedly and promptly. Her position should be clearly and distinctly taken before the 1st of March. Events of great import are pressing upon us. We should meet them, and be prepared for any emergency. The rule of Black Republican treason and fanaticism should never be permitted to be inaugurated at Washington city. Virginia should be prepared to play her part in resisting the act which would place the purse and the sword of the government in the hands of a power that will use them for her destruction and that of the South. We do not wish to act rashly. But it would be madness--inexcusable suicide--for us to sit quietly down with arms folded in supine indifference to our own identity, while our avowed enemy is forging the chains that are to manacle us, and whetting the sword that is to prove our executioner. Let the Legislature consider these matters, and act as becomes brave men and patriots who have the nerve to stare death in the face when honor and right are at stake.