Staunton Vindicator

"A Crazy Legislature"

The Spectator has a very silly and indelicate article under the above caption, in which it charges the Legislature, "by nearly a unanimous vote," with having "pledged Virginia to fight the battles of South Carolina." This is all twaddle, and an abortive attempt at raw-head-and- bloody-bones to frighten the people. The call of a Convention is to prevent war and bloodshed; rather than precipitate them. If any body of men in the universe could be placed in a position to save this country from carnage and civil war, it will be a Convention of delegates fresh from the sovereign people of Virginia. It is admitted on all sides, that Virginia's relations to the Union are such as to be more potential for restoring peace and harmony than any other State. How would it be possible to make known her wishes and position, save through a body authorized by the people to represent their sentiments. Any action Virginia may take through her Convention will be for the conservation of peace, if that is possible. If War is inevitable, which we by no means believe, then what body so proper as the Convention to define the purpose of the Old Dominion? Be the result of our present difficulties peace or war, a Convention is the safest and most legitimate body to act for the State.

The idea of pledging Virginia to fight the battles of any State is simply ridiculous. If the madness of Black Republican fanaticism and treachery should ever attempt to coerce any seceding State, the question would become one embracing the constitutional rights of every Southern State that repudiates the right of coercion, and the conflict would become one of the South, defending the Constitution, against the North, violating it. In that event, Virginia would have as many battles of her own to fight as she could desire, without sending her armies to the cotton and rice fields of the extreme South.

It is a conflict we desire to prevent. If we send the proper men to the Convention, that conflict may be prevented. It is the solemn and sacred duty of the people therefore, to come to the polls on the 4th day of February and cast their votes for such men as they can trust, irrespective of Court-house recommendations or partizan [sic] influences. There will be no infamy too intense or degradation too deep, for the man whose craven soul would allow party considerations or associations to decide these momentous questions for him. A weightier responsibility never rested upon any people than the voters of Virginia will be called to assume on the 4th of February. Let each man meet it like a freeman, who in the sight of God and his loyalty to his State and country, feels like proving his patriotism and asserting his adherence to the Federal Constitution as framed by our fathers.

Candidates for Convention

It will be seen by their cards, that Gen. W.H. Harman and Capt. J.D. Imboden have announced themselves as candidates for the State Convention, which meets on the 13th of February, in Richmond. The names of two other gentlemen are suggested, viz: Col. J.B. Baldwin and Hugh W. Sheffey, Esq. These gentlemen all possess a high order of talent--either one of whom has ability to represent the county in this important emergency. As it is our purpose to ignore everything like party in this contest, and to lend our support to those men who the most nearly represent what we believe the true interests and honor of Virginia, we shall await the announcement of other gentlemen, and the publication of their views, before we declare in favor of any. In the meanwhile, we call attention to the cards of Messrs. Harman and Imboden as containing sound and conservative views, well worthy the consideration of the people.

For the Vindicator

Mr. Editor: The Ladies of Staunton propose holding a Fair for the purpose of providing Tents for the "West Augusta Guard," on the 22nd of February--in which they invite the ladies in the neighborhood to join them.

In view of the probable call soon to be made, on this, as well as all the volunteer Companies of our State, to defend us against Northern aggression; it seems needless to appeal to the patriotism of any of Virginia's daughters to lend their aid, with willing hands and hearts in this work of necessity, for the comfort of those, who have shown by their prompt and efficient service at Harper's Ferry, that the spirit of "76" still burns in the hearts of Virginia's Sons. Let then the daughters of Old Augusta show that the same spirit actuates them, to cheer the brave Soldier on, and by providing the necessary covering from the night dews and the pitiless blast, the thought that the fair hands of mothers, wives, sisters and those dearer than all have wrought this for them, will lighten the vigors of the Soldier's life and inspire them with fresh valor.

A LADY