Staunton Vindicator

The Vindicator rejects the Spectator's assertion that Capt. Imboden and Gen. Harman should not be elected to the State Convention because they are military men. The Vindicator believes that Augusta voters will recognize this ruse, and will reject it when they go to the polls.

Argues that, just because a man signs a petition calling on someone to run for office, it does not mean that he must vote for that candidate.

Although Gov. Letcher's policies have not been adopted exactly by the Legislature, his general line of policy has been endorsed. However, the secessionists have been making "incessant war" on the Governor. The Vindicator warns this faction that Letcher is supported by the people of Virginia.

The N.Y. Herald denies the claim that a special tax has been laid on slaves in South Carolina. The contributions made of both slave labor and money have been voluntary.

"Townsman" makes a number of recommendations to improve and protect Staunton. He argues that the town should donate money from the cemetery fund to the militia, should raise a Home Guard to protect the area in case of war, and should improve Lewis Street.

When a certain Southern gentleman was asked if he would need ice during the coming summer, he replied in the negative and claimed that "the men of the South would drink boiling hot water on the 4th of July before they would receive or use any of the free soil ice of the States of the North."

The men listed above asked that Thomas J. Michie make his views on the "important questions" known. Michie replied that he would be glad to meet with them on the evening of February 2nd.

Alex. M. Cochran will address the people of Staunton on Saturday night in the Court House. The ladies of Staunton are invited to attend.

The Vindicator prints elsewhere in this issue an announcement that H.W. Sheffey has decided to withdraw his name from contention in the delegate race. The Vindicator regrets his decision, especially since it makes it more likely that Mr. Stuart might win. The paper argues that Stuart should not be elected because he has refused to resign from the Legislature.

A ticket with the names of Baldwin, Baylor, and Stuart has been circulating in Staunton. The Vindicator claims that this is an "attempted fraud upon the people" and urges them not to vote for any combination ticket. The paper also cannot believe that Baldwin and Baylor support this effort.

The Vindicator editor was unable to attend Skinner's speech last Monday night. While the paper does not endorse all of Mr. Skinner's views, it praises him for always making his arguments with "a great deal of candor and frankness."

Argues that revolutions always move forward: "Progress is the law--the shibboleth of civilization." The current revolution will also move forward unless the "irritating cause is removed. The Southern States will not recede from their position unless the basis of reconstruction embraces a clear and distinct enunciation and guarantee of equal rights and privileges."

The candidates spoke at the Court House on Monday. The people present paid close attention to the candidates, which they must since "the destiny of the country may depend upon the course of Virginia, in this momentous crisis."

The people of Eastern Virginia have taken a great interest in the improvements that are being made at Fortress Monroe. This work indicates that the President is prepared to use coercive force against Virginia if it should secede, since the guns in the fort are now pointed in toward the State.

Senators Mason and Hunter and three members of Congress from Virginia have issued a statement from Washington saying that there is no hope that the present difficulties can be solved. The Vindicator didn't publish the statement because it believes that these men want an excuse to secede. The paper claims that it supports neither secession or submission.

The Vindicator objects to the article printed in the Spectator on January 29th that encouraged mothers to influence their husbands to vote for Union men in the upcoming election. The papers asks if the Spectator meant to insult the women of West Augusta "by an appeal to their fear, when the question of patriotism is involved?"

Blames Mr. Staurt's recent resolutions in the Senate for creating a climate of fear, which lead to the reinforcement of Fortress Monroe.

Rejects the assertion of Stuart and Baldwin that certain Augusta candidates for the Convention support immediate secession. None of them have taken this position.

Miss Mason and Miss Brown were thrown from the sleigh of C.R. Mason when the horses bolted. Neither one was badly hurt.

Old Uncle Frederick Hill, a servant at the Hospital in Staunton, died last week. He was a faithful servant, and his funeral was "largely attended by colored and white persons and as much respect paid his memory as if he had been one of our most respected citizens."

President-elect Lincoln will have a military escort when he travels to Washington for his inauguration. This is the first time military protection has been necessary for a high civil official passing from one part of the country to another. The Vindicator thinks that Lincoln is "investing idle rumors with too much importance."

Complains that neither the Staunton Council nor the Street Commissioners have paid attention to the paper's complaints about the deplorable condition of the sidewalks on the town's main thoroughfares.

The Vindicator publishes the resolutions adopted by the South Carolina Legislature in response to Virginia's sending a commissioner to the Southern states. The paper believes that the "spirit of these resolutions is anything but encouraging."

Argues that the Republicans have been sending out conflicting reports about the nature of the incoming administration. The Vindicator recommends that Southerners should "Mistrust a suspected traitor until his character is proven."

The Staunton hay scales were damaged in last summer's flood. The Vindicator hopes that the Town Council will act to fix these scales, which benefit the whole community.

Denies the rumor that Gen. Harman and Capt. Imboden are disunion candidates who favor immediate secession.

Louisiana has seceded from the Union, the sixth state to do so.

Defines disunionists and submissionists. The former are actually "boldly and firmly demanding all their rights under the Constitution, and [are] determined to take nothing less." The latter are "influenced by a hereditary love of the Union as our fathers made it" and are "willing to yield much to preserve it." The writer believes that only the former course will allow the South to secure its rights.

Objects to Mr. Stuart's candidacy for delegate while he is still a member of the State Legislature.

Hugh Sheffey announces his withdrawal from the delegate race.

Andrew Stuart and Sarah McClure, daughter of John McClure, were married on January 17 near Greenville, Augusta County.