Staunton Vindicator

When the Southern armies surrendered it was with the idea that they and their people would be allowed all the rights they had in the Government prior to accession. This then was the ultimatum of the northern leaders and found an authentic mouth-piece in President Lincoln, who frequently declared that with the laying down of arms and cessation from hostilities, the full restoration to rights, &c., would and should follow, Congress, on several occasions, expressed in strong language, its sentiments on the subject declaring that the war was waged, not for conquest, but for the preservation of the Union. More than a year has elasped since the brave spirits commanded by Lee and others gave up the contest and betook themselves to the peaceful pursuits of life, and yet the States forming the late Confederacy are admitted to no rights they formerly possessed, which was frequently promised them. They are simply vouchsafed the onerous privilege of paying taxes. It would seem but just that the object for which the war was commenced and prosecuted to successful consummation should be carried out in good faith. On the contrary, the spirit of fantastical hate and vindictiveness seems to be more rampant than during the war. This is plainly patent to all who have scrutinized the acts and doings of Congress and shines forth conspicuously, in all the glare of violent partizanship, in the report of the Reconstruction Committee. Their unjust attempt at a wholesale disfranchisement of the Southern people met a just fate in the Senate, by the unanimous disapproval of that particular clause in their proposed Constitutional amendment, yet an equally unjust substitute was offered and adopted as follows:

Section 3. That no person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or Elector of President or Vice-President, or hold any office, civil or military, under the United States or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath as a member of any State Legislature, or as an executive or judicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, has engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-thirds of each House remove such disability.

This substitute would exclude the very best men of the South, who being men of merit were forced into public positions and office, and in a great measure took part in the rebellion. Aside from this it is unjust to single out and cause to suffer, for a whole people, any particular class of community. They are no more guilty than those of us who have thrust their positions upon them. They were the mere servants of the masses and did but their bidding. For the same reason we have urged the injustice of trying the Southern people in the person of their late chief magistrate, Jefferson Davis, who is doubly endeared to them at this day from the sufferings already endured for obeying their behests.

We are unrepresented and can simply protest against such injustice but we say to the implacable, disfranchise all and eternally-confiscate and impoverish-send forth as homeless exiles, or behead, if the Gods fanaticism can be propitiated in no other way, but for the sake of justice and right, take no revenge upon any particular man or class of men for the acts of a whole people.

We learn that a maimed Confederate soldier passed through this place a few days since on his way to Kentucky. He was imprisoned at Camp Scott, Wisconsin, which was established as a camp of retaliation, and, still on crutches, has just succeeded in working his way from there this far towards his destination. He states that he was not allowed to communicate with his friends at home, in Virginia, and arrived there to find his mother dead and buried some eight weeks before and all her property destroyed and hence is trying to reach his sister in Kentucky. He says there were, when he left, 1800 wounded men at Camp Scott, in a very deplorable condition, to whom the Government had ceased to issue rations, and not being furnished with transportation, are unable to get to their homes. Not being allowed to write during their imprisonment, doubtless, many of them are thought to dead by their relatives and friends. It is but just to these unfortunate men that they be furnished facilities for getting to their homes, and we ask our northern confreres, and especially those in the North West, to inquire into and make public the condition of things at Camp Scott, and aid, to the extent of their ability, in having these poor, neglected Confederates returned to their own firesides.

We copy below an extract from the card of the Hon. A. H. H. Stuart, lately published in the National Intelligencer, in reference to the strictures of Mr. Trumbull in the U. S. Senate against him, for having endeavored to get a copy of the petition and signers presented from this county to the Senate by Mr. Trumbull.

"I take it for granted that Mr. Trumbull has been imposed on by some designing knave, for I cannot, persuade myself that he had a deliberate purpose to do me wrong.-Be that as it may, I oppose to the imputation contained in Mr. Trumbull's remarks an emphatic denial of its truth.

My connection with the matter of the petition was simply this: Some weeks ago I learned from the newspapers that Mr. Trumbull had presented to the Senate of the United States a petition purporting to be signed by 146 citizens of my county, asking that Federal troops should be sent back, because loyal citizens could not get justice in the civil courts, and were in constant danger of personal injury.

Being a lawyer by profession, in continual intercourse with the people, and a regular attendant on the courts, I knew these statements to be untrue, and naturally felt indignant at such an imputation on the integrity of our magistrates and the good faith of our people. I inquired of many of our citizens if they knew anything, or had previously heard anything, of the petition or the alleged causes of grievance. The answer was invariably in the negative. I therefore concluded that a fraud had been attempted on the Senate, and wrote a letter to Hon. J. M. Howard, (with whom I had formerly served in Congress,) expressing doubts as to the authenticity of the paper, and affirming that the allegations in the petition were untrue, and requesting that he would send me a copy of the petition and of the names of those who were alleged to have signed it. To this letter Mr. Howard replied on the 7th instant, an dafter expressing his belief that signatures were genuine, from the fact that they were attested by a notary public, he added: "The document is now in possession of the Military Committee, and they object to a copy being furnished."

After receiving Mr. Howard's letter, I had nothing further to do with the subject. I had discharged what I believed to be my duty, as a good citizen and and the representative elect to Congress from my district, and I was content. If I had meditated any partisan or vindictive purpose toward "loyal men" I certainly would not have sought the aid of Mr. Howard in carrying it into effect.

The sequel would seem to show that my original suspicions were well founded. A copy of the petition and of the names of the alleged signers have been procured and published, but not through any agency of mine. Thereupon a large number of the supposed petitioners have published cards, some denying that they had ever signed, or authorized any one else to sign, their names to any such paper. Others declare that the nature and object of the petition were misrepresented to them. It further appears from these cards, that while Dews, who seems to have been the active agent in getting up the petition, as well as the acting notary public, swears that all the petitioners are citizens of Augusta, in fact, many of them reside in Rockbridge, and others in Pendleton county, West Virginia.

One of the petitioners, a baker by trade, has had the candor to acknowledge that eh signed it, and that he did so because he had found the United States troops profitable customers when they were here before, and he thought if they were sent back they would enlarge his market for bread. Probably others were influenced by motives equally patriotic and disinterested."

WE were present on Thursday evening. May 31st at St. Francis' Church, and witnessed with pleasure the ceremonies of the occasion.

A number of young ladies, dressed in white, adorned with flowers and wearing wreaths, were formed in procession and marched into the church, singing "Mary, My Mother," where, after a solemn piece of music by the "Stonewall" Band, they were addressed in a happy and appropriate manner by Rev. Father Bixio. After the Litany by the choir, the ceremony set apart for the day viz: the crowning of the "Blessed Virgin Mary" followed, the choir singing "Memorare" and immediately thereafter the ceremony of consecrating the children to the "Blessed Virgin," when the choir sang the "May Hymn."

The ceremonies in the church being concluded the procession, singing "Merry May" moved out of the church to the floral throne, placed in a bower, neatly constructed of evergreens and flowers, where they performed the interesting ceremony of crowning "Queen of May."

After the rendition of a piece by the Band, Miss N. Collins delivered an address welcoming their chosen Queen, Miss S. McMahon, who was escorted to and seated on her throne by her "maids of Honor." Never did bower shelter a fairer Queen, nor did Queen ever wear her newly acquired honors with more becoming dignity.

Miss S. Murry delivered the Coroner's address and crownded Miss McMahon "Queen of May," when the Sceptre Bearer, Miss M. O'Brien, delivered an address, and transferred the floral sceptre into royal hands. The Queen replied in a beautiful and touching address, delivered in excellent style, and the Band followed in one of its most happy strains.

Next in order came the "Invitation to the Flowers," in which various flowers were personated by the young ladies, all of whom performed their parts with credit to themselves and added great interest to the occasion.

The Queen then delivered her closing address, and, after another dulcet strain from the Band, was escorted other home by the participants in the coronation.

Thus ended the interesting ceremony. May the lovely Queen and her fair court live to participate in and enjoy many like ceremonies, so full of interest and so innocent.

THE June term of the Circuit Court commenced its session in Staunton on Friday last, Judge H. W. Sheffey presiding.

Judge Sheffey delivered an able charge to the Grand Jury, in which he paid a handsome tribute to his predecessor, the late Judge Lucas P. Thompson.

Wm. A. Abney was selected as foreman of the Grand Jury, and the following indictments and presentiments were made:

Indictments against Robert F. Craig for grand larceny. Judge Sheffey being interested as Counsel, this case was postponed until the July Special Term (when Judge Watson, of Albemarle, will preside,) and Mr. Craig admitted to bail in the sum of $7000 for his appearance.

Two Indictments against A. W. Greaver for grand larceny. Tried on first indictment and found guilty of petit larceny and sentenced by the court to imprisonment in the county jail for six months.

Indictment against Franklin Greaver for petit larceny. The trial of this case was also postponed until the end of the July Special Term, on account of the inability of the Judge to sit in the case.

Indictments against Henry Woodson (colored) for house-breaking &c., case tried and prisoner found guilty-verdict for three years in the penitentiary.

Indictment against Peter Randsom (colored) for house-breaking &c.; case tried and prisoner found guilty-verdict of the Jury for three years in the penitentiary.

Indictment against Robert Lewis (colored) for grand larceny; case tried and prisoner found guilty-verdict of Jury for three years in the penitentiary. A new trial was granted in the case.

There were sever presentments for minor offences.

The civil docket is unusually large.

WE call the attention of our readers to the card of C. L. Peyton & Co., in this issue. Col. Peyton is well known to our people, having held the position of Enrolling Officer in this Congressional District for some time prior to the close of the war. However unpopular his position, yet by his mild and gentlemanly deportment, he won the esteem of all with whom he was brought in contact. He was a gallant soldier during the war, and although losing an arm at second Manassas, which would have entitled him to an honorable discharge, yet as soon as he was able he took command of his regiment and led a charge at Gettysburg, where he was again wounded. He has now settled amongst us to gain an honest livelihood, by opening the Virginia Hotel Feed and Livery Stable and Repairing Shops. We bespeak for him the patronage of a generous public, who should always take pride in rewarding a gallant and unfortunate soldier.