Staunton Vindicator

We notice in the Episcopal Methodist, of June 27th, that a meeting of the Trustees of Randolph Macon College will take place in Richmond on the 11th inst., when the time and place of opening of the next session of that Institution will be determined. The Editor, in a well timed editorial, calls upon the Trustees to act promptly in the matter and select a suitable location for this Institution. He calls their attention to the energy and spirit shown by the sister Institutions of the State, which now bid fair to flourish as they have never done before, and warns the Trustees that they may lose the harvest-time for their College.. It seems almost a necessity that the location of Randolph Macon shall be changed, and the editor sites Staunton as one of the best points whither to remove this College. Without any desire to disparage the claims of any other locality, we desire to call the attention of the Trustees, and all others interested, to some of the advantages of Staunton as a permanent location for an Institution of the kind. Staunton is located in the midst of a highly productive, if not the most productive, portion of the State, and could well and abundantly supply all the wants of such an Institution. In locating a College it is important that it shall be easy of access and the location healthy. This we think we can claim, without denial from any source, for Staunton. So particularly is it marked as a healthy location, that, in the summer seasons heretofore, many, who set out from their homes to spend the summer at our famed watering places, have stopped in Staunton and remained in preference.-As an accessible point is in direct communication by railroad with almost every locality, and this will be further increased by the completion of the projected railway throughout the length of our beautiful Valley.

No people have suffered more during the long struggle through which all have passed, long struggle through which all have passed, and none have shown a more commendable energy in the recuperative process than the people of the Valley. Not only do pecuniary interests excite their endeavors, but they feel an earnest in education. Old schools, which during the war were suspended, have been re-established, and new ones have sprung up with a complement of pupils. Should this College be transferred to this point at once, it would grow up with this section and be filled with students from the Valley alone. There is a time in the life of Institutions as well as men, which taken advantage of leads on to prosperity, and the present is the auspicious moment for Randolph Macon College. If the Trustees determine upon Staunton as the location, we think the day of prosperity is but dawning.

We think buildings could be secured here, that would answer until a site was selected and buildings could be erected thereon, and we suggest to the Trustees of Randolph Macon College, as worthy of their consideration to investigate the advantages of Staunton as the future location of that Institution, in regard to its accessibility, healthfulness, ability to supply the wants of an Institution, and the morality of the people of this locality and section.

We are satisfied that, should the Trustees investigate these subjects Staunton would be selected and Randolph Macon would, ere long, be second to no College in the State, either in standing or in point of numbers of her students.

The call for a National Convention at Philadelphia seems to be meeting with more favor from Northern Democrats than was first supposed it would. Some of our Southern exchanges favor the idea of sending Southern delegate to this Convention, while others oppose it. It is a question whether Southern delegates sent to this Convention would exhibit more plainly the sentiments of the Southern people than they are known at present while, as our cotemporary of the Richmond Whig very justly says, "in making their declaration of sentiments, some things would have to be omitted in deference to the Southern delegates, that would weaken the movement in the North, or if not omitted would compel such an expression of dissent on the part of those delegates as would render it better if they had not been present."

We think it a matter which should be left for the present with the Northern Democrats and Conservatives, assuring them, as far as we can, that their action tending to accomplish the objects set forth in the call will meet the assent of all in the South, and that, as far as we can avail anything, our support will not be wanting to aid in the defeat of the radicals.

We fear very much the cry might be raised, if Southern delegates were present, that it was a coalition between the "Copperheads" and "Rebels" which would deter many weak kneed conservatives from supporting its action, and, perhaps, utterly destroy the object sought to be obtained by the Convention.

We merely throw out these suggestions for the consideration of our people, and if delegates are sent from the South we will hope for the best, and go as far as any in our endeavors for the overthrow of radicalism, and the restoration of the Union under the Constitution.

THE Annual Examination of the pupils of the Deaf and Dumb, and Blind Institution took place in the Chapel of the Institution, on Thursday evening June 28th. The Hall was crowded with spectators who gazed with wonder and admiration n the acquirements of the unfortunate pupils, as exhibited in the examination. Difficult pieces of music were rendered with correctness and pathos by the Blind, who likewise showed a remarkable aptness in every branch taught in their department; one of them creating quite a sensation by the demonstration of a problem in Analytical Geometry.

The Deaf-mutes exhibited a wonderful ability to acquire knowledge, some of whom far surpass many of the same age who can both speak and hear.

When we consider the difficulty, of imparting instruction to those who can not see, or hear, the patient and persistent zeal of the teachers in this Institution can not be too highly praised. The worthy and competent Principal, Maj. J. C. Covell, has devoted his whole time and energy to the Institution and its pupils, and will be justly awarded a large degree of praise for the success the Institution has met with under his management.

Mr. Editor:-- With several of the Masonic Fraternity and citizens generally I paid a visit to the beautiful village of Bridgewater, Rockingham county on the 23d inst., to witness and participate in the festivities of the occasion connected with the celebration of the birthday of St. John the Baptist. It was a cheering trip, reviving old acquaintance and bygone days and making new friends. I write in part to speak of the wheat crop, which far surpasses anything I expected. It is wonderful to see the improvement for the last four weeks. There will be more wheat in the upper end of Rockingham and the lower end of Augusta than there was last year. The oats is the finest prospect I have seen for years-we all croaked too soon.-Wheat, the good wheat lands have failed to a great extent in some sections, the thin gray gravelly soils have more than an average.-This is a just rebuke upon extortion and avarice. But to return to the procession by the mystic tie. It was a grand affair, and of the speech Mr. Editor, I wish you could have heard it. For eloquence, beauty, argument and pathos, it exceeded anything I have ever heard on the subject of Masonry, and was the clearest expose of the subject to which I have ever listened. I trust it will be published as it was intended, in the main, for the unitiated. I will not attempt a description for I can not do it justice. More anon.

AUGUSTA.

Mr. Editor:-My attention having been called to your issue of the 11th, I observed my name as one of the signers of a petition praying Congress to send a Federal garrison to the county for the purpose of protecting Union citizens in their rights. A petition was presented to me totally different in character from the one published in your paper which I signed. If the character of the petition had been truly stated, I would never have signed it, not believing Federal troops to be necessary for the protection either of the lives or property of Union citizens. I signed it under false representations.

Respectfully

A. J. GRAHAM.