Staunton Vindicator

We published some weeks since the call of the President of the Valley Railroad to the People of the Valley to increase their subscription to the Valley Railroad stock, in order to secure its completion at the earliest possible moment. This notice to the people of the Valley is still published in our columns, and we invite the particular attention of our readers to it. To be sure the large amount of one million dollars is necessary to be subscribed, but the terms are such that none can cavil at them. Two per cent to be paid when called for thirteen per cent., to be paid in the next three years and the remainder, eighty-five per cent., in the next ten years. What man in this community could not take one share and pay for it on these terms? Not one.

With the terms made thus easy, this call seems almost to have fallen still born on our people. To be sure one or two counties moved in this matter but there it seems to have stopped. Do the people of the Valley really want the Valley Railroad constructed? Their delay and hesitation in subscribing promptly the amount needed would argue that they did not. It surely can not be believed that capitalists are bent on building this road and that we can lie by mere idle speculators of the construction of a work, the direct benefit from which will accrue to ourselves. If this delusion is nurtured let it be dissipated now and forever. If we want this road built we must take an interest in it and put our shoulders to the wheel. The rich lands of our Valley call for, and the interest of production demands its construction, and yet we seem to remain immovable in this matter, so important to us, and to be trusting simply to luck. If the million dollars needed was to be subscribed and paid in at once, we could understand the delay and procrastination, but, when only two per cent. will be called for at once, thirteen per cent. in the next three years and the remainder in the next ten years, we are at a loss to know why this stock has not been taken ere this.

The advantages to the valley section are incalculable at present, but we know that the increased value of all that we possess in this section will be many times more than the amount of stock necessary to be taken, in order to construct this road. Think of this farmers and business men of the Valley.-One thousand dollars of stock will only require $20 to be paid when called for, $130 in the next three years, and $850 in the next ten years.

The officers of the road say that the "circumstances are more favorable now to the construction of this work than ever before, or probably than they will be hereafter"-a competent corps of engineers are locating the road between Harrisonburg and Salem, and all that remains to be done is for the Valley people to come up to this work in earnest, and raise the subscription to the amount needed. Will they do it? If they see the matter in the light of their own interest we are satisfied they will, and we warn them to think of it and not to let this golden opportunity for vastly improving the condition of our section pass by without taking advantage of it.

A meeting of the Breckinridge, and Bell and Everett Executive Committees met in Richmond on Monday last to confer as to the advisability of sending delegates to the Philadelphia National Convention. There being no organized Douglas Committee in Richmond several of the party present were invited to participate in the proceedings. There was a diversity of opinion as to the course to pursue, but the Philadelphia Convention was approved and it was resolved to send delegates to represent Virginia. A committee was appointed to prepare business and the meeting adjourned to meet again on Wednesday.

We are opposed to the sending of delegates by the Southern States to this convention, upon the platform of the committee calling the convention, or in the light of its construction by prominent men endorsing this convention, who either directly or indirectly sanction the present Congressional test oath. We can not go into such a convention under the platform proposed, without stultifying ourselves and giving our sanction to the legality of the unconstitutional test oath, which would debar us from having anything but a mock representation in Congress for years to come, and we would be decidedly better without any. Assure them in any proper manner that we will aid them in what way we can, and on Constitutional principles, to defeat the Radicals and restore the country, last let us not sit in any convention which acknowledges any difference in loyalty to the Constitution between the people of the sections now "unnaturally severed."

If delegates are to be sent let it be under the express qualification, as expressed in the resolution of Mr. Nat. Tyler, on Monday last, that Virginia claims her rights under the Constitution, and laws made in pursuance thereof, and protests against all proscriptive test oaths."

The President returned the Freedmen's Bureau Bill to the House of Representatives, on Monday last, with his objections. His objections are the same as those given for his veto of a similar measure in February. He opposes it as class legislation, as unwise, as setting up military tribunals liable to come in conflict with the civil law, and unnecessary, as the laws of each state protect the persons and property of white and black alike. He objects to it on the score of economy. He says the act now in force extends some months beyond the meeting of the next Congress, which, if additional legislation is necessary, can then mature a bill. He further states that the Civil Rights bill secures all the legislation contemplated by this bill, the provisions of which will be faithfully executed so long as it remains unrepealed and may not be declared unconstitutional by courts of competent jurisdiction. The provision confirming the sale of certain Sea Island lands is considered unwise, partial and unconstitutional. In conclusion he warns Congress of the danger of class legislation.

The bill was passed over the veto of 103 yeas to 33 nays in the House and 33 yeas to 12 nays in the Senate.

The Lynchburg Republican of Saturday in referring to the Bell, Breckinridge and Douglas Executive Committees of Virginia to appoint Delegates to the Philadelphia Convention, pointedly asks, "by what shadow of authority these defunct committees of two defunct parties in Virginia, can presume to arrogate to themselves such a task as is thus proposed to be assigned them?" The functions of these committees closed with the Presidential election of 1860, and the very parties which gave them existence have ceased to exist. For two gentlemen in Richmond-Mr. McFarland and Colonel Rutherford-to step forward and undertake to do what they have no authority, to do, and what the people have not asked them to do, would be an act of presumption, an abuse of power and an insult to the people, which we are sure such elevated and discreet gentlemen will not commit. If the People of Virginia want to send delegates to the Philadelphia Convention, let them assemble in primary Conventions and do so. But if they don't want to send delegates there, don't insult public intelligence and outrage the principles of representation by plaming off delegations through the instrumentality of an effete and unauthorized organization. A Jacobin Congress wants to assume all powers at Washington, and two gentlemen in Richmond are to assume all political authority in this commonwealth! If the people intend to have any more representative government, let them have it, but if not, let us give up the shadow and cease to delude ourselves with ridiculous ceremonies.

The Freedmen's National Bank, an institution organized by a Boston firm, at Sandy Hill, South Carolina, to receive and take care of the savings of the negroes in that region, has closed its doors finally. Its name was a mere sham as it had no connection with the Government to authorize the assumption of the title 'National Bank.' Its notes were wretched lithographs, much resembling blacking box labels, but printed in gaudy colors, which captivated the eyes of the poor negroes.-Each freedman who deposited a dollar greenback in the ban, received a two-dollar note of this gay pictorial issue, and fancied, of course, that he was so much richer.

There is no telling how much longer the swindle would have lasted, if Captain Jewett, late of the army, who had leased a plantation in the neighborhood of Sandy Hook Hill, had not discovered some of the fraudulent notes among the hands of the place and learned from the simple-minded creatures the nature of the financial enterprise in which they had embarked. He immediately wrote to Washington upon the subject, but Clarges & Higginson, the proprietors of the institution, somehow getting wind of the discovery, stole something getting wind of the discovery, stole away in the night, carrying with them of course, all the deposits in their "vaults."

It is supposed that they realized by this transaction between $3,000 and $4,000.-They came South as temperance lecturers, and at first eked out their substance by selling tracts and bibles. It is said that certain parties from the North, who are occupying abandoned plantations near the site of the defunct "bank" suggested the enterprise to those two adventurers, induced the freedmen in their employ to exchange their wages for the beautiful bills of Clarges & Higginson, and divided the profits of the concern with those worthies. The freedmen who have been thus shamefully gulled have learned a lesson, but a very hard and unpleasant one.

WE were very agreeably entertained on Friday and Saturday nights last in listening to the Lectures of Col. F. R. Farrar, on those very interesting subjects "Johnny Reb" and "Johnny Reb's Wife." Full of a soul stirring pathos told in Johnny's quaint style, we were left as much in doubt whether to laugh or to cry as Johnny was, after he had surrendered his arms at Appomattox, and reaching home found that to support his loving wife and promising offspring he must go to work, when the question "Is white labor reliable? presented itself for solution. Johnny we think has shown that he had "a heart for every fate," and Col. Farrar conclusively proved that Johnny and his better-half were noble characters.

We advise all who have not heard these lectures by all means to do so on the first opportunity.-Those who have heard them once will be sure to do so again.

WE omitted to notice in our last the Churchville High School, Jno. G. Stover and H. L. Hoover, Principals.

Messrs Stover and Hoover are gentlemen of excellent character and of high standing in this community-of fine attainments and considerable experience in teaching and understand the theory of imparting instruction. This school is eligibly located-terms as moderate as the times will allow, and the instruction such as fit young men for the ordinary visit of life, or prepare them thoroughly to reap the advantages of the higher branches taught in the Colleges. Those who purpose sending their sons from home would do well to patronize this school.

For full particulars see advertisement in another column.

PROCEEDINGS of Circuit Court. Since our last issue the following cases were disposed of.

Commonwealth vs R. F. Craig-case tried-verdict of jury, one year in the Penitentiary, Sentence of Court pronounced accordingly.

Commonwealth vs Franklin Greaver-case tried-verdict of jury one year in the Penitentiary.-Sentence of Court pronounced accordingly.

In the case of the Commonwealth vs Franklin Greaver for petit larceny Commonwealth's Attorney, by consent of the Court, entered a nolle prosequi.

No other cases of general importance.

ISAAC CHANEY, colored, whose trial by a Military Court in this place on the charge of murdering Mr. Gerald and his wife, near Natural Bridge, we noticed some time since, expiated his crime on the gallows in the Libby Prison, Richmond, on Monday last. He denied to the last killing Mrs. Gerald, but admitted that he killed her husband.

He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, served in the Federal army, and was hired as a laborer by the parties, whose murder he so cruelly accomplished

AT a special meeting of the Town Council, on Saturday night last, Mr. Jas. A. Morre was elected Superintendent of Water-works. Mr Moore having declined to accept the position, a special meeting was called on Tuesday evening, when Mr David Taylor was elected.