Staunton Vindicator

The article contains a letter from a black candidate for Congress in Georgia who advocates a platform that includes support for the military reconstruction bill and opposition to the "unGodly tax upon cotton and tobacco." He also supports a measure that would divide the political positions in the state: blacks would run for Congressional seats and whites would run for state offices.

For the first time ever, a black judge presided over the First District Recorder's Court in New Orleans, leaving the author of the article to ponder the question: "How long will it be until we shall have negro Congressmen, negro Governors and a negro President or Vice-President?"

The editors urge conservatives to unite "in support of good men" in the upcoming election rather than voting for "local" favorites. Should conservatives fail to do so, the editors warn, it will dissipate the strength of the conservative vote and result in the election of Radicals to represent "'Old Augusta'" at the convention.

The editors warn county conservatives to mobilize in order "to defeat the machinations of Hunnicutt and his ilk" or, they remark, "you will regret your supineness as long as you live."

It is reported that Germans in Iowa are "rapidly" abandoning the Republican party.

In the wake of President Johnson's latest amnesty proclamation, reports the article, several Alabama residents, formerly excluded from voting, sought to register their names, but were refused, on orders from Gen. Pope. As a consequence, they appealed to the U. S. Commissioners and intend on bringing the matter before the courts to test the constitutionality of the military reconstruction laws.

In Savannah, relates the article, a melee occurred at a political rally after a northern "mulatto" named Bradley delivered a speech that included "harangues against white men" and a demand that rebel land be distributed to "conservative negroes." Police and troops were called to quell the violence and confiscate the muskets brought in by "large band of country negroes." Apparently, a "large proportion" of the black population "disapprove" of Bradley and "threaten to assassinate him."

Reports from Virginia indicate that "the Union Leagues formed by Radical negropholists are disintegrating." The article attributes their demise to two reasons: the fact that white men who joined the organization are now "ashamed" of their actions and that blacks have begun to see that Radicals view them as "tools of designing men, and nothing more."

Notes that the Boards of Registration for Augusta will meet at the Court House next Tuesday for the final revision of voter lists. They will remain is session for five days.

The Staunton Musical Association has been re-organized for the winter and will remain under the leadership of Dr. J. L. Brown, reports the article.

The article relates that C. D. Gray, Register in Bankruptcy, oversaw the hearing of the creditors of C. A. Gladke & L. Rosenbaum, who filed bankruptcy on Sept. 26.

Reports that members of the Augusta Fire Company and the Fire Company of the D. D. & D. Institution held a torch-light procession last Thursday night.

Reports that a silver mine was discovered on John J. Larew's farm; judging by surface specimens, the property promises a fine yield.

The editors relate that, last Sunday, Rev. William E. Munsey preached to the "largest congregation we have ever seen assembled" in Staunton. His performance "raised greatly the high estimate entertained of his analyptic and elocutionary powers."

The article reports that Robert P. Eubank, formerly of Augusta, suffered a life-threatening injury on September 20, near his home in Clark County. The injury occurred while Eubank was using a thresher; somehow his overshirt got caught on the tumbling shaft of the machine and whirled him around with such velocity that it tore off his clothes and dislocated his thigh, causing serious internal injuries in the process. It is feared Eubank's wounds will leave him susceptible to pneumonia.

On Sept. 17, Cravis F. Mayers and Augusta E. Hailman, daughter of B. F. Hailman, were married by Rev. J. D. Shirey.

On Sept. 18, Maj. John Esten Cooke and Mary Francis, daughter of the late Dr. Robert Page, of Clarke County, Va., were married by Rev. Joseph Jones.

On Sept. 19, Alexander H. Cox and Mary E. McClure were married by Rev. C. Beard.

On Sept. 22, William Root and Margaret F. Hizer were married by Rev. C. Beard.

On Sept. 5, Ellen Shepherd, formerly of Staunton, died in Shepherdstown. She was 74 years old.