Valley Virginian

We are frequently asked about the interesting condition of affairs expressed in the above heading, as if mortal man could tell what it was. "The situation" is decidedly mixed at present, and the men in Congress who have mixed it, cant tell you what it is. The recent appearance of the Tax collector, convinces us that the 'd--l is to pay, and he won't take Confederate money,' as Bill Arp truly says. All will admit that there is no difficulty in making up an opinion on the "situation" as far as that interesting gentleman is concerned, but there are other things connected with the "situation" that we find it hard to comprehend.

Now there is the United States Congress, under the lead of Thadeus Stevens, Sumner & Co., hammering away at Constitutional Amendments, ingeniously fixed up to cheat the South out of what little she has left, and, with the impudence of the devil, they expect us to vote for them. The Radicals seem to look upon us as a parcel of cowards and fools, and seem to imagine that we will vote for amendments to the Constitution, that will disfranchise two-thirds of our white population and enfranchise the negroes. In their eagerness to retain their power, they seem to have forgotten that the Southern people fought four years to keep them out of the Union, and that when they surrendered and agreed to admit the facts of the present, it was with the distinct understanding that we came back with all our rights unimpaired, under the Constitution as it was; we giving up slavery, &c. That they are bent on our further humiliation, and are afraid to admit the talent and statesmanship of the South into Congress, no one can doubt, and it only remains for us to prove we are not the cowards and fools they take us to be, for "time at length brings all things even."

At the close of the war the Southern people, deluded by false promises, and anxious for rest, made great efforts to be represented in Congress. A feeling of gratitude to Andrew Johnson caused many to desire our representation in Congress, but now all that is changed. A perfect feeling of indifference, as regards federal politics, has come over our people. The same spite, the same vilification, the same lying statements are expected, as a matter of course, in each day's proceeding of Congress; and, after all, it has had a good effect. It has turned our thoughts into the proper channel, and the disgust everything emanating from Congress produces in the minds of all honest men, has made us cease to look to Washington for relief, and turn our thoughts seriously to the great work of developing our material resources; the only true road to political strength.

Calmly surveying the whole field, we must say "the situation" does not look cheering to the view of a Southern man. The Northern masses seem to be entirely under the control of the Radicals and as for the Union ever being restored, there seems no hope, except in the unflinching firmness and resolution of Andrew Johnson. The impending war in Europe may change the aspect of affairs, but at present we have only one thing to do and that is to devote our minds, hearts and souls to building up our desolated country, and, if we can, to sustain the President in his efforts to make the peace permanent. As for the Radical party, North and South, there can never be any friendship between our people and them. They have scorned all our efforts at reconciliation; they have taken up the sword after brave men laid it down; they would make us the most abject and degraded people on the earth, and rejoice to see us exterminated. With them we shake no hand of fellowship and bidding them to do their worst, we can preserve our manhood by not endorsing it as law.

And if the situation is gloomy, what of it? It is no time to cry over spilt milk. A people that went through four years of such a war as we did, have little to fear in this world. There is much to look forward hopefully to; the same just God that watched over us in our hours of trial, rules supreme, and in His own good time will lead us out of all our troubles. The spirit now shown by the Southern people can never be kept down; it points to a glorious future. Let us be hopeful; let us do our duty, and, as far as the Radicals are concerned, always remember the Proverb that says: "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go; lest thou learn his ways and get a snare to thy soul."

According to a previous notice a number of our citizens, principally soldiers, repaired to the Soldiers' Cemetery last Saturday, with pick and shovel, to assist the Ladies' Cemetery Committee in their noble work of re-interring our dead. Though the day was very warm, all present went to work with a will, and by night 47 graves had been raised up and leveled off, and 127 new graves dug to receive the remains of those now buried in Thornrose Cemetery. Owing to the shortness of the notice there was not a general turn out of the people--but the day's work was no failure.

The Ladies' Cemetery Committee desire us to return their thanks to all who were present; to the "Excelsior Club," which was out in a body; to the Proprietors of the American and Virginia Hotels for their liberality in sending teams and provisions, and to the farmers who contributed. A most gratifying incident in the day's labor, was the appearance of Rev. Mr. Lawson, the colored preacher, and several of his congregation, and right well did they do their work. Such conduct on the part of the colored people does more to bring everything right, than all that has been done in Washington in the last six months. To those who sent "substitutes" the ladies also return their thanks.

The work done on Saturday only shows what can be done by concert of action, and a general turn out of the people of the County. Much yet remains to be done and the ladies propose to devote Thursday week to this holy work. Some 300 graves are to be dug, and it is hoped all who loved those, who died for us, will respond to this call. Farmers who can't come are requested to send a hand or a wagon and team. Rich earth is needed also. Provisions should be brought in on Thursday week, and the ladies, from all parts of the County, are requested to come with flowers.

For the Valley Virginian

Woodstock, VA.,
June 9, 1866

On the 6th inst., as was previously announced, the ladies and citizens of this place, celebrated the anniversary of the death of General Turner Ashby, by a grand Floral Procession. The ceremonies were conducted by Lieut. J. H. Williams, Marshall; assisted by Moses Walton, Mark Bird, Dr. G. W. Magruder, P. H. Fravel, J. C. McKay and Capt. J. H. Grabill.

At 2 o'clock, P. M., the ladies and citizens assembled at the M. E. Church, when Lieut. James H. Williams stated that the ceremonies would be opened by prayer by the Rev. J. P. Hyde, of the M. E. Church, South, after which he made a few very appropriate remarks in regard to the object for which they met, and then introduced Capt. H. C. Allen, who entertained them with a short speech, paying a high compliment to the ladies of the South, saying if the soldiers had performed their duty as nobly as they did, that instead of decorating their graves with flowers, to-day, we would now enjoy our Independence, and a monument would be erected in honor of our martyred dead, and Richmond would now be the capitol of a nation. At the conclusion of the address the procession was formed in the following order:

1st, Ladies with wreaths and flowers for the Methodist grave yard.

2nd, Ladies with wreaths and flowers for the Episcopal grave yard.

3rd, Same for the German Reform grave yard.

4th, Same for the Lutheran grave yard, and the decorating of the Cenotaph in honor of General Ashby.

5th, Clergy and Orators.

6th, Muhlenburg Riflemen, under command of Capt. N. Fountain.

7th Ladies and citizens generally.

After the graves had been strewn with beautiful flowers, culled by the fair ladies of the town and county, as many as could gain an entrance repaired to the Lutheran Church, where the ceremonies were concluded by an address from Captain A. P. Piper, who, after paying a high tribute to the memory of him whose death they were then commemorating, referred to some of the noble soldiers of this place, who sacrificed their lives upon the altar of Freedom, and whose mortal remains lie entombed in this sacred ground. So touchingly tender were his remarks in regard to the Welsh's, Bushong's, Dinges' and others, that each heart was thrilled with emotion, and the unbidden tear was seen to start and moisten every eye.

The ceremonies of the day were then concluded by the Rev. H. Wetzel.

Every one seemed to be impressed with due solemnity of the occasion, and the most perfect order and harmony prevailed. After all the duties had been performed and the people were about to disperse to their homes, a gentle and copious shower fell which enlivened and refreshed the flowers that were strewn upon the graves. Long will this day be remembered in Woodstock, and as time rolls on, and the 6th of June comes round, fresh flowers will bedeck the graves of our noble and lamented dead.

The recent refreshing rains have greatly improved the wheat and oat crop. Although there will not be a large yield of wheat, much more will be raised than was anticipated. If the season continues favorable there will be a larger yield of corn and oats than there has been for many years.

Yours, &c.
M. D. S.

Died in Staunton Va., on May the 31st, Mrs. Sallie Tobbs Garber, consort of William H. Garber, of this place.

In the death of Mrs. Garber society and the Episcopal Church, of which she was a most consistent and devoted member, have sustained a very severe loss. She possessed a fine mind and was an accomplished scholar--having graduated at the Virginia Female Institute with honors and afterwards occupied in that Institution the position of Instructress, with great success.

She possessed rare qualities for the exercise of influence in the gentlest and most unobtrusive manner, yet with almost irresistible effect, and no youthful mind could long resist the force of her consistent and cheerful piety, convincing by the logic of example that Religion's "ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace." With her Religion was a principle, deeply seated in her heart, controlling and regulating her life. She loved the "sweet communion and heavenly ways" of the Church and tho' for a long time in feeble health she was rarely absent from the services of the Sanctuary. Her attachments were strong, and the position she occupied in her family show how well she had established herself in the hearts of her adopted children, who loved and mourned for her as a mother indeed. Her loss to them and to her disconsolate husband is irreparable and is keenly felt by the circle of devoted friends who appreciated her noble qualities as an earnest, candid Christian friend, always gentle and always faithful and true. She has gone to the abode of happy Spirits and after the sufferings of a feeble constitution it is sweet to think of her enjoying in her celestial home "the rest that remains for the people of God."