Valley Virginian: April 10, 1867 — Newspapers

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The Truth of History

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Summary:

The editors object to Dabney's life of Stonewall Jackson being regarded as "the only authentic history of Stonewall Jackson," and point out some of its errors.

"No Time For Swapping Horses."

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Summary:

This editorial celebrates the victory of the conservative party in Connecticut as a harbinger of things to come. There should be no resting an laurels, however; northern conservatives must "push the good work ahead," and Virginians must complete "reconstructing" their state in order to "turn the tide" in the North.

Candidates for the Convention

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Summary:

This article denounces the apathy and misguided principle that induces many talented men to refuse to become candidates for the Constitutional Convention because they fear cooperation may imply acceptance of radical policy.

Full Text of Article

In the rural districts, truly says the Richmond Times, we learn that gentlemen of intelligence and character have announced, in a few instances, and are preparing, in very many cases, to announce themselves candidates for the inevitable Convention. Many gentlemen whose services will be greatly needed are deterred, we learn, from becoming candidates, by a false sense of delicacy and propriety. They say that it is not proper for any Virginian to make himself a voluntary party to the monstrous violation of the Constitution which the Sherman act and the supplement thereto involves.

In common with men whose opinions are entitled to a weight which ours do not, of course, possess, we hold this to be a most dangerous and suicidal error of judgement. It is a part and parcel of that dangerous apathy and inertness which menaces us with the most alarming consequences. The acceptance of the situation, to the extent of candidacy and the exercise of the right of suffrage, we hold to be a duty as sacred and important as a defence of family and fireside. Every leading and distinguished politician at the South should labor to dispel the clouds of error which obscure the judgement of our people. But as our people have, for six years, thought little and cared less for their old party leaders, let them respect the sound judgement and intelligence of those great soldiers whose fame misfortune has not disarmed. Let them accept the examples of LEE, JOHNSTON, BEAUREGARD, HAMPTON and LONGSTREET, as worthy of imitation, and exercise with harmony and energy and earnestness every right which the conquerors have left us. Unless we do this we shall be speedily reduced to the condition of serfs and Helots, not of Spartans, but of the vilest and most demoralized renegades and enemies of their own race and lineage. Away with all doubts and hesitancy about voting and becoming candidates. The safety, not only of the State, but of our wives and children, should make every voter follow the example and advice of ROBERT E. LEE.

"Want of Respect for Gen. Lee."

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Summary:

The paper defends its use of General Lee's name as a supporter of a Convention. Though he dislikes public notice, he is happy to use his influence in such an emergency, the editors assert. They are willing to be tried and condemned by fellow soldiers should anyone think them wrong.

Crime in the North

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Summary:

This item publishes a list of the crimes reported in one issue of a New York newspaper. They include assault, lynching, "divorces, seductions, rapes, murders, forgeries." "Just imagine what a howl would be raised if a tenth of it had occurred South!"

Page 3

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Summary:

The paper reports that "last year 165 colored persons were assessed for taxes in Staunton."

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Summary:

Lumber and building materials are arriving in Staunton by railroad and wagon, and many improvement projects are planned.

To Soldiers

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Summary:

The Valley Virginian office is supplying, free of charge, forms for applying to the state for artificial limbs.

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Summary:

Good reports of farm operations and growing wheat are arriving from around the Valley.

The Gas Co.

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Summary:

H. H. Peck gave up his lease on the Gas Works, and the Company will run it in the future. "We understand the price is to be lowered and many improvements made when the rosin arrives to make gas."

Names in Announcement:

H. H. Peck

Personal

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Summary:

Capt. Tukey was exonerated through investigation of the charges made against him, according to General Brown, Superintendent of Freedmen. The General, in his letter, compliments Tukey "on the faithful discharge of his duties. A fact our people can testify to."

Names in Announcement:

Capt. Tukey

Registration

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Summary:

Capt. Tukey, Superintendent of the Freedmen's Bureau in Augusta, has provided General Schofield with a list of magistrates and the number and boundary of magisterial districts in preparation for early registration of voters. "Let every man, who can, do his duty and register."

Names in Announcement:

Capt. Tukey

Population And Voters of Staunton

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Summary:

The paper reports the number and race of voters in Staunton. The 1860 census recorded a population of 3,875, of which 900 were black. Recent estimates place the population at 4,500, of which 750 are black. There are 470 white voters. "Taking one-third of the negroes, as voters, 250, making in all 720, which gives the whites a majority of 220--but there will be little division among the voters."

Statistics of Augusta

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Summary:

The paper lists statistics for Augusta County as provided in the 1860 census. An 1866 assessment shows growth in all categories: number of farms, 1,569; dwellings, 3,829; families, 3,786; manufactures, 189; value of real and personal estate, $12,343,324; number of schools, 90; teachers, 93; pupils, 3,237; paupers, 35; average wage of mechanics without board, $1.25 per day; day laborer, $1; price of board, $2 per week; number of churches, 53.

Augusta Fire Company

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Summary:

The annual meeting of the Augusta Fire Company was held. The company passed a vote of thanks for the ladies of Augusta for raising $400 on behalf of the company. The following officers were elected: J. H. Waters, Captain; J. A. Bickle, 1st Lieut.; P. H. Trout, Secretary; John Donovan, Treasurer; John P. Scherer, Jr., 1st Engineer; Charley Stafford, 2nd Engineer; Jacob Scherer, 3rd Engineer; Patrick O'Toole, 4th Engineer; John M. Hardy, 1st Hose Director; James Smith, 2nd Hose Director; William S. Grove, Engine Keeper.

Names in Announcement:

J. H. Waters; J. A. Bickle; P. H. Trout; John Donovan; John P. Scherer, Jr.; Charley Stafford; Jacob Scherer; Patrick O'Toole; John M. Hardy; James Smith; William S. Grove

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Summary:

The Philomethesian Society met on Saturday night and debated the question: "Were the young men of the South justifiable in emigrating?" Upsher Kerr argued in the affirmative, and J. P. O'Ferrall in the negative. The debate was decided in the negative by a vote of 10 to 8.

Names in Announcement:

Upsher Kerr; J. P. O'Ferrall

Hon. N. K. Trout

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Summary:

State Senator N. K. Trout was profiled in the Whig: "Mr. Trout, of Augusta, is chairman of the Judiciary Committee, and is an able man and a hard worker. He contents himself with explaining the bills reported by the important committee of which he is the head, instead of indulging in long speeches. He is never absent when an important vote is taken."

Market or No Market

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Summary:

The paper asks for a decision on whether or not Staunton will have a market "and get rid of the middle men," or not. As the matter stands, the Market Ordinance is not enforced and the Market-House is empty. The paper suggests a referendum on the subject, and calls for the sale of the Market-House if it fails.

Population of Augusta and Voters

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Summary:

This article gives a statistical breakdown of Augusta County voters based on race, and concludes that the whites have an overwhelming majority. This should convince blacks of the "folly" of voting against their white "friends."

Full Text of Article

The census of 1860 gives the whole population of Augusta at 27,764. Whites, 22,212; negroes, 5,552. Taking one-fifth of the number of whites as voters, this gives 4,442 white voters, from which deduct about 100 for disfranchised. Averaging the negro vote at the same it gives 1,110 negro votes--making a total of 5,452 voters, or say 5,000, which gives the whites 3,000 clear majority; allowing that the negroes will vote against us in a solid body, which we do not expect. Since the census, another has been taken by the Freedmen's Bureau, which gives the negro population of the County at 4,700, a decrease of 852. These facts should impress upon the colored people the utter folly of going against their best friends--the majority of our people--and being led astray by designing white men. While it is sacredly our duty to protect them in all their rights, it is none the less theirs to co-operate with us in our efforts to save the State from ruin. Proper efforts on the part of our intelligent white and colored people, will make everything work towards one great end--the welfare and prosperity of all classes.

Soldiers' Cemetery

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Summary:

The ladies have invited the Rev. Mr. Munsey to speak on May 10th. The work on the cemetery is progressing, but "40 loads of rich earth are needed to plant trees. Can't our farmers bring them in?"

Names in Announcement:

Rev. Munsey

Number of Slaves Between 18 and 45 in Augusta, Jan. 1st 1863.

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Summary:

When Gov. Smith asked Augusta to supply 250 slaves to work upon fortification during the war, a Committee appointed by the County Court and consisting of Robert G. Bickle, William A. Bell, W. G. Sterrett, Samuel B. Brown, and B. F. Points, estimated the county had 762 male slaves between the ages of 18 and 45. 50 free blacks were not included, "but it gives a good idea of the negro vote now, and makes it less than the calculation we make from the census." The paper recommends that every effort be made to estimate the potential African American vote in the entire state.

Names in Announcement:

Robert G. Bickle; William A. Bell; W. G. Sterrett; Samuel B. Brown; B. F. Points

Page 4

Good Advice

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Summary:

This article reports on a speech by the Rev. J. L. M. Curry to the Young Men's Christian Association of Richmond. Curry encouraged his audience to live upright lives, and to labor diligently at building the industry and prosperity of the South.

Full Text of Article

The Rev. J. L. M. Curry, of Alabama, better known as a member of the Confederate Congress, lectured before the Young Men's Christian Association, of Richmond, last week. We ask a careful perusal of the following synopsis of his remarks, which we find in the Examiner, by all of our readers, especially the young.

He spoke for about an hour in an eloquent, interesting and instructive vein, giving the rising generation some wholesome advice, and showing great research, extensive reading and careful thought. We do not propose to follow him in his lecture, but merely to touch a few of its salient points. He wished, above all, that the young men of the South should be gentlemen, and in order to be such they must be good Christians; and he counseled them to go to work energetically and labor unceasingly in order to build up the commercial and material interests of the South. The country was not ruined. It still contained all the elements of wealth; and by properly directed industry, its immense resources could soon be developed. It was neither slavery--the basis of a proud aristocracy--nor a rich soil, nor much learning, nor a splendid government, that made a country great; but the industry and energy of its people. There was nothing in this opposed to aristocracy, for it was noble to work. He also cautioned them against fostering a feeling of alienation towards any portion of the people of the country, and told them not to flout the old flag, for it was our fathers' flag and our's.

He was earnest in his appeals to the youth of the South to be steadfast to their glorious traditions--to preserve the memory of their forefathers, and to emulate their noble actions and greatness of character; but above all they must labor diligently to build up the country, in order to insure its future wealth, prosperity and happiness. As Christians, they would be gentlemen, and enoble their manhood.