Valley Virginian: September 4, 1867 — Newspapers

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Summary:

Registration returns for all but eight Virginia counties have been received showing 110,000 whites and 90,000 blacks. Four of the counties not yet reporting are expected to have large white majorities.

Mossy Creek Academy

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Summary:

The paper applauds plans to rebuild Mossy Creek Academy which burned down during the war. Its reinstitution will serve as a memorial to the alumni who fought and died during the war, and serve as an example of past civilization, before public schools and the education of African Americans lowered academic standards.

Full Text of Article

We are gratified to hear that it is the intention of the good people of North West Augusta to rebuild this institution, which was, for so many years, the pride and ornament of their section. It was a matter of general regret when, during the war, by some accident, the noble building which they had erected at so much expense, took fire and was burned to the ground, leaving only an unsightly pile of ruins instead of a thorough temple of learning; and we are sure that it will be a matter of general gratification if a good and substantial building shall again be reared upon the site of the former Mossy Creek Academy, and a school be again started that shall attain the popularity of the one formerly taught there.

We remember with pleasure the days we spent there as a school boy, but a feeling of sadness is mingled with it, when we think of the many noble boys who were there with us that afterwards fell in defence of their native land, in the very prime of their manhood. We could give a long roll call of honor for it. Many of the hands that planted the trees which flourish upon that neglected hill are now mingled with the clods of the Valley. More than 20 of those that were there during the single session of 1854 and '55 now rest in soldier's graves. Rebuild this institution then, we say, if for no other purpose, as a monument to the memory of its fallen braves, and rear up other generations under the shade of the trees they planted to emulate their heroic virtues; put a tablet in its wall; on which their names shall be inscribed, and, with an abiding faith in the judgement of posterity, write upon that tablet the inscription the old man of S. W. Virginia placed upon the grave of his only son and child: "If to die for liberty was right, remember him, if wrong forget him."

We need all the old land-marks we can hold on to, for we are drifting wide from our former moorings, and there are none that will serve us a better purpose, in our time of sorest need, than our institutions of higher learning. The demagogue, who would bring the intelligence of society down to the level of the intellect of a half-civilized African (we strongly suspect merely for the selfish purpose that he may get the vote of the negro,) may declaim against such institutions, and demand that everybody shall be taxed to support free schools for the benefit of everybody--in other words to establish a system that has no freedom in it, and which attempts to educate by lowering the standard of education. We have all heard of these things lately, but we put it to the honest, substantial people who live near, and who built up Mossy Creek Academy, to know if they want any freer or any better system of education than that which they have had, and we would like to know if any one that desired to share its benefits has been debarred the privilege. We do not want foundries where boys shall all be put into the same mould and come out all alike--variety is the spice of life; and we conclude by urging the people of Mossy Creek, and all the rest of our people, to rebuild their schools and set them on the same foundations they had before, and as they have manhood enough not to be ashamed of themselves, let them transmit the same sort to their posterity.

Educate the Daughters of our Dead.

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Summary:

The Society for the Liberal Education of Southern Female Children issues an appeal to heads of female schools to admit as many daughters of Confederate dead for free or reduced charges. "Every young daughter of the South, rescued from ignorance, and suitably trained for a life of usefulness, will prove, by God's blessing, a polished stone of that temple which we hope soon to see rising from the present ruin." Society membership costs $5 annually.Interested persons may contact the President, Mrs. William H. Brane, or Corresponding Secretary Mrs. Hugh Lee.

Names in Announcement:

Mrs. William H. Brane; Mrs. Hugh Lee

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Summary:

This editorial asserts that with the removal of Phil Sheridan from command of the 5th Military District, and Sickles and Stanton from their positions, President Johnson has shown that "there is a point beyond which patience ceases to be a virtue." The Radicals now "seem to have awakened to the fact that they have a foeman worthy of their steel, and are girding on their armor for the death struggle--for power and plunder."

A Rich Harvest

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Summary:

The paper asserts that record harvests throughout the United States show that "we are growing more peaceful. We are becoming more wealthy as a nation." Wheat, cotton, tobacco, sugar, rice, fruits and cereals are all yielding bumper crops.

The Situation as Viewed by a True Virginia Gentleman

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Summary:

A gentleman form South-side Virginia argues that southern whites should not attack reconstruction head-on, but instead fight small battles while complying with as much as possible. Reconstruction must be shown to be a failure of ideology, not of implementation, so Congress is not tempted to try the "experiment" again. The writer fears that black Virginians will not "exercise their new privilege with wisdom or discretion; but that they will array themselves against the whites, from a belief that their interests are at variance with the interests of the whites." This misconception must be cleared up.

Page 3

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Summary:

1,502 visitors stayed at the American Hotel during the month of August.

Flour Inspector

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Summary:

B. F. Fifer, Augusta Flour Inspector, inspected 4,150 barrels of flour in Staunton between July 15th and September 1st.

Names in Announcement:

B. F. Fifer

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Summary:

The Staunton Lyceum will discuss the question, "Is it expedient for Virginia to adopt the free school system at this time?" General Echols will argue in the affirmative and Jed Hotchkiss in the negative.

Marriages

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Summary:

W. C. Walton and Miss Catherine H. Walton, both of Augusta, were married on August 30th by the Rev. J. L. Clarke.

Names in Announcement:

W. C. Walton; Catherine H. Walton; Rev. J. L. Clarke

Deaths

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Summary:

W. L. Grove, aged 27 years, died at the Staunton residence of his mother on August 26th.

Names in Announcement:

W. L. Grove

Deaths

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Summary:

Thomas R. Blackburn, aged 73 years, died at the Staunton residence of Capt. J. C. Marquis on August 28th.

Names in Announcement:

Thomas R. Blackburn; Capt. J. C. Marquis

Page 4

Answer To That Time I Wore the Rebel Grey.

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Summary:

In this poem, "Lizzie" encourages the author of "That Time I Wore the Rebel Grey," to be optimistic, proud of his Confederate service, and not to mourn over a lost love.

Full Text of Article

By Lizzie

Why sit with thoughts so dark and sad,
This bright and glorious Summer's day?
Were I a man, I would be glad,
To think I ever wore the grey.

If she is false, the one you woo'd,
Now that a cloud is on your way,
She was not fair enough or good,
To claim the one who wore they grey.

And well you say she cannot be,
More faire, though clothed in garments gay,
Than when you fought with Robert Lee,
And proudly wore the faded grey.

But judge not all by one you knew,
And let the world act as it may,
For in each heart that's brave or true,
A love yet lingers for the grey.

Yes bitterness is in our heart,
And never can be done away,
From us by force, our rights they part,
Except the one to love the grey.

Then proudly rise and take your crutch,
And feel no king with princely sway,
The right to pride, has half so much,
As he who wore the rebel grey.

Appomattox C. H., Aug. 17th, 1867.