Valley Virginian: October 30, 1867 — Newspapers

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Folly

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Summary:

The paper asserts that whites will soon declare that they will no longer "be bothered" with blacks.

Full Text of Article

Can it be possible that the 3,000,000 black people in the U. S., whose ancestors were captured, as savages, by the ancestors of the 36,000,000 whites now living here, are such fools as to suppose the said 36,000,000 are going to be bothered much longer with them? The common sense of the white people says: "no, we have made fools of ourselves over this matter long enough and it must be settled." We pity the colored people but we can't help them, unless they help themselves, by working and letting politics alone.

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Summary:

The paper declares that the most "remarkable fact" of the election is that "all the darkies voted radical, but still they say to us 'd--n the yankees.'"

How to Settle Our Difficulties

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Summary:

The paper advocates a Convention of the States at which the white people of the country will get together to solve their differences and "settle upon a form of Government, that will do justice to all." The war, and the even more bitter political disagreements since, show that the Republic, as organized now, is a failure.

Full Text of Article

The white people of the United States formed a Constitution. The best talent of all sections was employed, and it has been pronounced a "master piece" by the world. But, even under it, the deversified interests, the local prejudices, and the evil nature of man created the most terrible war of recorded time. That war has been over three years and still there is no settlement of our difficulties. Is there no solution, are the people of this country to be forever wrangling and quarrelling? The great mass want peace and quiet, and, if there is no other way to get it, they prefer a military despotism at once. The Southern white people accept the fact, that this is to be one Government, but they ask a fair chance in it.

We do not allude to the past, to minor issues, to slavery, the war and its bloody record, or any thing that small politicians may say or do to retain power and place. The great fact stares the American people in the face; that their much boasted Republic is a failure; that a parcel of negroes have caused trouble enough, and that it is to the interest of all to settle every question, that now divides the white people, at once and forever.

How to do it is the trouble. The framers of the Constitution made provision for a Convention of all the States, upon the application of two thirds. It was a wise provision, the prescient of great minds, and it should be used by the white people of America now. The war, the present Congress, the President and all, have tried to settle the questions, which divide the people of what was the United States. All have failed. Now let the people of all the States, forgetting the past, call a Convention of the States and send to it their best men. Let them divest themselves of all prejudice, and send to it their wisest and most experienced men. If they can not settle upon a form of Government, that will do justice to all, and suit this age and people, then Liberty and free Government are lost. Can't we try it?

Is there honesty, is there common sense enough among the white people on this continent to throw aside small politicians; to forget the past and face the great issues of the day, as a mighty, free people should? We hope so but fear not. We fear that the day when the Lion and the Lamb shall lie down together, when the conqueror and the conquered, shall dwell together in unity and peace, is far distant but, then, these questions must be settled.

The Virginia Elections

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Summary:

This article calls Reconstruction a "black carnival of license, ushered in by fraud, violence and meditated murder," which is transforming "heretofore orderly and peaceful laborers" into "savages athirst for blood and rapine." Early election results foreshadow a black majority at the Convention secured allegedly by fraud and violence against conservative black voters.

Full Text of Article

At the date of this writing, says the National Intelligencer, the returns of the election just held in Virginia are insufficient to show with any certainty how that State has voted; but we imagine a majority will be to have voted for a convention, and we apprehend also a negro majority secured in that body. This result was intended from the beginning; the frauds in registration and appointment all show that it was a foregone conclusion. The negroes appear to have generally voted as a body, and the two races were pitted one against the other. The few negroes in Richmond and Lynchburg who attempted to vote the Conservative ticket were at once set upon by the infuriated blacks, and barely escaped with their lives, by the desperate exertions of the police, aided by the Federal military. The mob of blood-thirsty negro savages, whom the Radicals propose to invest with the political power of this noble old Commonwealth, yielded slowly before the evident determination of the military to enforce order. These latter acted with much greater forbearance, we imagine, than they would have done if white men had thus defied their authority, and interrupted the peaceful progress of the election.

Such is "reconstruction" in Virginia--a black carnival of license, ushered in by fraud, violence, and meditated murder, until things have now come to such a pass, that in the capital of the State which gave us Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, the cry of these demoralized blacks is not merely for the property of the whites, and the blood of their own race who vote independently, but for that, also, of the Northern resident who refuses to endorse their Jacobin projects. Against these last Hunnicutt gives the sign, and the faithful pack echo the cry, "Kill the d--n Yankee; kill him, shoot him!" and the words were at once followed by an effort of the mob to accomplish their murderous purpose.

Here we behold the first fruits of the "Congressional policy" of reconstruction. No State has been, so far, restored to the Union; but a class of, heretofore orderly and peaceful laborers, have been transformed into savages athirst for blood and rapine. White men of America, how long will you stand it?

The Great Struggle--Our Duties South

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Summary:

The Valley Virginian agrees with the National Intelligencer's characterization of the recent elections as "the beginning of a stupendous struggle, which is to involve the very existence of free institutions." Conservative citizens must fight against the intrenched power of "the enemy" that make up the Congressional leadership and have access to all-important patronage.

"Whoa January"

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Summary:

The paper advises against discharging African American workers before another source of labor is secured.

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Summary:

The paper has only one message for black voters who supported the Radicals: "Go along with your rat killing. If you can stand it we can. WE ARE WHITE."

The Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Enterprise--What a Great Virginia Mind Thinks of It

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Summary:

"Clinton" writes a letter to the editors of the Valley Virginian urging Augusta voters to support the county's proposal to buy $300,000 in bonds in the proposed Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad. The Railroad will link Covington, Alleghany County, with the Ohio river, ensuring that the trade of the West will pass through Augusta. With this accomplishment, Virginia can become one of the greatest and most prosperous carrying states in the Union.

The Convention

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Summary:

The editors urge that conservatives elected to the convention "go and do the best they can. It is a hard task but that makes it all the more honorable." Meanwhile, "the white people at home" should "organize thoroughly and prepare to sustain their delegates better than they did at the polls."

Members of Convention Elected

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Summary:

The paper prints the names of convention members elected statewide, designating whether they are "conservative," "radical," or "negro radical." Augusta elected Joseph A. Waddell and Powell Harrison, both conservatives. Augusta, Albemarle and Louisa also elected James C. Southall, a conservative, as a floating delegate.

Names in Announcement:

Joseph A. Waddell; Powell Harrison; James C. Southall

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Immigration

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Summary:

The paper calls for a meeting of Augusta's farmers to be held at the next circuit court in order to encourage white immigration to the county. "Land owners must do this work, or submit to negro rule and confiscation."

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Summary:

The editors declare that the voters of Augusta "deserve all they will get" for weak turnout in the recent elections. "Leading men in each neighborhood must devote a little time to public duties, if they desire to preserve their liberties, and bring out a full vote."

Employment Agency

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Summary:

The paper endorses establishment of an employment agency in Augusta in which "white men and women, who are willing to work, may be brought to the notice of those needing labor."

"Freedom!"

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Summary:

The paper alleges that "a colored man who voted the Conservative ticket at Waynesboro', in this county, on the 22d, was assaulted by another colored man for thus voting."

The District

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Summary:

The following is the vote total for the election district including Augusta, Albemarle and Louisa: Southall won a 520 vote majority over Tukey in Augusta; a 660 vote majority in Albemarle, and a 115 vote majority in the district as a whole. Tukey won a 1,065 vote majority over Southall in Louisa.

A Question

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Summary:

The paper asks why the "farmers who are talking so much about white immigration" did not donate seed wheat to the Polish colony in Spotsylvania. Augusta gave only 16 bushels, 5 of which were contributed by Jacob Baylor. "If you want immigration, gentlemen, be at least as liberal as the yankees in the North-west; offer inducements, reduce the price of land, and feed those who come."

Names in Announcement:

Jacob Baylor

Sport

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Summary:

Pheasants, partridges, and squirrels are plentiful near Staunton, and the town's sportsmen are "having a good time." Hauntz Scherer, the "unequaled marksman," donated birds for a feast for the editors of the Virginian. "A couple of 'sports' from N. Y., and two dogs, were here last week on a 'raid.' We understand they enjoyed themselves hugely, and went away rejoicing--chained to the dogs."

Names in Announcement:

Hauntz Scherer

The Great Work

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Summary:

The editors argue that the prosperity accompanying construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad can defeat Reconstruction and help Virginia regain its powerful place in the Union. "People of Augusta, this is the way to relieve yourselves from the infernal tyranny that now crushes you to the earth! Build railroads, encourage immigration, gain strength materially, and, our word for it, History has been written to little purpose if we can not soon say, proudly and truly, 'Sic Semper Tyrannis.'"

Election Returns of Augusta County

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Summary:

The paper prints the Augusta County election returns.

Full Text of Article

For a Convention

Dist. No. 1. (Staunton,) white, 16; colored, 174.
Dist. No. 2. (Staunton,) white, 19; colored, 230.
Dist. No. 3. (Middlebrook,) white, 26; colored, 142.
Dist. No. 4. (Greenville,) white, 20; colored, 73.
Dist. No. 5. (Waynesboro',) white, 13; colored, 192.
Dist. No. 6. (New Hope,) white, 51; colored, 80.
Dist. No. 7. (Mt. Sidney,) white, 28; colored, 30.
Dist. No. 8. (Mt. Solon,) white, 20; colored, 83.
Dist. No. 9. (Churchville,) white, 40; colored, 70.
Total--white 233; colored 1024.

Against a Convention

District No. 1, white 250; colored 1. District No. 2, white 218; colored 3. District No. 3, white 172; colored 0. District No. 4, white 217; colored 0. District No. 5, white 244; colored 4. District No. 6, white 131; colored 0. District No. 7, white 118; colored 0. District No. 8, white 172; colored 1. District No. 9, white 124; colored 0. Total--white 1646; colored 9.

Conservatives

Waddell.--District No. 1, white 248; colored 1. District No. 2, white 210; colored 3. District No. 3, white 160; colored 0. District No. 4, white 217; colored 0. District No. 5, white 244; colored 4. District No. 6, white 131; colored 0. District No. 7, white 118; colored 0. District No. 8, white 170; colored 1. District No. 9, white 124; colored 0. Total--white 1631; colored 9.

Harrison.--District No. 1, white 248; colored 1. District No. 2, white 208; colored 3. District No. 3, white 169; colored 0. District No. 4, white 217; colored 0. District No. 5, white 244; colored 4. District No. 6, white 129; colored 0. District No. 7, white 118; colored 0. District No. 8, white 170; colored 1. District No. 9, white 123; colored 0. Total--white 1626; colored 9.

Republicans

Fultz.--District No. 1, white 14; colored 174. District No. 2, white 20; colored 230. District No. 3, white 26; colored 142. District No. 4, white 19; colored 73. District No. 5, white 13; colored 192. District No. 6, white 53; colored 80. District No. 7, white 20; colored 30. District No. 8, white 21; colored 83. District No. 9, white 40; colored 70. Total--white 226; colored 1024.

Gray.--District No. 1, white 11; colored 174. District No. 2, white 16; colored 230. District No. 3, white 26; colored 142. District No. 4, white 19; colored 73. District No. 5, white 13; colored 192. District No. 6, white 55; colored 80. District No. 7, white 28; colored 80. District No. 8, white 21; colored 33. District No. 9, white 40; colored 70. Total--white 229; colored 1024.

Conservative

Southall--District No. 1, white 252; colored 1. District No. 2, white 208; colored 8. District No. 3, white 168; colored 0. District No. 4, white 217; colored 0. District No. 5, white 244; colored 4. District No. 6, white 131; colored 0. District No. 7, white 118, colored 0. District No. 8, white 169; colored 1. District No. 9, white 124; colored 0. Total--1631; colored 9.

Republicans

Tukey.--District No. 1, white 12; colored 174. District No. 2, white 15; colored 230. District No. 3, white 26; colored 142. District No. 4, white 19; colored 72. District No. 5, white 13; colored 192; District No. 6, white 3, colored 0. District No. 7, white 27; colored 30. District No. 8, white 24; colored 38. District No. 9, white 50; colored 70. Total--white 176; colored 943.

Gordon--District No. 1, white 2; colored 0. District No. 2, white 3, colored 0. District No. 3, white 0; colored 0. District No. 4, white 0; colored 0. District No. 5, white 0; colored 0. District No. 6, white 50; colored 80. District No. 7, white 0; colored 0. District No. 8, white 0; colored 0. District No. 9, white 0; colored 0. Total--white 55; colored 80.

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