Staunton vindicator and general advertiser. (Staunton, Augusta County, Va.) 1858-1860, 1859-11-18
SIGNS Of tho Times.

Signs Of tho Times.
The recent practical development o.
pseudo-negrophilism has been a subject o.
general comment throughout the country,
and now that vituperation and falsehood
have almost been exhausted in philippics a.
gainst the South, it is well to take conser-
vative standpoint, and view the new roliti-
ical era just dawning upon us:: Notwith-
standing Seward, Giddings, ct on,ne id pc
Gus, have INDUCED wholesale invectiye a
gainst Southern character xnd Institutions,
yet no one, not even the most apprehen-
sive, was prepared for the practical exposi-
ton of their nefarious doctrines, and satanic
plans, as witnessed at Harper's Ferry. 1t
came xpon US as a thunderoolt in the midst
of caim and sunshine, and as the terrible
revelations came in rapid succession on light
ming wing we could but regard them as too
monssrous for ordinary credence. But the
sequel proved what at FIRST seemed startling
romance to be living and terrible reality.
And after this bloody disclosure Of Black
Republican dogmas, what was the natural
expectation of the South and Of conservative
men throughout the land? Was it not that
the North, seeing the inevitable and fatal
tendency of Sewardism, would rise up in
the majesty Of their strength and patriotism
and crush out the pernicious doctrines Of
abolitionism and heap upon their bold and
wicked leaders the scathing anathemas SO
richly merited?- Did we not justly expect
that in view Of the violation Of most SOL
emn compact. formed and cemented by rev.
dictionary ties and baptized in rich ances-
trsl blood, that in view of the sudden inva-
sien Of our territory, the violation Of the
right Of property, and the killing and cap
ture Of our citizens by hired emissaries, the
people of the North would not only through
the press, but Sy public demonstrations. and
even in the pulpit, declaim not only against
the hellish purposes Of Old Brown, but a.
.gainst every one whose teachings, sympathy
or money has made him particeps crin,ii-
niss And yet it is our painful duty to re-
cord the fact that these invaders and des-
peradoes have met with more sympathy
than the unofending citizens whose lives,
families. and property were to be sacrificed
upon the impious altar Of instruction. We
are glad to know, however, that some bright
rays sparkle along the impending and dark
sning cloud Of fanaticism. Several Of the
Northern papers have had the true conser-
vative spirit, and with a holiness of denun-
citation worthy Of general praise, have Wis
tied upon Seward and his Harper's Ferry
representatives whitening and blasting re-
buke. Yet the fact still stares us in the
face that a majority Of the North sympathize
with, if they do not indorse, the movement
Of these Broun Republicans. This view is
confirmed by the recent elections, and it
meets a still stronger confirmation from the
fact that in the pulpit and by other means,
there is an evident attempt to give the re-
cent rebellion religious sanction. But
they not only sympathize with the political
heresies of Brown, but now that he has had
as fair and impartial trial as Virginia ever
accorded to one of her own citizens, and has
been condemned, these detestable negro
worshippers attempt to stay the hand Of
Justice. Gov. Wise has acted noble part,
one that will ever enshrine his name and
memory in the chronicles Of history, as well
as in the hearts Of all true patriots, and yet
efforts are being made to intimidate him by
menace and insult. All kinds of letters
have been pouring into his mail with the
avowed purpose Of securing the pardon Of
the greatest villain that probably ever ours
ed bis country I; all Of them apparently ig-
norant Of the fact that the laws Of Virginia
accord no such prerogative to the Governor
in case Of treason. But even if he had
the prerogative, it would be just as easy to
remove the Allegheny ''into the midst Of
the sea" as to change his mind in regard to
the fate Of Ossawotomie Brown. Some oil
the sancti6ed who with Seward believe in a
"higher law" think that the prisoners may
escape, and the mind Of the Executive may
be changed through the powerful instrumen-
tally of prayer and faith. This is another
freak Of the Yankee mind the whole of which
seems to be on the verge Of insanity. The
N. Y. Herald Of the 10th inst. states thai
meeting Of persons Of various denomina-
tons was held in the vestry of the Church
Of the Puritans in pursuance Of the follow.
ing call:
"How long, O. Lord, how long A
Union prayer meeting for the enslaved ano
for shareholders, will be held in the Churcl
Ct the Puritans this evening at y O'clock >
After prayers for Brown and Gerrit Smith
end several spicy remarks upon the sin 0
slavery and the glorious cause of freedom,
brother suggested that Brown, and Smith
and the slaves were not the only proper sub
jects of prayer; they ought to pray Ear Gov
ernor Wise. He did not want to be mis-
understood, but he would compare Cover