Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1861-01-04
Seventeenth Volume.

par "a eA0 County Au"USiCu noo AioA
than six hundred, it has sustained ardently
under most unpropitious circumstances ant
amid the varying fortunes ola doubtful en-
terprise, the cause of the Democratic party
until the numerical strength of the organi
cation has been more than doubled and tn
paper established upon firm foundation.
Seventeen years have witnessed the stead,
growth of the Democracy and its triumph
over the elements of opposition, under what
ever name presented, with almost unvaryin.
success, until the year 1860, when through
its own dissensions and disintregation,
yielded to the more firmly united and bette
disciplined forces of the enemy.
1t is no difficult task to trace the recen
result of the Presidential election 20 the hu
man agencies that brought it about. Blu
,chy it should have entered into the heart
of men to plot the destruction of the mos
perfect system of government the world has
ever seen, is past finite comprehension
and is one of those unfathomable mysteries
which the more confound US as we approach
their investigation. There can be no ra.
tional motive given as an excuse for the &C.
ton OF men, that is pregnant with such un.
told disaster and misery, not only to the
present generation of our country, but te
the generations yet unborn, and to the cause
OF human freedom, religious and political
throughout the world. Were we alone to
realize the blighting and destructive inAu.
ences OF the dissolution of the Union of these
states-a Union hallowed by SO many glo.
rlous associations, cemented by such sacred
ties, and baptized in the blood Of our IA
thers-then we might with some palliatine
excuse assume the responsibility of SO TIC.
mendous an undertaking. But this is not
the case. We are acting for posterity.-
Many of us believing that the government,
has failed to accomplish that good designed
and contemplated by its founders, are un-
willing that a living libel upon their wisdom,
patriotism and philanthropy. shall longer ex,
list. A recurrence to the fundamental idea
of our political system convinces many that
in the practical operation of our govern
mental machinery, the end there proposed
is not being carried out. Instead of the
equality of all, the tyranny of numbers is
substituted. Instead Of sovereign State In
dependence and State responsibility, the
people of other States assume to say what
We shall do, and regulate our system Of
morals as we'll as our domestic institutions
Solemn and serious warning does not bring
them to sense of the injustice they would
perpetrate. Expostulation they .''will none
Of" But determined upon the point that
they are right and every body else is wrong,
they are daily seeking by all the devices Of
the hypocrite, the bully and tho incendiary
to force their views upon an unwilling peo-
pie, regardless of consequences.
These causes have brought the Southern
people to the investigation of the fact, wheth.
er Or not the legacy bequeashed by our rev.
dictionary fathers is being faithfully admin.
istered-whether its designs are being stud.
led and its ends encompassed-that poster
ity may receive it from us, as we received
it from them.
The consideration ofsuch momentous CUES
tons and the contemplation Of the probable
result, will necessarily absorb all mere par
ty issues anc erase party distinctions. Hence
forth, it is contest of Sections. Things
are rapidly drifting to focus. The rea
sonable demands of the South that the North
should retrace their hostile steps, give assur
ance Of flu ture fidelity to the national com
pact, and cease their aggressions, have beer
met with insulting sheer and tauntiug def
ance. They dream little of the volcan,
over which they are sporting. 1.-THE Nortt
by such means expect to intimidate the South
then they are fearfully deluded VIVA
heretofore has been deemed conservatism il
Virginia. is being aroused to stern and re
lentless Indignation. If the North expec
cooperation, then they are mistaken. Th,
South will be as one man in defence Of he
honor, her rights, her sovereignty and he
equality.
Heretofore, we have remarked, the Vim
dictator has been enlisted in the interests O
the Democratic party, with the firm convic
ton that the faithful administration Of it
doctrines is the most efficient agency b,
which to perpetuate the Union. The defea
of that organization, has sounded the death
knell of the confederacy. While we shall
cherish the tenets of the Democracy as those
most assimilative to the true idea of ou
government, their advocacy and elimination
have become unnecessary for the present
and heneeforth we shall unite our efforts
with all good men i'll the vinaication of th'
honor Of Virginia and the South, and th
maintenance of the principles of constitu
tionaI liberty as understood by our fathers
We commence the SEVENTEEN volume o
the Vindicator and the year 1861. with
dark and portentous cloud lowering over GU
political horizon, but whatever may betidc
though civil war may rage and the countr,
be drenched in blood with Virginia and tn
South our destiny is cast, and with the sam
1aa1 and anerrv we have in tha mast en-