davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Hard upon Politicians.

We extract the following from speech de-
livered in the Legislature On the 21st inst, by
Wyndham Robertson, Esq:
b''The pervading and terrible curse of the
country is the Politicians. 1t groans, and with
ers, under them. 1t is their passions and their
selfish interests, far more, in my opinion, than
discord and hate among the people, that is the
fruitful source of our woes. Their interests are
often different, often opposite, rarely the same,
with those of the people, They thrive on agi-
tation-they fatten on the public troubles-they
reve in public disorders. AS these multiply,
new sources of plumber are opened. Many OF
them obtain Office by bribery to reimburse them
selves by corruption. Look where you may to
the Peoples leaders and managers, and you see
numbers who live but on, and off, their sub
stance Not but there are always numerous ex-
ceptions of pure and patriotic and dsinterested
men as any times have produced. l speak of
the class-and | have no doubt but it would be
public blessing-and that our public troubles
would speedily be composed, if the whole batch
could be consigned together to political oblivion,
and new men, come from out the body of the
people, be put in their places.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29

PATRIOTS, AWAKE Your liberties are In dan.
ger The Legislature has, with indecent haste.
called Convention. Hundreds of voters will
not know of the call until it has done its work;
and if the designs of the secessionsts are accom-
plished y0ur liberties are gone.
Freemen! oiU you become slacesi That is
now the question for you to decide. The chains
are being forged! Will You wear them2
Freemen, speak. Csst your vote for one who
will stand for the rights of Virginia an the Un-
ION and declare your wish at the polls also,
that the action of the State Convention shall
be submitted to the people for ratification
Let not ambitious politicians men who will not
fight your battles, men who will burden you
with taxes until your substance is eaten out,
men who will drag your SONS to the battle field.
beguile you. Now is the time, perhaps the last
chance, you will have to maintain your freedom
and your rights. Freemenl will you be free2
Will you leave your children freea Answer
on the 4th of February.
The star-plangled banner, oh long may it wave
Ger the land of the free and the home of the brave
Green6rier Independent
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Never give up your Rights
to a few--Vote for Referring
to the People.
What are we Coming to z

The charlottesville Jeffersonian," in men
tioning several reasons why it cannot support
Hon. VIM. @. Rives for the Convention, assigns
the following:
Because, in this important crisis we do not
think he ought to be trusted with the interests
of the Southern States"
Mr.. Rives owns large number of slaves, has
been warm and able advocat to of the ''interests
of the Southern States" all his life, but the "Jef-
fersonian" says he fought not to be trusted. y
The secret of the opposition of the Jefferson
ian" consists in the fact that Mr.. Rives is OPP
posed to the favorite scheme of Wendell Phil
lips for consummating the abolition of slavery,
to wit: The dissolution Of the Union. Wen :
dell Phillips says that "disunionism means abo-
litionism." The friends of the Union are the
best friends of the institution of slavery.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Honors to Stauntonians.

Cyrus B. Baldwin, Esq, formerly of our town,
is member of the Mississippi State Convention,
from the county of Chickasaw. He was elected
by the unanimous vote of the people of bis
COMMUNICATING received every vote polled.-
He is, of course, 40 ardent secessionist.
Alexander M. CARRIER, Esq, son of our towns
man, VIM. 81. CARRIER, Esq, and now editor of
"The Houston Petrel," spirited secession paper
Published at Houston, Mississippi, was recently
elected Colonel Commandant of the 45th Regi-
ment of Mississippi militia-a high honor to be
conferred, by the fre-eaters of the South, in
these war-lke times, upon 80 young man, and
a comparative stranger, Col. CARRIER having re-
sided in Mississippi only during the past year.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29

We learn from Springfield, Illinois, that Mr..
Kellogg, member of Congress from that State,
has arrived there on mission to the President
elect, to obtain definite and authoritative an
nouncement from Mr. Lincoln with regard to the
compromise propositions in Congress. On the
result of this mission, it is stated, will depend
the future course of the Republicans in Congress.
A despatch from St. Louis expresses the opinion
that the Republicans, with Mr.. Lincoln's sane
ton, will propose the holding OF National Con-
yention and the restoration of the Missouri line
to California.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
The Scheme Exp0sed

Mr.. Samuel 7. Walker one of the delegates
in the Legislature from Rockingham, and Editor
of the "VaIley Democrat" in bis editorial COR
respondenc in speaking of the scheme of the dis
unionists in the Legislature, says:
"Their object was nothing more than this,
that Convention should be called at once,
without consulting the people-the time should
be so short as to prevent much discussion, or in
quiry into the views of candidates, but immedi.
ate secession candidates should be in the field in
every county-that the Convention should meet
and an ordinance Of secession passed Immediate
ly without asking or seeking the endorsement OF
the people of Virginia.
Such high-handed measure did not suit the
conservative element of the Legislature, who at
once perceived the '.cat in the meal tub.'n
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Address of Members of Congress.

The secession members of Congress from Vir-
ginia have issued an address to the people OF this
State, telling them there is no hope of settle
ment by Congress, and recommending prompt
and decided action OF the part of the ConVen-
ton. The object of this address, at this time,
it is clear, is to effect the election for members
of the Convention. 1t will be remembered that
just prior to the election for members OF the
Convention in Georgia, Senator Toomos tel
egraphed to the people ofthat State that there
was no hope of settlement. Our secession re-
representatives. are now playing the same trick
which won the game in Georgia. 1t is part OF
the ''precipitating" policy. The conservative
members from this State, 'Boteler, Millson, Glenn
ems and Harris, did not sign the address. Ex-
tra-Billy was at home, or else it would doubt
less have been signed by him. This action on
the part of these gentlemen does not surprise us
in the least If the South Carolinians do not
make an attack upon Fort Sumter about the
time of the assembling of our State Convention,
for the purpose of exciting that body to acts OF
rashness, we will be very agreeably disappointed.
We are expecting some exciting news to be cir
culated about the time of the election. The
people should be on their guard, and not suffer
themselves to be Influenced by such cunning de-
vices.
P. S. Since the above was written we have
seen that the Washington ''Star" says that
Messrs. Crittenden, Stephen A. Douglas, Jno.
M. Millson, Alex. R. Boteler, and John 7. Har-
ris have united in letter giving assurances that
at no period since Congress assembled has the
prospect of satisfactory settlement in the o
MON been as bright as at this time.
Their joint letter will doubtless soon be pub
lished, and its publication will at once counter
act all the mischief to the cause of the Union in
volved in the policy to subserve which the ten
signed manifesto was evidently gotten up and
promulged.
The friends of the Union in Virginia, as else
where, will doubtless be content to have The
public weigh the testimony of Messrs. Ortten-
den, Douglas, Millson, Boteler, and Harris, ii
this connection, against that of any ten in Con
| gress who have identified themselves with thu
cause of disunion per Sc more especially wheI
it has been drawn forth, as in this case, as fit
ting offsett to an effort to prevent satisfactory
settlement of the trouble with Virginia in thu
| Union, 80 glaring as that he who fails to com
prehend that such is its intent, must be mentally
/ blind indao6
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Mason and Cameron.

Last week, Senator Mason, who maisrepresents
this State in the Senate, showed the cloven-foot
of disunion. When Senator Cameron, of Penn
sylvania, gave expression to conservative views,
Mason tainted him for his inconsistency, where
upon Cameron retorted upon him very truth
fully and pointedly, by saying that the difference
between him and the Senator from Virginia was
this: That he (Oameron) wanted an excuse to
remain in the Union, and Mason wanted an ex-
cuseito get out of the Unicn. The truth is,
Mason, like all other disunionists, is really OPP
posed to Gaay adj ustment.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Speeches ON Monday.

On Monday, the Court House was crowded as
closely as herrngs in barrel, and great many
were unable to get inside at all. The interest
felt by the people seems to be very great. They
are alive to the momentous issues of the times.
The various candidates for the Convention adj
dressed the people in the following order:
Hon. A. d. 81. Stuart, Hugh W. Shelly, ESQ.,
Gen. VIM. H. Hartman, Col. George Baylor, Col.
John B. Baldwin, and Capt John D. Imboden.
The speeches of these gentlemen were listened
to with marked interest and elected frequent and
loud applause
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
False Friends.

The Democratic papers, as is well known, have
heretofore prated loudly about the wisdom, pa
triotism and intelligence of the "dear people, !"
and have PROGRESSED great solicitnde about the
rights and privileges of the only true sovereigns,
but now every Democratic paper we have no.
ticed, with three exceptions only, is opposed
to that clause of the Convention bill which gives
the people the poor privilege of voting whether
or not the action of the Convention shall be sub
mitted to them for their ratification or rejection.
These professed friends of the "dear people" are
for stopping the mouths of tile sovereigns when
they fear they will not favor secession, civil war
and grievOus taxation
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Important From Washington.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25th.-There is no longer
any doubt that the government have sent forces
to relieve forts Sumter and Pickens. The ad-
ministration do not regard this action as any de-
claration of war on the part of the government
but as simply duty. The authorities OF
Charleston and Pensacola understand this, and
if they choose to be the aggressors and make the
attack they must take the consequences.
1t mag be some days before it is known that
forces have been sent. The movement has been
quietly made, but the movement is in earnest
now, as these people well understand.
The destination of the steamer Brooklyn is
Fort Pickens.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29

81 The Convention of Railroad Presidents
in session at Washington, on Thursday last,
passed resolutions approving of Mr.. Crittendens
proposition, and expressing the opinion, founded
upon their opportunities of extensive observa-
ton and information, that the people of the
North desire and would be satisfied with such
settlement of the controversy. They subse-
quently visited the President, who addressed
some patriotic remarks to them, and also paid
their respects to General Scott.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Candidate in Highland.

We understand that Col. Geo. w. Hull, at the
solicitation OF many persons, has announced him
self candidate for the Convention in Highland
county. This time when party considerations
should not influence any voter in the least degree.
They should look to the qualifications of the
candidates, and vote for those who feel sufficient
interest in the preservation of the Union to do
all they can to preserve it. If we dissolve the
Union we will have civil war and grinding tax
alton.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
The Dangers of Extremes.

The dangers of the present time consist chiefly
in the fact that extremists in both sections OF the
country have been entrusted with powers which
they pervert to the wicked purpose of exciting
and inflamiDg the public mind, instead of giving
it quietude and respose. They add fuel to the
fires of sectional animosity, and furnish liberal
contributions to the hell-broth which boils in
the bubblng caldron of public opinion, and, like
the witches in Macbeth, sing gleefully in chorus
"Double, double toll and trouble,
Fire burn and caldron bubble"
With false professions of patriotism on their
lips, and hypocritical pretensions for the rights
of the people, they throw into the caldron thell
contributions of poisonous components worse
eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worms sting,
Lizards leg, and owlets wing,
For charm of powerful trouble,
Like hell-broth boil and bubble"
These dangerous extremists of the North anl
the Union. The fre-eating salamanders of tn,
South, and the vile abolitionists of the North
agree in common desire to see the Union dis
solved The most fanatical abolitionist, Wen
dell Phillips, balls with transports of Joy tn
present prospects of a speedy destruction of tn
Union, because he says that "disuniorsism mean
abolitionisms." The enemies of our institution
and our interests are disunionists. The Unio
is the best protector of our interests, and tn
most faithful guardian of our peculiar institu
tions." The friends of the Union occupy til
true position. Ia either extreme there is dar
germ the middle alone resides safety. 1t
as true now as when the Latin poet sung:
"Ln medic tutissinus i5is."
The middle is the path of safety, the path {
peace From the time
"When Freedom from her mountain height,
Unturled her standard to the air,
And tore the azure robe of night
To set the stars of glory there"
she has been indignantly
Turning 10 scorn, with lips divine,
The fatSekOOd of ectreaes."
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Our Lost Nationality.

"Neyer," says the London "Times," in an ar
ticls on the secession of South Carolina, "Never,
''for many years, can the United States be to the
''world what they have been. The
president has dissipated the idea that the
Estates which elected him constitute one people.
1--WE had thought that the federation was of the
''nature Of nationality-we find it is nothing
''more than partnership, if any State may, on
grounds satisfactory to local Convention, dis.
"sove the Union between itself and its fellows
s'if discomfort with the election of a President,
s'or the passing of an obnoxious law by another
Estate, or, it may be, restrictive tariff, gives a
Estate the right of revolution and permits it
ssto withdraw itself from the community, then
''the position OF the American people with re
sspect to foreign powers is completely altered y
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Hon. VIM. l.. Yam cey.

Hon. VIM. L. Yancey, the drafter of pro-
grammes of Revolution, and the Prince of Pre-
cipitators, in letter to gentleman of Washing
ton, dated January 18th, says that Virginia,
Tennessee, North Carolina and Arkansas will
secede in the month of February, and that a
provisional Government will be in full operation
by the 10Th of February. The citizens of this
State should be on their guard and wide awake
to the dangers which surround them.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
The Right C0nrse.

The North Carolina Legislature has finally
passed the Convention bill. 1t submits the
question of Convention or no Convention" to
the people, and leaves to them also the final rat
ifcation of the action of the Convention The
election of delegates takes place on the 21st of
February.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29

~ The Georgia Convention has appointed
delegates to the Southern Congress. Messrs.
Toombs and Howell Cobb are the delegates
from the State at large, and Hon. A. 81. Ste
phens is among the district delegates.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29

az Mothers! do you want to see you sons
needlessly dragged into civil war by few de.
signing demagogues If not, then influence
your husbands and sons to vote for Union men,
and no others, on the 4th of February next
Green6rier Independent.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
SPECIAL NOTICES.
To CONSERVATIVES.

TNHE Advertiser having been restored to health in
L few weeks by a very simple remedy, after hav.
ing suffered several years with lung affection,
and that dread disease, Consumption-s anxious to
make known to his fellow sufferers the means of cure
To all who desire it, he will send copy of the pre-
scrpton used Gree of charge,) with the directions for
using the same which they will find sure cure for
Consumption, ASTHMA, Bronchitis, dc. The only
object of the advertiser in sending the Prescription is
to benefit the afflicted, and spread information which
he concelves to be invaluable and he hopes every
sufferer will try his remedy, will them moth
ing, and may prove blessing
Parties wishing the prescription will please ad-
dress REV. EDWARD A. WILSON,
Williamsburgh, Kings county, New York.
Oct -Iv
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Hon. VIM. c. Rives and ssReference., >,

Hon. VIM. O. Rives having been called upon
by large number of the citizens of Albemarle
to become candidate for the Convention, wrote
a letter in response declining the honor, as he
has been appointed by the Legislature Com
missioner to Washington. In the conclusion of
bis letter, he conjures the "good people of this
ancient Commonwealth, not to ALLEVIATE their in
herent and Sovereign birth-right on an occasion
SO momentous to them and their posterity, but
by their recorded voice on the day of election,
in the manner provided by law, reserve in their
own hands the final decision and control over
the proceedings of the Convention"
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29

81 In Rockingham there is multiplicity Of
candidates for the Convention. They are as fol-
lows: John Q. Woodson, John @. Walker, J. N.
Liggett, DR.. S. A. Ooffman, Col. A. S. Gray,
Capt. Addison Harper, Dr. A. M. Newman, John
F. Lewis, and Gen. II. Chrisman.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
STIR YOUR SrUMps Let every Union man be

STIR YOUR STUMPs Let every Union man be
on the alert from this time on until the election,
next Monday. The politicians have tried to en-
trap you but up and at them. Don't fail to cote
for reterriug the action Of the Convention back
to the people. This is very important, unless
you want to be swamped in taxes, dragged to
war and all the horrors of revolution Green
6rier Independents
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29

a. Ex-President Tyler, Commissioner from
Virginia, had an interview with President Buch-
an. The latter is reported to have expressed
tie opinion that there would be no collision be-
tween the Federal forces and those of the seeding
States during the remainder of his administra-
tion
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29

GEN. SOoTT BURNT IN FFFIGY.-On Satur-
day night last about two hundred of the Stu
dents of the University burnt Gen. Scott in eff
gy within the University enclosure CAarlottes-
ollie Je6ersomaan.
1t is thus that the charlottesville Jefferson
ian" notices one of the most disreputable and
disgracefnl proceedings which has ever occurred
within this State without single word of re
proof. Gen. Scott, native Virginian, who has
shed more lustre upon the military history of
our country than any other man, save Wash
ington, has been burnt in effigy within the
University enclosure" and the "Jeffersonian"
says not word in disapprobation of that dis :
be expelled from that Institution anstanter
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Shall we have Civil War;

If it is important for Maryland to stay in the
Union to prevent civil war, it follows, a fortso-
ri, that Virginia should stay in, and President
Buchanan says that if Maryland secedes civil
war will follow instantly. Let Virginia stay in,
that civil war may be avoided.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29

J. A. Anderson, Esq, editor of the Greenbrier
"Independent," is candidate for the State Sen
ate in the Lewisburg District VSndicator.
The 'Vindicator" has COMPOUNDED j. A. Al
derson with J. G. Anderson. The latter is editor
of the "Independent, ''and the former, who is the
candidate for the Senate, is at present member
of the House of Delegates.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Dastardlv Conduct.

We have been told that short time since the
skirts of several saddles, on horses hitched out,
have been cut off. This conduct is the extreme
of meanness, and we hope, for the credit of the
town, that there will be no more of it,
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Ri ode Island Repeats the Personal
IibertV Bill!

The House OF Representatives of Rhode Island
have concurred with the Senate, by vote OF
ayes 4S, nays IS, in the repeal of the Personal
Liberty law of the State. All honor to the pa
triotic little State which has led tie way in do
inc iustice TO the South.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
MARRIED.,

On the 22nd inst, at the residence of VIM. Nc
Chung, Esq, the brides father Miss FANNIE v Nc
CLUNG to MIR. JAMES NJ. SIEG, ESQ., all of Highland
co.
On Thursday, the 18th inst, by the Rev. DR.. Nc
Farland Mr.. ANDREW A. STUART to Miss SARAH S.,
daughter of Mr.. John Mcclure, Greenville, Au-
gUSta county.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
DIED..

On Thursday. the 18th at the residence of j. B.
Evans, in Staunton, j. M. PRIcE, formerly of Win
CHESTER Va, in the 18th year of his age. John
good boy of correct and mature habts-beloved and
highly respected by old and young.
"a Winchester papers copy.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29

A Committee from Boston, headed by the
Hon. Edward Everett, arrived at Washington,
on Thursday last. They brought with them a
petition signed by fifteen thousand citizens OF
Boston in favor of the Border State resolutions.
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
RICHMOND MARKETS.

Reported fosths Spectator By W. ID. TomDkims Bro.
RICHMOND. Jan. 26, 1860.
FLOUR-Sales of Superfne $3.50, Extra 800.
WHEAT-$1.35@$l.5O for Red and White.
CORN-65@70.
HAY-S1.15
OATS-40042.
LARD-124@14.
BUTTER-l2@l5 for cooking, 1922 for table.
PLASTER-$4A.
GUANO-$58.00
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Louisiana gone

Another State has seceded-on Saturday last,
the Convention of Louisiana passed an ordinance
of secession by vote of 113 yeas to II nays
One jewel after another is rapidly dropping from
the dadem-six have fallen, and few more are
loose
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29
Kentucky Opposed to Convention.

Private dispatches received at Washington as
sert that the Legislature of Kentucky has refused
to authorize the call of State Convention,
thus fixing the decision of that State against Sc
cessiOn,
Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-29

~ In Jefferson county, Hon. VIM. Lucas
and Andrew Hunter are the secession candidates,
and Col. A. M. Barbour and Logan Osborne are
the Union candidates for the Convention.