Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1863-02-27

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dom and has shown itselfincompetent
/ to preserve free institutions. You will
| be glad to enjoy liberty with the South
rather than endure despotism with the
North.
/ When this UNEQUAL struggle began
it might have been expected that the
borders Of Virginia and especially the
Northwest would, for a time, be over
flowed by the armed populations Of the
North. 1t was not to have been ex-
pected that a civilized nation would
| brutalize war by such barbarities as
YOU have suffered and witnessed. -
It was hardly credible that any among
you wolld hayemade-tbemselves agents
of the invaders to Cypress their fellow
citizens by setting up petty govern
ment under the protection of foreign
! bayonets. Wedonot address ourselves
to those who have eagerly engaged with
the enemy to .subjugate or to dismem-
Der our venerable Commonwealth. =
They have chosen to abide the event of
a war in which they have taken the
part of traitors and they must abideit.
70 those among you who, rather than
betray the State, have suffered oppres-
sion from usurpers and invaders with
martyr-hke constancy, we tender the
tribute Of our cordial sympathy and
profound admiration. They deserve
to be ranked with those other citizens
of North Western Virginia who, on
every battlefield Of the State from
Great Bethel to Fredericksburg, have
fought with heroic courage in the cause
of liberty. These gallant men and
those who, at home, have boldly main
tanned their loyalty have indicated the
right Of the people of the North West
to wear the illustrious name of Vir-
ginians, in spite of the treason which
some have committed
IF you have not all acted with equal
frmness, we are gratifed to believe Gas
we have many reasons for believing)
that large majority Of the citizens of
North Western Virginia have cherish
ed loyal attachment to the State and
that they abhor treason and traitors
We know how to make due allowance
for the cruel necessities Of your situa-
ton. While some Of us were able to
retire to places where we could serve
the cause Of the South and several
thousand have Joined our armies, it is
lust to remember that a whole commu-
nifty SO great as ours could not with
draw into the interior; nor could they
alone resist the powerful States. on their
borders Many we're hampered by
poverty, OF charged with the care of
families. or detained at home by other
obstacles which could not be overcome.
Being compelled to remain, their sub
mission could be enforced by arms
Mere submission to irresistible force
will not be imputed to them as q crime.
Voluntary and corrupt completely with
treason can never be excused by any
circumstances.
We are proud to know that large
majority Of the peoplein North West
ern Virginia have always refused to
vote at the elections ordered by the
usurped government. Situated as you
have been, it was the most effectual
protest you could offer against that
usurpation. We advise you to perse-
we're in that course unless, upon some
special occasion, you can deliver g uni
ted and effective vote which cannot be
construed as a friendly recognition Of
usurped authority as, for example, to
protest against dismemberment Of
the State. Without melting you to
rash and vain resistance to overwhelm-
ing force, we advise you to mako a
manly avowal Of your loyalty. We
invite all the young men who can to
unite With the renowned armies of the
South. No man should willingly neg
lect so great q duty as the defence Of
his country's independence. No man
Of spirit can be careless spectator Of
the most remarkable struggle for COZ
stitutional freedom in all time. In fu-
ture ages it will be the boast of the
proudestin the land that they are de-
scended from the heroes Of this war.
We expect you all, young and old,
to cherish the sentiment Of loyalty
Encourage one another. Suffer with
fortitude what you have to suffer. Be
vigilant, resolute and bold when your
opportunity comes. Rest assured that
the invaders will be expelled and the
power of your oppressors will be over
thrown.
CHAS. w. RUSSELL,
RO. JOHNSTON,
T. S. RAYMOND,
G.. D. CAMDEN,
j. NJ. BENNETT,
JOS. JOHNSON,
u. M. TURNER,
L. S. HALL,
II. FITZHUGH,
CYRUS HALL,
WIN. L. JACKSON,
i. d. CAMDEN,
CIIAs. W. NEWTON,
w. w. NEW MAN,
VIM. JOHNSON,
E. j. ARMSTRONG,
D. MCLAUGHLIN,
j. A. ANDERSON,
+ ~ MARTIN