Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1866-02-09
TOT lNG InUlCatOT.
6 That Petiticn.''

g We understand" that the Editor Of the
+" indicator remarks, in his issue of last
week, that "a petition is being circulated
among those men, who profess to be, par &c
cellcace Union men in this community" p
Does my learned friend, the Editor profess to
kaaow that the Union men regard themselves
as par excellence, or perhaps he has placed
himself in communication with the g Eal
staff" Editor of the & Metropolitan Record, .
thereby learning the profound secret Of pen
Grating the very thoughts of the Union men
of the South !? am not aware of the inter-
csting fact that they ''profess to be par ea-
celteace'o but if the Editor so decides | cheer
fully give him due credit for his superior
powers of penetration, his nice discrimination
and his frank and honest appreciation Of a
class who are supposed to be par excellence.
| hereby publically make our most pro-
found obesiance to the Editor for his frank
admission, and would entreat those nervous
gentlemen who have an ague when they hear
the soothing exclamation {. that petition, +" to
refrain from gobbling up or q blotting out
of existence" the worthy person of the Ed
tor.
Thc Editor further remarks of certain
class, who, g are as loyal to the Constitution
and Government Of the United States as any
people in the Union" If such is the fact
why did not the citizens of this town obey an
order, or request from a representative OF the
i. S. Government with reference to theil
holding a meeting with the view Of electine
Commissioner in the Court of Refugees
Freshmen, &c?
The Editor further says that " that petit
ton" is calculated to create an unnecessary
animosity between the Union men and a
large majority Of our people" This is a
simple assertion-we must have the evidence
I can say positively, however, that the g I'M
necessary animosity' is not, nor apiU it be on
the side Of the Union men, who are noted
for their quiet demeanor, and who are rap
idly forgetting their trials, their prosecutions
and their suferings because Of their consci-
entious love and devotion to the g Broad
Stripes and Bright Stars" of their vholt
country.
Now are not the Editors, with exceptions
contributing easily to the continuation Of the
amnesty which may have existed between
the two parties? They reproduce articles
Astounding with insult and abuse of Union
men. They recall to memory daily the Incl
dents of the GLORIOUS field" On which ;
''just" cause was fought and lost. They
daily point to the laureled crowned Confed
federates who have lost all but honor, anc
insist that they are the great and good, Whose
examples should be relgiously followed
They open the gerry graues of father ane
brother who fell in the Confederate cause
which again arouses tho bitter feelings of tn
unhappy past. Editors Of the South will yol
again place in jeopardy the best interest 0
the South by pandering to the bitter emo
tons which are presumed to exist with re
gard to the past. Let us bury tho past s.
deep that the yilest agit ttor cannot exhum
it,
Remember that e into each life some rail-
must fall, some days must be dark and drea
ry." Perhaps the Great Father ordaln
ed that the past days should be dark 50 TIA
we might more fully appreciate the bright
ness Of the glorious future.
Consider the consoling words Of Leathe
Stocking Gin Cooper's novel; to the discon
solate widow Of Arrowhead, +" Dew of June
you are not alone in your sorrow. Whel
the Mantle of the pale face wishes to pro
duce good in the pale face heart, he strike
it with grief, for tits in our sorrow, June
that we learn to look uprard.'
Respectfully,
WILLIAM J. DEWS.