Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-09-27

Special Dispatch to vindicator
VALLEY RAILROAD
TO BE PRESSED FORWARD !
CENTRAL ROUTE ADOPTED!
RocKBRzD GEPA GIFTED g. yUB11 Ant.
SALEM, VA, Sept 25th. Stockholders
Meeting of Valley Railroad held to-day,
with majority of Stock represented.
Resolutions, adopting the Central Route
south Of Staunten, taking steps to utilize
the subscriptions in order to complete the
road to Salem, and providing that, when
the City Of Baltimore pays 80 per cent. Of
her subscription, the Board Of Directors
shall let the road to contract between Staun.
ton and Salem, were adopted unanimously
Robt. Garrett was reelected President,
and the following gentlemen Directors =
Johns Hopkins, P. P. Pendleton, R. T.
Baldwin, D. H. Miller, R. Norris, Jr. and
VIM. Keyser, of Baltimore; Col. NJ. G..
Hartman, Of Staunton Col. VIM. Allan,
Lexington Col. Ed. Pendleton, Botetourt,
and Col. G.. W. Hansbrough, Roanoke.
All the road between Staunton and Har-
risonburg let to CONTRACT, except six light
sections.l
Hon. j. Randolph Tucker made most
happy address, congratu!ating the meeting
on its action, and expressing the opinion
that Rockbridge would not only be pacifed
but jubilant over the result of its delibera-
tons. rs
Other addresses we're made and the meet
ing adjourned after a. most successful and
harmonious session. ~
1t has been used as an argument with the
Union Men who have claims for damages for
the use or destruction Of their property dur
ing the war, that unless they support Grant
ond Wilson, and these unworthies be elected
they will never get cent. This has
had its influence with few of the loyal
claimants, and especially in the lower
Valley. as.zA
Now what are the facts. Grant is the
sole cause Of the destruction of the property
in this Valley. Il was he that issued the
following order to Subordinate command
ing in the Valley;
DO al tie damage you canto the rail-
roads, and crops-carry off stock of al
descriptions, and negroes, so as to preven
further planting. IF the aoar IS to last an
other gear, let the Shenandoah Valley re
main q barren aoaste."
This being the case, it was reasonably tc
be expected that Grant, in spirit of justice,
would have been prompt and anxious to re
pair the damage he had occasioned, and es.
pecially to men who could substantiate tbeil
loyalty But alas |! for their expectations
he did not On the contrary, he vetoed the
only measure tending to secure this, on the
ground that "the Government had perfect
right to take or destroy the property and
substance Of Southern people, loyal and DIS
loyal, and there is no legal obligation to
pay for it now" He further says such pay.
ments would be simply bounties and that he
mill not approve them.
Although Congress, the Democrats and
Liberal Republicans sustaining it, decided
they ought to be paid, yet Grant said no
most emphatically MOI! and that he aoouzd
meyer approve any Legislation for such a
purpose.
The Supreme Court has just decided that
Southern men, loyal or disloyal, can sue
and recover damages for their property des-
troyed, but Grant can not see legal nor a
moral obligation to make reparation to even
the loyal. x
Can the loyal claimants support the man
who not only destroyed their property but
refuses reparation. emphatically If they
do, they sanction his position and must, il
they act consistently, withdraw their claims
The only hope Of justice to the South and
all her people is in the election Of Greeley
and Brown. Bear this in mind and let the
9Th Of November sound the knell of U. S.
Grant, the man who has not risen to the
height Of a moral obligation.