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Staunton Spectator, February 1, 1859 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4

A Candidate for Congress
(Column 7)

Summary: Text of statement by Ridgeway, the editor of the Richmond Whig, who announces that he is a candidate for Congress from Rockingham district. He details his service in both the War of 1812 and Mexican war.
(Names in announcement: R.RidgewayEsq.)

The Congressional Canvass
(Column 2)

Summary: Complains that candidates for Congress have not been addressing the issues, but have instead merely stressed their personal qualifications. The Spectator wants them to provide their positions on the questions of national importance, including the tariff, the purchase of Cuba, the Monroe Doctrine, the Pacific Railroad, and "various other questions," including the admission of Oregon, Kansas and other territories into the Union.

The Convention Question
(Column 2)

Summary: Discusses whether the Augusta Democrats should have a nominating convention for the Congressional seat. Touches on issues of intercounty rivalry with Rockingham, Shenandoah, and Rockbridge.

Bold Operation
(Column 2)

Summary: Three African-American men tried to rob Evan's store. One of the suspects has been arrested.
(Names in announcement: Jno.Evans)

For the Spectator; Bear Grant, Massanutten Mt.
(Column 4)

Summary: Satirical declaration of candidacy for congressional seat being vacated by Mr. Letcher. The candidates political resume includes the Mexican War, the Compromise of 1850, and Kansas. He supports anything the Democracy does.
(Names in announcement: Mr.Letcher)

Excerpt: "To serve the people (and pocket their money) is my highest pleasure. To abase myself before the footstool of popular sovereignty (and cajole the people out of their votes) is my loftiest ambition!"

Trailer: Simon Sunflower

Have We a Democratic Party Among Us?
(Column 3)

Summary: Diatribe about the sorry state of the national Democratic party. Complains about party conflict and Buchanan.

Origin of Article: The Washington States

Editorial Comment: "Lest anybody should accuse us [emph] of doing injustice to 'the party' we take pains to say that the above appeared originally, on Wednesday last, as a leading editorial article in a Democratic paper, the Washington States"

For the Spectator
(Column 4)

Summary: Letter complaining that County Court business is being shunted aside in favor of political speechmaking, greatly inconveniencing people from the country who only come into town infrequently, and thus must come back another day to conduct their legal business. The writer threatens a country revolt of sorts.

Trailer: Jan. 26, 1859. Justice

Thomas J. Michie, Esq.
(Column 3)

Summary: Open letter from Michie declining the requests of citizens of Augusta, Highland and Pendleton (Third Judicial Section) that he run for the Court of Appeals.
(Names in announcement: ThomasMichie)

Discharged
(Column 3)

Summary: Charges against Deneale of defrauding Valley Bank were dropped. See articles in the January 11 issue.
(Names in announcement: GeorgeDeneale)

For the Spectator
(Column 5)

Summary: Another letter in the ongoing debate about the Virginia Central Railroad's freight service to Staunton and Waynesboro. This one takes issue with Fontaine's responses in the previous issue. Discusses dispute over scheduling of trains through the Blue Ridge Tunnel.
(Names in announcement: Col.Fontaine)

Trailer: A Stockholder

For The Spectator; A Voice From the Mountains
(Column 5)

Summary: Letter promising a Whig resurgence in the county and in the state. Lists economic grievances and claims that nationalism would benefit the South better than sectionalism. Invokes Clay and Webster.

Excerpt: "The Whigs of the State, generally, are sick and tired of sectionalism and gizzard foot-ism."

Trailer: B---------; Upper Tract, Pendleton Co., Va., January 23, 1859

The Judgeship
(Column 1)

Summary: Reprinted editorial supporting Baldwin as candidate for Court of Appeals. Also calls for the office to be removed from politics.
(Names in announcement: Col.JohnBaldwin)

Trailer: Valley Democrat

Origin of Article: Valley Democrat

For Constable
(Column 2)

Summary: Informed that Larew is planning to retire as constable, James Newton offers his name as a candidate
(Names in announcement: J.J.Larew, JamesNewton)

Trailer: Very Respectfully, Jas. W. Newton

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: Married on January 23.
(Names in announcement: Rev.J.H.Crawford, JohnFauver, LouisaThomas)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: Born August 20, 1805; died January 15, 1859.
(Names in announcement: PeacheyMatheney)