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Valley Spirit: January 29, 1862 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

The Abolitionists Preparing to Abandon the Union
(Column 1)

Summary: Cites a statement from an anonymous letter that supposedly represents the views of an abolitionist. The article observes, on the basis of the letter, that abolitionists would prefer to stay separate rather than recreating the Union on any terms which accept the institution of slavery. It argues that abolitionists believe that Northern Democrats are trying to engineer such a reunion. The article emphasizes that Northern Democrats are in fact more loyal to the Union than abolitionists are, despite accusations to the contrary.

Origin of Article: Patriot and Union

Victory or Defeat
(Column 3)

Summary: Argues that, with the war nearly a year old, there does not appear to be a speedy solution in sight. However, it warns, the war will be much longer and deadlier if it is prosecuted on the terms of abolitionists, which require emancipation and, in the eyes of this author, a complete surrender of the rights of the state. A more conservative goal would be allowing the South to admit the futility of its cause and working toward a quick reunion.

Origin of Article: Journal of Commerce

Full Text of Article:

It is useless to attempt concealment or disguise of the fact that the American Republic is approaching the most solemn moment of its history. We all feel it, through the entire nation. The war which has now been nearly a year in progress, must before long assume a more bloody aspect than heretofore, and a half million of men, Americans--brothers, friends--must grasp each others' throats in the conflict. It cannot be many months longer before the dead of the war will be counted by scores of thousands, and the question which has been referred to the arbitrament of the sword, will be in process of settlement by the sword.

In view of the rapidity with which great battles are likely to occur, it is eminently proper that the minds of men should be prepared for whatever is before the country. The alternative of victory or defeat is mentioned in a breath, but the results of one or the other are as diverse as human minds can well imagine. We should be prepared to use the former with discretion, and equally prepared to receive the latter with calmness.

Never, until now, have the people appreciated the magnitude of the struggle. Unaccustomed to war, they were easily led to think it a matter of quick decision, a little skirmishing, perhaps one great battle, and then one side or the other was to abandon the contest. The present moment admits no such ideas. If the half million men now called into the field are unable to accomplish their work, if the five hundred millions of money already in the war are not productive of success, it is very easy to say that we must raise more men and expend more money, but it is difficult now to foresee what result either increase will produce. If our present armies are defeated, the nations of the world will probably at once recognise our enemies as a nation, and we shall have double the work before us to do which we had when the war commenced.

It is, therefore, necessary for the national cause that, in the struggles about to take place, success should be assured. Let no man call for a hasty advance. Let no man blame the Commander-in-Chief for wise and prudent delays. Let every man reflect that the forces have been gathered, the means have been provided, and present success with these men and these means is the business of army and officers.

It is most emphatically the duty of every citizen, who has not gone to the war in person, to submit the management of the army to the President and the Commander-in-Chief. All agitation, all attempts to coerce them into particular plans of warfare, or particular lines of "military necessity," are but disturbing and annoying forces, tending to the injury of the great cause. We have undertaken war, we have raised our armies, and we have chosen our leaders. We owe it to them, and we owe it to our own good sense, and character for national prudence, to forbear all factious opposition to their military plans.

A few weeks or a few months will decide the first great campaign. We do not pause to consider what will be the results of defeat to the national cause. We prefer rather to look on what ought to be the results of victory. It is not remotely probable to-day that the Southern leaders or people would accept any settlement of the differences except on the absolute acknowledgement of their independence, and it is hardly probable that they would accept that without also having the slave States, including the District of Columbia, abandoned to their power. But the first great effect of victory in this campaign for us must be considered the final decision of the question of Union. If we are successful the South must abandon its extravagant ideas, and at once yield to the conviction that they are hopeless. We shall not have conquered the South, nor shall we have accomplished the subjugation of the rebellion by victories in Kentucky or on the Potomac. But we shall have settled forever the possibility of the division of the Union.

Then follows the effect on Southern minds. If the victorious armies were marching to the desolation of the Southern country, the abolition of slavery and the overthrow of the rights of States, the war would be one of endless duration. We see a remarkable feature of the contest in the fact that in South Carolina, where the people are a unit, they abandon their homes to our invading forces, and retire from our reach as we advance. This sight was hardly ever before witnessed in any war, among civilized nations. It is an indication of what we may expect as the results of victory where the enemy believe us to be invaders for ruin, instead of the armies of a constitutional government. When invasion is for punishment or for mere conquest, every house becomes a fort, every stream a defensible position, and the last intrenchment of the defenders must be reached and taken before the end of the contest is attained. God forbid that such be the course to which we are lead in victory by the principles of our war, or the cries with which we send our men to the field.

On the other hand, victory, accompanied as it will be under the present conservative management of Mr. Lincoln, with assurances of faith to the Constitution and its provisions, while it results in settling the question of the dissolution of the Union, may be followed by a speedy termination of the war, if the South is not wholly given over to madness. The Union sentiment, small though it be, may develop itself at once. The impossibility of independence must become manifest to all, and the question will then be asked how far the North designs conquest and interference with State sovereignty. That question, answered by the voice of the conservative masses at the North, East and West, may lead to a sudden revolution in the South, which will overthrow the leaders of the rebellion and restore the power of the Constitution. For such results every good man must earnestly hope. Victory to be followed by a long and desolating invasion can only be wished for by those who hate slavery and slaveholders more than they love the Union. It becomes the conservative men of the North to stand firm in their principles, and be ready to welcome the first voice of allegiance from the revolted States.--Journal of Commerce

Indiana Democratic State Convention
(Column 2)

Summary: Reprint of selected resolutions passed by the Indiana State Democratic Convention, most of which blame the Republican Party for bringing on the war and for disregarding civil liberties in the prosecution of the war.

Editorial Comment: "There was gratifying evidence in the Convention of a willingness to forget former divisions, and to unite for the sake of the Union, upon the conservative and patriotic principles of true Democracy."

The Democracy and The President
(Column 1)

Summary: Praises Lincoln for the stand he has taken against abolition, arguing that he is essentially adopting Democratic doctrines. If Lincoln continues on this path, the Valley Spirit argues, he might save the country from the horrors of a radical Republican party in power. The editorial puts the blame for the war on abolitionists, not on slavery, and argues that there is absolutely no constitutional ground for abolition. If abolition were to become a war aim, the editorial concludes, it would invalidate the Congressional declaration of war and would betray the slave-holding Unionist border states. It would also erase any trace of unionist sentiment in the South.

Full Text of Article:

We are glad to perceive that the Democracy, throughout the country are supporting President LINCOLN in the grounds he has taken against the emancipation policy of the Abolitionized portion of his party. The Democracy will stand where they have always stood in regard to this question. They have always opposed abolitionism in every form, and they will do so still without caring whether it meets the approbation of the Republican or any other party. If President LINCOLN sees fit, for the good of the country, to adopt Democratic doctrines, we are with him, and will stand by him until these principles triumph which they assuredly must. They are founded upon constitutional grounds and have nothing whatever to do with the Chicago platform, and if carried out by President LINCOLN, in good faith, will save the country from the horrors which would undeniably be brought upon it by the adoption of the policy recommended by the radical Republicans. The time has fully arrived when something must be done to put a stop to the wild and wicked designs of these crazy fanatics. These enemies of the Union are continually prating about "slavery being the cause of the war"--"slavery must be abolished before the war can stop"--"there can be no Union with slave-holders" &c. Men who talk this way have no regard for the Constitution, and are as bad as armed Secessionists. The Government has no authority to abolish negro-slavery in any State, and were it to do so it would be an act of usurpation, alike despotic in character and ruinous in its consequences. It would destroy the Union at one fell blow. Not a State would be bound by that instrument, because its terms of union would be abrogated. The Constitution is binding upon all, in all its parts, or it is binding upon none. To urge the abolition of slavery by the Government, is, therefore, to urge disunion, to advocate secession, to demand a permanent separation of the States. Men who urge this suicidal policy upon the Government, or defend it before the people, should be marked as disunionists--as aiding and comforting the rebellion--as seeking to involve the country in common anarchy and ruin. They are recreant to every principle of constitutional liberty. Had there not been abolitionists in the North, there would have been no secessionists in the South. It is only the terror of Northern Abolitionism that makes the rebellion the solid column that it now is.

The effect of this emancipation scheme upon the North would be most disastrous and plunge us into utter dispair [sic]. We can never hope to be of one sentiment--expect to subdue the rebellion, or have a peaceful Union while that question is being agitated. We must put it down, peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must, or we need not look for unity of action, on the part of the Northern people, now at a time when it is so much needed. The Democracy will never stand to see the Constitution trampled upon by the Abolitionists of the North any more than by the Secessionists of the South. They have shown their readiness to take up arms to subdue one set of traitors and they will as promptly, if needs be, take them up to put down the other. The recent course of the President has given the heartiest satisfaction to the Democracy of the North, and the only other step needed to quell the rebellion is to convince the people of the South that he is in earnest. Every day brings us news that there is a strong Union feeling in the South, and this must be cherished as the only hope of peace and sure foundation upon which the Union can be restored. If the North is flooded with Abolition petitions, and the emancipation of the negroes made the object of the war in the eyes of the Southern people we wipe out the last vestige of Union sentiment in the South. A cotemporary [sic] has well said: "If we wish to stifle the last spark of that latent unionism at the South, that we confidently anticipate will soon burst forth with irresistible power, and consume the precipitators of rebellion; if we wish to convince the Union men that the Government uttered a great lie, when it declared that the object of the war was the suppression of rebellion, and not the emancipation of the slaves; if we wish to falsify the solemn records of Congress; if we wish to unite the Southern people as one man against the Government, and steel their hearts against the North; if we wish to deceive and betray the noble patriots of Kentucky, Tennessee and Missouri, who, relying upon our good faith have taken the field in defence of the Government, and cause their weapons to fall from paralised arms; if we wish to justify the declarations of the rebel leaders that the Government aims at the liberation of the slaves; if we wish to stand before the world as a Nation that broke its word and falsified its promises; and if we wish to see a divided North, a united South and a protracted and hopeless contest, let us take the advice of the abolition enemies of the Government and the Union, by issuing a decree of universal emancipation.["]

Blowing Hot and Cold
(Column 2)

Summary: Pokes fun at the Dispatch for its attempt to defend abolition while simultaneously claiming that the Dispatch's editor is not an abolitionist.

Southern News
(Column 5)

Summary: Several articles published by southern newspapers, one accusing northern papers of fabricating stories about the war in order to manipulate the stock market; another exhorting all Southerners to volunteer unless they desire to live under Northern tyranny.

Origin of Article: Norfolk (VA) Day Book, Nashville Banner

Court Proceedings
(Column 6)

Summary: Summary of decisions from the county court term that began on Monday. Judge Nill presiding, Judges Orr and Carson on the bench. Quarter Session: Commonwealth v. Wash. Winters--Assault and battery on oath of Mrs. McGlaughlin; verdict, guilty; sentence, three months in county jail. Commonwealth vs. Dr. Shiffert--False Pretenses, on oath of Cyrus Gurion; verdict, not guilty. Commonwealth vs. James S. McElwaine--Assault and Battery on person of son of A.N. Rankin Esq; defendant is a teacher in Chambersburg public school, accused of chastising son of prosecutor with undue severity; verdict, not guilty. Commonwealth vs. William Banks--Assault and Battery, on oath of Levi Miller; verdict, guilty; sentence deferred. Commonwealth v. John Addison (black)--Surety of the Peace, on oath of Henry Sellers (black); case dismissed. Commonwealth vs. Peter McFerren--Larceny, stealing a watch from Mr. Mentzler; case abandoned by Commonwealth. Commonwealth vs. Isaac Deems--Keeping disorderly house; verdict, guilty; sentence, due to extenuating circumstances, since some of disorderly conduct was out of defendant's control, was light, defendant to pay costs of prosecution and serve thirty days in the county jail. Commonwealth vs. Jacob Perry--Adultery, no evidence submitted by Commonwealth, jury directed to render verdict of not guilty. Commonwealth vs. Harris Renfrew--Fornication and Bastardy, on oath of J.E. Myers, entered into security for his appearance next term. Commonwealth vs. Jacob McFerran--Manslaughter; Defendant is charged with stabbing John Welsh in the heart with a dirk knife during a dispute in Tomstown on November 16; defendant claimed that Welsh, a strong, athletic man had seized him by the throat and that he killed Welsh in self-defense; verdict, not guilty. Commonwealth v. Ambrose Welsh--Assault, on oath of Jacob McFerran; Commonwealth v. Ambrose Welsh--Assault, on oath of Samuel McFerran; both this and previous cases submitted to same jury; verdict, not guilty. Commonwealth vs. Israel Deems, Eliz. Deems, Mary C. Deems--Assault and battery, not a true bill, "prosecutrix" Margaret Myers to pay costs; Commonwealth vs. Margaret Myers--Assault and battery, not a true bill, Eliz. Deems to pay costs. Commonwealth vs. James Beatly--Perjury; not a true bill. Commonwealth vs. Chas. Kelso--Fornication and Bastardy, on oath of Eliz. Kyner; case settled. Commonwealth vs. Benjamin Hoffman--Fornication and bastardy on oath of Sarah Stoner; defendant arrested. Common Pleas: Commonwealth ex relation Solomon Shanabrook vs. A. Jackson Brand--Writ of Habeas Corpus, commanding Shanabrook to produce in court son of plaintiff, who is a minor and enlisted in company of defendant without father's knowledge or consent; verdict, Charles Shanabrook ordered to be returned to Captain Brand's company. John Ditzler vs. John Lindsay--recover of $10; verdict for plaintiff. Obed Gzell vs. Edmund Little--action to recover a mare; verdict for plaintiff; John Rutrauff and James Patten, executors of Washington Crooks vs. A.N. Rankin and Hezekiah Easton--action on promissory note for $1841.35, plaintiffs took a non-suit. Imbrie and Grove vs. George Wertz and wife--order to recover necessaries supplied to wife; verdict, $54.61 for plaintiff. Margaret McNulty, Margaret Culbertson, and Eliza Rodgers vs. Jacob Garver, Samuel Garver and James Ery--Action to recover possession of a tract of land in Greene township; verdict for defendants. James Gilbert vs. Dr. J.M. Heister--Action on debt on award of arbitrators; plaintiff suing to recover damages awarded in arbitrated dispute; jury unable to agree and was dismissed. Sheriff McGrath presented deeds for property sold by him: John G. Brigham bought a house and lot in Fayetteville sold as property of Michael Neff; Adam Vandrew for four acres and improvements, sold as property of James S. Hyder; Christian Long for 88 acres in Lurgan, sold as property of Jacob Strine.
(Names in announcement: Judge Nill, Judge Orr, Judge Carson, Wash. Winters, Mrs. McLaughlin, Dr. Shiffert, Cyrus Gurion, James S. McElwaine, A.N. RankinEsq., William Banks, Levi Miller, John Addison, Henry Sellers, Peter McFerren, Mr. Mentzler, Isaac Deems, Jacob Perry, Harris Renfrew, J.E. Myers, Jacob McFerran, John Welsh, Ambrose Welsh, Samuel McFerran, Israel Deems, Eliz Deems, Mary C. Deems, James Beatly, Chas. Kelso, Benjamin Hoffman, Eliz Kyner, Sarah Stoner, Soloman Shanabrook, Capt. A. Jackson Brand, Charles Shanabrook, John Ditzler, John Lindsay, Obed Gzell, Edmund Little, John Rutrauff, James Patten, Washington Crooks, A.N. Rankin, Hezekiah Easton, George Wertz, Margaret McNulty, Margaret Culbertson, Jacob Garver, Samuel Garver, James Gilbert, Dr. J.M. Heister, William McGrath, John G. Brigham, Michael Neff, Adam Vanderaw, James S. Hyder, Christian Long, Jacob Strine)

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors call attention to the property being offered for sale by T.B. Kennedy Esq, which they feel is "worthy of the attention of those seeking to purchase a home."
(Names in announcement: T.B. KennedyEsq.)

Shattuck's Band
(Column 1)

Summary: The band attached to the 77th Regiment was mustered out of service on January 23; Mr. J.T. Shattuck, the leader, will take the position of second lieutenant in Capt. Derby's company in the 77th.
(Names in announcement: J.T. Shattuck)

Franklin County
(Column 1)

Summary: The valuation of property and taxables in Franklin County was announced. Property was valued at $11,661,656.00; a tax of $30,255.83 was assessed. The population of the county was 42,242 people with 9,816 taxable items.

York County Lawyer
(Column 1)

Summary: James Kell, Esq, formerly of Chambersburg, has been admitted to practice in York County.
(Names in announcement: James KellEsq.)

Horrible
(Column 1)

Summary: Two Irish "trampers" got into a knife fight on Market Street, with the man stabbing the woman; both were sent to jail as vagrants.

Relief for the Soldiers
(Column 1)

Summary: A collection of hospital supplies is being arranged by local women to send to the 77th Pennsylvania Volunteers in Kentucky; contributions may be left at the drug store of J.S. Nixon.
(Names in announcement: J.S. Nixon)

Burglary
(Column 1)

Summary: Burglars entered the home of A.N. Rankin Esq, probably before the family had retired, waited until they were asleep, then made off with $600 in bank notes, taken from a pocketbook in the coat of Mr. Rankin on a chair at the head of his bed.
(Names in announcement: A.N. RankinEsq.)

Deserters Caught
(Column 2)

Summary: Soldiers arrested at an African-American's home for disorderly conduct turned out to be deserters from Captain Brand's company, and were returned to Camp Curtain.

Full Text of Article:

A brace of soldiers were arrested, on Thursday night, by the Night Police, for disorderly conduct at a negro house in the faubourg de Wolfstown, and lodged in jail. They turned up to be a couple of deserters from Capt Brand's company. They were taken back to their old quarters at Camp Curtin, and will not likely grant themselves another furlough to wander about the out-skirts of "Camp Slifer" for some time to come.

The Bank and the Schools
(Column 2)

Summary: Points out that the funds supplied by the state to support Franklin County schools ($3,713.67) is about $200 less than what the Bank of Chambersburg pays in state taxes. The editors suggest people should thank the Bank and not the state for the support of the schools.

What We Buy and What We Sell
(Column 2)

Summary: A list of imports and exports into the county derived from the records of the Cumberland Valley Railroad from the previous year.

Full Text of Article:

From an examination of a table in the Report of the Cumberland Valley Railroad, for the past year, we find the following set down as the amount of freight carried to and from this place by that route. The following are the items of importation and exportation with their quantity in pounds:

Imported Exported Dry Goods, 1,200,400 Seeds, 318,100 Hides, 176,000 Hay, 59,300 Marble, 57,500 Agr'l Prod't, 251,700 Iron, 406,700 Iron, 15,700 Nails, 228,100 Leather, 205,700 Oysters, 199,300 Paper, 41,300 Paper, 15,400 Bark, 11,300 Rags, 41,600 Rags, 54,600 Salt, 79,100 Castings, 1,301,600 Fish, 45,500 Grain, 7,752,000 Bacon, 54,500 Pork, 25,900 Pig Metal, 187,000 Potatoes, 97,200 Tobacco, 40,800 Straw Paper, 366,400 Cement, 7,100 Furniture, 66,000 Sand & Stone, 57,100 Whiskey, 459,280 Whiskey, 143,630 Flour, 25,012,584 Furniture, 118,110 Cattle, 1,113,300 Plaster, 1,282,070 Hogs, 689,600 Lumber, 3,[illegible]5,080 Sheep, 205,900 Coal, 15,[illegible]6,100 Lumber, 76,100 Bricks, 13,600 Agri'l Prod's 1,039,700 Total 80,99-,080 Total 38,181,564

It will be seen that our exports exceed our imports to a very creditable amount. We are decidedly of the opinion that a glance at these figures must convince the rest of creation, or "any other man," that Chambersburg is not a "one-horse town."

Money From the Soldiers
(Column 2)

Summary: Soldiers from Col. Stumbaugh's regiment have sent a great deal of money home from Kentucky to friends and relatives in Franklin County this week, upwards of $4200. Col. Stumbaugh's law partner, J. Stewart, will distribute the money. The editors encourage soldiers to send money home regularly rather than waste it in camp.
(Names in announcement: Col. Stumbaugh, J. StewartEsq.)

Military Expenses
(Column 3)

Summary: A list of money paid to Franklin County individuals and businesses for services rendered the military. Considering the amount of time the soldiers were quartered in Franklin County, the editors claim, the $15,380 paid is a fairly small sum, and does not indicate any sign of wartime profiteering.

Deaths
(Column 4)

Summary: George ? and Saloma Sincks, both of Chambersburg, were married on January 29.
(Names in announcement: Rev. F.E. Sincks, George ?, Saloma Sincks)

Deaths
(Column 4)

Summary: Elmar Vandraw Dittman, son of George and Sarah J. Dittman, died on January 21 at the age of 4 months and 5 days.
(Names in announcement: Elmar Vandraw Dittman, George Dittman, Sarah J. Dittman)

Deaths
(Column 4)

Summary: Margaret Richison, daughter of Isaac and Jane Richison, died on January 7 near Spring Run, age 1 year and 3 months.
(Names in announcement: Margaret Richison, Isaac Richison, Jane Richison)

Deaths
(Column 4)

Summary: Alexander Kirkpatrick, age 22 years, 2 months and 5 days, died on January 12 near Dry Run.
(Names in announcement: Alexander Kirkpatrick)

Deaths
(Column 4)

Summary: James B. Hamsher, son of B.Y. and Mary A. Hamsher, died last Sunday, age 4 years, 9 months and 7 days.
(Names in announcement: James B. Hamsher, B.Y. Hamsher, Mary A. Hamsher)