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Valley Spirit: February 17, 1864 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

Ought a President to Re-Elect Himself
(Column 1)

Summary: This writer argues that President Lincoln is contemplating an attempt to subvert the electoral process in order to engineer his re-election. His control over the Republican political machinery, his ability to use the votes of Republican troops, and his willingness to subvert political liberties all point to the likelihood that Lincoln will do whatever it takes to stay in office.

Origin of Article: World

"Loyalty" and Damages
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors note the introduction of a bill in the state legislature to pay damages to those who sustained losses during the Confederate raids. However, they add, a preamble added that required citizens to offer proof of loyalty before they could be repaid is inappropriate and insulting. None of the charges of disloyalty lodged against the citizens of Franklin County are true, say the editors, and the names associated with these charges have only the most tenuous connections to the county.
(Names in announcement: Fitzhugh, Logan, Fishel, Fisher)

Full Text of Article:

We were always of the opinion that the leaders of the Republican party were insincere in their advocacy of the payment, by the State or Federal government, of damages sustained by our citizens from rebel raids and invasions. That opinion was confirmed by the proceedings in the House of Representatives, on Wednesday last. On the Monday previous, Mr. Sharpe introduced a supplement to the set of 22d April 1863, providing for the adjudication and payment of claims arising from losses by the rebel invasion in June last, and moved that the bill and the whole subject matter be referred to a select committee of five. On Wednesday, however, the following preambles and resolution were offered by Mr. Kelley:

Whereas, There is reason to believe that the rebel invasions of Pennsylvania, were, in a great measure, brought about through the connivance and by the encouragement of disloyal persons in our own State;

And Whereas, Claims for damages done during those invasions are now being presented to this Legislature; therefore,

Resolved, That the select committee to whom are referred all matters in relation to claims arising out of alleged losses from the rebel raids of 1862 and 1863, be instructed to report as part of their bill--if they report a bill--a clause requiring the parties presenting claims to furnish positive proofs of their loyalty.

The first preamble contains an imputation upon the loyalty of the citizens of the border counties, at once so foul and false, that it must challenge the indignant reprobation of all our people, of whatever political party. We scornfully hurl back the charge that "the rebel invasions of Pennsylvania were brought about through the connivance and by the encouragement of disloyal persons in our own State." Of the two men alluded to as citizens of Franklin county in the debate--Fitzhugh and Logan--the former was a native of Maryland or Virginia, resided in our State but a few years, and at the time of the rebel invasion was a citizen of Maryland; neither is it true that he acted as a guide to the rebel Stuart in his raid; he was captured by our forces in Maryland, during the first rebel invasion of that State, previous to Stuart's raid. Logan was a native of this county, but has for a number of years resided in Maryland, from which State he joined the rebel army. About the two men convicted by court martial, at this place, of leading the rebels, Fishel and Fisher we believe are their names, no one here knows anything. They are certainly not citizens of Franklin county, and we do not know that they are citizens of the State. From the charges preferred against them they seem to be ignorant, drunken, degraded stragglers, without home or occupation. Their sins be upon their own heads, we have nothing to do with them. As Mr. Sharpe well observed in his eloquent defense of the people of Franklin county: "It is contrary to the instincts of human nature, it is opposed to all human reason, to suppose that any man would make such a fool of himself as to invite into the peaceful home where he lived a band of vandals, who would lay waste and destroy not only his own property, but the property of all his neighbors."

But the resolution provides that parties presenting claims for damages must "furnish positive proof of their loyalty." How is this "positive proof" to be obtained? Is a test oath to be administered? Must everybody take the oath Mr. Lincoln has prescribed for the rebels--swear to support the confiscation act, the emancipation proclamation, or any other unconstitutional proclamation the President, in his infinite wisdom, may see fit to issue? This oath is now the great test of "loyalty" in the eyes of the party in power. They stigmatise the whole Democratic party as "disloyal," and as a matter of course every Democrat who presents his claim for damages must take this oath, or present other "positive proof" of his "loyalty." In the good old times that have gone by, every man was presumed innocent until he was proved guilty; but under the new regime the citizens of Franklin and the other border counties are all to be considered guilty of treason, unless they purge themselves of the charge by "positive proof," before a partisan commission. And what justice can be expected from such a commission as this, with full authority to decide upon the "loyalty" or "disloyalty" of their fellow citizens? Truly these are strange and startling times in which we live!

The object of this resolution is two-fold. First to give some coloring to the charge of disloyalty which has been for the last three years made indiscriminately against the whole Democratic party; and secondly indirectly to kill the bill. It is high time that this malignant partisan malevolence had run itself out. The Democratic party has borne these insults and imputations until forbearance has almost ceased to be a virtue. So long as they ended in mere vituperation, they were but regarded as the idle wind; but when they are sought as a means of affecting the rights and interests of a large portion of the community, we think we do not misunderstand the temper of the public mind when we say they will not much longer be submitted to. It has been determined to kill this bill as a rebuke to the counties claiming damages, for sending Democratic members and senators to the Legislature. Had we given large Abolition majorities, there then would have been no difficulty in the passage of this bill as it was originally presented. Could partisan meanness go farther than this?

We hope our Democratic members will oppose all amendments to the bill, and defeat the bill itself, rather than have this odious provision incorporated into it.--It will be far better to have no adjustment of claims at all than on which will discriminate between citizens on account of their political belief. All should be paid their claims or none at all.

Which, "On Foot," or "On a Black Mare"
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors report a charge in the state legislature that a Democratic resident of Franklin County informed the Confederates of Col. Alexander McClure's escape from his home on a black horse. In fact, said the editors, it is well known that "the gallant Colonel" escaped at night, on foot, by way of Rutherford's lane.
(Names in announcement: Col. Alexander McClure)

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: In response to a charge by the Repository, the editors inform that paper that the type of conscription bill they would like to see would be one which will include all able-bodied men between 10 and 45, with no money commutation clause. This way, it will be stringent enough to "'gobble up' a fair share of the sneaking, cowardly abolitionists."

Louisiana
(Column 3)

Summary: Protests the order of General Banks that allows state elections in Louisiana but disenfranchises nine-tenths of the population. The author also decries the disfranchisement of voters qualified under the Constitution who refuse to take a loyalty oath, as well as the declaration of certain parts of Louisiana's Constitution as being inoperable. It is a further sign, concludes the writer, of the reduction of whites to slavery while elevating the status of blacks.

Origin of Article: Westmorland Republican

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: The editors defend themselves against an attack from the Repository, occasioned by the Spirit's printing of the Constitution in a recent issue and its listing of Lincoln's constitutional abuses. They are not, say the editors, soft on the rebellion, as the Repository accuses them of being. However, they say sarcastically, if the Repository will supply them with "its list of stereotype epithets" against the Confederacy, they will be certain to put it into use.

Meeting of the Democratic County Committee
(Column 1)

Summary: The members of the Democratic county committee are requested to attend a meeting in Chambersburg on Friday, February 26, to elect a delegate to represent Franklin County at the State Convention. The committee consists of: C. M. Duncan, Chairman, Chambersburg; George W. Brewer, Chambersburg; W. H. Boyle, Chambersburg; Alexander Martin, Chambersburg; Jacob Sellers, Chambersburg; B. Y. Hamsher, Chambersburg; James M. Irwin, Antrim; Harris Finley, Concord; Samuel Holliday, Dry Run; Samuel Brackenridge, Fayetteville; Samuel Hawk, Greenvillage; John C. Tritle, Guilford; William Bosser, Hamilton; P. M. Shoemaker, Letterkenny; H. Dickhout, Loudon; John Gilbert, Lurgan; R. W. McAllen, Metal; W. D. McKinstry, Mercersburg; James B. Orr, Orrstown; A. J. North, Peters; John H. Baker, Quincy; Simon Bitner, Southampton; John A. Sellers, St. Thomas; Stephen Culbertson, Sulphur Spring; Solomon Cook, Warren; J. J. Miller, Washington; Jacob Elliott, Welsh Run.
(Names in announcement: C. M. Duncan, George W. Brewer, W. H. Boyle, Alexander Martin, Jacob Sellers, B. Y. Hamsher, James M. Irwin, Harris Finley, Samuel Holliday, Samuel Brackenridge, Samuel Hawk, John C. Tritle, William Bosser, P. M. Shoemaker, H. Dickhout, John Gilbert, R. W. McAllen, W. D. McKinstry, James B. Orr, A. J. North, John H. Baker, Simon Bitner, John A. Sellers, Stephen Culbertson, Solomon Cook, J. J. Miller, Jacob Elliott)

Melancholy Accident
(Column 1)

Summary: J. Crawford McKee, son of the late Mathew McKee, Esq., of Green Township, was killed when he fell from a stairway in the warehouse in Philadelphia where he worked. McKee had only been back in Philadelphia a few days following the funeral of his father, and he had intended to close his affairs there and return to Franklin County. He remains were brought back and buried in the cemetery attached to the Presbyterian Church.
(Names in announcement: J. Crawford McKee, Mathew McKeeEsq.)

Fire
(Column 1)

Summary: The stable on the property of Samuel Funk, near the new school building, was destroyed by fire on Wednesday night. A valuable cow and some hay and straw were also consumed. The adjacent buildings were saved through the efforts of the firemen. The building was insured for a small amount. The fire was apparently the work of an incendiary.
(Names in announcement: Samuel Funk)

To Our Readers
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors request that readers send in local news from different neighborhoods in the county.

Dangerous Alteration
(Column 1)

Summary: Fifty dollar greenbacks altered from original twos are in circulation, and are well executed. The "50" is pasted over the "2" in a "style well calculated to deceive."

Dangerous Counterfeit
(Column 1)

Summary: Warns that counterfeit twenty-dollar notes of the Pottstown (Pennsylvania) Bank, and five-dollar notes of the Union Bank of Philadelphia are in circulation.

Another Counterfeit
(Column 1)

Summary: Messrs. Imlay and Bicknell, bank note reporters, announced on Saturday of the circulation of an altered ten-dollar note on the Bank of North America, Philadelphia. It is altered from a genuine one-dollar note and has a vignette of George Washington surrounded by soldiers.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The Rev. John Warner will lecture in Philadelphia on the battle of Gettysburg, and has consented to give the same lecture in Chambersburg at an early date to benefit the Ladies' Aid Society.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors warn the postmaster of Amberson Valley to attend to his own business rather than that of the subscribers of the Spirit and Times residing in his area.

Death of a Soldier
(Column 2)

Summary: John Heckerman, eldest son of Noah Heckerman of Chambersburg, was killed in a skirmish with the Confederates near Bristow Station, Virginia on Sunday. His father has gone to collect his body.
(Names in announcement: Noah Heckerman, John Heckerman)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: Andrew S. Coffley and Francis R. Myers, both of Peters Township, were married in Greencastle on February 2.
(Names in announcement: Rev. E. Bridenbaugh, Andrew S. Coffley, Francis R. Myers)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: A. H. Bryan of Chambersburg married Mary C. Bryan of Greencastle on February 2.
(Names in announcement: Rev. E. Bridenbaugh, A. H. Bryan, Mary C. Bryan)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: W. W. Anderson of Waynesboro and Jennie S. Hill of St. Thomas were married on January 31.
(Names in announcement: Rev. F. Dyson, W. W. Anderson, Jennie S. Hill)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: Samuel Knepper and Elizabeth Buck were married on February 4.
(Names in announcement: Rev. D. F. Good, Samuel Knepper, Elizabeth Buck, Rev. D. Buck)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: D. Hiphfer and Eliza Bishop, both of Franklin County, were married on February 9.
(Names in announcement: Rev. William Humberger, D. Hiphfer, Eliza Bishop)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: F. J. Pfontz and Harriet E. Pike, both of Antrim Township, were married at Montgomery's Hotel on February 11.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Thomas Barnhart, F. J. Pfontz, Harriet E. Pike)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: Isadore A. Stumbaugh and Sarah C. Kunkleman, both of Chambersburg, were married on February 15 at the Methodist Episcopal parsonage.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Thomas Barnhart, Isadore A. Stumbaugh, Sarah C. Kunkleman)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Miss A. M. Graham died at the residence of Henry Hawbecker near Upton, aged 14 years, 9 months and 21 days.
(Names in announcement: Henry Hawbecker, Miss A. M. Graham)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: J. Gardner died on February 5 near Greencastle, aged 77 years, 11 months and 15 days.
(Names in announcement: J. Gardner)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Martha E. ?, daughter of C. ?, died on February 6 near Greencastle, aged 4 years, 8 months and 17 days.
(Names in announcement: Martha E. ?, C. ?)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Miss Magdalena Resh died on January 28 near Waynesboro, aged 72 years, 5 months and 29 days.
(Names in announcement: Miss Magdalena Resh)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Emanuel Miller died on February 6 at his residence near Waynesboro, aged 69 years, 11 months and 13 days.
(Names in announcement: Emanuel Miller)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Elizabeth Young died at the residence of her son-in-law Andrew Crilly on January 29, aged 79 years, 1 month and 15 days.
(Names in announcement: Andrew Crilly, Elizabeth Young)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: J. Crawford McKee, only son of the late Matthew McKee of Green Township, died on February 5 in Philadelphia, at the age of 28.
(Names in announcement: J. Crawford McKee, Matthew McKee)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Washington Boltz, son of George Boltz (formerly of Fayetteville), died on February 9 near Sulphur Springs, Amberson's Valley. When Pennsylvania was invaded, Mr. Boltz "patriotically responded to the call for six months men," joining Company A, 1st Battalion Penn. Volunteers, and was honorably discharged on January 9, 1864. He died at his father's house of consumption contracted while in the service.
(Names in announcement: Washington Boltz, George Boltz)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: Charles Hartman died in Greencastle on February 10, at age 64.
(Names in announcement: Charles Hartman)