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Valley Spirit: February 8, 1865 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Adaptation to the Land
(Column 7)

Summary: Reminds farmers that different breeds of cattle require different types of soil and climates. Care should be taken to ensure that their cattle can adapt to their land.

Origin of Article: Agriculturalist

Household Notes for February
(Column 7)

Summary: Lists tasks that should be accomplished in February, such as preparing spring and summer clothing and making sure children receive schooling.

Gen. A. H. Coffroth
(Column 1)

Summary: Lambastes Gen. A. H. Coffroth, member of the US House of Representatives representing Franklin county, for betraying the Democratic party by voting for an amendment to abolish slavery.
(Names in announcement: Gen. A. H. Coffroth)

Full Text of Article:

This gentleman has recently added another name to the already somewhat extended list of those, who, on obtaining positions of trust and prominence through the Democratic party, have abandoned its principles and betrayed those who have elevated them to such positions. It would appear in these latter days to require stern virtue in a Representative of the people to withstand the allurements of the party in power. The scent of the fleshpots, it seems, overpowers many of the weaker brethren, and principle, honor, honesty, and all those virtues, which to many, are above all price, are sacrificed with an ease that is astonishing to honest men. The Democracy of Pennsylvania, during the past several years, have sent their full share of men of easy virtue to represent them in the councils of the nation and in the present Congress, three districts of the State have been betrayed. We were not much surprised at the defection of Bailey at the last session, as his Democracy was more than questionable at the time of his election; nor could we be very much astonished at any vote Archibald McAllister might cast, inasmuch as it is notorious that ever since his advent at Washington his principal business has been to secure a contract for himself, and that he was disposed to vote almost any way to secure his object; but that Gen. Coffroth could prove faithless to a confiding constituency, was to us, until quite recently, almost past belief.

It will be seen by the vote on the Amendment to the Constitution of the United States abolishing slavery, published in another column, that Gen. Coffroth's name is recorded among those of the Abolitionists in favor of the Amendment. By this vote he has severed his connection with the party that elected him to his present position, and although in the reasons given by him for his vote he claims to have given it "for the good of [the] Democratic party," we incline to the belief that but few Democrats in the 16th Congressional District can be convinced that the good of the party will be advanced by a vote in favor of its enemies and in direct opposition tot he position of the party ever since its organization. The position of the Democratic party on the slavery question, has ever been--and at no time more so that [sic] the present--the true one, and Gen. Coffroth can no more remain a Democrat and vote with the enemies of his party and his country, than a man can remain a Christian, and yet yield a willing support to the Devil whenever he may require his help. The Democratic party has ever held that Congress had neither the power nor the right to interfere with slavery. It was established by the local laws of States in which it existed, and was left by the framers of the Constitution to the States themselves. It could therefore only be controlled by the States. This policy of letting slavery alone was the true policy, and it was part of the mission of the Democratic party to prevent if possible, the occurrence of such a series of disasters, as have been precipitated upon us by the fanatical crew now in power. The Democratic party merely insisted upon the observance of the provisions of the fundamental law of the land. It was, as it still prides itself on being, the constitutional party of the country. The Constitution was the Bible of its political creed, to which it conscientiously squared every act of its political life. It knew no North and no South, but legislated and labored diligently for the good of a common country. It never denounced the Constitution because slavery was recognized and protected by it; but obeyed its every behest, claiming for the General Government only such powers as were conferred upon it, and leaving to the States the regulation of their domestic affairs, slavery included.

In opposition to this we have had a party in the country laboring unceasingly for the abolition of slavery in violation of the letter and spirit of the Constitution. It is to the efforts of this party and its accession to power in consequence of unfortunate division among the Democracy in 1860, that the present deplorable condition of our country is, to a considerable extent, attributable. And now that these fanatics have obtained power and have originated the scheme of altering the Constitution, when the Southern States can have no voice in a matter which they consider of vital importance, and which must have the effect of retarding their return to their allegiance, we find men in Congress, claiming to be Democrats, voting with these people, and assisting in the consummation of an act which will be the greatest obstacle the seceded States will have to overcome, in returning to the Union.

We may have more to say on this subject hereafter, one thing the representative of the 16th District can rely on, his political grave is open for his reception, and the sooner he gets into it the better. The Democracy Never Again Trust Where They Have Once Been Betrayed.

Rev. Daniel Steck
(Column 2)

Summary: Expresses outrage at the vote of the Lutheran Church Council to expel Rev. Daniel Steck from the church for voting for General George McClellan. Steck, the brother of Rev. Jacob Steck, once was the pastor of the Lutheran congregation in Chambersburg before he left for Dayton, Ohio.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Daniel Steck, Rev. Jacob Steck)

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Defends the Democratic party from ongoing criticism from the Republicans.

Origin of Article: Louisville Democrat

The Vote to Amend the Constitution
(Column 5)

Summary: Prints the results from the vote of the US House of Representatives on January 31 that approved an amendment to abolish slavery by a 119-56 vote. Rep. A. H. Coffroth, who represents Chambersburg, voted for the amendment.

Congressional
(Column 6)

Summary: Reviews recent proceedings of the US Congress, including consideration of proposals to reconsider the draft quota of Rhode Island and to build a ship canal around Niagara Falls.

The Draft
(Column 1)

Summary: Lists draft quotas for each of the townships in Franklin county as established by Lincoln's latest call for troops: Antrim, 79; Greencastle, 28; Chambersburg, NW, 77; Chambersburg, SW, 73; Fannet, 20; Green, 70; Guilford, 75; Hamilton, 28; Letterkenny, 52; Lurgan, 17; Metal, 12; Montgomery, 75; Mercersburg, 19; Peters, 50; Quincy, 69; St. Thomas, 46; Southampton, 40; Warren, 4; Washington, 56; Waynesboro, 25. Total draft quota for Franklin county, 915.

United Brethren Conference
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces the appointments made by the Pennsylvania Conference of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ at its annual session on January 19. For the Chambersburg district, the conference appointed J. W. Burd, P.E., and the following: J. Dixon, Chambersburg Station; Z. A. Colestock, Big Spring; J. M. Bishop, Rocky Spring; J. C. Smith, Greencastle Circuit; T. F. Smith, St. Thomas; H. Y. Hummelbaugh, Newburg; S. Bingham, Carlisle; H. A. Slichter, Shippensburg; J. G. Shoaff, Littlestown; J. B. Jones, Path Valley; J. A. Clem, Bendersville Mission. Appointments for Alto Dale and Carlisle Mission Station have yet to be made.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Dixon, J. W. BurdP.E., Z. A. Colestock, J. M. Bishop, J. C. Smith, T. F. Smith, H. Y. Hummelbaugh, S. Bingham, H. A. Slichter, J. G. Shoaff, J. B. Jones, J. A. Clem)

The Militia Law
(Column 2)

Summary: Urges anyone who can claim an exemption under the "Act for the organization, discipline, and regulation of the militia of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania" to act soon. Describes procedures for obtaining these exemptions, which are available to men with a "physical defect," "bodily infirmity," or who are otherwise exempted under Pennsylvania or US law.

Defeated
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that the Pennsylvania legislature defeated a resolution requesting the US Congress to pass a law requiring that each township fill its draft quota with bona fide residents.

Southern Determination
(Column 2)

Summary: Tries to explain why it is that southerners have not given up despite their huge losses on the battlefield.

Origin of Article: New York Times

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: On January 26, Rev. W. Howe married Hattie Mahon, daughter of Robert Mahon, Esq., and Dr. C. T. Maclay.
(Names in announcement: Hattie Mahon, Robert MahonEsq., Rev. W. Howe, Dr. C. T. Maclay)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Rev. P. S. Davis married John Seilhamer and Mary Agnes Clugston on February 2.
(Names in announcement: Rev. P. S. Davis, John Seilhamer, Mary Agnes Clugston)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Rev. P. S. Davis married William J. Maltby and Aletha J. Hendricks on January 18.
(Names in announcement: Rev. P. S. Davis, William J. Maltby, Aletha J. Hendricks)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: William M. Oliver and Susan Rinehart, of Shippensburg, were married on February 2 by Rev. F. Dyson.
(Names in announcement: Rev. F. Dyson, William M. Oliver, Susan Rinehart)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Rev. F. Dyson married Charles Deran, of Reading, to Sadie Fletcher on February 6.
(Names in announcement: Rev. F. Dyson, Charles Deran, Sadie Fletcher)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Rev. Thomas Barnhart married Charles Ridgley and Catharine Snyder on February 2.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Thomas Barnhart, Charles Ridgley, Catharine Snyder)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Rev. Thomas Barnhart married Jeremiah Zein and Elizabeth Henry on February 5.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Thomas Barnhart, Jeremiah Zein, Elizabeth Henry)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Rev. James M. Bishop married Daniel Webster Thrust, Esq., Editor and Proprietor of the Shippensburg News, to Mary Ann Bollinger on February 2.
(Names in announcement: Rev. James M. Bishop, Daniel Webster ThrushEsq., Mary Ann Bollinger)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: Rev. W. E. Krebs married Josiah Moser and Sarah Jane McClain on February 2.
(Names in announcement: Rev. W. E. Krebs, Josiah Moser, Sarah Jane McClain)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: James H. Brotherton, son of Henry and Mary Allen, died on January 25 at age 1 year and 23 days.
(Names in announcement: James H. Brotherton, Mary Allen, Henry Allen)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: William W. Burkholder died on January 22 at age 37.
(Names in announcement: William W. Burkholder)