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Semi-Weekly Dispatch: August 30, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Judge Pearson on the National Crisis
(Column 3)

Summary: Reprints the recent speech of Judge Pearson to the Lebanon County Grand Jury. In the course of the speech, Pearson advised the members of the jury that the legislature of Pennsylvania has made aiding or abetting the rebellion, joining their military, or speaking, writing, or printing anything that offered support to the South.

The "Hagerstown Mail" Office Closed
(Column 1)

Summary: The Dispatch applauds the closure of the Hagerstown Mail newspaper by the government. The Dispatch offers its full support for the government's policy of shutting down newspapers that continue to publish treasonous sentiments.

Full Text of Article:

We have what we consider reliable information from Hagerstown, to the effect, that the Office of the "Hagerstown Mail" was closed on Wednesday morning last, by authority of the Government, and its publisher, Mr. Daniel Dechert, put under arrest.

The "Mail" has been among the most unscrupulous and unprincipled papers published in Maryland, in its opposition to the War policy of the Administration.

The time has come when, if the Government is to be maintained, a licentious press must not be permitted to disseminate its poisonous venom. A man would not be allowed to preach treasonable sentiments on board of our national ships or in our fortifications--no more should the press be allowed to do the same thing, thus producing discord, disaffection, discontent and disloyalty among the people, ultimating in the destruction of the very government itself. Freedom must be regulated by law, otherwise Freedom will resolve itself into anarchy and confusion. The freedom of speech as well as the freedom of the press has been most grossly abused in this country, and at no period of our history more so than since the commencement of the present most causeless and unnatural rebellion.

A number of printing offices in various parts of the country have been mobbed ad destroyed by the outraged, indignant and loyal communities in which they have been located, owing to the treasonable sentiments they had disseminated, and we are pleased to see that the Government itself is taking the matter in hand.

A man who would persist in poisoning a fountain of water, thus endangering the lives of a community, would be disposed of without mercy. No more should the public press be permitted to poison the fountain of Freedom, and thus contribute to the downfall of the Republic. We would be the last to curb either the liberty of speech or of the press, but when bad men will take advantage of the wide freedom extended by our Constitution and Laws, and use it to destroy the Government that secures these great privileges, then it becomes dangerous to the general weal, and should be checked.

There must be a limit somewhere, and we prefer that the properly constituted authorities should be the judges when that limit is transgressed, than that an excited mob should take the matter in hand.

The proprietor of the "Mail" is an old citizen of this place, formerly one of the proprietors of the Valley Spirit. He is, emphatically, "a Northern man with Southern principals," and like many others, in their obedience to the behests of the Slave power, if it were possible out-Souths the South in their abject devotion.

We are in the midst of Revolution and Rebellion, and it will not do to meet them with ordinary measures, if they are to be overcome. Let treason be crushed out, found it whatever guise it may.

The people and the Government must become terribly in earnest if our Constitution, our Union, and our Liberties are to be perpetuated. No half-way measures will overcome the enemies that are warring against them, and the loyal citizens of the Free North will sustain the Government in every effort it may put forth to maintain the honor and dignity of the nation and the perpetuity of the Union.

The Government in Earnest
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports the discovery of a number of female spies for the South. While the government has arrested some of them, and others suspected of espionage are under close observation, the Dispatch points out that the government continues to employ at least two hundred disloyal clerks in Washington. The Dispatch urges that the government "shake off these traitors."

Full Text of Article:

The Press in the North, so energetic and untiring, through its numerous correspondents have heretofore indulged most freely in laying before its readers every movement of the Federal troops--their arrivals, departures, destination, &c. The most valuable information was thus given to the enemy, which enabled him to counteract the most important movement of the Government, and to such an extent did this prevail that it became necessary for Gen. McClellan to call the attention of newspaper publishers to the injury they were inflicting upon the cause. As a general thing the leading journals of the country came to an understanding upon the subject, and since that time but little information of the kind referred to has been made public.

The Government, however, notwithstanding its vigilance in this and in many other respects, has still been foiled. It appears that the enemy has been kept pretty well informed of al movements taking place, by a number of female residents of Washington, the wives and daughters of prominent Southern ex-members of Congress, and others. The most indubitable evidence of the guilt of several in this respect having been received, some half a dozen or more of whom have been put under arrest, while others are under the most strict surveillance.

This is right, and the country will applaud it. Her sex should not screen woman from the most condign punishment when detected in aiding the common enemy. Females have often been found the most dangerous foes of a Government. Many of them have proven to be the most shrewd, scheming, desperate intriguers, and, if detected, have relied for protection upon the respect and consideration usually accorded their sex.

But while these scheming, prying daughters of Eve are claiming the attention of the Government, we see it stated the House Committee of Investigation, of which Mr. Potter is chairman, reports that over two hundred disloyal Clerks are still employed in the several Departments of the Government in Washington! Can we say that the Administration is in earnest in its efforts to save the ship of state so long as these barnacles are permitted to adhere to its keel. Their position affords the superior opportunities for obtaining information, and if they do not impart it to the Rebel Chiefs directly, they have made use of these female spies as channels through which to convey it. As an evidence of this, in the possession of Mrs. Meigs, who was arrested a day or two ago in Washington, was discovered a drawing of the defencive [sic] works around the Capital, furnished by one of these Clerks!

Let the Administration shake off these traitors who, while drawing a subsistance [sic] from its treasury, are indefatigable in their efforts to promote the overthrow of the Government. Until this is done, there is no use in cautioning the Press or arresting female spies.

Country Before Party
(Column 2)

Summary: Applauds the editor of the Pioneer and Democrat in Minnesota for resigning because there should be no issues between the Republicans and Democrats in the coming election. The Dispatch calls the attention of the "Day Book Democracy" of Franklin County to the desire that this action reflects for "a union of all parties until the rebellion is put down."

County Auditor
(Column 3)

Summary: Recommends the incumbent auditor, Mr. Andrew Davison, for re-election.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Andrew Davison)

Gen. McClellan
(Column 3)

Summary: Reprints a quote from General McClellan saying that if the rebel forces are victorious in the next battle, he and Lander will be left dead on the field. The Dispatch expresses the hope that McClellan was misquoted and remarks that the General should not put his own life at unnecessary risk.

Associate Judge
(Column 3)

Summary: Expresses the hope that well-qualified men of both parties will be placed on the ticket in the upcoming election and recommends W. W. Paxton as associate judge.
(Names in announcement: W. W. Paxton)

Trailer: A Friend of Union

The Legislature
(Column 3)

Summary: Recommends Mr. Frederick Henninger, a mechanic, for the legislature.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Frederick Henninger)

Trailer: A Mechanic

Another Fire
(Column 3)

Summary: Reports a fire at the stable on the Almshouse premises, located in the suburbs of Hagerstown.

Origin of Article: Hagerstown Herald

The Schools
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces that the schools of Chambersburg will open the following Monday.

Confirmation
(Column 1)

Summary: Relates that the Right Reverend Bishop Wood of Philadelphia will administer the sacrament of Confirmation in the Catholic Church in Chambersburg the following Sunday morning at half past ten o'clock.

More Soldiers Gone
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that 25 to 30 men left Chambersburg the previous Wednesday with their captain, P. B. Housum. The rest of the company will follow shortly.
(Names in announcement: Captain P. B. Housum)

New Turn-Table
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that the Cumberland Valley Railroad has erected a new turn-table in front of their engine house that requires only one man rather than two or three to operate it.

A Creditable Improvement
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports the re-modeling of the Catholic church in Chambersburg. A cupola has been erected, into which a "large, finely-toned" steel bell will be placed. The cost of these repairs will be between $1,100 and $1,200.

Promoted
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces that the Honorable Edward McPherson, a representative from this Congressional district, has been appointed an aid on the staff of General McCall.
(Names in announcement: Honorable Edward McPherson)

Enlisting
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces that Mr. John R. Stickell of Antrim township will meet with those who desire to enlist in the two companies he has been authorized to form.

Chambersburg Female Seminary
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces the commencement of the next session of the Chambersburg Female Seminary on the following Tuesday, September 3. Reverend Henry Reeves serves as principal of the institution.
(Names in announcement: Reverend Henry Reeves)

A Desperado in Our County Prison
(Column 2)

Summary: Relates the history of George W. Race, one of the "gang" who robbed or set on fire warehouses throughout Franklin County until they recently were captured. Race had been incarcerated in Philadelphia several years earlier, had broken out of jail, had committed crimes in New York, and was returned to jail in Philadelphia. He served in the army, after which he "organized a gang of scoundrels like himself" and began committing crimes in Franklin and Cumberland Counties.

Origin of Article: Philadelphia Evening Bulletin

Marriages
(Column 3)

Summary: Mr. Theodore C. Wisner and Miss Margaret Stinger, both of Peters township, Franklin County, were married on August 27.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Theodore C. Wisner, Miss Margaret Stinger)

Deaths
(Column 3)

Summary: Charles E. Minnich, aged 3 years and 6 months, died of scarlet fever in Chambersburg on August 25. He was the son of Mr. Edward and Nancy Minnich.
(Names in announcement: Charles E. Minnich, Mr. Edward Minnich, Nancy Minnich)