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Semi-Weekly Dispatch: September 24, 1861 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

An Enlistment Incident
(Column 4)

Summary: Relates that a minor attempting to enlist in a new regiment in Newport, Rhode Island, when his mother agreed to sign his certificate of consent only if the son should move his finger through the Bible and select a passage at random that persuaded her to allow him to go to war. The son did so and chose a passage charging the Hebrews to "go ye down against them," and the mother gave her consent.

A Large Consumption
(Column 4)

Summary: Details the amount of rations distributed to government troops stationed in Washington.

Full Text of Article:

Some nine hundred barrels of their per diem are used up at Washington for the army. Of fresh bread alone there are one hundred and fifty thousand loves consumed. Foreigners there express astonishment at the abundant and varied rations served our troops. They are undoubtedly the best fed as well as the best paid army in the world. We all hope their performances will equal their treatment.

Reading for the Army
(Column 5)

Summary: Urges family members to send soldiers newspapers for them to read on the Sabbath, since General McClellan has declared that no work is to be done on that day.

Important to the Families of Soldiers--Assignment of Pay
(Column 5)

Summary: Announces that part of a soldier's pay may be distributed directly to his family and explains the procedure for taking part in the program.

The "Day Book" Democracy
(Column 1)

Summary: Answers the displeasure the Times has apparently expressed about being labeled a "Day Book" Democratic paper by the Dispatch. Points out that there are many Democrats--generally those who harbor sentiments similar to those of Stephen Douglas--who are as loyal to the Union as any Republican, but that the Times supports candidates whose loyalty is questionable at best. Therefore, the Times deserves the label of "Day Book Democrat."

Full Text of Article:

The editor of The Times not only knowing, but feeling the unenviable position he occupies as a co-laborer with the Valley Spirit in an effort to seduce the loyal people of Franklin into support of a Ticket composed, in part at least, of men whose known sentiments are bitterly antagonistic to all his former professions and teachings with regard to the preservation of the Union, wriggles and twists like an injured worm under our strictures.

He dislikes the company his peculiar course has necessarilly [sic] thrown him into, and he frets himself wonderfully because we have honestly endeavored to expose his inconsistancy [sic]. We characterized the Convention that nominated the Ticket now supported by The Times, as Day Book Democrats, the meaning of which our neighbor appears to understand. For thus designating them, he charges us with censuring the entire Democratic party of the county. In speaking of that party we have always distinguished between the Douglas and Breckinridge wing, and weeks ago, before a Ticket was nominated we used the following language:

The Douglas Democracy, to their honor be it said, are as firm in their support of the Administration, in the war now waging to suppress the rebellion, as the most ardent Republicans.

If we have charged the editor of The Times as being a Day Book Democrat, we only judge him by the company he is in. He is supporting a Ticket which he knows is composed, in part at least, of men who are bitterly hostile to the further prosecution of the war--men who would now compromise with the rebels. It was such men, too, who controlled the Convention, and the Convention was presided over by a man who is an out-spoken advocate of Peace.

How can the editor of The Times, claiming to be in favor of an uncompromising prosecution of the war, advocate the election of men who are opposed to his views? He has heretofore denounced all who are for compromising with the rebels as "traitors" and "cowardly fools," in which we agree with him, but strange to say, he is advocating the election of just such men, and when he is changed with it, he endeavors to screen himself from a further exposure by saying that "this is no time for such contests."

This is just the time, after the election it is too late. The people should be made acquainted with the loyalty or disloyalty of the men for whom they are asked to vote, and The Times, we trust, will no longer call upon the loyal portion of the Democratic party to support men whom it has justly stigmatized as "traitors" and "cowardly fools."

The Issue
(Column 2)

Summary: Argues that the most important issue in the coming election is whether the candidate is a strong supporter of the Union. Puts forward the Union candidates major John Rowe and W. W. Sellers, Esq., as the best men in the running.

Full Text of Article:

It is unusually important and necessary that every voter at the approaching Election should understand and appreciate the true issue that is presented for their decision.

The Legislature must be filled with men who will cordially co-operate with the State and National Governments in their plan, or the military operations of the State will be crippled, and Pennsylvania will stand before the Nation a chained lion--a disgraced and humiliated State, and in our prostration the rebels will have secured a triumph. The State administration must be sustained, or the effectiveness of our State troops, to cope with the rebellion, will be crippled and destroyed.

This the sympathizers with the Rebellion understand, and they will spare no efforts to defeat the Union Legislative candidates, by fraud an falsehood, in every district where it is possible to do so. If the Union is to be preserved, a vigorous prosecution of the war must be maintained, and to secure this end, candidates favorable to sustaining both the State and National Administrations must be elected.

Let the friends of the Union, then rally at once, and see to it that Maj. John Rowe and W. W. Sellers, Esq., the Union candidates of this district are triumphantly elected.

All who are unconditionally for the Union will vote for the Union candidates for the Legislature, and all who are for compromising with the rebels will vote for the Democratic candidate. Chose ye between them. Compromise with the traitors means a destruction of the Government--an energetic prosecution of the War means the salvation of the Nation.

Panic in the Seceded States
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports, based on information in the Philadelphia Press, that plans by the federal government to seize posts on the Southern coasts has caused a general panic among the people in the seceded states.

Full Text of Article:

Late information, upon which we can rely, says the Philadelphia Press of Saturday last, authorizes us to state that a general panic has taken place in the seceded States since Monday last. The preparations of the Federal Government to seize certain important posts on the Southern coasts, and the unprotected character of that coast, are among the chief reasons for this rapidly increasing feeling.

Davis and the confederate traitors having failed in their absurd demonstration upon Washington, (which was, in fact, never real,) are now losing the confidence of the troops gathered between Richmond and the Federal capital, and are daily attacked with the utmost bitterness by the people they have seduced into their conspiracy. It is a fact which events will soon establish, that thousands now in the rebel army are anxious to be taken prisoners by the American army, in order that they be rescued from the fearful horrors under which they were suffering! Nothing prevents an outburst in favor of the Union in North Carolina, save the invasion of that State by the South Carolina troops; and such men as Holden and Morehead will undoubtedly speak out against the traitors the moment they feel strong enough so to do.

Every dollar of gold and silver is caught up and hid away, and merchants and tradesmen only part with their goods for the paper of the Confederate Government, and of the different State authorities, because they are compelled to yield.

Let the people of the Loyal States place the fullest confidence in the Administration and the army under General M'Clellan. They can afford to wait. Every hour that we delay the blow upon treason strengthens the good cause, and weakens the bad one.

The Union Candidates
(Column 2)

Summary: Promotes the Union ticket.

Important from Harrisburg
(Column 4)

Summary: Relates that Governor Curtin has determined to stop all volunteers from Pennsylvania from enlisting in regiments from other states.

A Cannon from the Teachers
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that the State Teachers' Association has voted to spend their surplus fund on a cannon that they will present to President Lincoln to help put down the rebellion.

Not Quite Full
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports five full companies in the regiment being raised by Colonel F. S. Stumbaugh in Franklin and surrounding counties. Colonel Stumbaugh has made arrangements at Philadelphia for equipping the regiment.
(Names in announcement: Colonel F. S. Stumbaugh)

What Does It Mean
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports the emergence of "strange and mysterious marks" on various items throughout town. The marks consist of a circle with a stroke drawn across the middle. The Dispatch speculates that they are the symbol for a disloyal organization formed by the Breckenridge Democrats.

The End of the Romance
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports the arrest of Sophia Cryder of Carlisle, who set on fire the barn of Mr. George Kuhns of Plainfield. Miss Cryder had resided with Mr. Kuhns and, it is supposed, set fire to his barn because he intended to turn her in for disguising herself as a man and joining Captain Kuhn's company of Sumner Rifles.

Origin of Article: Harrisburg Telegraph

The National Fast Day
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces the observance of a day of fasting and prayer for the restoration of peace and the protection of the United States. The Dispatch expresses the hope that the day will be observed "in a proper and becoming manner."

Full Text of Article:

Thursday next, the 20th, inst., is the day appointed by the President of the United States, by Proclamation, "as a day of public humiliation, prayer and fasting, to be observed by the people of the United States with religious solemnities, and the offering of fervent supplications to Almighty God for the safety and welfare of these States, His blessings on their arms, and a speedy restoration of peace."

By Proclamation, dated the 19th inst., the Governor of Pennsylvania, in furtherance of the President's desire, "earnestly recommends to the people to suspend, on that day, their ordinary avocations and to close their places of business and to humble themselves before the Almighty with earnest prayer that He will favorably with mercy look upon this people."

We trust the day will be observed in a proper and becoming manner, and not, as many do on such solemn occasions, in feasting, drunkenness and revelry. We are rejoiced at this recognition, by the heads of our Government, of the Supreme Ruler of the Universe, who can raise up a well as cast down nations. And as our nation is passing under His afflicting rod, it becomes us to humble ourselves in the dust and to cry mightily unto Him, to spare us from His just indignation and from His rightious [sic] wrath, which our multitude of National transgressions have so justly merited. May God! in the plentitude of His mercy, hear the prayers of the people; may their minds be enlightened and grace given to enable all to put away the sins that have excited His sore displeasure; may righteousness, "which exalteth a nation," cover us as a mantle; may peace revisit the fire-sides of all sections, and the Starry Banner again be seen upon every rampart, floating over every State, and we, again a united people, with God as our Protector, go forth, the admiration of the World, and the advocates of virtue, liberty and independence, of justice, truth and righteousness.

Day of Fasting
(Column 3)

Summary: Lists the order of observance in Chambersburg of the Day of Fasting and Prayer established by the ministers of the city.

Full Text of Article:

For the Dispatch.

In order to observe in unison the Day of Fasting and Prayer recommended by our Civil Rulers, the Ministers of the various Protestant denominations of Chambersburg, at a meeting held for that purpose, agreed to the following order in regard to the pubic religious services on that day, viz:

I. That each congregation have appropriate services in their own houses of worship on the morning of that day. And

II. That a Union Service be held at half-past 2 o'clock in the afternoon in the Lutheran Church.

It is sincerely hoped, that all our citizens will join in a general and devout religious observance of the day, so befitting a Christian People, especially at such a time a this.--We indulge the pleasing hope, and herewith earnestly and respectfully request our people of all trades, professions and occupations--whether Merchants, Hotelkeepers, Mechanics or otherwise--to close their respective stores, houses, shops or offices on that day. We cannot doubt that this will be cheerfully done by all.

In behalf of the Ministers Meeting,
B. S. Schneck, Chairman.

Deaths
(Column 3)

Summary: Mr. Samuel Zeigler died on September 23 in Chambersburg. He was about 52 years old.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Samuel Zeigler)