Search the Newspapers Browse Newspapers by Date Articles Indexed by Topic About the Newspapers Valley of the Shadow Home

Valley Spirit: October 3, 1860 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

Slavery in Territories--The Democratic Doctrine
(Column 01)

Summary: Argues that the Douglas men misrepresent the Breckinridge position on slavery in the territories. His platform doesn't call for Congressional protection of slavery. Instead, it states that the government, according to the Constitution, protects persons and property wherever the Constitution is in effect. No branch of the government can confiscate property.

Full Text of Article:

The Douglas men continually misrepresent the Breckinridge platform by asserting that it calls for Congressional protection to Slavery. It does no such thing. It pledged the General Government in all its branches to the protection of persons and property, whenever its Constitutional power extends. It pledges its protection to constitutional rights, no matter what those rights may be, and there is not a single line in the platform to which a Douglas man dare enter his disclaimer.

Property, recognized as such, is protected by the Constitution, and neither Congressional nor Territorial enactment is needed for its protection. Should any branch of any government--Federal, State, or Territorial--undertake to confiscate the property of a citizen or to deprive him of his rightful possession, the General Government would be found, in all its branches, to intervene against the act, no matter whether the property consisted of land, tenements, cattle, or slaves.

The Supreme Court of the United States has decided that:

1st. Territories are the common property of all the States.

2d. Congress cannot dispossess any one of property by the Constitution, nor prohibit the citizen from taking it to and holding it in a Territory.

3d. That the Constitution recognizes slaves as property and pledges the General Government to its protection.

And the National Democracy hold to the doctrine that, inasmuch as territories belong to one State as much as to another, so long as they remain Territories, there is no power to prevent any citizen removing to them with his property and holding it therein.

When the people assume the power of making a State Constitution, then, and not till then, have they the power to recognize or prohibit slavery; and even then, the people have no power to manumit slaves by act of the Legislature. The right of property recognized by the Constitution of the United States cannot be impaired by any power; but a State may, in her Constitution and laws, establish or prohibit slavery when it pleases. A State may in its Constitution, prohibit slavery within its limits; but it cannot dispossess the master of his slaves by manumitting them.

There is no more necessity for Congressional intervention for slavery in the Territories, then there is for the possession of any property. The Government is already bound to protect every citizen in person and property--that law is in the Constitution itself and needs no repetition by Congress or any other legislative body.

Well Said
(Column 01)

Summary: The State Sentinel answers Forney's criticism of Foster, who met with a prominent Breckinridge supporter, by saying that Foster is the "only remaining link that unites the once harmonious Democratic Party of Pennsylvania" and thus has the right to meet with supporters of all Democratic candidates. The Erie Observer quotes the State Sentinel and believes that its comments are well said. The Observer believes that Forney and his lot are "engaged in an effort to defeat that [Democratic unity] ticket."

Origin of Article: Erie Observer

Secession
(Column 01)

Summary: Tells supporters of the straight-out Douglas ticket, who fear that their vote for the unity ticket might count in favor of the candidates of secession, that Herschel V. Johnson was an avowed secessionist when he ran for governor of Georgia. Breckinridge and Lane, however, "never uttered a disunion sentiment."

The Country In a Blaze for Breckinridge and Lane
(Column 02)

Summary: Numerous statements of support for the Breckinridge ticket from all over the country.

[none]
(Column 06)

Summary: The Wide Awakes, a Republican organization, are clearly going to assist in the forcible inauguration of Lincoln, if necessary.

Origin of Article: Hartford Times

Rally the Forces!
(Column 06)

Summary: Gen. Foster will clearly be elected governor, unless Democrats fail to do their duty.

A Word for Union
(Column 01)

Summary: Urges Democrats to come together to support Foster and the rest of the state ticket.

Curtin Shows the White Feather
(Column 01)

Summary: Discusses the conflict between Col. Curtin and Gen. Foster over possible debates. Foster rejected Curtin's terms, which required the debates to take place at Republican meetings. The Republicans are thus accusing Foster of backing out, which isn't true.

Is He an Abolitionist?
(Column 01)

Summary: An abolitionist states that Lincoln is a "pure Abolitionist at heart" who "every good man" should support.

Origin of Article: New York State League

Editorial Comment: "The Republicans continually assert that Lincoln isn't an abolitionist. However, the quoted paragraph contradicts this assertion."

A Word to Our German Friends
(Column 02)

Summary: Reminds Germans that the Democratic Party has always fought for the rights of naturalized citizens, while the Republicans and Know Nothings had previously sworn to "persecute and proscribe" immigrants. Germans and Catholics should not be fooled by the Republicans' current efforts to appeal to them.

Foster's Election Certain
(Column 02)

Summary: The election of Foster is certain. Even the Republicans believe it will happen.

Unfounded Report
(Column 02)

Summary: The True Democrat denies the Republicans' charge that Juniata Democrats don't support Mr. Schell for Congress.

Origin of Article: Juniata True Democrat

Pennsylvania
(Column 03)

Summary: Believes the unity ticket is a fair and honorable arrangement.

Origin of Article: Washington Star (Douglas)

Hon. Wm. P. Schell
(Column 03)

Summary: Believes that Schell is an excellent candidate whom all Democrats should support.

Origin of Article: Gettysburg Compiler

Loves of the Angels
(Column 03)

Summary: Brief quotes from Lincoln and other Republicans that illustrate their attitude toward slavery.

Abraham! Abraham!! Come and Put This Child to Bed
(Column 03)

Summary: Satirical poem about Lincoln.

Abuse of Public Men
(Column 03)

Summary: Suggests that anyone who has run out of invectives to use against Buchanan should replenish their stock by looking at contemporary opinion of Washington, Madison, and Jefferson. However, it reminds these critics that "the names of the patriots, soldiers, and statesmen, so much reviled, are prized by the nation as among her most precious jewels, while their defamers are--where?"

The Gubernatorial Contest
(Column 03)

Summary: The Journal, which supports Bell and Everett, has not endorsed a candidate for governor. However, it objects to another paper's besmirchment of Foster's character.

Origin of Article: Evening Journal

Keep It Before the People
(Column 04)

Summary: Presents a quote from Seward so that the people of Pennsylvania will know the sentiments of the administration should Lincoln be elected.

Intensely Ingenious
(Column 04)

Summary: Accuses the Curtin campaign of lying when they charged Foster with refusing to debate their candidate.

Origin of Article: Evening Journal

[none]
(Column 04)

Summary: The Volunteer publishes a straight-out Douglas ticket but criticizes the Democrats who held the convention at Harrisburg. The paper has never "witnessed a more impudent attempt at disorganization than is here exhibited."

Origin of Article: American Volunteer

Democratic Meeting at Roxbury
(Column 01)

Summary: There will be a Democratic meeting at Roxbury on Oct. 8th.

Democrats Rally!
(Column 01)

Summary: Encourages Democrats to support their ticket.

Another Douglas Traitor Rewarded
(Column 02)

Summary: Criticizes Douglas supporters in Kentucky, who rejoiced when the Republicans defeated the Democrats in the state. Since Kentucky is the home of Breckinridge, the Douglas supporters were anxious to see that the former's supporters didn't win. The Spirit believes that this is another sign that Douglas has his "baggage checked through for the Republican Party's headquarters" and is thus a traitor to the Democratic Party.

Sustain Your Character
(Column 04)

Summary: Urges Franklin County Democrats to sustain the reputation they have developed for "unflinching devotion to the principles of the Democratic Party." They must go to the polls on Tuesday and "give battle to the enemies of your country's peace."

Germans to the Rescue!
(Column 04)

Summary: Urges Germans not to fall for the tricks of the Republicans, who are really the Native American-Know Nothing party and thus the enemies of immigrants.

Crocodile Sympathy
(Column 04)

Summary: Criticizes the Transcript for shedding crocodile tears for Mr. William Piper of Fayetteville, who claimed that he didn't receive a nomination to fill a court office because he didn't publish his card in the Spirit.

Henry D. Foster
(Column 06)

Summary: Foster is likely to win and his character indicates that he will be an honest governor.

Andrew G. Curtin
(Column 06)

Summary: States that Andrew Curtin is likely to be a corrupt governor if elected.

The Masses Speaking
(Column 06)

Summary: "Old and reliable Democrats" are stumping for Breckinridge and Lane in Kentucky, where they are likely to win.

Approval of our Course
(Column 01)

Summary: Two newspapers, the Pennsylvanian and the Patriot and Union, as well as two readers, believe that the Spirit is right in its support of Breckinridge and in its endorsement of the Cresson compromise.

Full Text of Article:

We are gratified to learn that the course of the Spirit meets the entire approval of those whose good opinions are worth having. The Pennsylvanian, for many years the leading organization of the Democracy in this State, gives us this handsome endorsement. We can very well afford to put up with the spatterings of such whipsters as the Times when our course meets the approval of such old and reliable papers as the Pennsylvanian:

From the Daily Pennsylvanian.

The Chambersburg Valley Spirit, heretofore a very zealous supporter of Judge Douglas, has withdrawn the names of Douglas and Johnson from the head of its columns, and substituted those of Breckinridge and Lane. In a long and well written article, explanatory of the step, the various circumstances inducing it are explicitly stated, being briefly the undisguised efforts, as well of Judge Douglas and Mr. Johnson, as of Forney, Haldeman and other Douglas leaders, to prevent a union of the Pennsylvania Democracy, and thus give the State to the Black Republicans. It is due, perhaps, to the Valley Spirit, to say that it has from the first earnestly advocated the union of the Democracy of the State upon the Reading Electoral Ticket, and no Journal has more indignantly denounced the treachery and baseness of the Forney-Haldeman conspirators. It was only week before last, indeed, that the Democracy of Franklin, in mass convention, made up of citizens from every township in the county, resolved with entire unanimity that they would know no difference in the impending struggle. But this did not suit the Douglas leaders, and Hershel V. Johnson was taken to Chambersburg under the direction of Forney, Haldeman & Co., to denounce the union sentiment prevailing there, and to counsel, as a nominee with Judge Douglas, such a course of action as can only result in giving the Keystone State to the enemies of the Democracy.

The Patriot and Union, published at Harrisburg, notices the course of the Spirit in the following highly complimentary manner:

From the Daily Patriot and Union.

The factious course pursued by the violent and indiscreet friends of Judge Douglas, in forming an irregular electoral ticket, in opposition to the one nominated at Reading by the Democratic Convention, and the unmistakable evidence that this plot to divide the Democratic vote of the State, for the purpose of defeating the party and electing Lincoln, is encouraged by Mr. Douglas himself, has had a powerful effect upon the moderate men who at the beginning enlisted under his standard, but are not disposed to follow his destructive counsels. One of the most marked and significant evidences of the re-action against Douglas is to be found in the course of the Chambersburg Valley Spirit, the old organ of the Democracy of Franklin county. That paper started out in this campaign the earnest advocate of Mr. Douglas, but finding that it could not support him in his way, and the Democratic party at the same time, it has determined to retrace its steps. The last number comes to us with the names of Breckinridge and Lane floating at its mast-head, and a powerful article justifying this course.

The following from a prominent and active Democrat exhibits the right spirit, and that old- fashioned devotion to the interests of the party that used to animate our ranks when they were united and moved on in one solid column to victory. While we have a few such noble Democrats left there is hope for the party:

Sept. 27, 1860

Mr. Geo. H. Mengel:

Dear Sir:--You have no idea of the thrill of joy that went through us here when the Spirit made its last appearance. Could we not get some circulars from you with your editorial giving the article from where you say: "where are we to look in this emergency," &c., till the end of your reasons for the change. It should be headed with a few appropriate remarks. I would like to have $10 worth to circulate myself, and will be responsible to you for the amount. They will tell with good effect. Your article is admirable and will do great execution. You need not fear the result because our Country must, to make a long story short, come to one of two thinkings. The establishment of the great principle of the Equality of States, or a dissolution of the Union.

Every man's wife, child, farm and pocket forbid the latter, and the other will, and must prevail. Like truth, tho' crushed for a while, it will rise again. The second sober thought of the people will establish it. The men who take the stand you have taken will stand with the Country, when the Northern and Southern agitator will both be ashamed of themselves, and when the patriot will be moved to no other emotion for them than that of pity. Go on with the good work, and standing upon principle as we do, let us fight them to the Knife, and the Knife to the hilt. It is no odds which we cut, for there is so little difference between Lincolnism and Douglasism that you will be sure to cut a nigger or a mulatto any how.

Yours, &c.

We subjoin the following letter received on Monday last. The letter requires no comment--it tells its own story in its own plain way. It was not intended for publication but it is so suited to the times that we cannot refrain from giving it a place in our columns:

-------- Township, Sept. 29th

Mr. G.H. Mengel.

Sir:--A few weeks ago I had business in Chambersburg and when there I was persuaded to stop my paper. I did so as you know. I now want you to send it to me again. I have been thinking over the matter very much and have never felt satisfied about it. The men who coaxed me to stop the paper, which I did to oblige them as they have always been friendly to me, and I thought them the right kind of Democrats, wanted me to take their paper at that time, but I put them off saying I would see about it the next time I came to town. I have seen about it and seen their paper too, and it does not suit me, but I don't want to prevent any other person from taking it if they wish to do so. I have always found the Valley Spirit about right in its Democracy so far as I am able to judge. I am a friend to Douglas but still I feel more friendly to the Democratic party than I do to any man living. I will vote a fusion ticket and no other, as that is the only way, in my opinion, that we can elect a Democrat. If Mr. Douglas would rather be defeated than elected in that way then I will not throw my vote away on him. As long as you support fusion I can support you, on that ground we can meet as Democrats, and you can have your preference and I can have mine. The more I have thought on the matter the better I am convinced that you are right and that I have been deceived by men from whom I expected better things. What surprised me most of all was to find the men that your paper has always upheld now trying to injure you. I would not do so with my neighbors, and I would not like it if my neighbors would do so with me. That is not the right way for Democrats to act by each other, and no good to the party will come out of it.

I have told you that I never felt satisfied about stopping my paper, and I don't wish you to be offended at me about it, but send it on again with the three numbers that I have missed. My family also want it and are not pleased because I do not take it any more.

Please send on the paper and I will make it all right with you.

Yours, &c.

Democrats be on your Guard! Fraud! Fraud!! Fraud!!!
(Column 02)

Summary: Believes that Forney and his followers will hatch some scheme shortly before the election to attempt to discredit Foster.

Letter of Acceptance
(Column 02)

Summary: William Schell accepts the nomination for Democratic candidate for Congress and vows to "bring about a modification of the present Tariff laws, so as to secure ample protection to all the great industrial interests of Pennsylvania."

Congress and the County Ticket
(Column 02)

Summary: Urges Democrats to support the entire County ticket.

Letterkenny Democratic Club
(Column 03)

Summary: The Democrats of Letterkenny have formed a Foster Club.
(Names in announcement: Esq. Daniel Gelwicks, Adam Snyder, Robt. Northington, Dr. Wm. Hunter, Wm. Forbis, J. Wyeth Douglas, Esq. John Orr)

Fair Week
(Column 03)

Summary: The County Fair is in progress.

Full Text of Article:

--It must not be forgotten, in our political excitement, that this is the week of our County Fair. The Fair commenced yesterday--the weather is fine, and the prospects for a grand exhibition are very cheering. Large crowds of people are here already, and others are constantly arriving. The arrangements are of the most ample kind to accommodate all exhibitors in every department. York, Dauphin, Cumberland, Adams, Fulton, and Washington County, Md, are all well represented in Stock, Agricultural products, or specimens of Mechanical skill. Our ladies too have not been backward in presenting a fine display of their handywork. It is so far decidedly the best and most interesting Agricultural exhibition yet held in our county. Every man, woman and child in the county should turn out and not miss this opportunity of witnessing such a creditable exhibition of skill and industry of their own neighbors.

A Magnificent Quilt
(Column 03)

Summary: Mr. P. Hamman's mother has made a beautiful quilt that will be on exhibit at the County fair.

Full Text of Article:

--We were shown a quilt, on Monday last, by P. Hamman, Esq., that is decidedly a splendid article, and a most extraordinary piece of feminine handywork. It was made by the mother of Mr. Hamman--a lady aged 83 years. It was commenced in her 82d year and has just recently been finished. It is beautiful in design and contains eight thousand seven hundred and eighty four pieces, and is quilted in a stile that cannot be surpassed. The stitching is very fine and regular. This beautiful article was made by this aged lady without the aid of spectacles.--This quilt will be on exhibition, this week, at our County Fair. Bring on your old-fogy Penelopes, our modern great grandmothers can beat them all hollow.

Fatal Accident
(Column 03)

Summary: Mary Jane Palsegrove was killed when she caught her clothing on her buggy as she was jumping out. She was thrown on her head.
(Names in announcement: Christian Stouffer)

Address of the Democratic State Executive Committee of Pennsylvania
(Column 01)

Summary: William H. Walsh, Chairman of the Executive Committee, lauds Foster and warns Democrats of the perils to the Union if Lincoln is elected.

A Douglas man Now, a Disunionist in 1851
(Column 02)

Summary: John Forsyth, a leading Douglas man in Alabama, was "something of a disunionist" in 1851, as a letter he wrote shows.

The Legislature
(Column 02)

Summary: The Republican legislature was one of the most corrupt in the history of the state. No laws could be passed without bribes.

Origin of Article: Philadlphia Inquirer

Editorial Comment: "If the people of the state want to know what a Republican legislature would be like, they need only remember last winter when the Republican legislature adjourned."

Henry D. Foster
(Column 03)

Summary: Since the Cresson compromise, the Republican press has realized that Foster might win and so has attacked him mercilessly.

Press on the Column
(Column 03)

Summary: Breckinridge and Lane are likely to win in Texas.

Origin of Article: Austin (Texas) Gazette

Mr. Douglas Explains His Objects
(Column 03)

Summary: If Douglas' recent assertion that he wants to remain Senator rather than become president is true, it is a sign that he only ran to defeat Breckinridge and elect Lincoln.