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Valley Spirit: May 9, 1860 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

From Charleston
(Column 02)

Summary: Record of proceedings of Democratic National Convention, which was adjourned upon a deadlock in the votes for the presidential nominee. Southern delegates walked out, met separately, and agreed to a separated convention in Richmond. The main body resolved to meet again in Baltimore.

The Catholics in America
(Column 04)

Summary: Reprint of letter from the Pope to the Roman Catholic bishops in America.

The Transcript vs. Gen. Taylor
(Column 01)

Summary: Argues that the Transcript, by attacking Buchanan's choice of a friend to do the executive printing, is in essence attacking Presidents Taylor, Fillmore, and Pierce, since they engaged in similar practices.

Poor White Men at the South
(Column 01)

Summary: Names several Franklin County men who have moved South and succeeded in business.

The Charleston Convention
(Column 02)

Summary: Hopes that the new convention will bring forth more unity, argues that the state Democratic parties should be given a chance for a second election of delegates to obtain slates that would work together.

Origin of Article: Patriot and Union

Jefferson on Secession and Disunion
(Column 02)

Summary: Quotes letter from Jefferson to John Taylor, arguing against disunion.

The Difficulties in Charleston
(Column 03)

Summary: Laments the division of the Democratic National Convention along sectional lines.

Full Text of Article:

The Republican newspapers are rejoicing over the Democratic split of Charleston, and uttering congratulations upon the prospect it opens for the election of a Republican President. It affords them intense pleasure to see the only national party in the country distracted and torn by the slavery question. They point to it as an evidence that an irrepressible conflict exists between two sections of this Union, and reiterate the taunt of the Southern extremists, that the Democratic party, as represented by the regular Convention, is now a sectional organization. It is perfectly fair in a party point of view that our enemies should take every advantage of difficulties in the Democratic ranks, but the transactions at Charleston will excite other emotions in the hearts of those who love this Union and tremble at the thought of its disruption. The division of the Democratic party by a geographical line upon the question of slavery , is the most ominous disaster that can happen to the country. When this bond is broken what remains to hold us together? What other national organization can take the place of the Democratic party, in case it is broken and scattered? This is a serious question, not only for Democrats, but for all men.

Within the last ten years sectional violence has snapped asunder many of the bonds that held the country together. The Whig party, which was national, gave way first, and the sectional Republican party took its place. Several of our leading religious denominations have been broken in two across the line dividing free from Slave States, and those that still retain a national character are often disturbed and agitated by the conflict. The breaking of these bonds all tend to alienation and the loss of that close fellowship necessary to safety. In the midst of the contest, while other powers gave way, the Democratic party alone, of all political organizations, withstood the shock. It alone furnished a rallying point for all national men. It alone withstood the destructive powers of Northern and Southern sectionalism. If the cause of nationality proves too heavy for it to carry, and the contending forces succeed in mastering it, we have indeed reached a point in our national history when reflecting and patriotic men may well inquire how long the country can survive this internal war--how can it be rescued from the madness of sectional factions? It will be a dark day for the country when there is no longer a national party to look to.

But, notwithstanding the difficulties at Charleston, we believe that the Democratic party will retain its national character, and that its organization will be maintained in every State in the Union. The platform adopted by the Convention has not a tinge of sectionalism in it, and the withdrawal of some of the extreme delegations only affords evidence that the platform is not sectional. The action of the Southern sectionalists is in fact a protest against the nationality of the Democratic party. It is well understood that these delegates do not present the unanimous opinion of their constituents, and while States like Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Maryland and Missouri remain firm, we have a better index of Southern opinion than that derived from the action of the extremists from Alabama and Mississippi. The irrational and sectional proceedings of the ultra men who desire to break up the Democratic party because they failed to engraft their peculiar notions upon the party creed, will be condemned and repudiated by the majority of their constituents, whose safety depends upon preserving the nationality of the Democratic organization.

We are confident that the hopes of the Republicans will not be realized, and that they will not have the pleasure of seeing the Democratic party sectionalized. But what must be thought of a party which rejoices at the prospect of seeing the whole country broken up into sectional parties? Can such a party have at heart the maintenance of the Union?

Free Speech--the Right to Discuss Slavery in Slaveholding States
(Column 03)

Summary: Argues that Republicans would not be so quick to attack the denial of free speech to abolitionists if the same rights were given Catholic priests to speak to Irish laborers and incite them to attack and loot their employers.

Jefferson and Black Republicanism
(Column 04)

Summary: Denies that the Republican Party can trace its roots to Thomas Jefferson, and details Jefferson's support for slavery.

The Borough Elections
(Column 01)

Summary: Exults in the defeat of the regular Republican ticket in the borough elections, and claims that the "Anti-Tax" victory is in essence a Democratic victory.
(Names in announcement: L.H. McCauley, Charles Hutz, Calvin Duncan, Andrew Bauker, James King, Joseph Clark, D.K. Wanderlish, P.B. Housum, William Adams, George Gross)

School Convention
(Column 01)

Summary: School Directors of Franklin County met in Chambersburg and re-elected P.M. Shoemaker as County Superintendent, which the Valley Spirit applauded.
(Names in announcement: Esq. George Zigler, P.M. Shoemaker)

Full Text of Article:

--The School Directors of the county assembled in Convention, in this place on Monday last, and organized by the appointment of Geo. W. Zigler, Esq., of Greencastle, to preside over their deliberations. The convention was largely attended and its proceeding conducted in a harmonious and business like manner. The Directors present from the several districts and boroughs, in the county, were all gentlemen of the highest respectability, and displayed a degree of intelligence, in the transaction of business, that we do not often see in similar public bodies, and which augurs well for the cause of Education in Franklin County. The principal business of the Convention was the selection of a County Superintendent. The choice fell on the former Superintendent, Mr. P. M. Shoemaker, of Upper Strasburg, who was reelected by a very complimentary vote, and the salary of his office raised from five to six hundred dollars. Mr. Shoemaker has done good service in behalf of our Public School System, and aided no little in bringing it into almost unanimous favor with the people, and we are happy to perceive that his labors have been appreciated by the Directors of the county. His re-appointment is a merited compliment and a just reward, to a good and faithful public officer.

Gone Again
(Column 02)

Summary: "Hat man" Dechert has gone to New York to pick up his summer stock of hats.
(Names in announcement: J.L. Dechert)

Full Text of Article:

--J. L. Deehert, the Hat man, has gone to New York to lay in a stock of Straw Hats, &c., for Summer wear. Look out for a splendid assortment, in a few days.

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Married May 1.
(Names in announcement: Rev. James Bishop, Rev. J. Phillip Bishop, Ellie Snively)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Married May 1 at the Methodist Episcopal parsonage.
(Names in announcement: Rev. William Harden, John Delabaugh, Catharine Hempfield)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Died on April 25th at 64 years of age.
(Names in announcement: Ann Maria Derringer)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Died on April 27th at 1 year old.
(Names in announcement: Charlotte Alice Keefer)

Deaths
(Column 04)

Summary: Died on April 26th at 9 years old.
(Names in announcement: Martha Mahan)