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Valley Spirit: October 31, 1860 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

The Union--A National Song
(Column 01)

Summary: A song in honor of the Union.

Letter from E. C. Evans, of Chester County
(Column 01)

Summary: Evans, a delegate to the national Democratic convention, states that opposition to Douglas at the convention was stifled by the "unit rule." Without this rule, Douglas would not have gained a majority of the delegates. He argues that this unjust rule precipitated the withdrawal of many of the state delegations.

Where They Go
(Column 02)

Summary: Argues that straight-out Douglasism leads to Republicanism.

Address of the Democratic State Executive Committee
(Column 03)

Summary: Urges Democrats to support the ticket and states that a vote for the Democrats "swells the great conservative body, which whether it be at a tie a majority or minority, now stands as the only barrier to sectionalism and fanaticism."

Election Prospects
(Column 04)

Summary: Just because Pennsylvania elected a Republican governor does not mean that Lincoln will win the election. Pennsylvania is a pivotal state in the electoral collage. New York and Ohio may still support Breckinridge.

Letter from Greencastle
(Column 04)

Summary: Account of a Republican rally written by a Democrat.

Union Torchlight Procession in New York--Over 30,000 Men in Line
(Column 06)

Summary: The Democrats held a very successful torchlight procession in New York that outdrew the Republican parade by at least three to one.

Origin of Article: Journal of Commerce

Be Not Deceived
(Column 01)

Summary: Urges voters to support the regular Democratic electoral ticket, rather than the straight-out ticket. The Spirit points out that it has printed the names of the electors for the regular ticket ever since March 1st. It didn't wait "until a week before the election 'to see how the cat would jump'" as, presumably, the Times did.

A Reminder
(Column 02)

Summary: The Spirit reminds readers that, during the Jackson administration, a group of Chambersburg Democrats called a meeting to denounce Jackson. These same men are now the leading Douglas supporters in town.

Petty Revenge
(Column 02)

Summary: Criticizes the Douglas Club of Chambersburg for expelling its secretary. This expulsion "was very spiteful, indeed, after helping him over into the Republican ranks to glut their vengeance on him because he stole a march on them and got over to the Republicans first."

In Ecstasies
(Column 02)

Summary: The Times finally put up the Reading Electoral Ticket.

A Few Words to Adopted Citizens
(Column 03)

Summary: Urges naturalized citizens not to support the Republicans, who are only Know Nothings under a different name.

Full Text of Article:

Our citizens of Foreign birth who have been inveigled into the ranks of the Opposition, should not neglect to post themselves on the antecedents of the company they are keeping. Let us present two propositions for their reflection before their active participancy in the election now near at hand. Every citizen born in a foreign land who casts his vote with the Opposition, gives that much strength and permanency to a party which under a new name, in violation of the spirit of the Constitution and the recognized policy of the founders of the Republic, would degrade and disgrace him. Who are the present leaders of the so-called Republican party, even in Pennsylvania? Are they not the men who assisted in the inauguration of that vilest of doctrines, Know Nothingism? Are they not the very men, Adopted Citizen, let us ask you, who promulgated and urged with all the ardor of their souls, what would have been in effect your absolute disfranchisement? Each and every one of you must certainly remember the bitter crusade these men waged against your rights. No "Tariff" then claimed their attention. No appeal was then made in behalf of "Freedom." "Free Homes for Free Men" was not then their rallying cry. Their sole and darling sentiment was hostility to the Foreigner, and in secret conclave they swore to give it thorough and effective expression.

You, Adopted Citizen in the County of Franklin, now associated with the Republican party, we ask you to bring to mind the eventful years when Know Nothingism was in the ascendant and marched over the land conquering and to conquer, do you not recognize in the champions of this new born party these same men who then poured their vials of defamation and abuse on your devoted heads? Believe not that this same spirit has fled from their hearts. It still remains ready at the seasonable time to burst forth in all its original fury. As the serpent charms, so does this Republican party now charm and caress you only to make you an auxiliary instrument to your own political destruction.

And Adopted Citizen, our second proposition to which we invite your serious reflection is this. When those glorious privileges guaranteed to you by the Constitution, political equality, the right of suffrage, eligibility to office, in a word the possession of all that constitutes you an American citizen, when, we say, these great privileges were about to be torn from you and the record of there [sic] existence about to be blotted out; when jeers and ridicule met you at almost every step; when persecution raged, and blood followed the foot prints of many of your countrymen in some of our great cities, what party placed itself as a wall of fire between you and your enemies? What party battled with all the ardor and hopefulness of holy and patriotic purpose, for your vindication and protection? And what party eventually scattered your enemies as chaff before the wind, and in its almost unparalleled success proved its devotion to your interest and its great mission the preservation of the Constitution and the Union? Was it not the Democratic party that performed all this? Was it not that great party which knowing no North, no South, no East, no West, but only a complete and undissevered Union that came to your rescue? History attests the fidelity of the Democratic party to the interests of the citizens of our whole country, be they citizens native, or adopted. The Democratic party is not the offspring of yesterday. It came not on the wings of the morning to expire with the shades of the evening. For more than fifty years it has embodied the great conservative, patriotic and progressive spirit of the country. Under its wise rule we have grown to be one of the first nations of the earth in all that constitutes prosperity, usefulness and knowledge. And it is to preserve our land in unity and peace and to complete the development of the great work began by our Fathers that the Democratic party was formed and will continue to exist despite the storms that rise upon its path. To stand by this glorious organization, we appeal to every citizen be he from the North or the South, be he from lands across the sea or a native of our own soil. But more especially do we call upon our adopted citizens to dispassionately examine the history of our party, to note the long line of patriots and statesmen that have for more than a half century led its columns to battle for the whole country and to observe in our greatness and prosperity the beneficent result of Democratic rule. Aid this great party by your suffrages and by so doing you protect your own rights and contribute to the preservation of the Constitution and perpetuity of the Union.

Great Demonstration in New York City
(Column 04)

Summary: The size and enthusiasm of the recent Democratic torchlight parade in New York indicates the strength of the opposition to Lincoln.

The Argument in a Nut Shell
(Column 04)

Summary: Reminds readers that Hershel V. Johnson has a history of disunion sentiment. Thus, "If the supporters of Breckinridge and Lane were the Disunion party, Johnson would be for them."

The Reading Ticket. Duty of Democrats
(Column 05)

Summary: Urges Democrats to support the Reading ticket. Since the straight-out ticket has been taken off the ballot, the only way to vote for the straight-outs is to scratch the non-Douglas electors names off the ballot. The Spirit urges voters not to take such action.

An Armed Sectional Party
(Column 05)

Summary: The Republican party is a sectional, not a national, party.

Origin of Article: New York Daily Tribune

Stand Fast
(Column 05)

Summary: Urges Democrats to continue to work hard for victory in the presidential election, even though they were defeated in October.

"Stop Thief!"
(Column 05)

Summary: Claims that the Republicans point to the South and scream "nullification" in order to divert attention for their own disunion actions.

Signs of Trouble Multiplying
(Column 05)

Summary: Claims that "Signs of the trouble and disaster that will follow the election of Lincoln multiply all around us."

Save Us from Abolitionism
(Column 05)

Summary: In Massachusetts, "the hot bed of abolitionism," 72 white females were married to black men last year.

Go to Work
(Column 06)

Summary: Urges conservative Northerners to oppose Lincoln because his election threatens the Union. The election of the Republicans "threatens to prostrate all the best interests--all the industrial pursuits, and the commercial and the general business of the North."

Black Republicanism is Nullification
(Column 06)

Summary: Argues that the government the Republicans want to institute is different from that created by the founding fathers. Suffrage for blacks and the abolition of slavery in particular go against the wishes of the framers.

Origin of Article: Pennsylvanian

Straight-out Douglasism
(Column 06)

Summary: Straight-out Douglasism is strongly affiliated with Lincoln and support for the Republicans.

Origin of Article: Pennsylvanian

Douglas' Partiality for Lincoln
(Column 06)

Summary: According to Lewis, Douglas said "By God, Sir, the election shall never go into the house--before it shall go into the House, I will throw it over to Lincoln."

Origin of Article: North Carolina Standard

Editorial Comment: Alfred E. Lewis of Philadelphia writes a letter in which he states what Douglas said to Mr. McPherson.

Grand Fizzle
(Column 01)

Summary: A last great rally for the Republicans and the Wide Awakes drew only 100 people.

Masonic Jubilee
(Column 01)

Summary: The Masons consecrated their New Hall on 2nd St. The building had been a Mason hall 40 years before, but during the period of Anti-masonry it had been used by a number of other organizations.
(Names in announcement: District Deputy Grand Master Lamberton)

Full Text of Article:

--On Thursday evening last, George Washington Lodge of Masons, of this place, took posession of, and consecrated their New Hall, on second st. This building was erected by the Masons about forty years ago, we believe, but upon the decadence of the order, in the times of the Anti-masonic fever, it was sold, and had been used, for a number of years, by the German Reformed Printing office and Book Bindery. The masons purchased it in the Spring, and have fitted it up in magnificent style. The Lodge Room surpasses in beauty any subordinate lodge in the State. The ceiling has been gracefully arched, and with the sides, has been tastefully frescoed by an experienced artist from Baltimore. It is furnished in a most elegant manner; and throughout reflects great credit upon the liberality of the order, and upon the committee who had charge of the repairs.

District Deputy Grand Master Lamberton was present, and conducted the exercises, to the great delight of the brethren, with whom he is a prime favorite. We congratulate our friends upon the restoration to their new and more elegant temple, and hope they may long flourish to do honor to their outer Lodge and its mysterious inner principles.

A Drop in the Bucket
(Column 01)

Summary: Mr. Burkenbine, the Superintendent of the Philadelphia Water Works, visited Chambersburg to examine the Bujack Spring, a possible source for the contemplated water works. He stated that he believed the spring would provide enough water.

Boys Out at Night
(Column 02)

Summary: Urges parents not to let their young boys roam the streets at night. On the street, young boys acquire "an unhealthy state of mind, vulgar and profane language, obscene practices, criminal sentiments and a lawless and riotous bearing."

Full Text of Article:

The practice of allowing boys to spend their evenings on the streets is one of the most ruinous, dangerous and mischievous things possible. Nothing so speedily and surely makes their course downward. They acquire under the cover of the night, an unhealthy state of mind, vulgar and profane language, obscene practices, criminal sentiments and a lawless and riotous bearing. Indeed, it is in the streets after night-fall, that the boys generally acquire the education of the bad and the capacity for becoming rowdy, dissolute, criminal men. Parents do you believe it? Will you keep your children at home at nights, and see that their home is made pleasant and profitable.

It is seldom that more truth is compressed into so small a space. The thousands of boys belonging to worthy, respectable families who are permitted night after night to select their own company and places of resort, are on a certain road to ruin. Confiding parents, who believe that THEIR sons are safe--that they will not associate with the vicious--will one of these days have their hearts crushed, as thousands have before, by learning that sons whom they regarded a proof against any evil, have from very early years, on the road to ruin.

Now is the Time
(Column 02)

Summary: Reminds young unmarried women that leap year, when women are allowed to do the courting, is almost over. By the time the next leap years occurs, these women will be old maids. They should thus make good use of the remaining year.

Full Text of Article:

For the benefit of a number of young ladies we wot [sic] of we would just mention that they should remember that a few more weeks will wind up leap year, and then if they have not made good use of the time, their legal period to do the courting in will have passed away, and before leap year comes again they will have become old maids, an institution which is now-a-days dreaded as much as the itch. Girls make good use of the coming few weeks in the present year. Rig up yourselves, trim your sails and go out into the street and captivate whom ye can.

N. B. Needn't come around here.

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Married on October 30th.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Z.A. Colestock, P.E. Dietrich, Mary Rial)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Married on October 29th.
(Names in announcement: Rev. William Harden, John King, Senith Brand)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Married on October 25th at Weist & Grove's Hotel.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Samuel Philips, John Lehman, Barbara Bomberger)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Married on October 25th.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Mr. Littell, John Senseny, Margaret Hendricks)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Married on October 23rd at the M.E. Parsonage.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Wm. Harden, David Woodall, C. Hollar)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Married on October 24th.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Thomas Creigh, T. Waddell, Lizzie Brewer)

Some of the Fruits of Lincoln's Election
(Column 01)

Summary: Stanton states that the Republican administration "will break up the wide-spread conspiracy, ramifying all thro' the country, to wrest the Territories from foreign nations, annex them to this Republic, and plant and foster negro Slavery upon their soil."

Origin of Article: New York Tribune

Editorial Comment: The speech of Hon. Henry Stanton "is full of Abolition fire and brimstone and of hatred towards the South."

What Have the Republicans Done
(Column 01)

Summary: Once in power, Republicans in some states have enfranchised blacks and disenfranchised naturalized citizens.