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Valley Spirit: June 4, 1862 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |

Letter from Hon. H. B. Wright
(Column 1)

Summary: Wright addresses the constituents in his Congressional district to explain his vote against the abolition of slavery in Washington D.C. Apparently he has received protests in the mail, and he was not able to explain his position on the floor because debate was closed on the bill. He opposes making abolition a war aim, arguing that winning the war should be the first and only goal. He then argues against abolition on constitutional grounds, but goes on to say that even if he were to overlook that objection, the fact that the residents of D.C. were not able to vote on the issue troubled him. He adds that the taxation necessary to reimburse owners for freed slaves would also bankrupt the federal government.

Trailer: Hendrick B. Wright

Party
(Column 4)

Summary: Accuses Republicans of using the mantle of Northern unity to tar the Democrats with secessionist sympathies and to solidify Republican control of the executive and legislative branches of the federal government.

Origin of Article: Louisville Democrat

Editorial Comment: "We commend the following article .... to the sober judgement of those Democrats who permitted themselves, under the influence of this most superlative humbug, to be transferred body and soul into the ranks of the abolition republican party.... Read it and tell us what you think of your no-party party."

Patriotism Without "Ifs" or "Buts"
(Column 6)

Summary: Attacks Governor Andrew of Massachusetts for his foot-dragging on supplying additional troops for the conduct of the war. The author accuses him of being half abolitionists and half states-rights secessionist for his insistence that the war aims be adjusted to fit his desires. Andrew's actions compare unfavorably, says the author, to the response of Gov. Curtain of Pennsylvania, Gov. Yates of Illinois, Gov. Morgan of New York, and particularly Gov. Sprague of Rhode Island.

Origin of Article: Philadelphia Inquirer

Democratic Loyalty
(Column 1)

Summary: Argues that it is the Democratic Party that has stood against the opposing pulls of the abolitionists in the Republican party and the secessionists in the South. Despite Republican accusations that Democrats are disloyal, the Democrats actually have higher aims than what the editors see as the narrow, sectional goals of the Republican Party. They remind readers that it was the very same type of people who now make up the Republican party who opposed the war of 1812 and who contested Andrew Jackson's opposition to nullification.

W. H. T. Pauley
(Column 2)

Summary: Notes that the Democrats of Greene County are pushing W. H. T. Pauley, a Democratic newspaper editor, for nomination for one of the two state offices open for election this year. As Greene has never asked for a state candidate before, and as Pauley's Democratic credentials are impeccable, the Valley Spirit endorses his nomination for one of the two spots.

A Few Thoughts for Honest Republicans
(Column 3)

Summary: Argues that, at every step of the process leading up to the war, the Democratic party acted in the most patriotic and loyal manner. First, they attempted to settle the dispute amicably. When Fort Sumter was fired upon, Democrats swore their support to the administration they had opposed, and thousands of Democrats volunteered for the army. Instead of acting treasonably, as the Republicans accuse, the Democrats have done whatever is necessary to suppress the rebellion. It is the Republican abolitionists in Congress who are doing more for the rebellion than the Democrats, conclude the editors.

The Sentiments of the Union Men of Kentucky
(Column 4)

Summary: Claims that disloyal sentiment is on the rise in Kentucky due to the abolitionist sentiment displayed in Congress.

Origin of Article: Henderson (Kentucky) Weekly Mail

Editorial Comment: "What is the real feeling produced by the constant discussion in Congress of the negro question, may be judged by the following extract from the Henderson (Ky.) Weekly Mail, a vigorous and unconditional Union sheet."

Hon. Hendrick B. Wright
(Column 6)

Summary: Directs the reader's attention to the speech printed on the first page by Hon. Hendrick B. Wright, a Congressman from Luzerne, who opposed the abolition of slavery in Washington, D.C. The editors endorse Wright's position and wonder whether the Republicans would call him a traitor. Wright had just lost a son in service to the Union, and the editors speculate that even this would not be enough for him to prove himself to the Republicans.

From Gen. Banks' Command
(Column 6)

Summary: A report from a May 31 engagement with the Confederate cavalry.

Sick Soldier
(Column 1)

Summary: Captain McKesson, of Company A of the 77th Reg't Penn. Volunteers, was forced to leave his command on May 15 due to bad health. He started for home, but was not heard from for several weeks until he turned up at a military hospital in St. Louis. McKesson, a Mason and an Odd Fellow, will hopefully find friends who will help supply his needs. The editors note that he is an "esteemed" member of the community, and that all hope for his safe return.
(Names in announcement: Capt. S. R. McKesson)

A Boomerang
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors relate a story of a number of sick and wounded soldiers who arrived at the depot from Hagerstown on Monday. One soldier claimed that the way to end the war was to hang all the abolitionists, much to the chagrin of the Republicans in the crowd that surrounded them.

Deceased Soldier
(Column 1)

Summary: George Wallace, a former resident of Greenvillage, died in a military hospital in Cincinnati. His remains were brought home last Monday and interred in the Presbyterian cemetery. Wallace was a member of General Buell's bodyguard and was serving in Tennessee when he fell sick. He was on his way home when he died in Cincinnati.
(Names in announcement: George Wallace)

Recovering
(Column 1)

Summary: Col. Housum is reported to be recovering well and hopes to rejoin his regiment shortly. Though the editors saw him at George Wallace's funeral, where he still appeared unwell, Housum assured them that he was recovering quickly. He was the only representative of General Buell at Wallace's funeral.
(Names in announcement: Col. Housum)

Col. Campbell
(Column 1)

Summary: A telegraph notice informs the editors that Col. Charles T. Campbell was severely wounded in the arm and the leg in the battle near Richmond last Saturday. He was at the White House, unable to be moved.
(Names in announcement: Col. Charles T. Campbell)

Stragglers from the Army
(Column 1)

Summary: Last Friday a number of cavalrymen came through town, "creating some little stir." They were apparently from the Ira Harris Cavalry of New York and were pursuing deserters from Banks' army, though several of their own number deserted while in Chambersburg.

War News
(Column 3)

Summary: Collection of dispatches of the week's war news, leading with the repulsion of the Confederate attack on McClellan's army on the Chickahominy River near Richmond, and including a report from General Banks on his retreat, as well as optimistic reports regarding the probability of the capture of Richmond.

Married
(Column 6)

Summary: John Alt and Dorothy Crider, both of Franklin County, were married on May 29.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Dickson, John Alt, Dorothy Crider)

Died
(Column 6)

Summary: Alice Jane Britton, daughter of William and Stetira Britton, died on May 22 in Upper Strasburg at the age of 6 years, 9 months and 24 days.
(Names in announcement: Alice Jane Britton, William Britton, Stetira Britton)

The Effect of the Democratic Address in Richmond
(Column 1)

Summary: The recent address of several Democratic members of Congress to the Democratic party as a whole has been distributed in Richmond. It allegedly was well-received by many prominent citizens, who began expressing sentiments for the Constitution and the old union. These expressions greatly worried Confederate leaders.

Origin of Article: Chicago Times