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Valley Spirit: September 14, 1864 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Speech of Hon. J. M'D. Sharpe of Franklin County
(Column 5)

Summary: Prints speech given by J. M'D. Sharpe to the Pennsylvania legislature in which he seeks to increase the amount of money that will be given toward the relief of Chambersburg residents.
(Names in announcement: Hon. J. M'D. Sharpe)

The Serenade to Hon. George H. Pendleton--His Response
(Column 2)

Summary: Prints remarks on the upcoming election given by Democratic vice presidential candidate George H. Pendleton to a crowd that serenaded him in Cincinnati.

Origin of Article: Cincinnati Inquirer

Dreadful Accident on the Pennsylvania Railroad
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that a "dreadful" accident on the Pennsylvania Railroad, one and a half miles west of Latrobe, resulted in three deaths and the destruction of six cattle cars.

General McClellan's Letter of Acceptance
(Column 3)

Summary: McClellan's letter accepting the Democratic nomination for President outlines his views on the future direction of the war.

Full Text of Article:

The Union Must be Preserved at all Hazards!

New York, Sept. 8.--The following is the letter of General McClellan accepting the Chicago nomination:

Orange, N.J., Sept. 8, 1864.--Gentlemen: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter informing me of my nomination by the Democratic National Convention, recently assembled at Chicago, as their candidate at the next election for President of the United States.

It is unnecessary for me to say to you that this nomination comes to me unsought.

I am happy to know that when the nomination was made the record of my public life was kept in view.

The effect of long and varied service in the army during war and peace has been to strengthen and make indelible in my mind and heart the love and reverence for the Union. Constitution, laws and flag of our country impressed upon me in my early youth.

These feelings have thus far guided the course of my life and must continue to do so to its end.

The existence of more than one Government over the region which once owned our flag is incompatible with the peace, the power and the happiness of the people.

The preservation of our Union was the sole avowed object for which the war was commenced, and it should have been conducted in accordance with those principles, which I took occasion to declare when in active service. Thus conducted, the work of reconciliation would have been easy, and we might have reaped the benefits of our many victories on the land and the sea.

The Union was originally formed by the exercise of a spirit of conciliation and compromise, and to restore and preserve it the same spirit must prevail in our councils and in the hearts of the people. The re-establishment of the Union in all its integrity is and must continue to be the indispensable condition in any settlement.

As soon as it is clear, or even probable, that our present adversaries are ready for for [sic] peace upon the basis of the Union, we should exhibit all the resources of statesmanship practiced by civilized nations and taught by the traditions of the American people, consistent with the honor and interests of the country, to secure such peace, re-establish the Union and guarantee for the future the conditional rights of every State. The Union is the one condition of peace, and we ask no more.

Let me add what I doubt not was, although unexpressed, the sentiment of the Convention as it is of the people they represent, that when any one State is willing to return to the Union it should be received at once with a full guarantee of al its constitutional rights. If a frank, earnest and persistent effort to obtain these objects should fail, the responsibility for ulterior consequences will fall upon those who remain in arms against the Union, but the Union must be preserved at all hazards.

I could not look in the face of my gallant comrades of the army and navy, who have survived so many bloody battles, and tell them that their labors and the sacrifice of so many of our slain and wounded brethren had been in vain--that we had abandoned that Union for which we have so often periled our lives.

A vast majority of our people, whether in the army and navy or at home, would, as I would, hail with unbounded joy the permanent restoration of peace, on the basis of the Union under the Constitution, without the effusion of another drop of blood, but no peace can be permanent without Union.

As to the other subjects presented in the resolutions of the Convention, I need only say that I should seek in the Constitution of the United States, and the laws framed in accordance therewith, the rule of my duty and the limitations of executive power, endeavoring to restore economy in public expenditure, re-establish the supremacy of law, and by the operation of a more vigorous nationality, resume our commanding position among the nations of the earth.

The condition of our finances, the depreciation of the paper money, and the burdens thereby imposed on labor and capital, show the necessity of a return to a sound financial system, while the rights of citizens and the rights of States, and the binding authority of law over the President, the army and the people, are subjects of not less vital importance in war than in peace.

Believing that the views here expressed are those of the Convention and the people you represent, I accept the nomination. I realize the weight of the responsibility to be borne, should the people ratify your choice.

Conscious of my own weakness, I can only seek fervently the guidance of the Ruler of the Universe and relying on His all-powerful aid, do my best to restore Union and peace to a suffering people and to establish and guard their liberties and rights.

I am, gentlemen, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,
George B. McClellan.

Hon. Horation Seymour, and others, Committee.

Trailer: George B. McClellan

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Prints official letter from a committee of the National Democratic Convention that offers General McClellan the presidential nomination.

Trailer: Horatio Seymour, Chairman, John Bigler, of California, Alfred P. Edgerton, of Indiana, Isaac Lawrence, of Rhode Island, John Merritt, of Delaware, John Cain, of Vermont, Hugh McCurdy, of Michigan, Joseph E. Smith, of Maine, George H. Carman, of Maryland, Benjamin Stark, of Oregon, John M. Douglas, of Illinois, Charles Negus, of Iowa.

Mr. Lincoln's Jokes
(Column 4)

Summary: Alleges that Lincoln recently told a story mocking the war dead that was "the most disgusting specimen of obscenity we have ever heard."

General McClellan's Letter
(Column 5)

Summary: Holds up General McClellan's acceptance letter as proof of his worthiness for the presidency.

[No Title]
(Column 5)

Summary: Accuses Lincoln of being insensitive to the war dead.

Why the People are Rising
(Column 6)

Summary: Reports that the nomination of General McClellan by the Democrats has "awakened universal enthusiasm" all over the country.

Origin of Article: Age

The National Intelligencer on Gen. McClellan's Nomination
(Column 6)

Summary: Prints an "old line Whig" newspaper's endorsement of General McClellan for President.

Democratic Meetings!
(Column 1)

Summary: Lists the dates on which Democratic meetings will be held in various places in Franklin County between September 19 and October 1: Waynesboro, September 19; Greencastle, September 20; Mercersburg, September 21; Loudon, September 22; Welsh Run, September 22; Orrstown, September 23; Greenwood, September 23; St. Thomas, September 24; Funkstown, September 24; Fannettsburg, September 26; Fayetteville, September 26; Dry Run, September 27; Greenvillage, September 27; Concord, September 28; Marion, September 28; Amberson's Valley, September 29; Roxbury, September 29; Red School House, September 29; Strasburg, September 30; New Franklin, September 30; Quincy, October 1.

Trailer: W. S. Stenger, Chairman of the Democratic County Ex. Com.

An Interesting Incident
(Column 1)

Summary: Tells about an encounter between a Confederate soldier and Chambersburg citizens seeking refuge from the fire.

Full Text of Article:

On Saturday, the 30th day of July, when our town was being consumed by the devouring element, kindled by the hands of the rebel scoundrels under McCausland, an interesting and somewhat exciting incident occurred in the southern end of what is generally known as "Shetter's Woods," about half a mile east of the borough. A number of citizens, men, women and children, had fled from their burning houses and taken refuge in these woods. The women and children were left there in the charge of several gentlemen, whilst the other males of the party returned to the burning town to secure, if possible, some of their valuables left behind in their flight.

Whilst resting from their fatigue and recovering somewhat from the excitement of their hasty and perillous [sic] flight, they were startled by the approach of a mounted rebel; anticipating insult, if not robbery and murder, at his hands; he, however, passed by with a "good day ladies," and halting about two hundred yards beyond, took a survey of the surrounding country, and then returning stopped his horse, dismounted, and entered into conversation with the ladies. Whilst thus engaged, a squad of cavalry, numbering about a dozen, was observed to halt at the north end of the woods, on the Baltimore turnpike, about five hundred yards distant, one of whom entered the woods, came in the direction of the party, and when within a short distance cocked his carbine and elevating its muzzle rode up, when the following scene occurred, the rebel still standing by his horse, with his hand resting on the pommel of the saddle. (The newcomer was supposed by our informant to be a rebel, but he was considerably relieved when the stranger addressed him):

"Did you see anything of any Johnnies about here?"

"There has been no person here but this gentleman, (his companion) myself, and that soldier, who I suppose is one of your men." Newcomer, looking at reb--"Say, mister, I want you to go along with me."

To this request the reb paid no attention when he was again hailed with,

"I say I want you to go along with me, and that pretty quick too."

"You ain't in a hurry, are you?"

"That's not what I asked you. I want to know whether you are going along with me?"

"No I ain't."

"You ain't, you d--d rebel"--when down came yankee's carbine on a level with the head of Johnny, Click went the lock and--the cap exploded without discharging the load. Quick as a flash yankee wheeled and the reb vaulted into his saddle exclaiming, "Now I've got you, you d--d yankee," and drawing his revolver, commenced the pursuit of yankee through the woods, firing at every jump, until his six loads were expended, without, however, doing any more damage than slightly wounding the horse of the pursued. Down the woods in the direction of the turnpike, at full speed went yankee, with reb about fifteen yards in his rear, until they reached the road, when eight or ten shots were heard, in quick succession, and our spunky reb, with several bullets in his carcass, was "gobbled up" by Averill's men.

Our informant did not learn what became of the Johnny, further than that he followed after his brother scoundrels in the train of Gen. Averill, and if he has not died of his wounds, is now, no doubt, meditating in one of Uncle Sam's Forts, on the folly of running into a hornet's nest.

If this sketch should meet the eye of our yankee friend, we hope he will inform us what his sensations were about the time his carbine missed fire, and whether he didn't regret having undertaken to "pick up" that greyback.

Proceedings of the Democratic County Committee
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports on a Democratic county committee meeting in which members voted to have a debate with the local Republican party.
(Names in announcement: W. S. Stenger, C. M. Duncan, B. Y. Hamsher)

Trailer: W. S. Stenger, Chairman, B. Y. Hamsher, Sec'y

Enlisting
(Column 2)

Summary: Notes that "many" of the Franklin County districts have filled their quotas of volunteers and that the others are making good progress.

Poor Richard's Reasons for Buying United States Securities
(Column 3)

Summary: Tells the story of "poor Richard," who decided to buy U.S. stocks over railroad stocks because he believes that they will pay better dividends and help the war effort.

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: Says Lincoln's renomination will do a "favor" for the Confederates since the election campaign will distract him from the activity on the battlefield.