Valley of the Shadow: Civil War-Era Newspapers

Valley Spirit: 03 28, 1866

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-Page 01-

An Old-Fashioned President
(Column 1)
Summary: A celebratory piece focusing on Johnson's refusal to acquiesce to the demands of the Radicals in Congress.

Practice vs. Profession
(Column 1)
Summary: Despite the Republicans' claims to the contrary, it is the Democrats, says the editorial, who best represent the interests of the soldiers. As proof, the writer points to the resolutions passed at the Democratic State Convention and a measure recently introduced in Congress by Gen. Coffroth, of the Sixteenth District, which would "equalize the bounties of all soldiers and sailors who were mustered into the service" during the war.

Now and Then
(Column 2)
Summary: The editorial argues that the Republicans' restoration policy is hypocritical because it contradicts the line touted by them throughout the conflict, that the states in rebellion had no right to leave the Union. Since the war's end, however, they have repudiated their position by refusing to readmit the Southern states.

A Retraction
(Column 2)
Summary: After noting that the Harrisburg Telegraph made "a characteristically mean and mendacious attack on John Gilmore," the clerk entrusted with the task of distributing the Relief Fund to the people of Chambersburg, the Spirit goes on to criticize the Republican journal further for its failure to take responsibility for the slanderous assault, charging that it chose instead to place the blame on the actions of one of its correspondents.

John Cessna
(Column 3)
Summary: Since leaving the Democratic Party, the article gleefully reports, John Cessna's political fortunes have continued to sag. Although he was named chairman of the Republican State Central Committee shortly after the switch, he has seen his position decline precipitously since then. First losing his bid for the party's gubernatorial nomination and then unable to regain his former post, the Spirit revels in his misfortune.

Origin of Article: Lancaster Intelligencer
[No Title]
(Column 3)
Summary: The editorial asserts that the testimony before the Reconstruction Committee of Congress has been purposely misrepresented by the majority of the committee to reflect its anti-Southern bias.

Brigadier General Geary
(Column 4)
Summary: In a scathing report on Gen. Geary, the article asserts that the Republican candidate for Governor is a "literary thief" and barely literate.

Origin of Article: New York World
They Will Vote As They Fought
(Column 4)
Summary: The article alleges that returning soldiers will undoubtedly cast their ballots for the Democrats in the upcoming election because they understand that it is the only way to "restore and preserve" the Union.

Origin of Article: Patriot & Union
The Blessings of Freedom to the Negro
(Column 5)
Summary: With the number of reports detailing the deteriorating conditions of the ex-slaves growing, Radicals, the piece declares, should seek ways to provide blacks with bread instead of fighting to grant them suffrage.

After the Soldiers
(Column 5)
Summary: The Republicans have nominated Gen. Geary to represent their party in the upcoming gubernatorial election, a decision the article claims is a blatant and disingenuous attempt to woo the returning soldiers' vote.

Origin of Article: Sunday Mercury
[No Title]
(Column )
Summary: Referring to the decision by Congress to apportion $20 million per year for the freedmen, the brief piece notes that the same body has yet to "appropriate one cent to the equalization and payment of bounties due white soldiers."

The Geary Platform
(Column 6)
Summary: The brief article states that Gen. Geary fully supports Thaddeus Stevens' agenda, including black suffrage, the Freedmen's Bureau, and "Disunion."

[No Title]
(Column 6)
Summary: A letter to the Spirit's editor accusing the Repository's Washington correspondent of negligence in his coverage of events in the capitol.

-Page 03-

Local and Personal
(Column 1)
Summary: The balance of the returns from the town and borough elections held on March 5th.
(Names in announcement: William Cline, John A. Bowen, George Diehl, William S. Bard, David Foust, Micheal Gable, Reuben Weildler, Josiah Etter, R.F. McCune, H. G. Skiles, George Kale, Wendel Fogelsonger, James A. Beattie, James Blair, Hugh Smith, William T. Harvey, Robert S. Rea, A. W. Gaston, William Campbell, George Burke, D. J. Skinner, James McEnaspey, George Rinesmith, George Harris, Harris Finley, John E. Fleck, John E. Culbertson, Dominic Doyle, William McCartney, James Ferguson, Samuel Goshorn, Simon Piper, John Benedict, James H. McGaughey, William Stiltzell, John M. P. Snyder, Solomon Snively, James D. McDowell, Samuel Stenger, John McLaughlin, Jacob Haulman, James H. McGaughey, David Vance, William Branthaver, Moses Gingrich, John Holler, W. E. McDowell, George W. Cromer, James D. Scott, P. Kunkelman)
Married
(Column 4)
Summary: On March 22nd, Jacob Lott, of Adams county, and Joanna Houghtlin were married at the residence of Edward Grove. Rev. S. H. C. Smith presided over the ceremony.
(Names in announcement: Edward Grove, Rev. S. H. C. Smith, Jacob Lott, Joanna Houghtlin)
Married
(Column 4)
Summary: On March 20th, William S. Keefer and Eliza A. Huber, daughter of John Huber, were married by Rev. J. Dickson.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Dickson, William S. Keefer, Eliza A. Huber, John Huber)
Married
(Column 4)
Summary: On March 18th, Peter S. Heffer and Charlotte F. Troman were married at the residence of Daniel J. Hepfer. J. Keller Miller conducted the ceremony.
(Names in announcement: Daniel J. Hepfer, J. Keller Miller, Peter S. Heffer, Charlotte F. Troman)
Married
(Column 4)
Summary: On March 13th, Henry Reser and Annie Hockensmith were married by Rev. W. Howe.
(Names in announcement: Rev. W. Howe, Henry Reser, Annie Hockensmith)
Died
(Column 4)
Summary: On March 15th, J. D. Reamer died of consumption.
(Names in announcement: J. D. Reamer)
Died
(Column 4)
Summary: On March 25th, George Chambers, 81, died.
(Names in announcement: George Chambers)