Search the Newspapers Browse Newspapers by Date Articles Indexed by Topic About the Newspapers Valley of the Shadow Home

Valley Spirit: January 30, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Bribery & c.
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors criticize Simon Geary for failing to take a bold stand against the Radicals. According to the piece, Geary had campaigned on the platform that he would "expose and extinguish" the corrupt practices of the "Black Republicans," a task he has yet to accomplish.

Full Text of Article:

The election of the great wiggle-waggle-sometimes called Simon Cameron-to the United States Senate, has brought up our friend Aleck standing. He whoops like any Indian, and if that old sinner, the Winnebago Chief, was not accustomed to such angry cries, it is probable he would be awfully scared. We are a little afraid, however, that he counts the valor of his foe at an exceeding low figure, and regards his paper explosions as made up of nine-tenths wind and one-tenth valor. Indeed, we well remember Aleck to have been on the Chieftain's track at divers times before, but never heard of damage following. These numerous hunts and strange escapes front a foe whose wily, have given rise in many minds to the singular notion that our chivalrous friend did not wish to hurt a hair of his head, much less to take his gory scalp.

The fact that he does not put in motion any feasible mode to reach the evil he complains of, as against, the man in question but contents himself with suggesting certain constitutional amendments, that by a round-about way, at some distant period, might operate on some luckless wight of the next generation - might raise a doubt of sincerity, but we acquit him of this. So much depended on the election of the "soldiers' friend," that failure there might well raise bile.

It does seem queer though, that while he threatens continued and never-ending efforts to expose and extinguish the whole batch of Black Republicans who took the bribe to vote for wiggle-waggle, he earnestly renounces all intention to move against the greater rogue, the briber, because he has no "personal feelings against him." Well, here is a quandary! He thunders anathemas and threats against the forty of fifty little villains who sold their votes, against whom, the inference is, he has personal hostile feelings, and therefore will pursue them to the death, and because he has no such feelings against the great offender, who got up that whole catalogue of crime, therefore, &c, &c.

This looks much like a change of programme, and common men, not well versed in the premises, might be at fault to know what was really meant. But we profess to see as deep into what is not to be seen as the next one; and therefore conjecture, in spite of all protestations to the contrary that quite so much personal indignation does exist against the one, as against the others. True, the record is against us. But types will sometimes lie. An unusual amount of Christian forgiveness ,and desire of reconciliation, sometimes chequers the temper even of an editor; but think "ye, a philanthropist, a humanitarian, a man who avouches himself a member of the party of "great moral ideas;" will such a one sometimes forgive, or for a brief moment fancy he has forgiven?

There, then, is our conjecture. Take it for what it is worth. When [UNCLEAR] there was no bitter feeling. The sense [UNCLEAR] of wrong and the desire to avenge men still survive when justice calls. We therefore do assume our injured friend is on the war path still.

Oh, if Simon were only a good and honest lover-not of party-but of his country in one word a constitutional democrat-how easy were his demolition! His fame might then be that of Madison or Washington, he would be [UNCLEAR] on sight, if in the way of a single loyal rouge!

Unfortunately for the friend of the "soldier's friend" Simon Cameron bears no such disparaging mark about him. A perfect trimmer, he'll pass [UNCLEAR] muster with the blackest black,; at least as long as black is trump. - If it were not so, how could the party of "great moral ideas" retains power?

But still our friend need not despair. - Where there is a will there mostly is a way. It is a little remarkable that one so astute on most occasions, should on this be under a cloud. That he should burn with honest indignation against the towering briber who out-bribes, and drives to the wall, the smaller bribers, is to be expected. That he has so far failed to put him down, or even with all the help of the irate Forney and the virtuous Stevens, to make the attempt, must be because he don't know how to do it.

Well, one man has sometimes more common sense in a given case than a score of lawyers. We'll tell you how to do it. It is the plain and obvious way, and simply this; Take Stanton in your counsels. He can point you to the sly detective that give them but a trial, will soon discover what you want to know. Point out to them such of your caucus gentry, and others in their secrets, whose testimony you desire.- Incite your man-and with him all the guilty who refuse to testify, for conspiracy and bribery. It cannot be in the nature of things that operations on so large a scale as charged, embracing scores of actors, agents, runners to and fro, have left no mark, no crack, no unclosed avenue which property invoked could not a tale unfold that would startle the simple and make rogues tremble.

This work of justice accomplished, and villains in high places punished through your instrumentality - your name will go down to posterity as a patriot and public benefactor, (who "without feelings of personal hostility," rendered a great service to the public good,) with a lustre and a halo, which, without this crowning act, the versatile editor of the Repository could not rationally expect.

The Impending Coup D'Etat
(Column 1)

Summary: In reaction to the steady stream of Republican attacks on the Supreme Court, the editors assert there is little doubt that party leaders are contemplating a "coup d'etat to consolidate all the powers of the government in the hands" of the Radicals.

Full Text of Article:

The evidence is accumulating that the radical majority in Congress intend to subvert our republican form of government.-The clerk of the United States Senate, the mouth-piece of Radicalism, declares that party measures are to be carried out at all hazards, and if the "law" stands in the way of their consummation "so much the worse for the law," and Wendell Phillips declares that the North "knows her omnipotence, knows that she can crush all the mere forms of government when it is necessary to do so in order to see cure its great purposes," Thaddeus Stevens, with a boldness which his fellow conspirators have not yet had the courage to manifest, has declared that "he would not stultify himself by claiming any constitutional authority for his actions," and Mr. Boutwell does not hesitate to declare, "with strong emphasis," that the Supreme Court-one of the co-equal branches of the government-" exists but by the breath of Congress." And this in face of the fact that the Supreme Court was established by the people, through the Constitution mainly to define the powers of Congress and pass upon the constitutionality of its acts.

Can there be a doubt that a party whose leaders avow such infamously treasonable sentiments contemplate a coup d'etat to consolidate all the powers of the government in the hands of the dominant faction in Congress? On this subject the New Your Times published, on last Thursday, a letter from Washington, doubtless written by the editor, Henry J. Raymond, a member of the present Congress, and thoroughly acquainted with the revolutionary designs of the Radicals, which is full of startling warning to the nation. "The purpose of the majority of the present imperfect Congress, as we all see," says Mr. Raymond, "is to remove the President, and not only the President but the Supreme Court out of its way. We see this, and we look on in apathy and go about our money-making, stupidly trusting that no harm will come of it, and yet what is doing is that constitutional government is destroyed before our eyes." Speaking of the bill introduced in Congress by Mr. Williams, of Pennsylvania, "to define the powers of the Supreme Court," Mr. Raymond says:

Congress has no more right to define the powers of the Supreme Court than to define its own powers or those of the President. The people have already done all this through the Constitution; and the people may change their definition through the Constitution. When the powers either of Congress, the President, or the Supreme Court are abridged or enlarged in any other way, constitutional government is at an end, and constitutional liberty has for the time perhaps for ever been destroyed. Yet this proposition to define the powers of the Supreme Court, and to make a full bench and unanimity necessary to any decision upon the constitutionality of the proceedings of the majority in Congress, was not rebuked or laughed down, but actually referred to the Judiciary Committee by a vote of one hundred and seven to thirty-nine.

Here we have a proposition to usurp the functions of the Supreme Court, not "rebuked or laughed down," as it deserved to be, but actually endorsed by a vote of "one hundred and seven to thirty-nine!" Mr. Raymond continues;

These things are done before us; the doom of our government is on the brink of execution; and yet we are quiet! Will nothing rouse us? Are we as sluggish of apprehension now, on the one hand, as we were before the rebellion, on the other? Our government is in peril now, as it was then; not of disintegration but of usurpation-the usurpation of absolute power by the temporary representatives of a majority of the people of a part of this country.

This is the testimony, not of a Democrat or "copperhead" but of a man in full comunion in the Republican party, who used his whole influence last fall for the success of the radical ticket. The danger to our institutions is imminent. Will the people heed the warning and prepare to meet the danger? It is time that these conspirators against the life of the Republic are stopped on their onward march of destruction. This "Rump Congress" should be speedily dispersed as public enemies plotting the overthrow of the best government the world ever saw. It is the only remedy we can see of saving the noble heritage bequeathed to us by our revolutionary ancestors." Will President Johnson do his duty?

The Era of 1642 in England and 1866 in America
(Column 2)

Summary: Despite the Radical leaders' claim to the contrary, the article maintains that the conflict between the Republicans and President Johnson is in no way analogous to the situation in England, in 1642, when Parliament was forced to protect its rights from Charles I's tyrannical rule.

Origin of Article: Constitutional Union

The Supreme Court
(Column 4)

Summary: Provides a copy of a "treasonable" article written by Wendell Phillips, in which he criticizes the Supreme Court for overstepping its authority in the test oath case.

Origin of Article: Anti-Slavery Standard

Editorial Comment: "If any of our readers still doubt that the purposes of the Radical party are revolutionary, and that they intend to consolidate all power in the hands of the Legislative Department of the government, regardless of the Constitution and law, and establish a despotism on the ruins of our republican system, let them read the following treasonable article, by Wendell Phillips, published in the Anti-Slavery Standard, attacking the Supreme Court, one of the co-ordinate branches of the government:"

Full Text of Article:

The late decisions of the Supreme Court allow us that we must henceforth count two of the three great co-equal powers of the government against us. Henceforth Congress fights alone for the nation against the Supreme Court and the President, leagued in the service of rebeldom. Of course, therefore, the context grows keener, and more equal, and the south takes courage.-The North is not discouraged, because she knows her omnipotence, knows that she can crush all the mere forms of government when it is necessary so to do in order to see cure its great purpose-justice, and the preservation of national existence. This the people mean to do, and will do unless balked by timid, selfish, incompetent and corrupt leaders. The action of the Supreme Court-its disloyalty-will not surprise Abolitionists; we have tested that bench forever since Taney - the mere creature of a self-willed president-took his seat there, it has ceased to be an Independent branch of the government, and become the convenient and supple fool of the Executive. Abolitionists well know that, during the whole course of its existence, it has never squared its decisions on the slave question either with justice, the spirit of the Constitution, or even its letter when that favored liberty. While its course on many great issues has been open to grave objections, its record on the negro question is infamous. We use the word deliberately. The use of it in this connection twenty-five years ago, won us the unmitigated abuse of the whole American press. We have maturely considered their protest, and remaining of the same opinion still, deliberately repeat the statement. Without limiting the remark to the slave question, we affirm that, on several important subjects the instinct of freedom has never led that court to deviate by accident or for a moment into any decision becoming the American people, their history, Constitution, or Declaration of Independence. An effort would have been made early in the war to remodel the court, but for a very general distrust of Mr. Lincoln's policy of filling vacancies there. Thaddeus Stevens, when appealed to in 1802 to neutralize the poison of that bench by adding two or three trustworthy judges, replied:--"Add judges for Abraham to nominate! I had rather risk the court as it is." Events have confirmed his sagacity, two of Lincoln's nominates have joined the enemy. If present appearances may be trusted, that court, like the President, is henceforth to stand an insurmountable obstacle, as at present constituted, to any efficient and safe reconstruction. Thanks to the Dred Scott and other decisions, the bench long ago lost the sympathy and respect of the masses. General Jackson could not lift Taney to the bench; he could drag the bench down to Taney.--There are men whom it is impossible to make respectable, since they have no element to win respect. There is no human institution so venerable that the touch of vile men will not defile and degrade it. Ten years ago, the final cause of such a creature as Taney was inexplicable. To-day, the mystery is solved. No element less repulsive and discreditable than his character would have sufficed to utterly bankrupt such a power as that court, which, in its pristine vigor-serving tyranny with decorum-might have overawed and misled the people in this crisis. It will need but little effort to show the people the true course to be taken in this emergency. The nation must be saved, no matter what or how venerable the foe whose existence goes down before that necessity. The ideal of such a court, aloof from all political ambition, far above all party spirit, unimpassioned as justice, was a grand conception. Such a court would have been an invaluable element in our system. Until within some twenty years, the masses have regarded it as a bench, basing its decisions on definite, unvarying, and easily understood principles. Of late it is seen to be what it is, a mere appendage to party. Appointed for life, its judges must, of course, often find themselves appurtenant, by their prejudices and associations, to defend a party. Such is their present position; and, like all fragments and elements of the old, disloyal Democratic party, its fate is certain. The moment there arises in the republican ranks a man bold enough to strike, the people will applaud the blow. There will be the same outcry and the same resistance, from the same quarters, as there was when anti-slavery first demanded that the nation should mould its form or its spirit. The outcry and resistance will be just as vain in this case as in that. The instincts of the masses, the consciences of just men, the spirit of the age, and God's law, all demand that the inspiration and corner-stone of this government shall be justice. The Constitution, with its time-honored compromises held up by the strongest of parties, was dust in the balance against such a current. This court will prove the same. The dry rot of its political subservience has made it an empty form. The wind of the blow that demolished slavery were enough to scatter this obstacle from our path.

WENDELL PHILLIPS.

Trailer: Wendell Phillips

The National Republican Executive Committee
(Column 4)

Summary: Relates that the Republican National Executive Committee met on Jan. 25th in Washington, where it adopted a series of resolutions, including a provision declaring that none of the "States recently in rebellion should be admitted to the Union until they accept negro suffrage and negro equality."

Origin of Article: Lancaster Intelligencer

The Impeachment Question
(Column 6)

Summary: The article describes the impeachment crisis as an example of the partizan politics that has plagued the nation since the end of war. Impeachment would not punish Johnson for committing a crime; rather, it would "change the form of the government, converting it into an aristocracy, with some Yankee as dictator."

Origin of Article: Constitutional Union

Local and Personal--Dwelling House Burns
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that Jacob Middour's residence was destroyed in a fire on Jan. 17th.
(Names in announcement: Jacob Middour)

Origin of Article: Waynesboro Record

Local and Personal--The Game Laws
(Column 1)

Summary: The article alerts readers that, as a result of the law passed last year, the hunting season for pheasant and quail has ended.

Local and Personal--Sad Accident On The Valley Railroad
(Column 1)

Summary: A horrible crash occurred on the Cumberland Valley Railroad line, in which five people were injured--some of them severely. Evidently, the wreck was the result of a broken rail, which threw the front engine from the tracks. Three of the victims are not expected to survive.

Local and Personal--Court Proceedings
(Column 2)

Summary: Lists cases tried and disposed of during the first week of the January Court. "Common Pleas. Nicholas Best vs. Daniel Hammond, Ejectment for a tract of land, situated in Fannet township. Verdict for the defendant. John F. Hess vs. A. S. Mower. This was an issue to test the ownership of certain grain growing on a farm sold at Public Sale by plaintiff to defendant. The jury being unable to agree were discharged by the Court. Samuel Needy vs. Walter & Eden. An action in the case. Judgement confessed for $300. Charles Stein vs. William Brown. Appeal by defendant from the judgement of H. Appenseller, Esq., for $62.75. Verdict for plaintiff $4.95. J. W. Miller vs. H. Hughes & Co. Assumpeit on Book account. Verdict for plaintiff $130.00. Quarter Session. Licenses were granted to the following persons: David C. Brant, Tavern; Samuel Staver, Tavern; Lewis Etter, Tavern; Henry Shelry, Tavern; William C. McNulty, Tavern; Alex Martin, Tavern; David Kitzmiller, Tavern, David Guyer, Tavern; John Miller, Tavern; Henry Feldman, Tavern; J. Newcomer, Restaurant; John P. Miley, Restaurant; J. H. Hartie, Wholesale Liquor Store. Com. vs. Jacob Hess, Assault and Battery. Defendant pleaded guilty. Fined $-- and costs. Com. vs. Calvin Plowden. Disturbing a religious meeting. Verdict--Sentenced to one month in County Jail. Com. vs. David L. Ditch, Thaddeus Cook, David H. Funk, and Ann C. Funk. Larceny of four turkeys. Verdict--David L. Ditch and Thaddeus Cook, guilty; the others not guilty. Sentenced each to pay a fine of $1.00 and costs of prosecution, and undergo an imprisonment in County Jail for one month. Com. vs. Thomas Baker. Larceny. Verdict--Not guilty. Com. vs. David L. Taylor and David Gelwicks. Conspiracy defraud, and obtaining goods by false pretenses from Joseph Miller. Verdict--Guilty on second count for obtaining goods on false pretenses. A new trial granted. Com. vs. Jacob L. Wengert. Blasphemy. Verdict--Not Guilty and the prosecutor, C. C. Foltz, to pay one-half of the costs, and defendant other half. Cases in which nolle prosequi was entered with leave of Court: Com. vs. Jacob Mussulman. Fornication and Bastardy. Com. vs. John Balsley. Fornication and Bastardy. Com. vs. Samuel Palmer. Fornication and Bastardy. Com. vs. Jeremiah Burkholder. Fornication and Bastardy. Com. vs. William Wolf. Larceny. Com. vs. William Adair. Selling liquor without license. Com. vs. Isaac Eckleberry et al. Surety of the peace. Com. vs. Mary Ann Middleton. Surety of the peace. Com. vs. Reuben Weiser. Fornication and Bastardy. Com. vs. Lewis Dullenmaster. Fornication and Bastardy. Com. vs. Rowe, Mellinger, et al. Riot and Assault and Battery. Com. vs. George Goettman. Assault and Battery. Com. vs. George Goettman. Larceny. Com. vs. William Cunningham. Assault and Battery. Com. vs. William Metcalf. Huckstering without license. Bills Ignored. Com. vs. John Benedict and J. M. P. Snyder. Rejecting ballot of a deserter. Com. vs. Titus Adams. Assault and Battery. Com. vs. Anna Fry. Assault and Battery. Com. vs. Susan Darts. Assault and Battery. Com. vs. Henry Johnston. Assault and Battery. Com. vs. Louisa Gates and George Baker. Larceny. Com. vs. John Mellinger and George Fry. Larceny. Com. vs. George Nave. Larceny. Com. vs. Samuel Johnson. Larceny. Com. vs. Agnes Wilson. Adultery. Com. vs. Joseph Miller. Larceny. Com. vs. Joseph Wise. Larceny. About a dozen true bills were found, which were continued to April term. Among them, we are glad to state, is a bill against the scoundrel who stole the carpet out of the German Reformed Church of this place a short time ago. He is now confined in the Penitentiary at Baltimore, and we understand, will be delivered to the authorities here on the expiration of his term there."
(Names in announcement: Nicholas Best, Daniel Hammond, John F. Hess, A. S. Mower, Samuel Needy, Charles A. Stine, William H. Brown, J. W. Miller, H. Hughes, David C. Brant, Samuel Staver, Lewis Etter, Henry Shelry, William C. McNulty, Alex Martin, David Kitzmiller, David Guyer, John Miller, Henry Feldman, J. Newcomer, J. H. Hartie, Jacob Hess, Calvin Plowden, John Burkholder, David L. Ditch, Thaddeus Cook, David H. Funk, Ann C. Funk, Thomas Baker, David Taylor, David Gelwicks, Jacob Wengert, Jacob Mussulman, John Balsley, Samuel Palmer, Jeremiah Burkholder, William Wolf, William Adair, Issac Eckleberry, Mary Ann Middleton, Reuben Weiser, Lewis Dullenmaster, Rowe, George Goettman, William Cunningham, William Metcalfe, John Benedict, J. M. P. Snyder, Titus Adams, Anna Fry, Susan Darts, Henry Johnston, Louisa Gates, George Baker, George Mellinger, George Fry, George Nave, Samuel Johnson, Agnes Wilson, Joseph Miller, Joseph Wise)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 24th, Hiram D. Middlekauff, of Lettersburg, Md., and Lydia Ann Wiles were married by Rev. W. E. Krebs.
(Names in announcement: Hiram D. Middlekauff, Lydia Ann Wiles, Rev. W. E. Krebs)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 15th, George W. Gans, of Smithburg, Md., and Jennie H. Pileington were married by Rev. C. F. Thomas.
(Names in announcement: George W. Gans, Jennie H. Pileington, Rev. C. F. Thomas)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 15th, N. S. Agnew and Mary E. Ritchet were married by Rev. Ferguson.
(Names in announcement: N. S. Agnew, Mary E. Ritchet, Rev. Ferguson)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 3rd, Peter T. Eshleman and Susan Royer were married by Rev. John Shank.
(Names in announcement: Peter T. Eshleman, Susan Royer, Rev. John Shank)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 22nd, William A. Allen and Rebecca Leisher were married by Rev. J. A. Kunkleman.
(Names in announcement: William A. Allen, Rebecca Leisher, Rev. J. A. Kunkleman)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 22nd, William H. Baker and Susan Milet were married by Rev. J. A. Kunkleman.
(Names in announcement: William H. Baker, Susan Milet, Rev. J. A. Kunkleman)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Dec. 8th, A. R. Detrich and Susanna Sweigart were married by Rev. P. G. Bell.
(Names in announcement: A. R. Detrich, Susanna Sweigart, Rev. P. G. Bell)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 22nd, John R. Horner, of Newville, Pa., and Martha A., daughter of P. Stenger, Esq., were married by Rev. J. Hassler.
(Names in announcement: John R. Horner, Martha A. Stenger, P. Stenger, Rev. J. Hassler)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Dec. 18th, Phillip Shuman and Margaret Virginia Speck were married by Rev. E. Duff.
(Names in announcement: Phillip Shuman, Margaret Virginia Speck, Rev. E. Duff)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 1st, Jacob S. Minehart and Catherine Wise were married by Rev. E. Duff. The ceremony took place at the residence of John Diefenhaugh.
(Names in announcement: Jacob S. Minehart, Catherine Wise, Rev. E. Duff, John Diefenhaugh)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 17th, John A. Foust and Carrie Burkholder were married by Rev. E. Duff.
(Names in announcement: John A. Foust, Carrie Burkholder, Rev. E. Duff)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 24th, Isaac Killinger and Caroline Bare were married by Rev. E. Duff.
(Names in announcement: Isaac Killinger, Caroline Bare, Rev. E. Duff)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 22nd, D. A. Fole and Kate Little were married by Rev. I. G. Brown.
(Names in announcement: D. A. Fole, Kate Little, Rev. I. G. Brown)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 24th, John M. Rhodes and Martha Kuhn were married by Rev. P. S. Davis.
(Names in announcement: John M. Rhodes, Martha Kuhn, Rev. P. S. Davis)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 21st, Mary Dufrield, 57, died.
(Names in announcement: Mary Dufrield)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 6th, Sarah Martha, daughter of Isaac and Martha Zigler, died at age 6 months.
(Names in announcement: Martha Zigler, Isaac Zigler, Martha Zigler)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 7th, Jacob Brinton, son of John and Mary Deifenbaugh, died at age 2.
(Names in announcement: Mary Deifenbaugh, John Deifenbaugh, Jacob Brinton Deifenbaugh)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 20th, Margaret Ditman, 71, died near Mercersburg.
(Names in announcement: Margaret Ditman)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: On Jan. 24th, Elizabeth Werner, 50, died.
(Names in announcement: Elizabeth Werner)