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Valley Spirit: September 18, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Democratic Meetings
(Column 1)

Summary: Lists the scheduled locations and dates for Democrat meetings in the county.
(Names in announcement: B. Y. Hamsher)

Black A Lucky Color
(Column 2)

Summary: The brief piece asserts that "the white people of the border counties" were neglectd by the Radicals in Congress after they were robbed of their food and clothing during the war. In contrast, it contends, Radicals "have fed and clothed" Southern blacks "at the public's expense."

Negro Equality
(Column 3)

Summary: In the wake of the "Border State Republican Convention" held in Baltimore, where speech after speech advocated equal access to the ballot for blacks, the article begs local white Republicans to consider their party's "purpose." Though they "are loth to believe it," white rank and file Republicans must accept the fact that their leaders endorse black suffrage, in spite of the various attempts to conceal and deny this truth.

Full Text of Article:

The "Border State Republican Convention, held at Baltimore on Thursday last, made no distinction on account of race or color. White men and black men on its floors on terms of perfect equality, and as we read in a Republican newspaper printed in this State, "letters were read from white and colored distinguished politicians," That mean white Tenesseean, Horace Maynard, acted as President, and that mean white Yankee, Charles Sumner, wrote a letter to the ring-streaked and speckled assemblage, in which, after stating his inability to be present, he says:

Congress will leave undone what it ought to do if it fails to provide promptly for the establishment of equal rights, whether political or civil, everywhere throughout the Union. This is a solemn duty which cannot be shirked or postponed. The idea is intolerable that we may, under any pretension of State rights, set up a political oligarchy within its borders, and then call itself a Republican government. I believe with all my soul that such a government must be rejected as inconsistent with the requirements of the declaration of independence. Fraternally yours,

CHARLES SUMNER.

Resolutions in accordance with the views expressed by Sumner were adopted by the Convention. They declare it to be "the duty of Congress to protect the equal voting rights of all loyal American citizens, without regard to complexion," and suggest "the presentation to the States of a constitutional amendment providing that no State shall disfranchise any citizen because of race or color,"

The rank and file of the Republican party of Pennsylvania are loth to believe that their leaders intend bind them hand and foot with the negro. The purpose to do so has been concealed and even denied. But what, let us ask them, will result from the holding of such black and White Conventions as the one that met in Baltimore on Thursday last, if they do not pronounce at the polls against the Radical proposition to break down all distinctions founded on color? They may rely on it that if Sumner and his negro-loving associates are not rebuked by the popular voice of Pennsylvania in October next, Congress will do just what Sumner says it ought to do, and the white men whose brains and muscle have elevated the "old Keystone" to the high rank she occupies among her sister States, will be compelled to stand on the same level with negroes or fight to maintain their long-established supremacy.

It is time for all to look this question squarely in the face; and it is time for those Republicans who profess to be opposed to negro equality-who say they don't want to sit on juries with negroes, and don't want their children to have negroes for companions at school-we say it is time for all such to act up to their professions. The question of negro equality is upon us. Blacks and whites have met together in Convention on our very borders. Every member of that Convention is the friend of Judge Williams, and would hail his election with joy. Those who are determined never to submit to be put on a perfect level with negroes have two courses open to them. One is to vote against negro equality-the other is to fight against it hereafter. Believing the former mode of settling the question is to be infinitely preferable to the latter, we exhort every white man who believes in and desires to maintain the superiority of his own race, to come out and vote for Judge Sherwood.

Struck Oil
(Column 3)

Summary: Insinuating that the purpose of Col. McClure's trip to Montana was to drum up support for the Republicans in that section of the country, the editors deride his efforts as useless in light of the Democratic Party's recent victory there.
(Names in announcement: Col. McClure)

Full Text of Article:

Col. McClure, who went to Montana to "prospect' for political petroleum, has "made a strike." that must not be very agreeable to him. Canvassing the Territory at the request of the Republican Convention, he has had the bad luck to strike a "flowing well" of Democracy! Establishing his "headquarters in the saddle" like Gen. Pope, he has like that redoubtable hero of high-sounding words, been unhorsed and left sitting with his hind-quarters on the ground. His "seed-bag" is bursted and his "oil of joy" all run out. His derrick wasn't strong enough to hoist the negro up to the level of the sturdy white miners of Montana. The "old red sandstone" of Democracy proved too hard for his drill. Like Johnny Beitler, the white men to whom he preached negro equality said "hands up, Col.," and up went both his hands and his heels!

We believe the Colonel intends to come home sometime between now and "next grass." In view of the negro-equality doctrines he has unsuccessfully endeavored to instill into the minds of white voters of Montana, and as the result must be a great bore to him, we suppose he may be expected to come by what returned Californians, whose pronunciation was slightly inaccurate, used to call the "Nigger-anger" route.

Bonds and Bank Notes
(Column 3)

Summary: Relates that Gen. Butler has restated his claim that U. S. bond-holders should only be paid twenty cents on the dollar for their bonds.

A Negro Government
(Column 4)

Summary: After painting a horrendous portrait of the current political situation in Haiti, the article suggests that whites in the South would be exposed to similar misrule under the plans to grant blacks the vote, as proposed by the Radicals.

Negro Sympathizer
(Column 4)

Summary: Notes that "Thad Stevens and his Radical associates in Congress" supply the Freedmen's Bureau with $12 million a year. Yet, these same politicians have "failed to appropriate one single dollar for the relief of the citizens of Chambersburg, who lost their property during the war."

Address Of The Democratic Central Committee
(Column 5)

Summary: Provides a transcript of Chairman William Wallace's address to the Democratic State Committee.

Origin of Article: Philadelphia

Full Text of Article:

DEMOCRATIC STATE COMMITTEE ROOMS,

NO. 738 SANSOM STREET,

PHILADELPHIA, Sept. 9th 1867.

To the people of Pennsylvania:

The Radicals attempt to evade the practical issues of the canvass and to delude you into the support of their candidates.

They alone are accountable for the prostration of your business interests. They have deliberately sacrificed them in order to place in the hands of Southern Negroes the balance of power in the Republic and thus preserve their own rule. More than two years have passed since peace was restored, and we still look in vain for the increased products from the South to aid us in paying the interest on our debt, and for her prosperous customers to buy our woolen, iron, and other manufactures.

Instead of receiving aid to pay our debt, we are taxed to maintain a freedman's bureau and a standing army in the South.-Instead of prosperous customers to increase our trade, every business interest languishes.

Radical mismanagement, a negro policy, and Radical extravagance, with down our energies and fetter our resources.

The whole expense of the War Department in 1860 was sixteen and a-half millions, whilst in 1867 it is estimated by the Treasury at forty-seven millions, both being periods of peace. To give the Negro the power to rule us, therefore, costs the nation annually thirty millions, Of this amount, Pennsylvania's share is at least one-tenth, and your industry must annually pay three millions of dollars to support a policy that closes your woolen mills and stops your factories.

In your State affairs, mismanagement, corruption and extravagance are the rule. In 1860, under Democratic power the whole amount of money appropriated and expended, independent of funded debt and military expenses, as shown by the Treasury, was nine hundred and ninety-eight thousand dollars. In 1864, excluding the same items, the Radicals appropriated and expended one million five hundred and seventy-nine thousand dollars. In 1865, excluding the same items, the Radicals appropriated and expended one million five hundred and nineteen thousand dollars, and in 1866, excluding the same items, they appropriated and expended two millions and eleven thousand dollars. The reports of the Auditor General show these facts, and prove that in six years of Radical rule, your cash expenses have more than doubled.

The men who have thus wasted your subsistence, prate on their loyalty and their sacrifices, and would maintain their hold upon the public treasury by fixing your attention upon other issues. You are oppressed by taxation through internal revenue and other machinery, as no other people ever were. It takes from you your legitimate profits and gives you no customers. It compels you to stop manufacturing and to discharge your workmen. Your goods remain unsold and your operatives suffer.-Can you expect relief from this grinding taxation, so long as these enormous expenditures continue. Relief can only come through economy in public affairs, a reduction in your expenses, and the discharge of corrupt and extravagant officials.

It is their purpose to violate the great principle, "that each State has the right to determine the qualifications of its own electors," and give the negroes of Pennsylvania the balance of power between the two great political parties. Negro suffrage is to be forced upon you by Congressional enactment, and your "Supreme Court is to be placed in harmony" with that law, by electing Judge Williams, who is relied upon to decide a right which you and your organic laws deny him. In the Senate of the United States in July last, the recognized lender of the Radicals of this State, voted to proceed to consider a bill that was introduced by Wilson of Massachusetts, to effect this infamous purpose.

Democrats of Pennsylvania!

Let the result in California arouse you to renewed exertion. Work is to be done, and you must do it. Committees may plan and order, but the result depends upon yourselves. Individual effort is the road to victory. See your neighbor, encourage him, bring him to the polls. Perfect your organizations. Block your wards and townships. Subdivide the labor and perform it with energy.

Press home your adversaries the real issues of the canvass. Demand of them that they shall answer:

Are you for or against the Radical policy that destroys our business and closes our work sops, mills and factories, to give the negro the balance of power?

Are you of or against continued corruption, mismanagement and extravagance?

Are you for or against conceding to Congress, the right to allow the negro the power to rule Pennsylvania.

By order of the Democratic State Committee.

WILLIAM A. WALACE,

Chairman.

Trailer: William A. Wallace

Political Preachers
(Column 5)

Summary: The author of the letter expresses his anger at the "disposition" of local pastors to preach political sermons to their flock, an act he considers "reprehensible."

Full Text of Article:

Editors of the Valley Spirit:-I have observed in many churches a disposition in pastors to indulge in politics that detracts considerably, in my estimation from their usefulness, if not from the clerical propriety expected in a high-minded clergyman. As the practice will be admitted to be reprehensible I submit, to the people of this and other districts whether it would not be advisable, for the purpose of teaching a true decorum in the pulpit, and that it be not disparaged by party politics, that the true friends of the Christian faith should at once rise from their seats and leave the church to those who favor such proceeding.

WHAT SAY YOU?

Trailer: "What Say You?"

The Additional Tax
(Column 7)

Summary: It is reported that Gov. Geary's administration intends to raise the personal property tax, which, the article contends, is being done to "replenish the Treasury" and offset the loss of revenue occasioned by his repeal of the real estate tax.

Origin of Article: Columbian

Local and Personal--In Progress
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces the continuation of the "Negro Camp Meeting" in Greencastle.

Local and Personal--Religious
(Column 1)

Summary: Rev. Thomas G. Apple will preach at the German Reformed Church this Sunday.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Thomas G. Apple)

Local and Personal
(Column 1)

Summary: Rev. L. M. Kuhn, of Ohio, will preach at the Lutheran Church on Sunday.

Local and Personal--Whiskey Stolen
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that thieves stole two barrels of whiskey, worth $300, from Mr. Hollingshead's premises last Monday.
(Names in announcement: Hollingshead)

Local and Personal--Accident
(Column 1)

Summary: On Sept. 14th, John Brough and his date crashed while on the Baltimore Turnpike, seriously injuring both. The accident occurred after Brough's horse became freightened at the sound of an approaching buggy and took off.
(Names in announcement: John Brough)

Local and Personal--Serious Accident
(Column 1)

Summary: Charles Sellers suffered severe head injuries on Sept. 12th after his clothing got caught in the threshing machine at Jacob Wingert's house. The machine hurled Sellers against the floor several times with tremedous force. He is not expected to live.
(Names in announcement: Charles Sellers)

Local and Personal--Convention Of School Directors
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces that "the Directors of several School Districts of the County" voted to raise the salary of the County Superintendent to $1,200 from $800, a decision lauded by the Valley Spirit editors.

Local and Personal--Convicted At Last
(Column 2)

Summary: The article gleefully notes the arrest and conviction of Isaac Shaffer for horse stealing. At his trial, Shaffer was sentenced to five years imprisonment in the Western Penitentiary.
(Names in announcement: Isaac Shaffer)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept. 5th, Andrew M. Maxwell, of Newville, and Mattie Jane, daughter of David Kitzmiller, were married.
(Names in announcement: Andrew M. Maxwell, Mattie Jane Kitzmiller, David Kitzmiller)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept. 12th, John H. Caufman and Elizabeth Solleberger were married by Rev. B. S. Schneck.
(Names in announcement: John H. Caufman, Elizabeth Solleberger, Rev. B. S. Schneck)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept. 12th, John A. Fortney and Esther Berkepile were married by Rev. James M. Bishop.
(Names in announcement: John A. Fortney, Esther Berkepile, Rev. James M. Bishop)

Married
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept. 12th, David Gipe and Maggie R. Koons were married by Rev. J. Keller Miller.
(Names in announcement: David Gipe, Maggie R. Koons, Rev. J. Keller Miller)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept 10th, John Rhodes, 60, died suddenly.
(Names in announcement: John Rhodes)

Died
(Column 5)

Summary: On Sept. 9th, William Beaver, 37, died of after a protracted illness.
(Names in announcement: William Beaver)