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Valley Spirit: September 25, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Negro Suffrage
(Column 1)

Summary: Despite their repeated attempts to instruct voters on the true designs of the Radicals -- that is, to enfranchise blacks -- the editors lament the fact that white Republicans have yet to see the light. Everywhere Republicans have been voted into office, they have "clothed the negro with the right of suffrage."

Full Text of Article:

Said a Republican to us the other day, "If I could persuade myself that the Republican party means to give the negro the right to vote, I would vote the Democratic ticket this fall."

It is astonishing that any man could doubt that this is the purpose of the Radical party. Wherever it has had the power, it has done so already. Since 1860 the majority of Congress have been Republicans. Congress has exclusive jurisdiction over the District of Columbia. It has clothed the negro with the right of suffrage there.

In Ohio, the Republican party has been overwhelmingly triumphant for years. It has had such uninterrupted and brilliant successes, that it imagines that it can carry any of its Radical measures. It has therefore submitted to the people of the State the direct issue as to whether the negro shall vote in that State or not, and it is upholding the affirmative side of the question. It is seeking to clothe the negro with the right of suffrage there.

Senator Sumner introduced a bill into the last Congress which denies the authority of the State to exclude the negro from the ballot box, and asserts the power of Congress to clothe the negro with the right of suffrage, anything in the State Constitution to the contrary notwithstanding.

Pennsylvanians! we are not afraid of the direct issue. Our people would spurn negro suffrage at the polls, by an overwhelming majority. Give them the opportunity and its doom is sealed.

But the eradicate leaders in this State are again trying to deceive you. They wish to make you believe that negro suffrage is not an issue in the coming election. If you are against negro suffrage, how can you reconcile it to your consciences to vote for a man who is in favor of it, and who will use his influence to override your State laws in order to force it upon you. Conservative Republicans, examine this question well.-Your speakers are now addressing the people. Ask them whether or not they are for negro suffrage. Don't be satisfied with their answer that this is not an issue now. Insist on a categorical answer. Put the simple question, are you in favor of, and would you vote for negro suffrage? and never rest satisfied until they say yes or no. They will try to dodge it, and yet there is not a prominent man among them who does not favor it.

Conservative Republicans of Franklin county! Your leaders here are all in favor of negro suffrage. Adjust the screws, and see if you can't force it out of them.-Probe this matter thoroughly before it is too late. Vote the Democratic ticket and you will be certain to prevent negro suffrage. No other course issafe.

A Negro Judge
(Column 1)

Summary: It is reported that a black judge has been appointed in New Orleans, to which the editors of the Valley Spirirt declare, "Any white man in Franklin county who hankers after the privilege of being brought before a colored Justice of the Peace in the salubrious atmosphere of 'Wolffstown,' ought to vote the Republican ticket."

Origin of Article: New Orleans

Editorial Comment: "The telegraph brings the following interesting news from the city which was not long since afflicted with Sheridan and the yellow fever:"

Radical Praise Of The Negro
(Column 3)

Summary: In reaction to the Republicans' persistent efforts to compliment blacks on the "superior soundness" of their "judgement in relation to public affairs," the editors ridicule the decision recently made by black legislators in Richmond to subscribe two million dollars to the stock of the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad Company as imprudent. The last thing the people of Virginia need, the editors argue, is to incur further unnecessary debt.

The "Unhappy Failure"
(Column 4)

Summary: The article reprimands Gov. Geary for his behavior during the dedication ceremony for the Antietam Cemetery. Having been shunted from the list of speakers at the event, Geary apparently addressed a throng of his supporters at its conclusion and denounced the decision to keep him off the program as an act of censorship.

Change In The Mode Of Voting
(Column 4)

Summary: Informs readers that a new system will be implemented in the upcoming election. Voters will have to cast two tickets, one for the "Judiciary" and one for the "County," rather than the previous method of using a singular ballot.

Political Preachers
(Column 4)

Summary: Responding to a letter that appeared in last week's edition of the Valley Spirit, urging readers to leave their Church if their pastor "dabbles in politics in the pulpit," the correspondent instructs readers to stop paying their preacher's salary as a more effectual deterent.

Full Text of Article:

Editors of the Valley Spirit:

There was a communication in the last issue of your paper, (signed "What Say You?) suggesting that "the true friends of the Christian faith should at once rise from their seats and leave the church" when the pastor indulged in a political harangue. I think this would be found a very ineffectual cure for the evil of political preaching. One of your political parsons would laugh at it. His conscience would never trouble him, and as long as he got his salary he would care nothing about your empty pew. The effective cure for political preaching is to stop paying for it. Whenever your pastor dabbles in politics in the pulpit, quit paying him. Throw up your pew, or take your name off the subscription list, as the case may be. If you want to hear the Radical side in politics, take a Radical newspaper and pay for it, but don't let your pastor cram Radicalism down your throat. If he attempts it, give him a little less fodder to cram down his own. When his empty stomach begins to squeal, he will do less political squealing out of his mouth.

THAT'S WHAT I SAY.

Trailer: "That's What I Say"

Local and Personal--Get Assessed
(Column 1)

Summary: Advises all "who intend to vote the Democratic ticket" to get assessed immediately since the cut-off date to be eligible to vote is ten days before the election.

Local and Personal--Sudden Death
(Column 1)

Summary: The proprietor of the hotel at "west point" of Chambersburg, John Gordon, died suddenly on Sept. 19th.
(Names in announcement: John Gordon)

Local and Personal--Constable
(Column 1)

Summary: P. Hammond was sworn in as the Constable of Chambersburg's North Ward last week. Hammond replaces William Pearse, who resigned from the post.
(Names in announcement: P. Hammond, William Pearse)

Local and Personal--Death Of John Nill
(Column 1)

Summary: John Nill, former owner of Secrist's Mill, died on Sept. 19th, after suffering the effects of a long illness. In addition to his work at the mill, Nill served in a number of official capacities: as the Collector of Tolls on the Pennsylvania Canal at Harrisburg; as the Justice of the Peace for Washington township; and as Treasurer of the Waynesboro Saving Fund.
(Names in announcement: John Nill)

Local and Personal--Balloon Ascension
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that John Light travelled over nine miles during his balloon flight last Thursday before landing on John Benedict's farm near Funkstown.
(Names in announcement: John A. Light, John Benedict)

Local and Personal--Our Streets
(Column 1)

Summary: Notes that new street signs have been posted throughout the town. In the process of officially labeling the streets, however, some of the former names have been changed, a development the editors have criticized as unnecessary.

Local and Personal--Great Meeting
(Column 2)

Summary: Relates that only a dozen people showed up at the last Republican meeting in St. Thomas.

Local and Personal--Dead
(Column 2)

Summary: Dr. James Brotherton, "an old and widely known citizen of Franklin county," died in Waynesboro on Thursday. Brotherton was 73 years old.
(Names in announcement: Dr. James Brotherton)

Local and Personal--Important To Pensioners
(Column 2)

Summary: Warns pensioners who hold certificates as invalids that they must procure the surgeon's certificate of examination before they can receive the amounts owed them for the last six months. The examining surgeon for this county is Dr. J. L. Suesserott.
(Names in announcement: Dr. J. L. Suesserott)

Local and Personal--Another Great Meeting
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that the most recent Republican meeting in Orrstown attracted only six attendees.

Local and Personal--Returned From Europe
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces the return of Nicholas Uglow, 80, from his sojourn in England. While visiting his native land, Uglow was fortunate enough to find two of his brothers -- one older and one younger -- still alive.
(Names in announcement: Nicholas Uglow)

Local and Personal--Attempt At Robbery
(Column 2)

Summary: An unknown assailant entered Mr. Over's residence with the intent of burgalizing the dwelling while the owner was away on business. The intruders were forced to abandon their mission, however, after one of Over's neighbors, upon hearing a commotion, "made a timely appearance" and scared the would-be perpetrators off.
(Names in announcement: Over)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: On Sept. 8th, William J. Harkins and Isabella Shilito were married by Rev. J. C. Smith.
(Names in announcement: William J. Harkins, Isabella Shilito, Rev. J. C. Smith)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: On Sept. 12th, James H. Rager and Maria Godbart, of Hagerstown, Md., were married by Rev. J. Dickson.
(Names in announcement: James H. Rager, Maria Godbart, Rev. J. Dickinson)

Married
(Column 4)

Summary: On Sept. 18th, John Logan and Ann Cover were married by Rev. J. M. Bishop.
(Names in announcement: John Logan, Ann Cover, Rev. J. M. Bishop)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: On Sept. 3rd, James Harmon, 61, died near Spring Run.
(Names in announcement: James Harmon)

Died
(Column 4)

Summary: On Sept. 13th, Adam Rush, son of William and Mary E. Ehrhart, died at age 2.
(Names in announcement: William Ehrhart, Mary E. Ehrhart, Adam Rush Ehrhart)