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Valley Spirit: September 16, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 3 |

Spanish Horrors Revived
(Column 01)

Summary: The article charges that General Meade has committed atrocities comparable to the Spanish Inquisition in regard to the treatment of prisoners in the occupied South.

Astounding Extravagance
(Column 01)

Summary: Lambastes Republicans for spending too much on the War Department. Claims billions of dollars in excess was spent in three years to line the pockets of Radical "thieves".

Full Text of Article:

Secretary Stanton, in his report, December, 1865, gave us the cost of the War Department for peace organization, the sum of thirty-three millions of dollars a year.--From official records it is shown that the War Department, in three years since the close of the war, has cost six hundred and ten millions of dollars, or more than six times the estimate of Secretary Stanton.--The excess of expenditures over the Secretary's estimate is owing to the extravagance of the Radical Congress. This body of desperate political gamesters vote away the public money as if there was no bottom to the public purse. They vote it and their friends get it and divide with them. They vote it out of the Treasury in order that a portion of it may find its way into their own pockets. Congress is full of these thieves, who are in partnership with the contractors. Six hundred and ten millions spent on the army in three years of peace! If Stanton's estimate of the amount necessary was correct--thirty-three millions per year--the thieving contractors and their thieving partners in Congress have stolen five hundred and eleven millions out of the War Department in three years! Is it not time to turn out the thieves?

The Debt Increasing
(Column 02)

Summary: Calls for the ouster of Republicans in the next election because of the increasing debt amounted under Radical rule and the inevitable increase in taxation which would follow another Republican administration.

Full Text of Article:

If they had done nothing else that demanded the condemnation of the people, the Radicals ought to be turned out of power for increasing the public debt in time of profound peace. The official monthly report of Secretary McCulloch shows that the public debt increased twelve millions of dollars during the month of August just past. This is at the rate of one hundred and forty-four millions per annum. If we give the Radicals another lease of power and they increase the debt at the same rate every year, we shall have five hundred and seventy-six millions of dollars added to the public debt during the next Presidential term.

This increase of debt would render increased taxation necessary, in order to avoid repudiation. Now is it possible for the people to stand an increase of taxation? Are they not already taxed to the farthest limit of endurance? These are questions which the people can answer for themselves. They ought to consider well before they answer through the ballot box, for their answer will stand for four years. They may rue it in three months, but there will then be no taking it back.

It behooves the people of Franklin county especially to consider well this matter of debt and taxation. After all that they have lost in the last six years, they can poorly afford to pay the taxes levied on them at present. Can they afford to have their taxes increased? They cannot: but even if they could, they ought not to consent to it when they know that the money is wasted on worthless negroes in the South.

Judge Kimmell's Nomination
(Column 03)

Summary: All Democrats are strongly supporting Judge Kimmell's nomination for Congress, including B. F. Meyers, who had been his main competitor.

Two Hundred Thousand Dollars
(Column 03)

Summary: The Collector of Internal Revenue for the district including Franklin sent more than $200,000 to the Federal Treasury over the past year."Is it any wonder that money is scarce and business dull in this section? How long can we stand such a drain as this? Let it be remembered that this is the cost of Radical rule."

The Southern People. How They Feel and What They Want.
(Column 04)

Summary: Reproduces correspondence between General Lee and General Rosecrans in order to counter Radical propaganda. Both mainly talk about a desire for reconciliation and self rule in the South, and an end to Reconstruction. Rosecrans discusses more about the economy while Lee touches more on race relations.

Full Text of Article:

The following correspondence fully explains the purpose of Gen. Rosecrans' late visit to the Virginia White Sulphur Springs, in relation to which there has been so much newspaper gossip. The correspondence exhibits in a very clear light the sentiments and disposition of the intelligence of the South, and ought to act as an antidote to the poisonous slander of the Radical press, which continually misrepresents and falsifies them:

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. VA.,
August 26, 1868.

GENERAL: Full of solicitude for the future of our country, I come with my heart in my hand to learn the condition, wishes, and intentions of the people of the Southern States--especially to ascertain the sentiments of that body of brave, energetic, and self-sacrificing men who, after sustaining the confederacy for four years, laid down their arms and swore allegiance to the government of the United States, whose trusted and beloved leader you have been.

I see that interpreting "State rights" to conflict with national unity has produced a violent reaction against them, which is drifting us toward consolidation; and also that so great a country as ours even now is--certainly is to be--must have State governments to attend to local details, or go farther and fare worse.

It is plain to us at the West and the North that the continuance of semi-anarchy, such as has existed for the last three years in ten States of our Union, largely increases the danger of concentration, swells our national expenditures, diminishes our productions and our revenue, inspires doubts of our political and financial stability, depreciates the value of our national bonds and currency, and places the credit of the richest below that of the poorest nation in Christendom.

We know that our currency must be depreciated so long as our bonds are below par, and that therefore the vast business and commerce of our country must suffer the terrible evil of a fluctuating standard of value, until we can remedy the evil condition of things at the South. We also see other mischief quite as possible if not probable to arise--such as from a failure of crops, a local insurrection, and many other unforeseen contingencies--which may still depreciate our credit and currency, provoke discontent and disorder among our people, and bring demagogical agitation, revolution, repudiation, and a thousand unnamed villaines upon us. We know that the interests of the people of the South are for law and order, and that they must share our fate for good and ill.

I believe--every one I know who reflects believes--that if the people of the Southern States could be at peace, and their energy and good will be heartily applied to repair the wastes of war, reorganize their business, set the freedmen peacefully, prosperously, and contentedly at work: invite capital, enterprise, and labor from elsewhere to come freely amongst them, they would rebuild their ruined fortunes, multiply manifold the value of their lands, establish public confidence in our political stability, bring our government bonds to premium, our currency to a gold standard, and assure for themselves and the whole nation a most happy and prosperous future.

Seeing this, and how all just interests concur in the work, I ask the officers and soldiers who fought for the Union--every thinking man of the great West and North asks--why it cannot be done?

We are told by those who have controlled the Government for the last four years that the people of the South will not do it; that, if ever done at all, it must be done by the poor, simple, uneducated, landless freedmen and the few whites who, against the public opinion and sentiment of the intelligent white people, are willing to attempt to lead and make their living off the ignorant, inexperienced colored people, mostly men who must be needy adventurers, or without any of those attributes on which reliance for good guidance or government can be placed. We are told that this kind of government must be continued at the South until six or eight millions of intelligent, energetic white people give into it or move out of the country.

Now, I think, the Union army thinks, and the people of the North and West I dare say believe, there must be, or there ought to be, a shorter, surer way to get good government for all at the South.

We know that they who organized and sustained the Southern confederacy for four years, against gigantic efforts, ought to be able to give peace, law, order, and protection to the whole people of the South.

They have the interest and the power to employ, protect, educate, and elevate the poor freedmen and to restore themselves and our country to all the blessings of which I have just spoken. The question we want answered is: "Are they willing to do it?"

I came down to find out what the people of the South think of this, and to ask you what the officers and soldiers who served in the confederate army and the leading people who sustained it think of these things.

I came to ask more; I want to ask you, in whose purity and patriotism I here express unqualified confidence, and so many good men as you can conveniently consult, to say what you think of it, and also what you are willing to do about.

I want a written expression of views that can be followed by a concurrence of action. I want to know if you and the gentlemen who will join you in that written expression are willing to pledge the people of the South to a chivalrous and magnanimous devotion to restoring peace and prosperity to our common country. I want to carry that pledge, high above the level of party politics, to the late officers and soldiers of the Union army and the people of the North and West, and to ask them to consider it and to take the necessary action, confident that it will meet with a responce so warm, so generous and confiding, that we shall see in its sunshine the rainbow of peace in our political sky, now black with clouds and impending storm.

I know you are a representative man, in reverence and regard for the Union, the Constitution, and the welfare of the country, and that what you would say would be endorsed by nine-tenths of the whole people of the South; but I should like to have the signatures of all the representative Southern men here who concur in your views, and expressions of their concurrence from the principal officers and representative men throughout the South when they can be procured.

This concurrence of opinions and wills, all tending to peace, order, and stability, will assure our Union soldiers and business men, who want substantial and solid peace, and cause them to rise above the level of party politics, and take such steps to meet yours as will insure a lasting peace with all its countless blessings.

Very truly, your friend,
W.S. ROSECRANS

GEN. R. E. LEE, WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, WEST VIRGINIA

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS, W. VA.
August 26, 1868.

GENERAL: I have had the honor to receive your letter of this date, and in accordance with your suggestion, I have consulted with a number of gentlemen from the South, in whose judgment I have confided, and who are well acquainted with the public sentiments of their respective States. They have kindly consented to unite with me in replying to your communication, and their names will be found with my own appended to this answer. With this explanation, we proceed to give you a candid statement of what we believe to be the sentiment of the Southern people in regard to the subject to which you refer.

Whatever opinion may have prevailed in the past in regard to African slavery or the right of a State to secede from the Union, we believe we express the almost unanimous judgment of the Southern people when we declare that they consider that those questions were decided by the war, and that it is their intention, in good faith, to abide by that decision. At the close of the war the Southern people laid down their arms and sought to resume their former relations with the United States Government.

Through their State conventions they abolished slavery and annulled their ordinances of secession, and they returned to their peaceful pursuits with a sincere purpose to fulfill their duties under the Constitution of the United States which they had sworn to support. If their actions in these particulars had been met in a spirit of frankness and cordiality, we believe that ere this old irritation would have passed away and the wounds inflicted by the war would in a great measure have been healed. As far as we are advised, the people of the South entertain no unfriendly feeling toward the Government of the United States, but they complain that their rights under the Constitution are withheld from them in the administration thereof.

The idea that the Southern people are hostile to the negroes, and would oppress them if it were in their power to do so, is entirely unfounded. They have grown up in our midst, and we have been accustomed from our childhood to look upon them with kindness. The change in relations of the two races has wrought no change in our feeling toward them. They still constitute the important part of our laboring population. Without their labor the lands of the South would be comparatively unproductive. Without the employment which Southern agriculture affords they would be destitute of the means of subsistence, and become paupers, dependent upon public bounty.

Self-interest, even if there were no higher motives, would therefore prompt the whites of the South to extend to the negroes care and protection. The important fact that the two races are, under existing circumstances, necessary to each other, is gradually becoming apparent to both; and we believe, but for influences exerted to stir up the passions of the negroes, the relations of the two races would soon adjust themselves on a basis of kindness and advantage.

It is true that the people of the South, together with the people of the North and West, are, for obvious reasons, opposed to any system of laws which would place the political power of the country in the hands of the negro race. But the opposition springs from no feeling of enmity, but from a deep-seated conviction that at present the negroes have neither the intelligence nor the qualifications which are necessary to make them safe depositaries of political power. They would inevitably become the victims of demagogues, who, for selfish purposes, would mislead them to the serious injury of the public.

The great want of the South is peace. The people earnestly desire tranquility and the restoration of the Union. They deprecate disorder and excitement as the most serious obstacle to their prosperity.

They ask a restoration of their rights under the Constitution. They desire relief from oppressive misrule. Above all, they would appeal to their countrymen for the re-establishment in the Southern States of that which has justly been regarded as the birthright of every American,the right of self-government. Establish these on a firm basis and we can safely promise on behalf of the southern people that they will faithfully obey the Constitution and laws of the United States, treat the negro with kindness and humanity, and fulfill every duty incumbent on peaceful citizens loyal to the Constitution of their country.

We believe the above contains a succinct reply to the general topics embraced in your letter, and we venture to say, on behalf of the Southern people and of officers and soldiers of the late confederate army, that they will concur in all the sentiments which we have expressed.

Appreciating the patriotic motives which have prompted your letter, and reciprocating your expressions of kind regard, we have the honor to be,

Very respectfully and truly,
R.E. Lee, Va.
G.T. Beauregard, La.
Alexander H. Stephens, Ga.
C.M. Conrad, La.
Linton Stephens, Ga.
A.T. Caperton, W. Va.
John Echols, Va.
F.S. Stockdale, Texas.
F.W. Pickens, S.C.
Wm. J. Robinson, Va.
Joseph R. Anderson, Va.
Wm. F. Turner, W. Va.
C.H. Subee, S.C.
E. Fontaine, Va.
John Letcher, Va.
B.C. Adams, Miss.
Wm. J. Green, N.C.
Lewis E. Harvie, Va.
P.B. Daniels, Jr., Va.
W.T. Sotherlin, Na.
A.A. James, La.
Tontant Beauregard, Texas.
M.O.H. Norton, La.
T.P. Brance, Ga.
H.T. Russell, Ga.
Samuel J. Douglass, Fla.
Jeremiah Morton, Va.
John B. Baldwin, Va.
George W. Bolling, Va.
Theodore Flournoy, Va.
James Lyons, Va.

Address:
W.S. ROSECRANS,
Minister to Mexico,
White Sulphur Springs, W. Va.

A Bombshell in the Radical Camp!
(Column 05)

Summary: The paper gloats that one Republican paper is refusing to endorse John Cessna because he had once been a Democrat.

Democratic Meetings
(Column 01)

Summary: List of meetings to be held at towns throughout Franklin County to build support for the Democratic ticket.
(Names in announcement: John R. Orr, James L. Reily)

Discussion at Waynesboro'
(Column 01)

Summary: Judge Kimmell and John Cessna have agreed to meet jointly at Waynesboro to debate.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Democratic Party at Waynesboro have formed a Seymour and Blair club. 103 names were enrolled at the first meeting, and membership is still growing. Capt. French is forming a club of White Boys in Blue.
(Names in announcement: Capt. French)

Death of an Old Citizen
(Column 01)

Summary: David Slighter, "one of the oldest and most respectable citizens of Letterkenny township" died recently. He is mourned by many friends.
(Names in announcement: David Slighter)

Democratic Club Meeting in St. Thomas
(Column 01)

Summary: The Seymour and Blair club of St. Thomas will meet to hear addresses.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: Rev. W. Alexander of Wisconsin will preach in the Court House on Friday.

Democrats of Hamilton Township
(Column 01)

Summary: The Democrats of Hamilton Township will meet at Center School House to organize a Seymour and Blair club. William McLellan and B. Y. Hamsher will address the meeting.
(Names in announcement: William McLellan, B. Y. Hamsher)

Grand Opening of the Campaign in Franklin County
(Column 01)

Summary: There will be a Democratic meeting in Greencastle including addresses by F. M. Kimmell, C. M. Duncan, and W. S. Stenger. The Seymour and Blair club of Chambersburg will also attend.
(Names in announcement: F. M. Kimmell, C. M. Duncan, W. S. Stenger)

The Democrats of Upton
(Column 01)

Summary: The Democrats of Upton, Franklin County, met in Hawbecker's Hall and formed a club. Despite poor weather, a large crowd attended. M. D. Reymer and J. Rush Hollar delivered speeches, and 25 members signed the constitution. "We are gratified to learn that the Democracy are making inroads upon the Radicals in this section of our country."
(Names in announcement: M. D. Reymer, J. Rush Hollar)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper promotes the upcoming Franklin County Fair. Franklin will join other counties in exhibiting their agricultural and mechanical prowess. The free entries mean nobody has an excuse not to enter. "There is scarcely a farmer or mechanic who has not something in the stock, implement, machinery, or produce line that might interest some one else." The paper also praises the ladies of Franklin for their interest in preparing articles to exhibit.

The Female College
(Column 02)

Summary: The board of trustees of the proposed college met in Chambersburg. The location has not yet been decided, and Greencastle has already pledged $10,000 to attract it. Gettysburg and Carlisle are also interested. The paper urges Chambersburg citizens to lobby immediately as the school would bring in tens of thousands of dollars to city businesses each year.

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Philip Lautenshlager and Miss Kate Gruss, both of Chambersburg, were married on September 6th by the Rev. G. Roth.
(Names in announcement: Philip Lautenshlager, Kate Gruss, Rev. G. Roth)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: John Yeager and Miss Sarah E. Evans, both of St. Thomas, were married on August 27th at the residence of Solie Hollar by the Rev. S. A. Mowers.
(Names in announcement: John Yeager, Sarah E. Evans, Solie Hollar, Rev. S. A. Mowers)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Henry Hoch and Miss Mary Foreman, both from near Shippensburg, were married on September 1st by the Rev. J. Hassler.
(Names in announcement: Henry Hoch, Mary Foreman, Rev. J. Hassler)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: John McCune and Miss Mary E. Atherton, both of Shippensburg, were married on September 8th by the Rev. J. Hassler.
(Names in announcement: John McCune, Mary E. Atherton, Rev. J. Hassler)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Rebecca S. Kirby, wife of the late James R. Kirby, died in Chambersburg on September 14th. She was 65 years old.
(Names in announcement: Rebecca S. Kirby, James R. Kirby)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: John M'Affee died in Mercersburg on September 5th. He was 27 years old.
(Names in announcement: John M'Affee)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: James Crawford Orr, son of John R. and Mary Orr, died of dysentery on September 7th. He was 1 year old.
(Names in announcement: James Crawford Orr, John R. Orr, Mary Orr)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: David Smith died at an advanced age on September 4th in Shimpstown, Franklin County.
(Names in announcement: David Smith)