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Valley Spirit: August 18, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

A Wasted Opportunity
(Column 02)

Summary: Claims Republicans missed a golden opportunity in not granting the South full restoration and thus securing the white Southern vote. Now they lost not only the whites but also a lot of black voters too. Predicts swift defeat and dissolution of the Republican party in the future.

Full Text of Article:

The Republican party might have made itself strong in the Southern States if it had restored them to their place in the Union at the close of the war. If the Southern people are warm-headed, they are also warm-hearted, and the magnanimity shown them by their immediate and full restoration to all the rights and privileges they enjoyed before the war, would have stirred up a responsive thrill in their breasts. They would have seen and admitted that the war was waged for the purpose announced at its commencement, and not with a view to the destruction of their rights, nor with any intention to degrade or oppress them. Finding that their fears had outrun the reality of their danger, a reaction in their feelings would have taken place and they would very readily have formed an alliance with the party in control of the General Government.

But the leaders of the Republican party had not the sagacity to foresee their own real interests. Blinded by passion and thirsting for revenge, the sole thought that occupied their mind was the punishment of the fallen foe. The punishment they prescribed for him was the most galling that ingenious malignity could devise. It was to strip him of his political privileges and confer them upon his late servant. This could not fail to make every respectable Southern white man the enemy of the Republican party. But it did more. A good feeling always existed between the slaves and their masters, and the better portion of the freedmen continued to entertain an affectionate regard for their old masters, and refused to join the carpet-baggers in hunting them down. Hence the defeat of the latter in Virginia and Tennessee, to be followed by their defeat in due season throughout the South. Thus the Republican party has not only failed to secure white support at the South, but has even lost the support of the better portion of the negroes. Born a sectional party, it will die a sectional party, and the signs of the times indicate that the day of its dissolution is near at hand. Now is the time for all who do not wish to sink with the worm-eaten hulk to betake themselves to the life-boat of Democracy.

Rascality Admitted
(Column 02)

Summary: Accuses the general government of rampant corruption, and cites an example from the Indian Department as evidence. Claims its getting so bad even Republican newspapers are getting sick of it. Calls for a change to end the corruption, implying a need for more Democrats.

Full Text of Article:

Before the Radical party came into power, honesty was the rule and dishonesty the exception in the administration of public affairs. If a public officer abused his trust, he was expelled from office and pursued with the rigors of the law he had violated. But abuse of trust incurs no such penalties now. There is scarcely a Bureau in any of the Departments of the General Government that is not tainted with corruption. We are not compelled to rely on Democratic testimony to sustain this charge. One after another, all of the Departments and Bureaus have been admitted to be reeking with corruption by the political friends of those who are charged with their administration. The latest admission of this kind that has come to our notice, is the following from the Washington correspondence of the Philadelphia Morning Post of the 11th inst:

Considerable surprise has been created here on finding that money paid for the past five years to Indian tribes, under treaty stipulations, has been paid in greenbacks, whereas these treaties specify coin as the money in which the allowances shall be paid. It is charged that the Indian Department has from time to time drawn the gold from the treasury, but has always made the disbursements in paper money without allowing for the percentage. Who pocketed the difference is now the inquiry.

The "tenure-of-office act" was passed to prevent President Johnson from removing these Radical thieves. Many members of Congress voted for that act merely from partisan considerations, but there were others whose motives were still worse. It would astonish the country and excite the indignation of thousands of honest members of the Radical party, could they but know how many members of the Senate and House have shared the plunder gathered up by dishonest Bureau and Department officials. This corruption has run to a frightful extent--to such an extent that the leading Radical journals have been compelled to take notice of it, reluctant as they may be to expose the misdeeds of their own political friends. Is it not time for a change?

Influencing Voters
(Column 03)

Summary: Calls on all Democrats to get out and campaign. Says rallies aren't enough anymore, every Democrat has to work hard to ensure victory.

Full Text of Article:

Now is the proper time, says the Doyles-town Democrat, for men who are interested in the welfare and success of the Democratic party to begin work. Our State has been so long subject to Radical domination, that it will require a vigorous effort on our part to overcome the force of the tide. There is always a vast floating vote which is cast upon the popular side for that party which it is supposed will be successful. Men like to think that they have contributed to the success of a candidate, or a party, and naturally too, for success is always more pleasant than defeat. In Pennsylvania there are a great many men who are utterly tired and sick of the Radical programme; men who are sharp sighted enough to see that the party in power is corrupt and wicked, while it is also weak and imbecile; and men honest enough to turn from a rotten party to one which will keep its promise and stand by its principles. Such men as these want only the encouraging, kindly words of advice and counsel to bring them into the Democratic ranks. Then, too, there are thousands of weak Democrats, men whose principles are sound, but who lack the energy or the courage to maintain them either at the ballot box or in discussion. Such men need to be looked after and kept entirely within the ranks. In short, there are many classes of men who will vote the Democratic ticket in October next, if they are properly influenced and encouraged, but not otherwise. Now, how may we obtain these votes? Generally speaking, it is a fact that public political meetings are humbugs. Fuss and feathers, bands and orators, persuade no one; they are necessary, perhaps, to keep up the enthusiasm of the people, but it is well known by all who have ever investigated the matter, that they make no votes. Now, votes are just what we need. Of what value to us is the enthusiasm and devotedness of the people, if, nevertheless, we are beaten? The main matter is to elect our candidates, and this can be done in but one way, vis: by the personal efforts of the Democrats of Pennsylvania. Explain the principles of the party to your vacillating neighbor; tell him who are our candidates; what is their record, personal and political; contrast the strength of mind shown by Packer, with the weakness manifested by Geary; tell of Pershing's proud record, as almost the only member of a corrupt Legislature, who was perfectly pure, a man honest and honorable above reproach. Bring all these facts before the people, fully and fairly, and by this time next year we shall be living under a Democratic Legislature, which will not employ quite so many "pasters and folders" as the last one saw proper to do. Try it; do not wait for political meetings.

Open Air Concert
(Column 01)

Summary: The Silver Cornet Band will give a concert at the Rose Dale grounds. Refreshments will be served.

Church Steeple
(Column 01)

Summary: The work on the steeple of the Central Presbyterian Church continues. A man named Evans from Philadelphia is overseeing framing of the timbers, and the ability of the crew to work comfortable at such a height is the wonder of the town.

Court Proceedings
(Column 03)

Summary: Covers the county court proceedings, giving summaries of each case and the verdicts. Also lists all the cases dismissed or ignored and licenses granted or refused for local businesses.
(Names in announcement: Branton Williams, Elizabeth Williams, James Hunter, Andrew Meads, John Diggs, George Needy, Joseph Hade, Daniel Gilds, David C. Brandt, Elias Zearfoss, Frederick Smith, Jacob Spital, Isaac Derringer, Frank Jones, James Wilson, James Auckerd, Sarah A. Myers, William Hamilton, Adam B. Wingert, John R. Turner, John Russell, Barnet Long, William Hafer, Benjamin S. Reisher, Joseph Hiesy, Thomas Hoeflich, James C. Patton, James W. Robinson, Starr S. Hays, George Shough, Henry Burkhart, Henry Meads, Richard Ramsey, Henry Dorty, John Reesner, Mary Naugle, Eveline Jameson, Philip Weidman, Peter Myers, Nancy Adams, Francis Bowden, John Allison, Elizabeth Banks, Hamilton Rowe, Michael Miller, Vincent Smith, Harper, Strealy, Harman Haulman, W. C. McNulty, Hefleman, George A. Rodgers, William Bender, Lewis Stull, Nathan Sterling, George W. Wilkins, John Harmony, Frank Spital, Stenger, F. M. Kimmell, J. McDowell Sharpe, Kennedy, Stewart)

Full Text of Article:

As we went to press last week the case of Com. vs Branton Williams, Elizabeth Williams, James Hunter, Andrew Meads and John Diggs was being tried. These parties were indicted for attempting to extort money from Mr. John Huber by threats of public exposure of falsely alleged improprieties on his part. Verdict guilty. Branton Williams and Elizabeth Williams were each sentenced to two years, and James Hunter and Andrew Meads, each to one year's imprisonment in Eastern Penitentiary. Diggs was sent to the County jail for six months.

Com. vs. George Needy and Joseph Hade. Charge of burning a store room or warehouse. Verdict Not Guilty.

Com. vs. Daniel Gilds and David C. Brandt. Charge of a conspiracy to cheat Elias Zearfoss out of a young bay horse valued at $150 by trading him a glandered horse. Verdict guilty. Motion for a new trial.

Com. vs Frederick Smith. Larceny of a table cover worth $1.50. Defendant pleaded guilty. Sentenced to pay costs and 30 days in county jail.

Com. vs. Jacob Spital. Charge of Adultery with Mary Ann Derringer. Isaac Derringer, Prosecutor. Verdict Not Guilty but Def't. to pay costs.

Com. vs Frank Jones. Assault on James Wilson, Prosecutor. Def't. pleaded guily. Sentenced to 20 days in county jail and to pay costs.

Com. vs James Auckerd. Assault and Battery on Sarah A. Myers, Prosecutrix. Verdict Not Guilty--costs divided between Pros'x. and Deft.

Com. vs Wm. Hamilton. Stealing a Black Stallion worth $200 from Byers Wingert, Prosecutor. Verdict Guilty. Sentenced to two years in Eastern Penitentiary.

Com. vs Same. Larceny of a Bridle, Overcoat and Vest, property of Adam B. Wingert. Def't. pleaded guilty. Sentenced to one year in Eastern Penitentiary to be computed from the expiration of the fore-going sentence.

Com. vs. John R. Turner, charge of altering a patent right deed. John Russell, Prosecutor. Verdict Guilty. Motion for a new trial filed and time for hearing fixed at October Sessions. Deft. gives security in $2000 for his appearance at that time.

Com. vs. Barnet Long. Seduction and Fornication and Bastardy. Verdict guilty. Owing to the extreme youth of Deft., he being but 17 years of age, the Court imposed a fine of $10 and $20 as lying in expenses and costs of suit. The Prosecutrix was but 15 years of age.

Com. vs. William Hafer, Frederick Mish and Benj. S. Reisher, Supervisors of Hamilton township. These defendants were indicted for refusing and neglecting to build a bridge across the head race at Brough's Mill on the line of a public road ordered to be opened by the Court of Quarter Sessions. The point in controversy was whether the county or the township is bound to build this bridge. The trial took place on Saturday afternoon, and, owing to the fact that the time was too short for thorough argument, the Court took down the facts, and directed a verdict of guilty, with the intention of disposing of the question involved on a motion of a new trial. The Court was in session until 6 1/2 o'clock on Saturday evening, and then adjourned to 9 1/2 o'clock on Monday morning.

Bills ignored:
Com. vs. Joseph Hissy. Com. vs. Thomas Hoeflich.
Com. vs. Thomas Hoeflich.
Com. vs. Thomas Hoeflich.
Com. vs. James C. Patton, et al.
Com. vs. James W. Robinson, et al.
Com. vs. Starr S. Hays.
Com. vs. George Shough, et al.
Com. vs. Henry Burkhart.
Com. vs. Henry Meads.
Com. vs. Richard Ramsey.
Com. vs. Henry Dorty.
Com. vs. John Reesner.
Com. vs. Mary Naugle.
Com. vs. Eveline Jameson.
Com. vs. Philip Weldman.
Com. vs. Peter Myers.
Com. vs. James Auckerd.
Com. vs. James Auckerd.
Com. vs. Brown, Stoner & Barnes.
Com. vs. Nancy Adams.

Cases in which a Nolle Prosequi was entered:
Com. vs. Francis Bowden.
Com. vs. John Allison.
Com. vs. Elizabeth Banks.
Com. vs. Hamilton Rowe.
Com. vs. Michael Miller.
Com. vs. Vincent Smith.
Com. vs. Harper & Strealy.
Com. vs. Harman Haulman.

Several Surety of the Peace cases were also heard, all of which were dismissed.

The following licenses were granted:
W. C. McNulty, Wholesale Liquor Store, North Ward, Chambersburg.
Rice & Heffleman, Restaurant, North Ward, Chambersburg.

The following licenses were refused:
Geo. A. Rodgers, Restaurant, North Ward, Chambersburg.
Wm. Bender, Restaurant, Marion.
Lewis Stull, Restaurant, Quincy.
Nathan Sterling, Wholesale Liquor Store, Mercersburg.
George W. Wilkins, Restaurant, Mercersburg.

On Monday of this week, at the opening of the Court, the trial of John Harmony, charged with the murder of Frank Spital, was begun, the Commonwealth being represented by Dist. Att'y. Stenger and F. M. Kimmell, Esq., and the prisoner by J. McDowell Sharpe and Kennedy & Stewart, Esqs. The evidence was all put in on Monday afternoon and on Tuesday morning the case was argued by Kimmell for Com. and Sharpe for Deft. Verdict Guilty of Murder in the Second Degree.

Married
(Column 06)

Summary: Benjamin F. Jones and Miss Sarah A. Neusbaum, both of Fannettsburg, were married on August 16th at the Chambersburg residence of M. Houser by the Rev. I. N. Hays.
(Names in announcement: Benjamin F. Jones, Sarah A. Neusbaum, M. Houser, Rev. I. N. Hays)

Married
(Column 06)

Summary: John N. Ricker and Miss Barbara Snider, both of St. Thomas, were married in Chambersburg on August 11th by the Rev. Dr. Kieffer.
(Names in announcement: John N. Ricker, Barbara Snider, Rev. Kieffer)

Married
(Column 05)

Summary: Samuel Thomas and Miss Elmina Fleagle, both of Horse Valley, were married on July 28th at the U. B. Parsonage by the Rev. J. G. Schaff.
(Names in announcement: Samuel Thomas, Elmina Fleagle, Rev. J. G. Schaff)

Married
(Column 06)

Summary: George W. Bingaman and Miss Martha Brien, both of Franklin, were married on July 27th by the Rev. A. Tripner.
(Names in announcement: George W. Bingaman, Martha Brien, Rev. A. Tripner)

Married
(Column 06)

Summary: Francis M. Garlinger and Miss Annie E. Mill, both of Blue Rock, were married on August 8th by the Rev. F. S. McNeal.
(Names in announcement: Francis M. Garlinger, Annie E. Mill, Rev. F. S. McNeal)

Married
(Column 06)

Summary: F. Benjamin Rock and Miss Louisa M. Garlinger, both of Blue Rock, were married on August 8th by the Rev. F. S. McNeal.
(Names in announcement: F. Benjamin Rock, Louisa M. Garlinger, Rev. F. S. McNeal)

Married
(Column 06)

Summary: Adam Dengler and Miss Emma Rebecca McGowan, both of Franklin, were married at the residence of the bride's father in Hamilton on August 11th by the Rev. H. B. Davison.
(Names in announcement: Adam Dengler, Emma Rebecca McGowan, Rev. H. B. Davison)

Died
(Column 06)

Summary: Frederick Foul died on July 29th in Montgomery Township. He was 62 years old.
(Names in announcement: Frederick Foul)

Died
(Column 06)

Summary: Henry Weedsbaugh died in Bridgeport on August 8th. He was 70 years old.
(Names in announcement: Henry Weedsbaugh)