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

Our Radical President
(Column 03)

Summary: Reports on Grant's appointment of a black man as representative to Haiti and his comments on civil rights. Shows how Grant favors black equality and rights to employment everywhere. Infers that Grant will now only appoint blacks as ministers while leaving whites unemployed.

Full Text of Article:

President Grant recently received from General Tate, the credentials accrediting him to the American Government as the minister from Hayti. Congratulating Grant upon his conduct in sending a black man to his republic he said, "the exalted philanthropy and the readiness to make amends to a race formerly oppressed in this country--those noble principles which have led your administration, Mr. President, to select a man of that race to represent the great and powerful republic of the United States in the republic of Hayti, have awakened in the hearts of all Haytiens, who eagerly desire the advancement and elevation of their race, a just sentiment of admiration and gratitude."

Grant being thus tickled, was obliged to tickle the Haytien in return, and so he proceeded to soft sawder the dusky minister in this wise: "If any proof were wanting of the unfounded character of the prejudice which until recently prevailed, at least in different parts of this country, against the race from which you are sprung, it might be found in the high tone and polished style of the remarks you just uttered.

Speaking of the prejudice existing among Americans in regard to this question of color, or as Mr. Sumner would have it, "caste," he remarked that, "like all similar prejudices, no matter how deeply implanted, it must, sooner or later, yield to the force of truth." This is about the most outspoken declaration the nation has yet had from Grant on the negro question.

But he seems to have swallowed the whole nauseous dose of Radicalism, for he asserts the right of the African to hold office anywhere and everywhere. Speaking of the rights and privileges secured to black men as the result of the rebellion, he says that among them "is their right to employment abroad as well as at home, in the public service--a right which, as you say, has been acknowledged in the appointment of one of the formerly proscribed race to represent the United States in Hayti."

There you have Grant on the broad platform of negro equality. He not only favors negro suffrage, and negroes in the jury box, but he goes for equal civil and political rights of every kind for the negro. He not only appoints a negro minister to Hayti, but he claims the right to accredit a negro minister to any white government. There is a good time coming for the African. He can aim high now. Nothing is beyond his reach.--He may be sent as Minister Plenipotentiary and Envoy Extraordinary to the Court of St. James, or be allowed, as the representative of the American government, to congratulate the Czar of Russia upon the emancipation of those who were in bondage like himself.

Meanwhile, let white men stand back.--Their day is past. The negro is to "occupy and possess" all public positions.

A Negro Scared
(Column 03)

Summary: Gives its version of an event in Georgia where a local black official was threatened by an anonymous letter. Says the official reacted too hastily and allowed Grant to send armed troops to a supposedly peaceful town. Tries to put the real blame upon a Radical national government rather than Southerners who threaten black office-holders.

Full Text of Article:

What a farce this whole business of reconstruction has been! And how accustomed the Government at Washington is becoming to meddling with affairs that do not belong to it.

Under the system adopted by the government of ignoring "Caste," the position of Assessor of Internal Revenue for the Third District of Georgia was given to a negro, named Edwin Belcher. Belcher appointed, as Assistant Assessor of the Eleventh division of his district, another negro named James B. Wilson.

It seems that on the night of the 14th ultimo, the office of this fellow Wilson was entered, his books and papers were destroyed, or stolen, and a note, of which the following is a copy, left on his desk:

"Bloody Moon, Nigger Sub:

"SIR: Your visit to this place must end. Your welcome has expired, and a few days will be allowed you to depart. Take due notice and govern yourself accordingly.
YOU KNOW WHO.

Wilson took no longer time than was necessary to read the note, packed his carpetbag and left, as fast as his legs could carry him, to report to his superior. Belcher at once writes to the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. The matter is laid before Grant's Cabinet and it is decided to send a considerable force of soldiery down to Georgia to assist in enforcing the revenue laws.

It does seem as though the party in power had run perfectly wild on this negro question. Had the poor cowardly darkey remained at his post, there is no doubt that he would have remained uninjured. But in yielding to the terror excited by an anonymous communication, he gives an opportunity to Radicalism to descant upon the rebellious spirit of the Southern people, and to a great government to send an armed force into the midst of a community as peacefully inclined as those of any township in Franklin County. And we must "pay the fiddler."

Ladies' Fair
(Column 01)

Summary: The Ladies Fair in the basement of the Lutheran Church in Waynesboro raised about $700. It closed last week with an oyster supper.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: A. McElwain has resumed his duties as Justice of the Peace.
(Names in announcement: A. McElwain)

Charles Sumner's Lecture
(Column 02)

Summary: Gives a critique of Sumner's lecture given in Chambersburg. Says it was well prepared and well delivered but disagrees heartily with the themes of his message. Also notes with amusement that his audience contained very few Radical men. The audience mostly consisted of Democrats, women, and African Americans.

Full Text of Article:

On last Thursday night, Senator Sumner, according to previous announcement, delivered his lecture on "The Question of Caste," in Repository Hall. We had thought that our Radical friends would rush in to hear the distinguished representative of the Radical party on his favorite topic. But Radicalism seems to be waning at a rapid rate in this section, and very few of the old "standby's" were on hand. It was left to the ladies, and the Democrats, and the "free American citizens of African descent," to make up Mr. Sumner's audience. And, the whole audience numbered about two hundred and fifty.

The lecture occupied nearly an hour and three quarters in its delivery. Mr. Sumner has an excellent voice, though he was somewhat hoarse. The first half of the lecture was delivered in rather a monotonous style, but in the latter portion he grew warmer and more eloquent and delivered some passages in a very impressive manner. The charm of Mr. Sumner's delivery is his remarkably accurate and finished pronunciation.

The lecture itself has been prepared with great care and is crammed full of a large stock of interesting, and a vast mass of uninteresting learning. His arguments were stated in general propositions and several of them seemed to us to be two-edged swords, cutting both ways. The remarks of eminent scientific men were quoted at considerable length, but the lecturer steered clear of his "distinguished friend, Professor Agassiz."

Sumner aims at the perfect brotherhood of man. He believes that all races are capable of the same perfectibility. He is struggling for the equality of all men. It seems to us that the day is very far distant when his dream of hope will be realized.--We hope that it is. We believe in no such doctrine as the equality of the races. We are opposed to such political and social equality, and equally opposed to the amalgamation of the races which will certainly follow the acknowledgment of their absolute equality.

Arrest of a Supposed Forger
(Column 02)

Summary: Lewis Diehl and J. M. McPherson arrested in St. Thomas a man named N. B. Coder, alias J. H. Brookins, who is suspected of widespread forgery in the Philadelphia area. Diehl and McPherson read his description on a circular in Col. W. D. Dixon's post-office, and are hoping to collect the reward for his detention.
(Names in announcement: Lewis Diehl, J. M. McPherson, N. B. Coder, J. H. Brookins, Col. W. D. Dixon)

Married
(Column 05)

Summary: David Kuhn and Miss Amanda Rosenberry, both of Fannettsburg, were married on November 10th by the Rev. J. Smith Gordon.
(Names in announcement: David Kuhn, Amanda Rosenberry, Rev. J. Smith Gordon)

Married
(Column 05)

Summary: A. Miller of Jackson Hall and Miss Barbara Ann Perkepile of Quincy were married in Chambersburg by the Rev. John Fohl.
(Names in announcement: A. Miller, Barbara Ann Perkepile, Rev. John Fohl)

Married
(Column 05)

Summary: John S. Herst of Antrim and Miss Rebecca J. Heady of Green were married on November 25th by the Rev. Roths.
(Names in announcement: John S. Herst, Rebecca J. Heady, Rev. Roths)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Matthew Lewin died near Mercersburg on November 22nd. He was 69 years old.
(Names in announcement: Matthew Lewin)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Miss Clara H. Wolff died at Welsh Run on November 21st. She was 22 years old.
(Names in announcement: Clara H. Wolff)