Valley Spirit

The Spirit changes its position and decides no longer to support Douglas. It denies that Douglas is really the regular nominee of the party, since he never received the required two-thirds of the vote from the National Convention.

States that the paper can no longer support Douglas because he flip-flopped on a key issue. In 1856, Douglas said that no power could deprive slave-holders in the territories of their slaves after the Supreme Court stated that slavery was recognized in the territories. However, in the Lincoln-Douglas debate at Freeport he stated that the Territorial Legislature could legally exclude slavery.

Accuses Douglas of sneering at the courage of Southerners by stating that they want to break up the Union, but are afraid to be sent to the gallows.

In 1851, Herschel V. Johnson stated that the right of secession must be maintained. However, on September 12, 1960, he denounced the conservative Democrats of New York as secessionists.

Urges Democrats to organize and work for the election of Foster for governor.

If the party supports a straight Douglas ticket, it will be defeated. Only the Cresson compromise will lead to victory.

Foster denies the Republican charge that he is a free-trade man.

Reprint of Herschel V. Johnson's letter from 1851 in which he states that secession is the only hope of the South.

Letter states that the county has a number of Breckinridge clubs. Many of the most prominent Democrats in the county support Breckinridge.

The Hope Fire Company passed a resolution that its equipment was to be used by the company only.

Discussion of why the Fayetteville Band rather than the Chambersburg Brass Band was chosen to play at the County Fair.

Description of his trip by train from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh. He is amazed and impressed by the engineering and genius of American railroad builders.

Discussion of the awarding of the contract for building the Pacific telegraph.

Extract of a letter from "A.R.K.", a young man who went west, to his sister.

Urges Democrats to organize to elect Foster for governor.

The Republicans claim to support protective tariffs. However, there is no evidence that Lincoln is a "protective tariff man" and Hamlin is a known free trader.

Col. Curtin concedes that Gen. Foster is a protective tariff man. Many Bell supporters and Republicans will vote for Foster.

Two women were convicted of keeping a "house of ill fame" in Cumberland County and were sentenced to one year in prison. "An example or two of this kind might have a tendency to close some of the many pitfalls that beset the path of the youth in our city."

The Pittsburgh Gazette accused the Catholic priests of Berks and Schuylkill of telling their followers to vote for Foster for governor. The Church denied the charge. The Spirit accuses the Gazette of routinely making false charges against Catholics and failing to respond with any proof.

The Tribune, the "leading Republican journal of the United States," called for New York state to outlaw the property qualifications for blacks.

The Democratic County Committee will meet on Oct. 3rd in Chambersburg.

Reminds voters that the local and state elections are only two weeks away and that this is an extremely important election. The article then goes on to state why the paper turned against Douglas, who "prefers the election of Lincoln to that of Breckinridge."

In Massachusetts, an immigrant has to wait two years before he can vote while a black man only has to wait for six months. The Spirit sees this as an example of Republican attitudes toward foreigners and blacks.

Continues to support the Cresson compromise.

Accuses Douglas of slandering Henry Clay in 1844, while pointing out that Breckinridge always admired Clay. Since many former Whigs have moved into the Democratic Party, the Spirit asks "which of these two men you could support without sacrificing your personal pride or self-respect?"

In a 1856 speech, Herschel V. Johnson placed the white worker of the North on the same level as a southern slave.

The Spirit responds to Douglas' charge that every disunionist in America is a Breckinridge supporter by stating that Herschel Johnson is a noted leader of disunion.

States that Foster has effectively crushed the Republican charge that he is a free-trade man.

Criticizes R. J. Haldeman's proposal for a fusion ticket because it disproportionately favors Bell supporters.

The Spirit believes that Foster is very likely to win.

The various factions of the party have come together to support Mr. Foster.

The Republicans had a mass meeting in Chambersburg, but few people attended.

States that Douglas appears to have few fixed principles. He has contradicted himself on both the Dred Scott decision and the Missouri Compromise.

Cox voted for the English bill after consulting Douglas and receiving his approval. However, Douglas voted against the bill in the Senate.

Brief paragraphs about numerous meetings held in support of Breckinridge and Lane throughout the state and country.

Lytllenon Tyler requests the Spirit to inform its readers that he is no longer a candidate for Assistant Elector for Prince William County. He had supported Douglas until the latter's speech in Norfolk convinced Tyler that Douglas was no friend of the South.

Married on September 12.

Rev. Shoaff married Sue Peters on September 18th at the Pleasant Retreat Parsonage.

Died on September 15th at 51 years of age.

Died on September 17th at 71 years of age.

Died on September 20th at 72 years of age. She was a member of the 2nd German Reformed Church of Chambersburg.

The Register supports Mr. Schell for Congress and denies that he had any role in starting the Juniata True Democrat, as the opposition claims.

States that Mr. Schell is a fine Democratic candidate who the paper supports. Mr. Schell has come out in favor of the Union Electoral Ticket.

The Gazette heartily supports Mr. Schell for Congress.