Valley Spirit

Transcript of speech delivered by Senator Benjamin of Louisiana in response to speech given by Senator Douglas, which accused the Democrats who seceded from the Convention of disunity. Benjamin attacks Douglas for going back on his promises during Kansas-Nebraska to accede to the dictates of the Court, which Benjamin argues were clearly set forward in the Dredd Scott case.

Continuation of Benjamin's speech, where he defends his devotion to the Cincinnati platform, and differentiates himself from Yancey and the cotton state secessionists.

Douglas responds to Benjamin, and says that the Senator from Mississippi was not faithful to the Cincinnati platform and was reaching for too many rights for the South. Douglas argues that the South gets all it deserves under the Cincinnati platform.

Editor J.M. Cooper announces his resignation, due to his disagreement with the leaning of the Democratic National Convention to nominating Douglas. He asserts that Douglas abandoned the Cincinnati platform, repudiated the Supreme Court, and caused the defeat of Democratic candidates in Pennsylvania. Since he cannot support Douglas in good conscience, he feels he cannot continue to direct a Democratic newspaper.

English's speech asserts that there exists no fundamental, irrepressible conflict between the two systems of labor in the country.

Variety of articles essentially affirming that unity at the Baltimore convention behind Douglas is acceptable to many southerners.

With the departure of the editor, the publishers will become responsible for the content of the Local Department.

Encampment was a success; included the Chambers Artillery from Chambersburg, the Light Infantry from Greencastle, and the St. Thomas Artillery.

Pronounces the paper very much interested in the census and urges everyone's full cooperation with the marshals.

The Cumberland Valley Railroad is offering a special rate to Baltimore for those attending the Democratic National Convention.

Apologizes to the Superintendent of the Cumberland Valley Railroad for scolding him for not giving free passage to the delegates to the railroad convention; they have been informed that such power is not in his hands.

Dorthea Dix visited Chambersburg last week; she had visited 15 years earlier and examined the Poor House and Prison while she was "memorializing" the legislature on the subject of establishing the State Lunatic Asylum.

The Mechanics' Brass Band accompanied the Chambers Artillery to the Waynesboro Encampment.

Married on May 24 at Pleasant Retreat.

Benjamin argues that Dredd Scott clearly decided the issue of slavery in the territories in favor of slavery.