Valley Spirit

Address of Hon. James H. Graham to a grand jury in Cumberland County. His remarks reflect on the war, and focus, by the end, on the folly of the policy of Northern abolitionists to make emancipation a central war aim. He implies that abolition sentiment may even slip toward treason, as abolitionists agitate against the protections for slavery in the Constitution.

Reports that the State Committee of the "People's Party," a Republican effort to attract Democratic voters to its ticket, met and decided not to call a State Convention at the present time. Dissension between those who wished to maintain a pure Republican party and those who wished to attract Democrats caused party leaders to postpone the convention until unity could be assured.

This editorial addresses the appointment of a legislative investigating committee to examine the passage of an act commuting the tonnage tax in the previous session. While suspicious generally of the legislature's ability to investigate itself, the editors hope that the "ventilating" of the issue will answer some questions.

A Cincinnati Gazette article claimed that, in an engagement in Kentucky on January 19, Pennsylvania soldiers in the 77th and 79th Regiments panicked and fled the field without even sighting the enemy. The editors of the Valley Spirit condemn this accusation as "calumny" and cite a Louisville Journal article refuting the charges.

The present Congress, in the view of this editorial, has become sidetracked by debates over the future of African-Americans when more important matters, such as how to keep the nation financially solvent, are in need of attention.

Letter from H.R. Treher, son of John Treher of Loudon, stationed at Patterson's Creek, near Cumberland, Maryland. The letter does not specify the regiment, although it mentions that the commander is General Lander. The bulk of the letter focuses on marching and camping in the rains and the mud.

Letter from Joseph Miller, a solider formerly stationed at Camp Slifer, now at Camp Pierpont in Virginia with the "11th Reg't P.R.C." He writes to thank the ladies of Chambersburg who set a "box of fine edibles" to the camp. He also recalls the hospitality of Chambersburg during the time he was stationed there.

Several collection boxes for relief of sick and wounded soldiers have been placed at the Post Office and the railroad ticket office, and the Valley Spirit urges all to contribute.

Criticizes the discrepancies between the state auditor's and the state register's reports and calls for the removal of the state auditor.

The Valley Spirit omitted the salary of the superintendent of common schools in last week's listing of moneys received from the state. His salary of $600, the editors feel, could be justly doubled, due to the excellent job he does.

Henry Kupfender of Chambersburg was killed on Friday in a train collision while tending several railroad freight cars belonging to Messrs. Wunderlich and Nead on the North Central Railroad near Baltimore. His body was severed in two, and it was returned to the city where his funeral was held on Sunday. He left a wife and several small children.

The editors visited the Poor House last week, dined with Directors Latshaw, Harris, and Spencer, and met Steward James Chariton, Esq. They reported that conditions there were excellent.

Lieutenant William Burgess, of Captain Dixon's company of the 6th Regiment of Pennsylvania Reserves, has set up a recruiting station at the Franklin Hotel. Volunteers may choose the regiment they will serve in and will be furnished with transportation and sent off immediately.

Four or five members of Capt. Brand's company have been accused of robbery in Harrisburg. The Spirit protests their innocence and notes that they are from respectable families in town.

Samuel Clark died suddenly on Thursday. He was about 60 and had been in attendance in court the day before his unexpected death.

Summary of the second week of trials; Judge Nill recused himself, as he was counsel on many of the cases, and Judge Graham of Carlisle stood in for him. Cases tried were: Keystone Mutual Life Insurance Company vs. William McLellan--action to recover promissory notes; defendant claimed he had been induced to become a member of the company through misstatements of the company; verdict, $174.80 for plaintiff. Polly Piper vs. James Dearmine and his wife Catharine--account rendered; referred to auditor at defendant's request. William Crist vs. John Snider--action to recover a tract of land in Montgomery township; Crist bought the property at a sheriff's sale, but Snider claims to have deeded the land to somebody else before the sale; verdict for plaintiff. William McGrath vs. John Braver--Ejectment to recover 70 acres of mountain land; verdict for plaintiff. Fred. Divilbiss vs. James Tenly--action for rents of 13 acres of land; verdict, $27.50 for plaintiff. Adam Carbaugh vs. J. Milton Lytle, executor of David Lytle--action to recover part of purchase money of a farm; verdict, $208.89 for plaintiff. Commonwealth for the use of J.R. Tankersly and Wife vs. Hezekiah Easton and Martin Newcomer, Executors--Action on guardian bond; verdict, $869.48 for plaintiff. G.W. Brewer vs. Administrators of Benjamin Phraner, deceased--Action on book account; verdict, $110 for plaintiff. William Forbes vs. James and Elizabeth Patterson--Action on "assumpsit"; verdict, $127.68 for plaintiff. J. and S. Eye? vs. Andrew McNair--action on book account of $23.10; verdict of $10.28 for plaintiff.

Reuben Cashman and Susan M. Palmer, both of the vicinity of Chambersburg, were married at the Lutheran Parsonage on January 30. Miss Palmer is the daughter of Daniel Palmer, Esq.

Abraham A. Price and Elizabeth Stover, both of Waynesboro, were married on January 30 at the Lutheran Parsonage.

Benjamin C. Snyder and Elizabeth West, both of Hamilton township, were married on the 21st of January.

Jacob Forney, of St. Thomas township, married Mary McCleary, of Hamilton township, on January 30.

James Muma and Mary Myers, both from the vicinity of Fannetsburg, Path Valley, were married on January 30.

Samuel Clark died suddenly in Chambersburg on January 30, age 61 years and 11 months.

Mrs. Margaret Fetter, died near Orrstown of palsy on January 29, at age 88 years, 3 months and 10 days. She was a long-time member of the Lutheran church at Orrstown.

Miss Nancy Flickinger, daughter of Joseph Flickinger of Fannetsburg, died on Sunday last at age 25.

A glowing report on the arrival of the Burnside expedition at Hatteras Inlet, despite the loss of a number of ships along the way.