Valley Spirit

Argues that either radical abolitionists or the Constitution must give way, and hints that it would be better to "bloodily suppress" abolition sentiment rather than allowing what the authors see as a violation of the Constitution.

Argues that, since the separation of the races is in accordance with natural law, the emancipation of the slaves would only worsen social problems. The North could not handle the influx of free blacks, who if they stayed in the South would simply relapse into slavery, and colonization is too expensive an option.

Attacks Forney's support for a Union movement with Republicans in the Pennsylvania legislature. Forney noted that Senator Wilmot supported the idea, which the authors of the article see as a sure sign of its worthlessness. The authors lump Forney, Wilmot and Sumner together as supporters of the "treasonable theory" that the southern states had given up their rights as states and should revert to territories.

Announces that the Democratic State Convention will be held in Harrisburg on Friday, July 4, to nominate candidates for Auditor General and Surveyor General.

B. Y. Hamsher, chairman of the Franklin Democratic County Committee, announces a meeting on June 3 at Montgomery's Hotel, to elect delegates to the state convention.

Argues that Lincoln has turned the war into one solely to free the slaves, and that his abolition of slavery in Washington D.C. has turned the city into a haven for runaway slaves. The article states that former slaves are being supported in idleness by the federal taxpayer.

Attacks the leaders of the Republican party, arguing that every figure the Republicans have tried to celebrate as a hero has fallen short of the mark--Cameron, Fremont, and finally, Lincoln.

Attacks the Transcript for its criticism of the recently published speech by certain Democratic members of Congress. The Transcript said that the Democrats neither praise the soldiers nor denounce the rebels in their anxiousness to attack the Republicans. The Valley Spirit responds that Republican sentiments for the Union are weakly held, and that if abolition were repudiated, the abolitionists would be as likely to go into rebellion as the southern states were.

Reprint of General Hunter's order freeing the slaves in South Carolina. The Spirit criticizes it for its failure to distinguish between loyal and disloyal owners, and notes that it is in direct violation of the purposes of the war as declared by Congress.

The Valley Spirit notes its support for Col. Levi L. Tate, the editor of the Columbia Democrat, for the position of Surveyor General. The Colonel, they note, is a "'rock-water' Democrat."

Capt. Wishart of Company F, 77th Reg't Penn. Volunteers, made a short visit to Chambersburg last Friday to recover from a health problem. Wishart, a doctor, was promoted to surgeon of the entire regiment during the battle at Pittsburg Landing. He requested to remain in command of his troops, which he did until a man in his own regiment was shot and the Colonel ordered him to take charge of the wounded. Colonel P. B. Housum related this incident, and would have written about it himself had he not been "prostrate on a bed of sickness."

Nip Scott, a black resident of Wolftown, returned from service as a commissary in the 77th Reg't Penn. Volunteers. The Valley Spirit accuses him of cowardice in the face of fire.

An election was held on Tuesday May 13 for officers of the Franklin County Farmer's and Mechanic's Association. They are: President, John Ruttrauff; Vice-Presidents, J. S. Nixon, G. W. Immell, D. K. Wunderlich, James C. Eyster; Secretary, W. S. Everett; Corresponding Secretary, Samuel M. Armstrong; Treasurer, Emanuel Kuhn; Managers, William Bossert, William Cline, B. F. Nead, J. Watson Graig, W. W. Skinner, H. B. Davison, William McClure, James G. Elder, Samuel Myers, H. C. Greenawalt, A. B. Wingerd, Andrew Davison.

Quotation from General McCook's report on the "great battle of Shiloh," which praises the action of the 77th Reg't Penn. Volunteers and singles out Col. Stumbaugh, Lt. Col. Housum, and Major Bradford for compliments for their efforts.

A collection of dispatches on the war, including rumors of the capture of Richmond, a report on the repulsion of Federal gunboats south of Richmond, reports on the situation in the west and southwest, and notice of the lifting of the embargo on Beaufort, NC, Port Royal, SC, and New Orleans.

A brief report of encounters with Confederate cavalry near Strasburg.

Catharine Ripper, "relict" of the late Peter Ripper, died on May 16 in Chambersburg after a prolonged illness. She was 84 years old.

George Polmer died on May 16 at the age of 86.

Argues that, by making abolition a war goal, the Republicans seem to want to destroy the Union in order to save it. No circumstances, they argue, justify the violation of constitutional guarantees of the right of states to determine the fate of slavery within its own borders. For people to advocate a federal plan of abolition is tantamount to advocating revolution.

Reprint of the orders of Major General Butler regarding the occupation of New Orleans. Butler declares martial law, makes it a punishable offense to show disrespect to the American flag, prohibits publications from describing the movement of American troops, and dissolves the municipal authority of the city with the exception of the fire companies.