Valley Spirit: October 12, 1864 — Newspapers

Page Description:

Classified ads, columns 1-4; previously published political notices, columns 5-6

Speech of Hon. William Allen, of Ohio in the Chicago Convention

(column 6)

Summary:

Rousing concluding speech from the Democratic Convention in Chicago predicts that a Democratic administration will restore the Union and return the nation to "happiness and prosperity."

Page 2

Page Description:

Previously published political news, column 1

To the Officers of the Several Boards of Election of Franklin County

(column 1)

Summary:

Party leaders request that the county boards of election count the votes for Congress first on election night.

Trailer:

W. S. Stenger, Chairman of the Dem. County Ex. Com., and T. J. Nill, Chairman of the Union County Ex. Com.

Names in Announcement:

W. S. Stenger; T. J. Nill

The Way to Peace

(column 1)

Summary:

Argues that the only way to peace is through the restoration of the Union, not through the abolition of slavery.

How They Talk

(column 2)

Summary:

Says that the unfulfilled Republican campaign promises of 1860 are an "insult" to the American people.

Excerpt:

"By this sort of bamboozling they manage to make dupes of a certain class of brainless boobies, who never think for themselves, but gulp down as gospel all the twaddle the unprincipled placehunters of this unprincipled party blurt out on every stump they mount."

(column 2)

Summary:

Says that the Repository misquoted the Valley Spirit in an article about the Pennsylvania legislature. Points out that the Valley Spirit called it an "Abolition legislature," not a "Union legislature."

Every Man to His Post

(column 3)

Summary:

Suggests that the upcoming election will determine the future of popular government in the United States.

Excerpt:

"Reelect Abraham Lincoln for another term of four years and you sign the death warrant of your liberties."

Spurious Tickets

(column 3)

Summary:

Warns readers that "spurious tickets" for the election are circulating around town.

Facts for the People

(column 4)

Summary:

Says that the US government is spending $30,000,000 per year to aid freed blacks, while only giving Chambersburg residents $100,000 to help recover from the fire.

Excerpt:

"Vote against the corrupt Abolition party, which bestows all its sympathy on the negro and squanders the people's money in his behalf whilst the unprotected white citizens of the border are left to suffer in penury and want."

Signs of Fraud

(column 4)

Summary:

Accuses Republicans of resorting to fraud in order to carry the November election. Cites the movement of troops into "doubtful districts" as evidence that the Republicans will force their victory.

The Richmond Enquirer for Lincoln

(column 4)

Summary:

Argues that the Richmond Enquirer's support for Lincoln, whose "irrational and pernicious policy" helped unite the Southern people, is good reason why Northern voters should go with McClellan.

White Men Read! Negroes for the Forge, the Workshop and the Social Circle! The Next Step--Negroes at the Ballot Box

(column 5)

Summary:

Says that the placement of blacks alongside voters in a Republican procession in Pittsburgh foreshadows what will happen to Northern society if the slaves are freed.

Excerpt:

"What will be the next step, when Labor has been reduced to the negro standard of cheapness, and the poor whites shall be compelled to consort with the blacks as their equals? Why MISCEGENATION."

Full Text of Article

Negroes For The Forge, The Workshop And The Social Circle!
The Next Step--Negroes At The Ballot Box!
Black and Yellow the National Colors of the New Abolition Republic--and the Red, White and Blue Nowhere!

A grand saturnalia of the Shoddyites of Pittsburg [sic] was held in that city on Thursday last. We take the following from the report of the procession as published in the Dispatch:

"A wagon drawn by nine horses and filled with colored men brought up the rear. The procession passed along the route as published, and halted on the West Common."

Does not this show the strongly increasing desire of the Shoddy party to make voters of negroes? Why should they be honored with a place in a procession of voters--in the ranks of a party making a display of its strength for the ballot box? They were not put there as ornaments--they certainly added no grace to the display. They could only have been given a place among white men as symbols of the manner in which the war for the Union has been prostituted to the elevation of the black race, or as indicating a design on the part of the Shoddy miscegenationists to share with negroes the amenities of the social circle and all the rights at the ballot box. No man who cares for the future of his country, and detests the hybridizing contemplated by such elevation of an antagonistic race can fail to understand the placing of negroes in a Repu[b]lican procession alongside of Voters!

But more. From the same report we clip the following. Read it, white Laborers and Mechanics of the North! "Oliver Adams' blacksmith shop of South Pittsburg followed. A forge, worked by colored men, was kept in operation on this vehicle."

Here is the destiny of Northern Labor, foreshadowed! Negroes To Work The Forges! Negroes To Take The Place Of White Men Who Are Killed In This "War For The African And His Race." And To Fill The Work Shops Of The North!--White Men, do you understand the Symbol? Negroes working a forge upon a wagon in a Republican procession Means That Negroes Shall Take Your Place In The Field Of Labor--Reduce The Wages Of Labor, and take the bread from your children's mouths!

The Shoddy party have declared that "the war is for the Africans and his race"--that "the war shall not cease till slavery is destroyed"--and, while our brave soldiers, the laborers and mechanics of the North, are bravely shedding their blood for the Union--Shoddy supporters of Lincoln are filling their places of labor at home with Negroes and are preparing to offer them the right of suffrage on perfect equality with and to control the votes of those same gallant white soldiers should they be spared to return home.

What will be the next step, when Labor has been reduced to the negro standard of cheapness, and the poor whites shall be compelled to consort with the blacks as their equals? Why Miscegenation--the Shoddy hope and prayer--is what is to follow.

White men! Laborers! Mechanics! Can you vote for Abe Lincoln--knowing these designs of the party whose candidate he is? No, you cannot! You will prove false to yourselves--to your homes--to your children, and to your posterity if you do! Vote for McClellan and all the Democratic candidates, and Forever crush this hideous, damnable negro mania!

(column 5)

Summary:

Says the Repository is wrong to suggest that congressional candidate General Coffroth had nothing to do with making it possible for conscripts to report in their own counties.

Names in Announcement:

General Coffroth

(column 5)

Summary:

Accuses congressional candidate General W. H. Koontz of carrying around a woman's petticoat in case he is ordered into service and wants to hide.

Names in Announcement:

General W. H. Koontz

(column 5)

Summary:

Says than any man who favors government compensation for the victims of the Chambersburg fire should vote for J. McDowell Sharpe and William S. Mitchell for the state assembly.

Names in Announcement:

J. McDowell Sharpe; William S. Mitchell

Lincoln Offers to Give McClellan the Highest Command in the Army!!!

(column 6)

Summary:

Accuses Lincoln of trying to buy off McClellan for the presidency by offering him the command of any army he wants or by promising to use his influence to help McClellan win the 1868 election.

Origin of Article:

Lancaster Intelligencer

(column 6)

Summary:

Reports that the county's Democrats have demonstrated an "unwavering" zeal in attending recent meetings. Notes that W. S. Stenger, Esq. and F. M. Kimmell have addressed each of the meetings.

Names in Announcement:

W. S. Stenger, Esq.; Hon. F. M. Kimmell

(column 6)

Summary:

Calls the Repository's allegation that Confederate Generals Lee and Early, as well as President Davis, support McClellan a "lie."

(column 6)

Summary:

Says that any voter who wants to see the Union restored and the rights of the people protected should vote Democratic.

The Reason Why

(column 6)

Summary:

Argues that a distrust in Colonel A. K. McClure is why the Pennsylvania legislature opposed giving Chambersburg relief money. Suggests that voters choose J. McDowell Sharpe and William S. Mitchell instead to represent Franklin County in the future.

Names in Announcement:

J. McDowell Sharpe; William S. Mitchell; Col. A. K. McClure

To the Polls

(column 7)

Summary:

Urges Democrats to work "unceasingly" to make sure everyone makes it to the polls in the upcoming election.

(column 7)

Summary:

Calls the Repository editor a "dangerous man," and suggests that he has been consorting with Confederate generals since he knows so much about their thoughts and future plans.

Excerpt:

"He must lately have had a confidential interview with the incendiary McCausland, as he informs the people that he (McCausland) would be willing to burn another town in order to secure the election of the Democratic ticket."

Rich Against Poor

(column 7)

Summary:

Appeals to "poor men" by pointing out that Republicans in Schuylkill County have called on rich coal operators to oppose McClellan, since his nomination has brought down the price of coal.

Excerpt:

"Poor men! who under this Lincoln dynasty have to pay enormous prices for everything, what do you think of this Abolition argument against McClellan, now that winter with its piercing blasts is coming rapidly on?"

Democrats Beware!

(column 7)

Summary:

Warns readers that Republicans are trying to win by distributing "Democratic" tickets with the names of Republican candidates written on them.

(column 7)

Summary:

Suggests that T. Jefferson Nill, an outspoken abolitionist, change his name to T. Lincoln Nill.

Names in Announcement:

T. Jefferson Nill

(column 7)

Summary:

Points out that John Cessna, who has criticized Judge Kimmell for changing parties once a judicial vacancy opened up, also switched parties after the Democrats failed to nominate him for governor of Pennsylvania.

Names in Announcement:

John Cessna; Judge Francis Kimmell

(column 7)

Summary:

Accuses the Repository editor of facilitating General Sheridan's losses in the Valley by feeding information to Confederate generals.

Page 3

Page Description:

Previously published political notices, column 2; political poetry, column 3; classified ads, columns 3-7

Another Abolition Gathering

(column 1)

Summary:

Reports on a Republican meeting in Chambersburg last Thursday and chastises the featured speaker, Hon. John Cessna, for denouncing the Democratic party (of which he was formerly a member).

Names in Announcement:

Hon. John Cessna

(column 1)

Summary:

Tells readers that voting in next Tuesday's election will fulfill their duty to their country.

(column 1)

Summary:

Thanks the Valley Spirit's Democratic friends for helping the paper to reconstruct its files of old issues.

Republican Delusions

(column 2)

Summary:

Lists twenty "delusions" under which Republican leaders are operating, including the belief that "every campaign [is] to be the last."

"To Whom it May Concern"

(column 2)

Summary:

Juxtaposes two essays written by Lincoln from March 4, 1861, and July 9, 1864. The former includes Lincoln's disavowal of any attempt to abolish slavery, and the latter shows how Lincoln changed to later support the abandonment of that institution.

Page 4

Page Description:

Classified ads, columns 1-7