Valley Spirit

The "freedom" shriekers in Congress have demonstrated their hypocrisy lately in the most glaring manner. The vote of the Black Republicans and their anti- American allies of the Know Nothing party, upon the Oregon question, shows in the clearest possible light the professions of friendship for "freedom" and "popular sovereignty." Oregon is a free State, and there is not the remotest possibility that it will ever be changed in that respect. The Constitution is republican in form, there is more than the requisite population, and the only possible excuses these croakers in Congress can possibly have had for voting against her admission as a State, are, the niggers are not recognized as the equals of an infinitely superior race, and there is there and overwhelming Democratic majority; so these "traitors to freedom," these "dough faces of the first water," voted almost to a man against the bill. They were entirely willing to place their names upon the Congressional record as enemies to the admission of any more "free" States with Democratic proclivities. Only fifteen Republican members voted in favor of "freedom" and seventy three voted against it. We hope this fact will be carefully remembered.

The leading negro advocate in the United States, the New York Tribune, openly justifies the vote given by these "freedom" champions. That paper says:

"We hold that the great body of the Republicans voted just right on this question, and of course that the fifteen who separated from, opposed and defeated them, did a grievous wrong."

So, then, it is "a grievous wrong" to vote for the admission of a "free State" into this glorious confederacy, in the judgment of the sectional fanatics who control the columns of that unscrupulous and malignant partisan paper. The New York Times makes the following admission:

Oregon is a free State--her Constitution prohibiting slavery--and she will unquestionably always remain so."

Yet the Times opposes her admission, as well as its Black Republican rival, the Tribune. Oregon is a Democratic State, and is likely to remain so; white men are there acknowledged to be superior to negroes--which are quite sufficient reasons for the hypocritical Abolitionists objecting to her being allowed to enter the great family of republican sovereignties.

The Black Republican journals admit that the votes of the two Senators from Oregon settle the political complexion of the United States Senate, for the next six years. It will be Democratic beyond all peradventure. The admission of Oregon will give us three more votes at the next Presidential election. To be sure they will not be needed, but they will be not the less welcome on that account.

Our readers will not fail to bear in mind how faithful to the cause of "freedom" the Republicans in Congress have shown themselves--Philad'a Argus.

--The anniversary of Washington's birth day was celebrated in this place by a grand military parade. The Chambers Artillery, Light Dragoons, and St. Thomas Artillery parade our streets through the day and made a handsome and creditable appearance--The proficiency in drill and maneuvering displayed by those companies is the best and highest encomium that can be passed on the military talents of their respective commanders. In the evening we had a grand Military Ball, at Franklin Hall, which was well attended by "brave men and fair women" who enjoyed themselves in a very pleasant manner.

--The Protection Hook and Ladder Company is now fully organized and disciplined. It numbers sixty five members--The following named gentlemen have been elected Directors:--John H. Reed, P. B. Housum, J. P. Culbertson, A. J. Brand, F. S. Gillispie and Nicholas Snider. The second regular stated meeting of the Company will be held at their Hall on Friday evening next.

--Meetings were held at Highland's school house on Monday evening the 7th of February, 1859, at Sinkhole school house Tuesday evening the 8th, at Butler's school house, on Wednesday evening the 9th, at Gelwicks' school house on Thursday evening the 10th, and at St. Thomas Friday evening the 11th, all of which were regularly organized. At all the above meetings the county superintendent, P. M. Shoemaker, was introduced to the large and eager audience which he addressed in an elegant, appropriate and instructive style, on the working of the present school system and the great benefit resulting from the county superintendency and also visiting and examining the schools during the day in which were a number of citizens, directors and teachers of the township, who were well pleased with the examination of the schools and the active and energetic part Mr. P. M. Shoemaker took in the schools of St. Thomas and their welfare. It is generally, and in some parts of the county almost unanimously, believed that it is the principal that will give life and energy to the schools of the county. The following resolutions were also passed:

Resolved. That we approve of the County Superintendency.
Resolved. That our Thanks be tendered Mr. P. M. Shoemaker for the able, eloquent and instructive addresses delivered in St. Thomas Township.

J. W. COBLE, Secretary.