Valley Spirit: August 14, 1861 — Newspapers

Page 1

Page Description:

Page is misdated--it says August 10th, but should read August 14th.

The Work of Congress--Bills Passed by Either House

(column 4)

Summary:

Item lists bills passed by either house of Congress.

The Tariff and Direct Tax Bill

(column 5)

Summary:

Lists the provisions of the recently passed Congressional revenue act, including the tax rate on all raw and manufactured goods.

Page 2

Page Description:

Poetry, fiction, and miscellaneous war news.

Affairs at the Arsenal

(column 3)

Summary:

Describes activity at the Arsenal in Washington.

Origin of Article:

Washington Star

Excerpt:

"The activity noticeable at the Arsenal shows that 'no step is being taken backward' by the government in the prosecution of the war."

Statement of E.P. Doherty

(column 3)

Summary:

Doherty, a member of the N.Y. Seventy-first, describes his experience as a prisoner of the rebels.

The Police Commissioners of Baltimore and the Maryland Legislature

(column 5)

Summary:

Discusses civil unrest in Maryland.

A Queer People

(column 6)

Summary:

Discusses a recently released book of missionary travels in Africa in which the Doko people of Africa are described as backward people who make excellent slaves.

Origin of Article:

Chambers' Journal

Excerpt:

"The Doko seem to come nearest of all people yet discovered to that terrible cousin of humanity-'the ape.'"

Limits of the Sea in Ancient Times

(column 6)

Summary:

Reports that geologists have discovered that the sea used to reach much farther inland.

Page 3

Page Description:

Poetry, military reports, and advertisements

Page 4

Douglas Democrats

(column 1)

Summary:

Asserts that the Douglas Democrats are now beginning to see the error of having split the Democratic vote by voting for Douglas instead of Breckenridge.

Obnoxious Sentiments

(column 1)

Summary:

Criticizes a Dispatch writer, a self-proclaimed Democrat, for tolerating the Republican Administration.

Danger of Delay

(column 2)

Summary:

Advises a more careful examination of the Administration's war policy because, in the absence of a quick victory, foreign influence could become a problem.

Berks County

(column 2)

Summary:

The Democratic County Convention in Berks County adopted a resolution that stated that Democrats responded to the call for troops to save the Union, not to make war upon the South.

Admitted to Practice

(column 2)

Summary:

Announces that Daniel Thrush was admitted to the Franklin Bar.

Names in Announcement:

George W. Brewer; Daniel W. Thrush

Adjournment of Congress

(column 3)

Summary:

Reports the adjournment of Congress.

Excerpt:

"Some of the unconstitutional proceedings of the President were legalized while other of his Acts Congress refused to put through."

Slavery Abolished by Congress

(column 3)

Summary:

Reports a bill that deprives any slaveholder of his slaves if he gives aid to the rebels. The Gazette is outraged at this act that makes the abolition of slavery such a central war aim.

Origin of Article:

Bedford Gazette

Excerpt:

"Both Houses have passed the Confiscation Bill, which deprives every master of all his slaves found giving aid to the rebels."

Full Text of Article

This announcement will not be a startling one to those of our readers who have watched the recent proceedings in Congress. Both Houses have passed the Confiscation Bill, which deprives every master of all his slaves found giving aid to the rebels. As every slave in the Seceded States must necessarily, by his labor, give aid to the rebellion, this is a virtual and practical abolition of slavery, and was so intended by its authors. The bill was passed against the protest of Crittenden and other conservative advocates of the war, by a vote of 60 to 48. The Abolition of slavery will hereafter be a leading feature in the programme of the war.--Bedford Gazette

Col. James C. Boyd

(column 3)

Summary:

Reports the death of Col. Boyd.

Names in Announcement:

Col. James C. Boyd

Together Again

(column 4)

Summary:

Notes that both Gerrit Smith, the "crazy abolitionist," and the Chambersburg Times have published letters criticizing Breckenridge.

Excerpt:

"Birds of a feather flock together."

Financial Aspects of the War

(column 4)

Summary:

According to the Treasury Department, the cost of the war will exceed one million dollars a day.

(column 4)

Summary:

Reports that the new fifty dollar bill, while having Gen. Andrew Jackson's likeness on one side, will display Owen Lovejoy's on the other.

Excerpt:

"What a contrast! The one, a man whose statesmanship and firm hand crushed the incipient secession of his day. The other, a demagogue whose 'statesmanship' could take no higher flight than Abolition."

A New Party--Union for the Offices

(column 5)

Summary:

Sarcastically notes that a new party calling itself the Union party was formed in York, mostly of Republicans and certain erstwhile Democrats. The article asserts that the Democrats are still the true Union Party.

A Million of Men

(column 5)

Summary:

Two new bills passed by Congress have given the President the power to call one million men into the field.

Abolition Partisanship

(column 6)

Summary:

Maintains that the partisanship of the Massachusetts abolition leaders is beginning to disturb the moderate voters of that state.

(column 6)

Summary:

Asserts that those most in favor of the war were the first to panic and run at Manassas.

Page 5

Page Description:

Various items of national and military news; markets, column 6

The New Party Dodge--Stand by the Old Flag

(column 1)

Summary:

The Spirit warns Democrats to be wary of the new "Union" party as they are an anathema to Democrats.

Died

(column 6)

Summary:

Died on August 9 at age 41.

Names in Announcement:

George A. Cook

Died

(column 6)

Summary:

Died near Salem, Ohio on August 3 at age 31. Mr. Hendricks was formerly of Chambersburg.

Names in Announcement:

Nathan Hendricks, Jr.

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