Valley Spirit: December 4, 1861 — Newspapers

Page 1

Page Description:

Columns 1-4 contain Jeff Davis' address to the Confederate Congress. Columns 5 and 6 are miscellaneous war news.

Page 2

Page Description:

Poetry and fiction

Page 3

Page Description:

Poetry, anecdotes, and advertisements

Page 4

President Davis's Message

(column 1)

Summary:

Criticizes the points made in Davis's message, particularly his rationale for invading Kentucky and his attempt to arouse England against the United States over the Mason and Slidell affair.

Putting Down the Screws

(column 3)

Summary:

Complains that the Republicans are encouraging their partisans to withdraw their patronage from Democratic papers. The Spirit asserts that there is more to a newspaper than merely politics and consequently these concerns should not dissuade subscribers and advertisers.

Excerpt:

"Must persecuting rampant Abolitionism be permitted to interfere with the private business of men, and must we hereafter deal with those only who agree with us in politics?"

Interesting Letter

(column 4)

Summary:

Letter from a Union soldier in South Carolina who claims Chambersburg as his home town. In the letter, he describes life in the war.

Page 5

Look at Home

(column 1)

Summary:

Encourages those who have the means to donate to charity at home, particularly to those who have family in the army.

Case of Conscience

(column 1)

Summary:

Reports that the money and watch that were stolen from a young man visiting Chambersburg were returned.

Names in Announcement:

A. H. McCurloh

Slight Fire

(column 1)

Summary:

Reports a small fire at the Straw-house.

Card of Thanks

(column 1)

Summary:

Card from Camp Slifer thanks the ladies of Chambersburg for their donation of socks.

How to Turn the World Topsy Turvey

(column 2)

Summary:

Virulently racist article opposing abolition.

Excerpt:

"Civilization would be put back a hundred years, Republican institutions destroyed, and our country follow in the footsteps of Mexico and Central America, where a hideous and disgusting mongrelism has made the fairest country in the world 'a hell upon earth.'"

Full Text of Article

Let the Abolitionists go on in their plan of turning loose 4,000,000 indolent negroes, and destroy the production of cotton. Some ten millions of white people would be thrown out of employment, clothing would advance in price at least 100 per cent.--Poor people would have to go back to linsey woolsey. Sugar would cost about 25 cts. per pound, Northern grain and provisions, now extensively consumed South, would have no market there. The negroes would spread over the North to fill the alms-houses and be supported by white labor, or underwork it. Civilization would be put back a hundred years. Republican institutions destroyed, and our country follow in the footsteps of Mexico and Central America, where a hideous and disgusting mongrelism has made the fairest country in the world "a hell upon earth."

Married

(column 6)

Summary:

Married on November 27.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. S. R. McHenry; David Croft; Ellen Kinneard

Married

(column 6)

Summary:

Married on November 29.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. Schneck; Francis Rodenhape; Anna West

Married

(column 6)

Summary:

Married on November 26.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. M. Harris; Stephen Steach; Charity Hicks

Died

(column 6)

Summary:

Died on November 16, aged 5 years.

Names in Announcement:

Mary Sackman

Died

(column 6)

Summary:

Died on November 21, aged 70 years.

Names in Announcement:

Lydia Rhoads

Died

(column 6)

Summary:

Died on November 19, aged 36 years.

Names in Announcement:

Andrew A. Thompson

Died

(column 6)

Summary:

Died on November 24, aged 80 years. Mr. Elliott was the brother of Rev. David Elliott of the Presbyterian Church in Mercersburg.

Names in Announcement:

Robert Elliott

Page 6

Page Description:

Saving for Old Age

(column 1)

Summary:

Encourages people to save money and health for their old age.

Excerpt:

"Many a foolish young fellow will throw away on a holiday a certain amount of nervous energy, which he will never feel the want of until he is seventy."