Valley Spirit

Reprints a speech in the U.S. House of Representatives by Cong. W. A. Richardson of Illinois on May 19, 1862. In it Richardson cites a number of documents which purport to demonstrate the efforts of the Lincoln administration to place blacks on an equal social and economic footing as whites. Included among these are the provision of rations for "contraband" blacks in Washington D.C., the employment of blacks in D.C. as teamsters (to the exclusion of whites, claims Richardson), and the employment of blacks in the Navy as laborers. Richardson concludes by arguing that the superiority of the white race is a God-given fact, and that any attempt to equalize them has "always degraded the superior race."

Argues that the radical Republicans oppose the stated war goals of "preserving the Constitution as it is and restoring the Union as it was," and that if the Confederates were to surrender, the Republicans would refuse it. This is because, argues the article, the Republicans fear losing power more than they desire the restoration of the Union. The President is being driven toward abolitionism by the need to keep the party together, and the authors argue that he should disregard his party and spare himself embarrassments such as General Hunter's abolition order.

Alerts subscribers that their names are now printed on their papers, along with the date from which they owe money for their subscription to B. Y. Hamsher and Co. Subscriptions are $1.50 per year if paid in six months, and $1.75 if paid thereafter.

A number of Union cavalrymen, under the command of Horner, supposedly chopped down a flagpole bearing a union flag in Waynesboro two weeks ago. These same troopers assaulted the owner of the flagpole, Michael Hanstine. The editors call for these men to be drummed out of the army.

The Valley Spirit responds to accusations by the Transcript that the Spirit's criticisms of the resolution in support of abolition by the Lutheran General Synod was aimed at impeaching the loyalty of the Synod. The editors claim that their main argument was that the church should not meddle in politics, and not that the Lutherans were disloyal. The Spirit attacks the editor of the Transcript for his inability to discern the difference between the two.

Reprints part of an article from the New York Tribune that declares the battle at Chickahominy Creek outside of Richmond was a warning for the Union. The editors of the Valley Spirit protest what they see as sneering at the efforts of the Union troops and as an attempt to discredit General McClellan. The Tribune admitted that overall the battle was a Union victory, but that it had been poor planning to leave Union positions so exposed. The Valley Spirit argues that the sole reason that the Tribune takes this position is that McClellan is not an abolitionist, and they accuse the Tribune of demoralizing people with that sort of coverage.

The Democratic County Committee met on May 27 at Montgomery's Hotel. Hon. John Orr was chosen as the Senatorial Delegate, and Hon. Wilson Reilly as the Representative Delegate, to the upcoming Democratic State Convention.

This article follows up on one published several weeks ago regarding Captain Wishart's behavior at Shiloh. The earlier editorial had emphasized that Capt. Wishart had left his command unwillingly, when pressed into service as regimental surgeon. In the current editorial, the writer notes that a member of Wishart's company is circulating a letter claiming that Wishart left his post willingly, and the editors print a letter from Lt. Col. P. B. Housum denying the accusation made of Wishart

A meeting of citizens was held at the Court House on May 27 to devise a means of taking care of the sick and wounded soldiers passing through town. A committee consisting of Capt. J. M. Brown, J. S. Brown, Jacob Hoke, B. F. Nead, and John Mull, Esqs. was appointed. They have reserved a large room in the Masonic Hall that has been filled with beds, and arrangements have been made with local hotel keepers to provide meals for the patients. Expenses will be paid by contributions from local citizens, "who will, we are sure, as promptly and generously respond to this call as they have to every other for the maintenance and comfort of our brave soldiers."

The Carlisle Presbytery met in the Presbyterian Church of Chambersburg on June 3, and "our young friend" Thomas X. Orr was licensed as a preacher. The editors went to listen to his trial sermon and pronounced their satisfaction.

Several columns of war news, beginning with accounts of the "Victory Before Richmond" at the Chickahominy River, as well as several report on the pursuit of Stonewall Jackson's troops through the Shenandoah by Union forces.

The following officers were elected at a meeting of the Hope Fire Company: President, A. C. McGrath; Vice President, M. Shelito, P. Grove; Secretary, F. Snider; Chief Director, J. Snider; Chief Engineer, A. Mitchel; Asst. Engineers, H. Smith, P. Grove; Treasurer, W. Eyster; Directors, F. Housholder, J. Lesher, J. Montgomery, A. C. McGrath, A. Fleck, M. Shelito; Standing Committee, W. Eyster, C. Kinsler, A. Snider, B. Cook, P. Grove; Superintendent, A. Snider.

Samuel Gabler of Letterkenny married Violet A. Shoemaker of Roxbury on May 27.

Jacob Rife and Fanny Brubecker, both of Franklin County, were married on May 5.

Mrs. Mary Evans of Chambersburg died on June 8 at age 76.

John Stoler Cook, son of James and Catharine Cook, died near Mount Hope on June 8, at age 2 years, 8 months and 11 days.

Mrs. Elizabeth Lein died on May 29 in Hamilton Township at the age of 66 years, 5 months and 18 days.

Mary Ellen Brown died on June 1 near Fayetteville, age 3 years, 2 months and 4 days.

Mrs. Sarah Shew died on June 7 in Hamilton Township at the age of 58 years, 7 months and 1 day.

Samuel Deihl Senior died on June 2 at his residence near Marion at the age of 89 years 9 months and 5 days.