Valley Spirit: April 8, 1863 — Newspapers

The Government and the Administration

(column 1)

Summary:

The most dangerous assumption of the party in power, say the editors, is that there is no difference between the government and the administration. Thus, criticism of the administration is interpreted as criticism of the government, and thus seen as disloyal and subject to restraint when habeas corpus is suspended. The editors then go into the differences between a government and an administration, and argue that their criticism of the administration actually strengthens, not weakens, the country, for it helps keep the administration's power bounded by the Constitution.

Excerpt:

"But some will say that we are weakening the Government by thus criticizing the acts of the administration. No. we will strengthen it, by bringing it back within the citadel of the Constitution, where it can withstand the attacks of its foes for ages."

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Summary:

The editors attack an editorial in the Repository and Transcript which accused the Democrats, when in power, of plunder and robbery. The Spirit and Times argues that the Repository's editor must have been asleep for the past two years, and missed the cases of George D. Morgan, Senators Chandler and Cummings, Assistant Secretary of War Tucker, Governor Curtain's shoddy, and the Pennsylvania horse contracts, all Republicans accused of swindling or nepotism.

Excerpt:

"Really, this ignorance in inexcusable in the editor of a political newspaper."

(column 3)

Summary:

Since the Emancipation Proclamation has failed to free the slaves of the South, says the writer sarcastically, a new tactic should be tried--pass a proclamation divorcing all the women of the South from their husbands. They give more aid and comfort to the rebels than the slaves, after all.

Origin of Article:

New York Herald

Excerpt:

"Now if the slaves of the rebels should be freed, why not free the wives of the rebels?"

(column 3)

Summary:

The editors publish a claim by the Repository and Transcript that General McClellan is a member of the Knights of the Golden Circle, a secret Democratic military society. Either provide proof of the claim, they demand, or retract the slander against McClellan.

Railroad Accident

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Summary:

John H. Laker of Quincy Township, while driving his wagon over the "Waynesboro Cut" across the railroad tracks, was hit by the afternoon train from Hagerstown last Saturday. He and his horse escaped without harm, but his wagon was destroyed. A public meeting held shortly thereafter in Quincy resolved to petition the legislature to pass a law forcing the railroad company to bridge the cut.

Names in Announcement:

John H. Laker

Democratic County Committee

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Summary:

Chairman H. C. Keyser requests a meeting of the Democratic County Committee on April 13 at the house of Mrs. Montgomery in Chambersburg. The committee is: Samuel M. Worley, Hiram M. White, William D. Guthrie, and Jacob Sellers of Chambersburg; C. D. Lesher, Antrim; Dr. J. Crawford, Concord; Dutton Madden, Dry Run; Martin Shoemaker, Greenvillage; Mathew McKee, Fayetteville; Daniel McKenzie, Guilford; Peter Row, Hamilton; Fred. Zullinger, Jr., Letterkenny; Hartman Dickhout, Loudon; William Shoemaker, Lurgan; Perry A. Rice, Mercersburg; John B. Kyle, Metal; William Orr, Sr., Orrstown; A. J. North, Peters; Ephraim J. Small, Quincy; William Cline, Southampton; John Croft, St. Thomas; Daniel Stake, Sulphur Springs; Joseph Phenice, Warren; D. B. Russel, Washington; William Reed, Dry Run.

Names in Announcement:

Samuel M. Worley; Hiram M. White; William D. Guthrie; Jacob Sellers; C. D. Lesher; Dr. J. Crawford; Dutton Madden; Martin Shoemaker; Mathew McKee; Daniel McKenzie; Peter Row; Fred Zullinger, Jr.; Hartman Dickhout; William Shoemaker; Perry A. Rice; John B. Kyle; William Orr, Sr.; A. J. North; Ephraim J. Small; William Cline; John Croft; Daniel Stake; Joseph Phenice; D. B. Russell; H. C. Keyser; William Reed

Disabled

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Summary:

Col. D. B. McKibben of the 158th Regiment Penn. Militia, was injured recently when his horse fell on him. He is now in Philadelphia, while Lieut. Col. Troxell is in command of the regiment.

Names in Announcement:

Lieut. Col. Troxell; Col. D. B. McKibben

Postponement

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Summary:

The anniversary of the Presbyterian Sabbath School has been postponed, due to inclement weather and the illness of ht pastor, until next Sunday. Hon. F. M. Kimmell, George R. Messersmith, and Rev. Mr. Niccolls will deliver addresses.

Names in Announcement:

Hon. F. M> Kimmell; George R. Messersmith; Rev. Mr. Niccolls

Lieut. Gordon

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Summary:

The writer notes the name of Lieut. D. S. Gordon, 2nd U. S. Cavalry, formerly of Waynesboro, as listed among the staff of Major General Schneck.

Origin of Article:

Waynesboro Record

Names in Announcement:

Lieut. D. S. Gordon

Convalescent

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Summary:

B. B. Henshey, Hospital Steward for the 126th Reg't Penn. Volunteers, was brought home last Saturday from Falmouth, Virginia, where he had become quite ill with fever.

Names in Announcement:

B. B. Henshey

Gone Home

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Summary:

Col. James Elder of the 126th Regiment Penn. Volunteers, passed through town on Saturday on his way home. He was brought on a stretcher from Washington. His coming delayed the train, as the North Central cars were late, and some of the Colonel's friends telegraphed the Cumberland Valley to detain its cars so he could make the connection. Elder is still suffering severely from the wounds sustained at Fredericksburg, and is unable to walk.

Names in Announcement:

Col. James G. Elder

Education in Chambersburg

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Summary:

The editors review the staff of the Female Seminary and the Chambersburg Academy.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. Henry Reeves; J. K. Shryock; J. R. Kinney; James F. Kennedy; Miss Flory; Miss Schively; Miss Virginia Reilly

Excerpt:

"It is with great gratification we refer to the high degree of prosperity of the educational institutions of Chambersburg. They seem to be meeting with almost as large a share of public favor as they did before the commencement of the war; and this is something that perhaps can be said of very few schools, colleges and seminaries in the country."

Full Text of Article

It is with great gratification we refer to the high degree of prosperity of the educational institutions of Chambersburg. They seem to be meeting with almost as large a share of public favor as they did before the commencement of the war; and this is something that perhaps can be said of very few schools, colleges and seminaries in the country. The young ladies seminary, under charge of the Rev. Henry Reeves, will commence a new half session on the 20th of April. The character of this institution is already so well established, and it has received such extensive patronage and given such general satisfaction, that we need only refer to the large and unexceptional corps of teachers--now more complete than ever before--whose names appear in another colmumn [sic]--to give a full endorsement to the declaration that this institution stands among the first--if not pre-eminently the very first--of the female seminaries in Pennsylvania.

Mr. J. K. Shryock has retired from the control of the Chambersburg Academy, and Mr. J.R. Kinney, Mr. Shryock's former assistant, has taken charge of it. The new principal is a graduate of Union College, Schenectady, N.Y. and came into our midst, last year, with the most flattering recommendations, all of which, we can say in candor, he has fulfilled to the utmost letter. On the withdrawal of the former principal, the Trustees unanimously elected Mr. Kinney as his suscessor [sic]. The character of the gentlemen composing the Board of Trustees, should make this a sufficient recommendation to parents wishing to send their sons to a good scientific and classical school. Mr. Kinney announces as his assistants--Rev. James F. Kennedy, teacher of the ancient and English classics; Miss Flory, teacher of primary department; Miss Schively, teacher of French and Drawing; and Miss Virginia Reilly, teacher of Music. Good and cheap boarding can be procured in town; and we learn the trustees have under consideration the erection of a boarding house in connection with the Academy. We hope this will be done soon, as it will grea[t]ly promote the success of the school.

An Improvement Demanded

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Summary:

The editors describe the scene on the road to the Cemetery during a recent funeral. The road has deteriorated so badly that the cart carrying the coffin was upset and the coffin was tossed to the ground. The editors declare this a disgrace to the community and demand that the City Council improve the street quickly.

Died

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Summary:

Hiram C. Small died on March 29 near St. Thomas, aged 5 years, 2 months and 16 days

Names in Announcement:

Hiram C. Small

Died

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Summary:

Mrs. Jane Harper, widow of George K. Harper, died on March 18, at the age of 75.

Names in Announcement:

Jane Harper; George K. Harper

Died

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Summary:

Mrs. Hannah McCumsey died in Funkstown (no date given), aged 70 years, 8 months and 7 days.

Names in Announcement:

Mrs. Hannah McCumsey

Died

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Summary:

Randall McDonald died on March 20 near Fannettsburg, aged 57 years.

Names in Announcement:

Randall McDonald

Died

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Summary:

Matthew Umbrel died at his residence near Fannettsburg on March 25, aged 39 years, 8 months and 23 days.

Names in Announcement:

Matthew Umbrel

Died

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Summary:

Mrs. Nancy Finefrock died on March 28 at the home of her son-in-law, Jeremiah L. Shank, in Chambersburg, at age 83.

Names in Announcement:

Jeremiah L. Shank; Mrs. Nancy Finefrock

Died

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Summary:

Miss Dorothy Jarrett died on April 4, after a few days illness, of pneumonia, in Chambersburg, aged 66 years, 1 month and 3 days.

Names in Announcement:

Miss Dorothy Jarrett