Valley Spirit

A subject which is now exciting considerable discussion in the Northern Border States, and which must continue to do so until it is definitely settled, is the question of negro immigration. The liberated slaves are finding their way into these States by thousands, and it is rapidly becoming the great political and social problem of the day what to do with them. Illinois has already decided that she will admit no more of them within her borders, and Ohio and Indiana are about to follow her example. Should all the Western Border States adopt the same policy, leaving only the one avenue open to the free States, it will be high time for Pennsylvania to consider what course philanthropy and self interest dictate that she should pursue. Will it be for the interest either of her citizens or of these poor unfortunates themselves, that they should be induced to settle in our midst? Does true philanthropy dictate that the slaves should be encouraged to leave their present condition, in the vain hope of finding a better; or do natural instinct, the invaluable lessons of history and the bitter teachings of experience tell us there is an impassible barrier, a great physical difference, between the races; so great that they can never exist on terms of equality, either in their political or social privileges; that the one is incapable of appreciating the blessings or of applying the benefits of liberty, while the other, by its superior intelligence, energy and character, and the prejudice always entertained against subordinates and inferiors, is driven inevitably to injustice and oppression. Said Mr. Lincoln to a committee of negroes who waited upon him, in last August: "You and we are difference races. We have between us a broader difference than exists between any other two races. Whether it is right or wrong I need not discuss, but this physical difference as [sic] a great disadvantage to us both, as I think. Even when you cease to be slaves you are far from being placed on an equality with the whites. On this broad continent not a single man of your race is made the equal of a single man of ours. Go where you are treated the best, and the ban is still upon you. I do not propose to discuss this, but to present it as a fact with which we have to deal." What, then, is the boasted liberty to which the false philanthropy of the North invites the slave? What but roofless, crowded, unhealthy hovels, fireless chimney-places, and a life of indolence, disease and crime? Let him who doubts the picture look at the wretchedness of those that, during the last two years, have come to us to find that liberty of which they have heard so much from the pulpit and the press of the North. You say they have found liberty--true, but they have also found starvation and rags. So great has been their destitution that, during the past winter, appeal after appeal has been made, individually and in our churches, to the benevolent, for their relief. Verily, freedom has proved but an empty name to many of them. Liberty is an enchanting word, but it won't find work for us, or buy us bread, or pay our rent, or get us clothes, or build us fires wherewithal to warm our shivering limbs. No, let us cast from our minds the fallacy that philanthropy and charity urge us to encourage the negroes of the South to come amongst us--to come forsooth, that they may be elevated! They but come to their everlasting degradation. Let us discourage, and if necessary forbid, their coming. The decree may sound harsh and inhuman, but it is for their good and our own; and, if natural and physical developments go for any thing in this world, it is in accordance with the inscrutable decree of the Almighty, who, for some wise purpose of his own, has set this great, natural, physical, constitutional difference between the races. The difference does exist; it must be dealt with as an existing fact; and he who complains of it, simply brings the charge of injustice or want of wisdom against the creator.

--A Tale of the Rebellion--Chapter the First. The Transcript has an army correspondent who writes from Newberee, over the signature "W.T.B." and who is quite a character in his own little way. As a "specimen brick" of his elaborate productions, we give a small extract from his last letter:

How are you, Copperheads? I really do hope that these few lines may find you in the highly gratifying condition of a Jackass turned out to die, Charitable! I guess it is charitable! You ought to be strung up to the telegraph poles along the Rail Road, with a board on your backs inscribed sic semper traitoribus! so that the world might see that we really did intend to annihilate the hybrids hatching in loyal nests. Yes, I really do wish that you were under the sod, so that the carbonic acid gas, and the vast, vast amount of heavy carburetted [sic] hydrogen of gas of which you are mostly composed, might be reproduced in pork--I doubt whether it would make a good beef--and somehow transmitted to Dixie, to feed your brethren in arms against this hated Republic. But just here, I'm reminded, that like produces like, and hence, the army of Jeff., having assimilated the bacon, would become refractory and profoundly cowardly; yes, yes its all right!--we would soon finish things then! I have found, wherever I have traveled, that the lowest, meanest, dirtiest, draggle tailed, whisky drinking, card-playing, horse-racing, hell-defying, in short, what might be expected as denizens of the purlieus of Hell, are Copperheads. Reader, examine the characters around you; how many really good, respectable citizens do you find arrayed against their country, blating against Abolitionists, just as the "Rebs" do--and preaching Union and peace, just as hypocrit[e]s cry heaven, with hell in their bosoms!"

We deem it unnecessary to refer to style or spirit of this communication--it is a sufficient answer unto itself; but it seems unfair to let this valiant knight, who is for pledging his gauntlet to such great things, go down to posterity "unwept, unhonored and unsung;" and we will therefore attempt a brief sketch of his life and character. His full maiden name is William Tell Barnitz. The place of his birth is, we learn, unknown, even to himself, although it is highly probable he was present on that eventful occasion. The early portion of his life was spent in Texas, which State he very unceremoniously left, between two days, for reasons best known to himself. He halted in his flight at Waynesboro', in this county, where he soon became known as a blatant and slanderous abolitionist, and wrote dirty, contemptible articles in the Village Record assailing and villifying [sic] many of the oldest and most highly respected inhabitants of that vicinity. Extravagant as were his professions of patriotism and bravery, he was the very first in the town to "skedaddle" when the rebels entered Maryland, and the very last to come back, after the enemy had been driven back into Virginia. Chivalric as he always pretended to be, he could never be induced to enlist in defence of his country, and would not now be in the army had he not been drafted and found himself unable to procure a substitute. His professions of "unconditional loyalty," as the terms are at present understood, soon secured for him a Captain's shoulder straps, and he is now making good his chances for promotion, by writing himself down an ass--an all-important qualification for office under the present dynasty. In his graphic account of the terrific charge across White Oak river into some deserted rebel entrenchments, the chivalrous knight forgets one important item, which we are enabled to furnish from one of our "army specials," always "on the spot." While crossing this river, after the scouts had reported no enemy in sight, the Captain suddenly became inspired with ecstatic valor, and, brandishing his bloodless sword in the air, wanted immediately to cut several hundred rebel throats in cold blood. But his pride was destined to have a fall; for, like his illustrious prototype, Don Quixote, when he attacked the windmills, his sword, striking the bridge, flew from his grasp, and sunk into the river, amidst the jeers and the hootings of all who saw the knight's mishap. "And, there," says our informant, "it is yet, and it is a matter of very little importance whether he ever gets it or not; for he would be the last man to use it, even if he does get into a pinch, which, in my opinion, he will take very good care not to." So much for William Tell Barnitz. Our limited space forbids a more extended notice. We have a few facts in reserve; and have simply intended in this article to show what manner of man he is who wants all the "Copperheads" "strung up to the telegraph poles along the rail road." In all sincerity we suggest to the Captain to modify his views before he returns to Franklin county, or during one of his valiant sallies, he may find a considerable quantity of copperhead boot-leather inserted somewheres about the lower end of his spinal column. We are not sufficiently classical, dear Captain, to imitate your chaste style, but allow us to make a bungle of the French for farewell, and say overtheriver.

We take pleasure in making the welcome announcement that Sanford's inimitable Ethiopian opera Troupe will give one of their unique and characteristic performances, in Franklin Hall, on this (Wednesday) evening. In these dull and gloomy times, it is well to laugh when we can find any thing to laugh at, and he who goes to Sanford's need not want an opportunity, for "Sam" is to behere [sic] himself.