Valley Spirit: April 29, 1863 — Newspapers

Swan on Sumner -- Speech of Hon. W. D. Swan

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Summary:

Senator W. D. Swan denounces the attempts of Senator Sumner to subsume the states in the Union, and to essentially recognize the act of secession by declaring the seceded states null and void. He also argues that Sumner and others have essentially threatened Lincoln with imposing a dictatorship if he did not issue the emancipation proclamation.

Excerpt:

"This policy, sir, of Mr. Sumner and his coadjutors, so persistently forced upon the President of the United States, at last compelled him, against his own judgement, to issue his proclamation in favor of emancipation."

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Page Description:

Includes miscellaneous Pennsylvania political news, as well as war news from Vicksburg and New Orleans.

"We'll be Gay and Happy Still"

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Summary:

The editors propose having a community picnic, and to invite their political enemies, particularly Lieutenant Albert S. Ashmead of the Provost Guard, and the editors of the Dispatch and Village Record. They could make it a genuine Union picnic, and once everybody is together and having a good time, a prayer could be offered that God would "turn to naught the counsels of wicked and foolish fanatics and restore this blood-bought Union of ours."

Names in Announcement:

Lieut. Albert S. Ashmead

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Summary:

The editors suggest that there is no need for a Provost Marshal in Chambersburg.

Names in Announcement:

Lieut. Albert S. Ashmead

Excerpt:

"One of our venerable and respected citizens asked us, one day last week, why it was that we had an institution such as a 'provost marshal' in this town?.... We felt ourselves unable to answer this very pertinent inquiry, but perhaps Mr. 'Albert S. Ashmead, Lieutenant and Provost Marshal' can."

Who Shall be Governor?

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Summary:

The editors note that the Democratic party of the state will meet in a few months to nominate candidates for Governor and Supreme Judge of the state. For Supreme Judge, the incumbent, Hon. Walter H. Lowrie, should be nominated, the editors argue, but the governor's race has no clear favorite. There are a number of people whose names have been mentioned, but no one's nomination is certain. The editors do not have a favorite, and mention no names, but they urge the party to avoid fighting among itself, as they feel this is the only way they could be defeated in the fall.

Origin of Article:

Erie Observer

Excerpt:

"The subject is one of too vast interest to allow it to be managed by a few hackneyed politicians, as it has too much in the past."

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Summary:

The editors suggest that the two "indignant Republican friends," who discontinued their subscriptions to the Spirit and Times after last week's article on the arrest of Solomon Helser, pick up a subscription to the Dispatch.

Excerpt:

"We have no doubt its high tone and dignified style, its freedom from low personalities and incendiary sentiments, would suit their tastes. Of course it matters not that the author of that chaste publication is a brainless fool, regarded so by the entire community, and withal a malicious scoundrel."

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Summary:

Provost Marshal Ashmead apparently took exception with some recent articles in the Spirit and Times, claiming it was "an effort to hamper the administration's holy desire to crush the wicked rebellion now at hand."

Names in Announcement:

Lieut. Albert S. Ashmead

Excerpt:

"Will the 'nice little man with the shoulder straps on' be kind enough to tell us exactly how much of the rebellion the arrest of Mr. Solomon Helser has crushed."

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The Democracy in Council

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Summary:

A "large and enthusiastic meeting of the Democracy" took place at the Court House on Saturday night. Capt. Samuel B. McKesson was elected president, and elected vice-presidents were: James Reilly and Col. John M. Gilmore of Chambersburg, Samuel West of Hamilton Township, and John Wolfkill of Guilford Township. William Kennedy, C. M. Duncan and W. S. Stenger, Esquires, were appointed to draft resolutions, which were the same as those passed by the Pennsylvania legislature and published earlier in the week, and which, when passed, signified to the editors the "manifest indication of the Democracy to cling to them in the fearful struggle for Constitutionally rights through which the nation is now passing." J. McD. Sharpe, W. S. Stenger, and William Kennedy, Esqs, all addressed the meeting. A committee for the permanent organization of a Democratic club was then appointed, consisting of Hiram M. White, John M. Gilmore, John S. Ludwig, B. F. Nead, and C. M. Duncan; a committee to draft the bylaws was also appointed, consisting of Hiram C. Keyser, John Armstrong, and George M. Stenger. The meeting was adjourned to reassemble at Montgomery's Hotel on Saturday, May 9.

Names in Announcement:

Capt. Samuel R. McKesson; James Reilly; Alexander H. Senseny; John R. Orr; Col. John M. Gilmore; Samuel West; John Wolfkill; William Kennedy, Esq.; C. M. Duncan, Esq.; W. S. Stenger, Esq.; J. McD. Sharpe, Esq.; Hiram M. White; John M. Gilmore; John S. Ludwig; B. F. Nead; Hiram C. Keyser; John Armstrong; George M. Stenger

Riot and Assaults

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Summary:

The editors cite a number of altercations between Chambersburg residents and members of the Provost Guard, and they call on the commanders of the Guard to prevent any further incidents.

Names in Announcement:

Lieut. Ashmead; Lieut. Palmer; Henry A. Smith; John P. Stouffer

Excerpt:

"It seems that Mr. Stouffer was on his way home, and meeting some of the guard, an altercation took place, when the guard drew their pistols and inflicted several blows on Stouffer's head and face, cutting him severely, and breaking his nose."

Full Text of Article

On Saturday night last, a difficulty occurred, at the edge of town, between Mr. John P. Stouffer, of this county, and some members of the Provost Guard--a portion of the first Maryland Cavalry. It seems that Mr. Stouffer was on his way home, and meeting some of the guard, an altercation took place, when the guard drew their pistols and inflicted several blows on Stouffer's head and face, cutting him severely, and breaking his nose. What the precise nature of the difficulty was, we have not yet learned; but from what we have heard we can see no cause at all for the malicious assault and we hope the offenders will be brought to justice, if we have any law left in this community.

At a later hour the same evening, another disturbance occurred between some of the guard and two or three of our german citizens, in which pistols were also drawn, but, we are happy to learn, no blood was spilled.

On last Monday evening, some dispute arose betwe[e]n some of our citizens and members of the Provost Guard, in which Henry A. Smith, a young man of this town, was severely stabbed in the thigh by a member of the Provost Guard, named Henderson. Smith ran a short distance after the wound was inflicted, and then fell; he was carried home, and is now lying in a very critical condition.

We know nothing whatever of the peculiar merits of either of these cases. But we do know that members of the Provost Guard participated in each of these disgraceful fights; and we ear[n]estly hope that Lieutenant Palmer will use his influence and authority over tho [sic] men in his command to prevent any similar occurrences in the future. We do not believe he had anything to do with these outbreaks himself; but the community will hold him responsible for the good behavior of his men.

Will "Lieutenant and Provost Marshal Ashmead" be kind enough to furnish us the addres[s] of Colonel Fish! That gentleman was supplied with a copy of our last issue and we desire to send him one of this week's papers also.

Fasting and Prayer

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Summary:

The editors endorse President Lincoln's designation of Thursday, this week, as a national day of humiliation, fasting and prayer.

Waynesboro Democratic Club

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Summary:

The Democrats of Washington Township are meeting on May 2 in Waynesboro for the purposes of establishing a Democratic club.

Our New Provost Marshal

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Summary:

The editors note the appointment of George Eyster, Esq., as the new Provost Marshal for the district under the conscription bill. While they would have preferred on of the other men listed above, as they all have been wounded in the field of battle and rendered unfit for active employment, they approve of Eyster more than anybody else from his political party.

Names in Announcement:

George Eyster, Esq.; Capt. John H. Reed; Capt. John Doebler; Col. Elder

Excerpt:

"He is a gentleman of ability, conservative in his views, and fair in his treatment of political opponents. Under his administration we need not fear for a repetition of some, often disgraceful, scenes which have occurred in our peaceful town during the last week."

Religious

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Summary:

Last Sabbath 33 new communicants were received into the Lutheran Church of Chambersburg, most of whom came into the church as a result of the "protracted meeting held in said church." The editors also report than another large number is expected to "unite with the church" next Sunday, and they praise the efforts of Rev. Steck in recruiting new members.

Names in Announcement:

Rev. Mr. Steck

Excerpt:

"On last Sabbath the sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered in the Lutheran church of this place, to an unusually large number of communicants."

Full Text of Article

On last Sabbath the sacrament of the Lord's supper was administered in the Lutheran church of this place, to an unusually large number of communicants. The Sunday previous 33 persons were received into the Church by the solemn rites of baptism and confirmation, most of whom were led to take this step through the instrumentality of the protracted meeting held in said church. We are informed that quite a number more are expected to unite with the church at the next communion. The labors of the Pastor, Rev. Mr. Steck, have thus been crowned with encouraging success.

The Militia

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Summary:

A report on the reduction of the pay of the militia by the Pennsylvania state Senate.

Excerpt:

"The House very justly granted a month's pay to the men of September; but the Senate hunkishly cut this down one half, with rations."

Full Text of Article

Among the bills passed by the State Legislature is one providing for the payment of the militia. The House very justly granted a month's pay to the men of September; but the Senate hunkishly cut this down one half, with rations. As the soldiers received no clothing, and rations are not to be charged, we suppose this half month's pay will be at the rate of full pay, and not at the rate of thirteen dollars a month, which will bring it to about the same thing for the privates.

Death of an Aged Lady

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Summary:

Mrs. Mary Brewer, widow of Jacob Brewer Sr. and mother of Hon. George W. Brewer, died on April 21 near Mercersburg, at the "advanced age" of 85. She was well known for her numerous acts of charity and benevolence.

Names in Announcement:

Mrs. Mary Brewer; Jacob Brewer, Sr.; George W. Brewer

Discharged and Mustered Out

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Summary:

Privates William Gaff and Isaac Doyle of Company A, 126th Reg't Penn. Volunteers, have recently been honorably discharged from service on account of disability. Richard M. Reynolds, son of Dr. Reynolds of Chambersburg, recently returned from the west, have been mustered out of service with the remainder of the original Anderson Body Guard.

Names in Announcement:

Private William Gaff; Private Isaac Doyle; Richard M. Reynolds; Dr. Reynolds

Recruiting Office Closed

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Summary:

Lieut. B. F. Winger of Company D, 2nd Pennsylvania Artillery, who has spent several months in Greencastle on a recruiting mission, has returned to rejoin his regiment now around the fortifications of the city of Washington. He was "remarkably successful" in obtaining recruits.

Origin of Article:

Greencastle Pilot

Names in Announcement:

Lieut. B. F. Winger

Negro Recruits

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Summary:

The editors note the departure for Massachusetts of 40 or 50 black recruits for the black army regiments being formed there.

Excerpt:

"We are only too glad to get rid of these worthless negroes; but we scarcely like the idea of their being credited to Massachusetts . . . "

Full Text of Article

Some forty or fifty black recruits for the Massachusetts Regiments, left this for Boston, on Monday morning last. We are only too glad to get rid of these worthless negroes; but we scarcely like the idea of their being credited to Massachusetts, and thus filling up her quota under the last draft, while Pennsylvania was compelled to fill her quota, under that same draft, with free white male citizens.

Removal

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Summary:

Dr. A. R. Shaw, homeopathist, has moved his office to North Main Street.

Names in Announcement:

Dr. A. R. Shaw

Died

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Summary:

Clara Reese Irvin, infant daughter of Isaac and Lydia Irvin, died on April 19 in Chambersburg, aged 3 years, 8 months and 21 days.

Names in Announcement:

Clara Reese Irvin; Isaac Irvin; Lydia Irvin

Died

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Summary:

Mrs. Barbara Smith died on April 15 in Chambersburg, aged 87 years.

Names in Announcement:

Mrs. Barbara Smith

County Treasurer

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Summary:

Samuel Baughman offers his name for the Democratic nomination for County Treasurer.

Names in Announcement:

Samuel Baughman

Clerk of the Courts

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Summary:

H. C. Phenicie announces his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for clerk of the courts.

Names in Announcement:

H. C. Phenicie

County Commissioner

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Summary:

An anonymous nomination of Jacob Brewer for the Democratic nomination for County Commissioner.

Trailer:

Welsh Run Democrat

Names in Announcement:

Jacob Brewer

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Page Description:

Classified advertisements.