Valley Spirit

Transcripts of speeches from a mass meeting held in Philadelphia to protest the arrest of C. L. Vallandigham. The meeting was addressed by Ex-Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ellis Lewis and Hon. Chas. J. Biddle.

The editors quote passages from editorials in the Transcript that attack the Democratic club meeting at Franklin Hall the previous week. The Transcript accuses the Democrats of being "false to the country" and of attempting to "stifle the administration in Washington." It concludes by saying "down with the villain who thus boldly bears his traitor heart and is hypocritical enough to mingle with his treasonable speech pitiful whinings for the Union." The editors of the Spirit and Times insinuate that the editor of the Transcript is insane and proclaim the right of Democrats to assemble at any time. The Spirit defies the editor of the Transcript to prove that any element of the speeches justified the language he used to attack them.

The editors say that while they had ceased mentioning anything to do with the "slander and scurrility usually found in the Dispatch," they had to defend Hon. Wm. H. Miller, a speaker at the recent Democratic club meeting, from the slander heaped on him by the Dispatch's article, "A Feast of Treason." The article could only have been meant to start a riot at the meeting, which the editor of the Dispatch tried to do himself at the meeting. The individual who gave the Dispatch his evidence had heard it on a trip to Harrisburg as part of the official delegation to welcome back the 126th Regiment. While talking to some Democrats, this unnamed individual misinterpreted some of their statements while he was "under the influence of his intense patriotism or something else."

The editors attack a report in the Gettysburg Star and Banner, edited by J. T. McIlhenny, Esq., which stated that the "Copperhead" meeting in Chambersburg was disrupted by "nine-month men" cheering for Hooker. Rather, say the editors, most of the veterans there were Democrats and they helped clear the hall of the "cowardly crew who came there for the purpose of disturbing the meeting."

The editors direct the reader's attention to the speeches on page one from the mass meeting in Philadelphia, which protested the arrest of C. L. Vallandigham. The thirty thousand people who allegedly attended the gathering demonstrate to the editors that the "great popular heart still beats true to constitutional freedom."

The editors ask those who "rail at slavery" to show what can be done for blacks that is better. They claim not to want to defend slavery, but state that it has evolved out of the "necessities of the two races in contact." They argue that any changes to the institution would take ages. If blacks would be better off without slavery, then they should be released if such an action would bring no harm to whites. However, the editors doubt that the lot of blacks would be improved by emancipation.

The editors celebrate the cessation of publication of the Dispatch. While they bore no personal hostility toward the proprietors, it amazed them that people could get so caught up in a "fanatical idea" that they lost all sense of "honor, decency, or propriety, and the regard for the rights and feelings of others."

The editors note that something recently had changed the demeanor of their junior partner, William Kennedy. He appeared anxious and his heart was not in his work. When questioned, Kennedy revealed he was to be married, and the editors direct the reader's attention to the report under "Married."

Snively Strickler has sold the Repository and Transcript to Col. A. K. McClure and his partner, H. S. Stoner, Esq. The new firm takes possession this week and will issue its first edition next week, under the paper's old name, the Franklin Repository. The editors regret "the loss of our friend Strickler from the editorial fraternity," but praise McClure's "enviable reputation" as a journalist, and Stoner's reputation as a "excellent business man and an honorable, high-minded gentleman." They also note that the partners have purchased the Dispatch and are shutting it down, leaving only one Republican newspaper in town.

The Commissioner of Internal Revenue has ruled that the profits of a manufacturer are not exempt from the income tax, even though the manufacturer has paid an excise tax on the articles he makes.

Improvements are being made at the "Mansion Home"--the "unsightly" portico has been removed and the business rooms in front have been refurbished. "Our literary friend" Shryock has moved his book store to the room formerly occupied by the saving fund, while Lieut. Ashmead has taken over Shryock's old quarters; Dr. L. N. Snively occupies a room between the two.

A new telegraph line between Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Pittsburgh will be in operation by next fall. The two new wires will originate in Philadelphia, pass through Lancaster and Harrisburg to Chambersburg, proceed from there to Pittsburgh, and connect there with planned western lines that will extend to Chicago and Cairo.

Solomon Helser and his son John, who were arrested by the Provost Marshal, sent to Baltimore and then outside the Union lines, have been released and are now back at their homes.

Captain Crawford Washington of the 13th U.S. Infantry was wounded in an attack on the Confederate works at Vicksburg. A battalion of the 13th, numbering about 200, made a gallant charge but were repulsed with a loss of about half their number killed or wounded.

The Attorney General has prepared an opinion which states that the payment of $300 in lieu of service when drafted is mandatory, and cannot be set at a lesser fee. It also exempts the person from only that one draft, and a similar liability is incurred during subsequent drafts.

Soldiers wishing to receive a pension need to apply within a year of their discharge to begin receiving it from the date of discharge. Applications made after a year will receive the pension from the date of their application.

John Snyder, a workman in the employ of Eyster, Hamilton & Co., died from injuries received after falling from a scaffolding in front of the Mansion House on Friday. He was not at first thought to be seriously injured, but he died the following day. He was an "honest, industrious" young man and leaves a wife and child.

The enrollment previous to the draft is now underway in the county. It is likely that the draft will not be made before August 1. The editors do not anticipate any trouble, as they have not heard of anybody "disposed to resist the law."

The Christian Commission will meet "in aid of the objects of the association" at the Lutheran Church in Chambersburg on Friday.

William Kennedy of Chambersburg and Ellen A. Culbertson of Baltimore were married on June 4 in the Central Presbyterian Church in Baltimore.

James P. Speer and Mary A. Over, both of Strasburg, Franklin County, were married on June 4.

Robert W. Moore and Anna Reese, both of Chambersburg, were married on June 2.

Mary Alice Gelwicks, daughter of Labright and Barbara Gelwicks, died on June 3 at the age of 1 year and 4 months.

Miss Mary Foote, daughter of the Rev. D. Foote, late of Woodstock, Virginia, died in Chambersburg on May 31, at age 21.