Valley Spirit

Having assumed the country's helm in the midst of a terrible crisis, President Johnson benefitted from the people's reluctance to criticize a new president. Four months have passed, however, and now, the article contends, it is time for the honeymoon to end. Johnson's decision to keep the cabinet he inherited from his predecessor made sense under the circumstances, but if he chooses to retain those officials, many of whom have brought disrepute to the administration--namely Secretary Stanton--then the president must account for the actions of these individuals as though they were his own selections.

Lauds the appointment of Herschel V. Johnson as Georgia's Provisional Governor, and declares that, with a few solitary exceptions, most of the state's whites are prepared to accept the terms prescribed by President Johnson's Reconstruction policy in order to return to the Union.

Now that the rebellion has been put down, the political life of the Republican Party is nearly extinguished. In its place, the article insists, the Democratic Party, the only true national party, will soon resume its pre-war position of dominance. Though some commentators claim that the Democrats will have to be reconstructed with a new, post-bellum image, the writer disputes all such assertions.

Castigates those individuals and groups who have criticized President Johnson's selections for provisional governors, and suggests that it is not important whether the nominees are acceptable to the residents of Massachusetts or Iowa. Rather, it is the views of the Southerners that are most relevant.

Reports on the progress of the Atlantic Cable and the Pacific Railroad, both of which will have an enormous impact on the country when complete.

In contrast to the war, the problems posed by Reconstruction will be more difficult to solve because they cannot be corrected simply by marshalling armies and equipment. The article supports President Johnson's efforts to reunite the country and chastises Radical Republicans for erecting a variety of obstacles to impede the achievement of his goal.

Objects to a piece printed in the Repository that mocks President Johnson and his Democratic sympathies.

In response to an article that appeared in the Repository some weeks earlier, in which Democrats were castigated for their belief that the declaration that all men are created equal pertained only to whites, the Spirit admonishes their Republican rivals for their ignorance. Not until "the advent of Abolitionism as political power but a few years ago," the Democratic organ states, did the notion that blacks have any sort of rights exist.

Denounces the Radicals and their efforts to force black suffrage upon white America. The article casts the Reconstruction program, as advocated by the "radical element" in Congress, as a plot contrived by extremists bent on punishing white southerners. The Spirit alleges that the growing conflict between those who support President Johnson and those who endorse the Radicals threatens to return the country to war.

Applauds General Sherman for his stand regarding the question of black suffrage. The "most brilliant soldier of modern times" discussed his views in a speech delivered in Indianapolis, where he confirmed his opposition to granting freedmen the vote. Additionally, the general stated his support for a plan to colonize blacks in Florida.

The article gives a scathing physical description of a black soldier court-martialed for falling asleep at his post.

The intra-party conflict among the various Republican factions is coming to a head in Philadelphia where three competing interest groups--the Radicals, the city's Congressmen, and the Cameron-Forney camp--are battling to appoint their supporters to important patronage positions.

Provides the details of a law passed the winter before in Massachusetts that levies a fine of fifty dollars on every landlord who refuses to allow his black boarders to sit at the table with him and his white guests. The article maintains that several blacks have made a "small fortune" by taking advantage of the law.

The Republicans in Pennsylvania have settled on a platform that includes a demand for black suffrage throughout the South, and a change in Pennsylvania's constitution granting equal political rights to blacks and whites.

On July 26th, the twenty-ninth commencement for Franklin and Marshall College was held in Lancaster. Eighteen students received the Degree of A. M. in course, while Capt. M. D. Wickersham was presented with an honorary title of this degree. The honorary Degree of A.B. was awarded to Cyrus Boyer, Esq., and the title of D.D. was bestowed upon Rev. David Cole, a professor of Greek at Rutgers College. Rev. Libertus Van Bokkelen was conferred the L.L.D.. W. S. Stenger delivered the biennial address before the Literary Societies; Cyrus V. Mays provided the Master's oration; and Dr. Lewis H. Steiner presented the Alumni address. Ex-President Buchanan resigned his Presidency of the Board of Trustees. The position was assumed by John Cessna.

The catalogue for Pennsylvania College has come out for 1864-65, listing 16 Seniors, 15 Juniors, 18 Sophomore, 15 Freshmen, and 51 Preparations. The commencement will be held in the second week of August, beginning with the Baccalaureates Discourse on August 6th, given by Rev. Dr. Baugher. The Junior Exhibition is scheduled for the morning of the 9th and the Biennial Address before the Philomethean Society, presented by Prof. R. W. Hitchcock, on the same day. That afternoon, the Biennial Address of the Phrenakosmian Society will be performed by William B. Sprague, D. D. Rev. M. Valentine will deliver the Annual Address before the Alumni of the College in the evening. The Commencement exercises will take place on the morning of the 10th.

Wm. M. Beetem, a cashier at the Carlisle Deposit Bank, committed suicide by hanging himself in the garret of his dwelling. Mr. Beetem's lifeless body was discovered by two of his co-workers, Mr. Hassler and Mr. Underwood.

On July 28th, lightning struck the barn on the farm of the Misses Beatty, severely shocking Jacob Wolfe, who was inside the structure. Mr.Wolfe suffered no serious injuries, but the barn and its contents were destroyed, incurring $2,500 worth of damage.

On August 19th, blacks intend on holding a camp meeting near Shippensburg. The brief piece warns its readers that several "riots may confidently be expected."

On July 26th, Charles Fox, of Conshohocken, Montgomery county, married Charlotte Eyster at the bride's parents' house. The service was presided over by Rev. S. McHenry.

George Haulman, of St. Thomas, and Mary E. Rupert, of Hamilton township, were married on July 27th, by Rev. S. McHenry.

On July 27th, Rev. S. McHenry served as the minister in the marriage ceremony that united Cyrus W. Dosh to Louisa M. Gelwicks, both of Guilford township.

At a ceremony presided over by Rev. F. Dyson on July 27th, Patrick Downy, of Middleton, New York, wed Jane M. Duke.

Julia Ann Henneberger, 57, died in Newville, on July 16th. Henneberger is survived by her husband Peter.

On July 9th, Mrs. Nancy Parks, 63, died in St. Thomas.