Valley Spirit

This famous individual is likely to have more trouble to re-elect himself, or even to re-nominate himself than was at first supposed. The movement initiated in the early part of the winter, to have himself re-nominated through the action of the State Legislatures has come to a sudden halt. The friends of Mr. Chase, determined not to be out-generaled in this style, have drawn the sword in defence of their favorite candidate. The first declaration of open hostilities appeared about a week ago, in the shape of a circular signed by Senator Pomerey, of Kansas, from which we make the following extract:

So long as no efforts were made to forestall the political action of the people, it was both wise and patriotic for all true friends of the government to devote their influence to the suppression of the rebellion. But when it becomes evident that party machinery and official influence are being used to secure the perpetuation of the present administration, those who conscientiously believe that the interests of the country and of freedom demand a change in favor of vigor, and purity, and nationality, have no choice but to appeal at once to the people at once to the people, before it shall be too late to secure to fair discussion of principles.

Those in behalf of whom this communication is made, have thoughtfully surveyed the political field, and have arrived at the following conclusions:

1. That, even were the re-election of Mr. Lincoln desirable, it is practically impossible against the union of influence which will oppose him.

2. That, should he be re-elected, his manifest tendency toward compromises and temporary expedients of policy will become stronger during a second term than it has been in the first, and the cause of human liberty and the dignity and honor of the nation, suffer proportionately; while the war may continue to languish during his whole administration till the public debt shall become a burden too great to be borne.

3. That the patronage of the government, through the necesities [sic] of the war, has been so rapidly increased, and to such an enormous extent, and so loosely placed, as to render the application of the [illegible] term principle" absolutely essential to the certain safety of our republican institutions.

This is pretty strong talk to come from one of the most "loyal" men in the country. It would almost pass for the language of a "copperhead."

Another circular issued by the friends of Mr. Chase, has since made its appearance." This circular has been circulated extensively throughout the West, and animadverts still more severely on the conduct of the "Government." Indeed it smacks strongly of treason according to the Administration mode of defining that term. We publish an article on the first page containing copious extracts from this document to which we call the attention of our readers. We will simply give one short extract, in this connection, to show the animus of the document:

"This vacillation and indecision of the President has been the real cause why our well-appointed armies have not succeeded in the destruction of the rebellion. He has constantly been going between these two theories, taking no positive ground for either but holding on to the skirts of both.--Whether from the feebleness of his will which has been unequal to the alternate pressure of the respective leaders of these theories, or whether from the want of intellectual grasp, he has really been unable to comprehend their philosophy, or from the want of political principle and indifference to truth, he has, with that species of cunning which characterizes a certain class of lawyers, sought to ride both theories, for the purpose of securing his re-election. The cant about "Honest Old Abe" was at first amusing, it then became ridiculous, but now it is absolutely criminal.

What think our "loyal" neighbors of this language as applied to their great Master and Lawgiver? Truly, when rogues fall our honest men may expect to get their rights.

The bill introduced in the House of Representatives at Harrisburg some time ago by Mr. Sharpe, to indemnify the citizens of the border counties for losses sustained by rebel invasions and by our own militia, has not yet been passed.--It was up for discussion on last Wednesday evening, at which time Mr. Sharpe made a most masterly and unanswerable speech in favor of the measure. He defended the loyalty and patriotism of his constituents, and portrayed in glowing terms the hardships that have been endured by the citizens of the border, and the almost perpetual annoyance and suspense to which they are subject owing to their proximity to the rebel lines. He urged the passage of the bill on the ground that every Government was bound to protect its citizens in the enjoyment of their rights of person and property, and where they suffered loss of property by reason of the invasion of an enemy, every principle of justice and right demanded that they should be indemnified by the State, whose duty it was to afford them protection. His speech was a powerful and convincing argument and was listened to with marked attention by all who heard it delivered. The citizens of the border counties owe Mr. Sharpe a lasting debt of gratitude for the zeal and ability with which he has defended their interests in this matter.

We are sorry to see a disposition manifested on the Republican side of the House to prevent the passage of this bill. So far their opposition has been shown by offering obnoxious amendments to embarrass the action of its friends. But we can tell these gentlemen that they will shoulder a heavy responsibility if they undertake to defeat this just and equitable measure for the relief of the suffering citizens of this section of the State. Before the last election, for the purpose of obtaining votes for the Republican ticket, Republican stump speakers, solemnly pledged their party in favor of the payment, by the State, of all the losses sustained by our citizens. We ask our people now to watch the course of the Republican members of the Legislature, and if the damage bill is defeated let the responsibility be placed upon the right shoulders.

Dissolution of the Republcan [sic] Party.--The Albany Statesman, the most ultra of the Republican press, confesses that "the proud and numerous party which was represented in the Convention at Chicago, no longer retains an existence. It has been dissipated by the action of its chosen head. The Administration, therefore, stands in the anomalous and painful position of having no organized political support outside the circle of its own office-holders and retainers--a very noisy but by no means controlling faction."

Looking for the causes of this dissolution, it finds them in the falsehood of the administration to its principles, and in this other fact, to which all will bear witness, that--

A pack of sharks, hungry, villainous and incorrigible, have fastened upon the public treasury and depleted it at the rate of millions monthly; that the patronage of the Federal Government has been bestowed upon those with whom the electors if allowed an exercise of choice, would have absolutely refused all dealings--until high places of trust are held by known and convicted cormorants, and men drive fast horses and live in freestone houses purchased with the United States greenbacks, who ought to be pegging shoes in State prisons.

Murders are getting to be very prevalent all over the State, and in fact, all over the country. Scarcely a week passes without our having to chronicle a murder or two in some part of the country. On Wednesday morning last the body of an unknown man, apparently about 20 years of age, was found in a lime kiln on the premises of Wm. B. Gabby Esq., near the Franklin Railroad, about four miles from this place.--Various marks on the body indicated that he had been foully dealt with. A wound in the neck inflicted by some sharp instrument which severed the jugular vein must have occasioned his death in a short time. A dislocated shoulder and a number of contusions on different parts of the body induce the belief that a severe struggle occurred between the deceased and his murderer. A small muslin bag was found turned inside out, near the corpse, but the instrument with which the deed was committed was not discovered. On Monday previous, the deceased in company with a negro visited the store of Mr. H. C. McKnight in Marion and purchased some small articles, and on the same evening they were seen together going in the direction of the limekiln where the body was found. No marks or papers were found which give any indication of the name or residence of the deceased. The inquest held on the body, from the evidence before it, came to the conclusion that the deceased was murdered by this unknown negro. The body was brought to the county alms house and intered [sic].