Valley Spirit

The Republican journals in this State, and many of them elsewhere, pretend not to approve of old Brown's armed invasion of Virginia for the purpose of murdering slaveholders and liberating their slaves. The Transcript of the 23d ult. had the modesty to say that "the worst enemies the South now has in this country--not even excepting the handful of abolitionists scattered over the land--are those self-styled Democratic papers and office hunting patriots who are endeavoring to create an impression that the recent rebellion at Harper's Ferry is a result of Republican doctrine on the question of slavery, and that the scheme was aided and abetted by republican leaders." The proof is too strong to admit of contradiction, that Republican leaders contributed to Brown's Harper's Ferry enterprise, as they had before contributed to keep him at his bloody work in Kansas. And since his arrest and conviction, not only has the bloody murderer been soothed by individual expression of sympathy and regard, but in New England public meetings, presided over by very prominent Republicans, have endorsed the murderer's conduct and taken measures to provide for his family as a special mark of their admiration for the man. At one of these meetings, held in the city of Boston and presided over by the author of the resolution adopted by the late Republican State Convention of Massachusetts, the shocking declaration was made by one of the speakers, that the hanging of Brown "would make the gallows as glorious as the cross." Thus it will be seen that in the very heart of New England, the stronghold of Republicanism, a Republican speaker, addressing a Republican meeting, put JOHN BROWN the murderer on a level with JESUS CHRIST the Saviour of mankind.

But we need not go to Boston for evidence of Republican sympathy for the old scoundrel who has just expiated his unparalleled crimes on the gallows. The Transcript of the date we have already named is brim-ful of admiration for BROWN. It has borrowed an editorial from the New York Independent entitled "JOHN BROWN'S Speech from the Scaffold," and printed it in the shape of original matter under an editorial head on its first page. This article is full of insult to Virginia, full of malice to the South, and full of admiration for the condemned murderer. The Transcript has no fear that "JOHN BROWN will make any concession or retraction," or "do anything but vindicate the principle upon which he has acted, and condemn to the last the system of slavery which he aimed to overthrow."--We presume he has died just as the Transcript hoped he would die, and just as the impenitent thief died. Criminals who reach BROWN'S degree of guilt seldom confess their crimes on the scaffold. It will not surprise us to hear that BROWN swung off with the lie on his lips that he told at his trial, that while he meant to free slaves, he did not mean to murder their master--a falsehood refuted by the murderous preparations he had made.

Such is the Transcript's admiration for BROWN, that it endorses his "Speech from the Scaffold" without waiting to see what he says. Cordially approving what he has done in the way of robbery and murder, it is willing to take his dying speech upon trust--to endorse it before its delivery. It says--"The speech he will utter from the scaffold will become historical--taking rank with those dying words of patriots, heroes and martyrs, which have become the watchwords of after-generations in the great conflicts and triumphs of freedom and truth." And for fear the "cowardice" of the people of Virginia might lead them not to "suffer BROWN to speak at all before the fatal noose is tied," the Transcript advises him "to deposit his last testimony in writing with some trusty friend who will see that it reaches the public eye." It would hardly be so extremely anxious to secure his dying speech as a "watchword for after-generations," if it did not approve of the robberies, murders and treason he has committed.

It is possible the whole Republican party of Franklin county will recognize as their organ a paper which thus openly expresses its approval of the invasion of a neighboring State and the murder of peaceable citizens? Are the Republicans of Franklin county in favor of extending an invitation to another gang of scoundrels to come to Chambersburg with boxes of rifles and pikes, and here organize and arrange for an attack on Harper's Ferry, Hagerstown or some other point South of the Pennsylvania line? It is time for peaceably-disposed and law-abiding Republicans-- and we presume there are a few of this sort in our county--to reflect whether it is not their solemn duty to abandon a party whose organ eulogizes as a "patriot, hero and martyr," a scoundrel whose only claim to admiration is that he stole upon their neighbors at the dead hour of mid-night and killed them without the smallest provocation. If it is right for the people of Franklin county to countenance assaults upon Hagerstown, it would also be right for the people of Washington county to countenance assaults upon Chambersburg. All who do not want to involve us in war with our neighbors across the line, must assist to put down such crazy and malignant Republicanism as the Transcript has run into. The citizens of Franklin county who will concur with the Transcript in calling JOHN BROWN a "patriot, hero and martyr," because he went to Harper's Ferry to steal slaves and murder their masters, would have nothing to complain of if a band of Marylanders or Virginians were to come over here to steal his horses and cattle--still less if the people of Washington county were to seize and hold his team if he sent it to Hagerstown or Williamsport with a load of flour or grain. If our people want it to come to this, let them sustain the Transcript in pronouncing the liar, thief, traitor and murderer BROWN a "patriot, hero and martyr."

We have no fault to find with the general course of remark indulged in by the Richmond Enquirer in relation to the Harper's Ferry murderers, but we do not like its reference to Pennsylvania in its issue of the 25th instant. After stating what has been done (and very properly done, in our opinion,) by Gov. Wise for the security of the citizens of Virginia, the Enquirer asks--"What have the Governors of Pennsylvania and Ohio done to protect a sister State from the lawlessness of their own people?" We would like the Enquirer to tell us what act of lawlessness the people of Pennsylvania have been guilty of. There was no citizen of our State in the band of assassins that murdered peaceable citizens at Harper's Ferry. It is true that some of the gang tarried in our town awhile, but they were strangers whose character and business were unknown to our citizens, and we are in no way responsible for their acts. If their designs had been known here, the United States marines would never have had to take the National Armory from them at Harper's Ferry. Chambersburg would have taken care of them without the aid of the General Government.

As for the letters received by Gov. Wise from various places in Pennsylvania, warning him of the formation of large parties for the purpose of rescuing Brown and his fellow-murderers, they are not worth the Governors' attention for a moment. Their writers are either knaves or fools. They are attempting to impose upon Gov. Wise, or else they themselves have been imposed upon. There is not one sane man in all this whole commonwealth whom any offer of reward could induce to join a party to rescue Brown--not that there are not enough of Black Republicans who would like to see Brown liberated, but because there is not one who would risk his own neck in a foolhardy attempt to save old Ossawatomie's.

Let Virginia proceed to string up Brown and all of his party who are now under sentence of death. They ought to be strung up, and if they are not rescued till citizens of Pennsylvania do it, the day of their rescue will be too distant to do them much good in this world. It would be perfectly safe to guarantee to Virginia ten thousand Pennsylvanian defenders to one Pennsylvanian assailant on the day on which she will execute just vengeance on the murderers of her citizens.

[The above article was intended for publication last week, but was thrown over till this time by circumstances beyond our control.]

The prisoner was brought out of jail at 11 o'clock. Before leaving he bade adieu to all his fellow prisoners, and was very affectionate to all except Cook. He charged Cook with having deceived and misled him in relation to the support he was to receive from the slaves. He was led to believe that they were ripe for insurrection, and had found that his representations were false. Cook denied the charge and made but little reply.

The prisoner then told the sheriff that he was ready. His arms were then pinioned, and with a black slouch hat and the same clothes he wore during the trial proceeded to the door apparently calm and cheerful. As he came outside the companies of infantry and one troop with Gen. Taliaffero and the entire staff were deploying in front of the jail, whilst an open wagon with a pine box in which was a fine oak coffin was waiting for him. He looked around and spoke to several persons he recognized, and walking down the step was assisted to the wagon and took his seat on the coffin box along with the jailor, Mr. Avis. He looked with interest on the fine military display, but made no remarks. The wagon moved off flanked with two files of riflemen in close order. On reaching the field, the military had already full possession, pickets were stationed and the citizens kept back at the point of the bayonet, from taking any position except that assigned them, nearly a quarter of a mile from the scaffold. Through the determined persistence of Dr. Rawlings, of Frank Leslie's, the order for excluding the press was partially rescinded, and they were assigned a position near the General's staff.

The prisoner walked up the steps firmly and was the first man on the gallows. Messrs. [illegible] and Campbell stood by his side, and after shaking hands and bidding an affectionate adieu, thanked them for their kindness, put the cap over his face and the rope around his neck--Mr. Avis asked him to step forward on the trap. He replied "You must lead me, I cannot see."

The rope was then adjusted and the military order given. The soldiers marched and counter marched and took a position as if the enemy was in sight and nearly ten minutes was thus occupied. The prisoner remained standing, and Mr. Avis asked if he was not tired. Brown replied, "No--not tired, but don't keep me waiting longer than is necessary."

He was swung off at 15 minutes after 11 o'clock. There was a slight grasping of the hands and twitching of the muscles and then all was quiet. The body was several times examined, and the pulse did not cease beating until after 35 minutes. It was then cut down and placed in the coffin and conveyed, under the military escort, to the depot, and put in a car to be carried to the Ferry by a special train at 4 o'clock. The whole arrangements [sic] were carried out with precision and military strictness that was most annoying.

The general conviction everywhere entertained was that the excitement regarding an expected rescue was caused by egregious hoaxes.

This morning Brown executed an instrument empowering Sheriff Campbell to administer on all property of his in the State, with directions to pay over the proceeds of the sale of the weapons, if recovered, to his widow and children.

Charlestown, Dec. 2--The reporter of the Associated Press telegraphed, yesterday, to Gov. Wise, for permission to attend the execution. The reply was that the Governor declined to accede to the request. No facilities will be extended to reporters.

Yesterday was passed quietly, with the exception of a great military bustle on the reception of Mrs. Brown. Mrs. Brown was escorted over from Harper's Ferry at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, and the entire military force was brought out to make a demonstration. She was received with full military honors, but her companions were not allowed to accompany her from Harper's Ferry.

After remaining four hours with her husband, Mrs. Brown was escorted back to Harper's Ferry at 9 o'clock, last night, where she will await the reception of her husband's body.

No one will be allowed to be near enough to the place of execution to hear any remarks that may be made by Brown.

Harper's Ferry, Dec. 2--John Brown was hung at quarter past eleven o'clock, this morning.

The military assembled at 9 o'clock, and were posted on the field leading to the place of execution, and also at various points, as laid down in the general orders.

Everything was conducted under the strictest military discipline, as if the town was in a state of siege.

Mounted scouts were stationed in the woods to the left of the scaffold, and picket guards were stationed out towards the Shenandoah Mountains, in the rear.

The military on the field formed two hollow squares. Within the inner one was the scaffold, and between the inner and outer lines citizens were admitted--no one being allowed outside of the lines except the mounted guards.

At eleven o'clock the prisoner was brought out of the jail, accompanied by Sheriff Campbell and Assistants and Capt. Avis, the jailor. A small wagon, containing a white pine coffin, was driven up, on which they took a seat.

Six companies of infantry, a rifle company, a company of horse, and the general and his staff, (numbering 25 officers,) headed the procession and marched towards the place of execution.

Brown was accompanied by no minister, and desired no religious ceremonies either in the jail or on the scaffold. He looked calmly around on the people, and was fully possessed during the trying occasion. He mounted the scaffold with a firm step. His arms were pinioned by the Sheriff. He bid farewell to Capt. Avis and Sheriff Campbell. At a quarter past eleven o'clock the drop of the scaffold was pulled, and after a few slight struggles John Brown yielded up his spirit.

The body was placed in a coffin, and is now on its way to Harper's Ferry, to be delivered to the wife, under a strong military escort.

--The Directors of the Poor have issued an order prohibiting persons from visiting the Alms House, and grounds attached, on Saturday and Sunday hereafter. A great many persons visit this institution through an idle curiosity, and some with a worse motive. Such visitors interfere very much with the discipline of the establishment and to prevent all such from intruding this order is issued.

Persons having business to transact will be admitted at all times as heretofore.

--The Directors of the Poor most positively and strictly prohibit strangers from visiting the Alms House, for the future, on Saturday and Sabbath, as well as the grounds thereto attached. All who have heretofore been in the habit of transgressing, in this respect, are requested to make a note of this.

--As an evidence of the prosperity of our town real estate has advanced in value within a few ears, far beyond the figures which property holders ever expected to realize. Capitalists hereabouts are now more eager to buy than to sell property, and seem to consider real estate the best paying investment for their money. We give a few instances which strikingly illustrate the upward tendency in price that property has recently taken in this place;

The "White Swan Hotel," purchased a few years ago by John W. Taylor for $2, 200 changed hands a few days ago for $8, 500.

The late residence of Judge Thompson, on Main Street, was recently sold to H. M. White, Esq., for $9, 675. A few years ago, it would have been difficult to have obtained for it $6, 000.

The dwelling house and store room of the late Geo. S. Eyster was sold, a short time ago, for $10, 950. This property we consider still cheap at that price, though it is a considerable advance on the estimate we heard the owner place on it but only a very few years ago.

One of the Arcade Buildings was sold at private sale, a few weeks ago, for $1, 150. It was put up at public sale four years ago and a bid of only $900 could be obtained.

--The laboring hands employed on the Franklin Railroad have been on strike for several days in consequence of a reduction of then cents a day on their wages.-- They formerly received $1 a day and it is proposed to cut their wages down to 90 cents on account of the shortness of the days at this season of the year. The hands demand their old wages and refuse to go to work unless they receive it. We hope the matter may be speedily arranged and that no delay in opening the road may occur through a cause of this kind.