Valley Spirit

The Republican newspapers are rejoicing over the Democratic split of Charleston, and uttering congratulations upon the prospect it opens for the election of a Republican President. It affords them intense pleasure to see the only national party in the country distracted and torn by the slavery question. They point to it as an evidence that an irrepressible conflict exists between two sections of this Union, and reiterate the taunt of the Southern extremists, that the Democratic party, as represented by the regular Convention, is now a sectional organization. It is perfectly fair in a party point of view that our enemies should take every advantage of difficulties in the Democratic ranks, but the transactions at Charleston will excite other emotions in the hearts of those who love this Union and tremble at the thought of its disruption. The division of the Democratic party by a geographical line upon the question of slavery , is the most ominous disaster that can happen to the country. When this bond is broken what remains to hold us together? What other national organization can take the place of the Democratic party, in case it is broken and scattered? This is a serious question, not only for Democrats, but for all men.

Within the last ten years sectional violence has snapped asunder many of the bonds that held the country together. The Whig party, which was national, gave way first, and the sectional Republican party took its place. Several of our leading religious denominations have been broken in two across the line dividing free from Slave States, and those that still retain a national character are often disturbed and agitated by the conflict. The breaking of these bonds all tend to alienation and the loss of that close fellowship necessary to safety. In the midst of the contest, while other powers gave way, the Democratic party alone, of all political organizations, withstood the shock. It alone furnished a rallying point for all national men. It alone withstood the destructive powers of Northern and Southern sectionalism. If the cause of nationality proves too heavy for it to carry, and the contending forces succeed in mastering it, we have indeed reached a point in our national history when reflecting and patriotic men may well inquire how long the country can survive this internal war--how can it be rescued from the madness of sectional factions? It will be a dark day for the country when there is no longer a national party to look to.

But, notwithstanding the difficulties at Charleston, we believe that the Democratic party will retain its national character, and that its organization will be maintained in every State in the Union. The platform adopted by the Convention has not a tinge of sectionalism in it, and the withdrawal of some of the extreme delegations only affords evidence that the platform is not sectional. The action of the Southern sectionalists is in fact a protest against the nationality of the Democratic party. It is well understood that these delegates do not present the unanimous opinion of their constituents, and while States like Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Maryland and Missouri remain firm, we have a better index of Southern opinion than that derived from the action of the extremists from Alabama and Mississippi. The irrational and sectional proceedings of the ultra men who desire to break up the Democratic party because they failed to engraft their peculiar notions upon the party creed, will be condemned and repudiated by the majority of their constituents, whose safety depends upon preserving the nationality of the Democratic organization.

We are confident that the hopes of the Republicans will not be realized, and that they will not have the pleasure of seeing the Democratic party sectionalized. But what must be thought of a party which rejoices at the prospect of seeing the whole country broken up into sectional parties? Can such a party have at heart the maintenance of the Union?

--The School Directors of the county assembled in Convention, in this place on Monday last, and organized by the appointment of Geo. W. Zigler, Esq., of Greencastle, to preside over their deliberations. The convention was largely attended and its proceeding conducted in a harmonious and business like manner. The Directors present from the several districts and boroughs, in the county, were all gentlemen of the highest respectability, and displayed a degree of intelligence, in the transaction of business, that we do not often see in similar public bodies, and which augurs well for the cause of Education in Franklin County. The principal business of the Convention was the selection of a County Superintendent. The choice fell on the former Superintendent, Mr. P. M. Shoemaker, of Upper Strasburg, who was reelected by a very complimentary vote, and the salary of his office raised from five to six hundred dollars. Mr. Shoemaker has done good service in behalf of our Public School System, and aided no little in bringing it into almost unanimous favor with the people, and we are happy to perceive that his labors have been appreciated by the Directors of the county. His re-appointment is a merited compliment and a just reward, to a good and faithful public officer.

--J. L. Deehert, the Hat man, has gone to New York to lay in a stock of Straw Hats, &c., for Summer wear. Look out for a splendid assortment, in a few days.