Valley Spirit

C. R. Buckalew, the newly elected senator from Pennsylvania, writes in a letter to the Central Democratic Club of Philadelphia on Washington's Birthday that the role of the Democrats is to drive the Republicans from power and reverse their policies of expanding the war aims into engaging the issues of blacks. He decries what he sees as the arbitrary exercise of power by the administration, and quotes Washington to the effect that the military must be cautious about not becoming transgressors of the laws they seek to uphold. Buckalew urges a policy of conciliation toward the conservative men in the South.

The Spirit's editor notes the adjournment of the 37th Congress with relief. While this Congress started out with a conservative, patriotic declaration of war, it was quickly taken hold of by fanatical, radical leaders who twisted the purposes of the war. The men who dared to defend the old Constitution were "sneered and hooted in their seats." The editor hopes that the country will never see the like of this Congress again.

The editor draws the reader's attention to the letter from C. R. Buckalew printed on page one. He then goes on to discuss the impending changes in the politics of the state. Pennsylvania will now be represented in the Senate by Buckalew, a Democrat, and a conservative Republican "who votes with us on all the vital questions of the day." In addition, the Congressional delegation has fourteen Democrats and ten Republicans, and the whole state government is "thoroughly Democratic." It is a pattern that can be found across the North, the editor says, and soon the Democratic party will be restored to national power.

Quotes from a dispatch written by Secretary of State Seward, wherein he speculates that radicals in both the North and South had conspired to instigate a "servile war," one by rebelling against the Union and the other by promoting emancipation. If this is indeed Seward's sentiment, the editor says, he should have opposed the Emancipation Proclamation publicly and cleared himself of any guilt by association.

Reprints a report that states that Union officers have been arrested for mutinous conduct in connection with the arrival of black troops.

This writer sends a copy of an editorial from the New York Methodist, reporting on a speech given by Wendell Phillips in Henry Ward Beecher's church. In his talk, Phillips stated that he would not accept the reestablishment of the Union without emancipation. This was the same line given by Beecher as well as by Horace Greeley, says the editorialist, and they cannot escape the judgement that they are as much for secession as Southern leaders.

A report from a correspondent with the 126th Reg't Penn. Reserves, encamped near Fredericksburg, Virginia. He describes a Confederate raid on their lines, reflects on the organization of the Army of the Potomac and its chances for taking Fredericksburg, and relates a number of promotions and sicknesses.

Persons holding Eyster & Brothers currency are requested to present it for redemption at the store before April 1.

The Democrats of Green Township are requested to meet in Scotland on Saturday the 14th and in Fayetteville that same evening to nominate a ticket for township elections in the spring.

Adjutant Stewart of the 126th Reg't Penn. Volunteers and Private George Wampler of Company A of the same regiment were home last week on ten days furlough. They returned to the regiment on Monday.

A memorial written by a friend of T. J. C. McGrath, of Company A, 126th Reg't Penn. Volunteers, who died of typhoid fever in a military hospital on March 3.

A meeting of the Bar was held at the offices of Hon. Wilson Reilly for the purposes of giving expression to their feelings in regard to the death of T. J. C. McGrath, Esq. They adopted resolutions commemorating McGrath and moved to publish them in the local papers.

A resolution prepared by a committee of the Chambersburg Lodge No. 175 I. O. O. F. commemorating its member, T. J. C. McGrath, and noting that he was the third member of "its little band of brothers" to have perished in the war.

Private Henry Clay Bitner, son of John Bitner, the miller who resides three miles away from Chambersburg on the banks of the Conococheague, and a member of Company E, 156th Reg't Penn. Militia, died on February 19 in Newbern, North Carolina of congestive fever. His body has been forwarded home, and will arrive this week.

The editors argue that Franklin Street, from Market Street to the Cemetery, should be macadamized. It is in worse condition than almost any other road in town, and many roads that are less traveled are kept in better condition. Since there are so many funerals these days, the community will not object to paying a little more tax to get the job done.

Martha Scott Montgomery, wife of James Montgomery, M.D., died on February 22, in Fannettsburg, at the age of 51.

N. S. Derringer, formerly of Franklin County, died on December 25, 1862, at a hospital near Falmouth, Virginia, of wounds received during the battle of Fredericksburg. He was a member of the 24th Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.