Valley Spirit

An excellent opportunity was presented last week in the United States Senate for the utterance of cheap patriotic sentiments. Senator McCreary, of Kentucky, asked leave to introduce a resolution restoring the Arlington property, near Washington, to the widow of Robert E. Lee. This property was owned by General Lee, or his wife, at the outbreak of the war, and was abandoned by them when Lee took command of the Confederate army.

In looking about for a place to bury the dead who fell in that vicinity, Stanton and his co-adjustors selected Arlington. One would have thought that in their search for such a place for such a purpose, they would have taken extraordinary care to see that the title of the Government to the property would be unimpeachable for all time to come. But strange to say, they seem to have overlooked this matter altogether. The prominent idea with them was, that the selection of this ground would be most mortifying to the Confederate chief, and for that reason, it was chosen. Accordingly, the remains of many brave Union soldiers, as well as those of many who fought under the Confederate banner, have been interred upon the Arlington property. It is now claimed that the title to this property is in the heirs of General Lee.

Of this, there can be no doubt. All this fuming and fretting, all this foaming at the mouth and gnashing of the teeth in a frenzy of patriotic feeling, amounts to nothing. It is well enough to be patriotic, but true patriotism never seeks to override law. And all this glowing declamation about the sacredness of the graves of the Union dead, and all these bitter epithets and fierce anathemas, leveled at the head of Senator McCreary, do not and can not wipe out the fact that the Government has no shadow of title to the ground in which these bodies lie.

It is in the power of the Senate to refuse leave to introduce such a resolution. It is in the power of the press to denounce the mover of the resolution for his indiscretion and want of consideration for the gallant Union dead. But this does not settle the question satisfactorily.

Let it be admitted that Lee was a traitor of the darkest dye. But the Constitution of the United States it is provided that "no attainder of treason shall work corruption of blood, nor forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted." Congress is, therefore, forbidden to pass any bills of attainder, or forfeiture, except during the life of the offender. If General Lee was the owner of the Arlington property at the beginning of the war, and committed treason, that treason worked a forfeiture of the property during his life, and at his death, it reverted to his heirs at law. This is precisely the state of facts and no amount of bluster, or rhetoric, or invective can alter it.

We recognize no wisdom in the Senate treating the proposition of the Senator from Kentucky in the manner they did. The difficulty in regard to this property must be met some day, and the sooner it is met, the better. We would have the remains of our soldier dead rest there until the sound of the resurrection trumpet. We feel all the horror that any of these blatant patriots feel at the idea of disturbing their bones. But we would have them rest, if possible, on ground the title to which will be forever incontestable. It strikes us, therefore, that it would be better for grave, dignified and reverend Senators to set about the work of settling this question permanently, instead of talking buncombe for their constituents.

This Arlington property ought to be purchased from the heirs of Robert E. Lee. That is the way, and the only way, to solve the problem, and the sooner members of Congress turn their attention to that view of the subject, the better it will be for the peace of mind of those who have relatives and friends buried there, and the more satisfactory will it be to the law-abiding and constitution-loving citizens of the Union. They ought to take immediate measures, in accordance with the constitution and laws, to secure this resting place of our dead from molestation forever. But this summary mode of postponing the question, by refusing to listen to anything on the subject, will not accomplish that result. Suppose that the legal heirs of General Lee were to take possession of the Arlington property. By what authority would the Government eject them?

When the negro Rainey was sworn in, as a member of Congress from South Carolina, about ten days ago, the first to congratulate him was Maynard of Tennessee, and next came Cessna and Kelley of Pennsylvania.

Cessna knows that his negromania helped to defeat him in this district, but he hopes to gain favor in the eyes of Radical members of Congress, by this exhibition of attention to the negro, so as to obtain their sympathy in his contest with Meyers. The people of the Sixteenth district do not want a representative in Congress who delights in fraternizing with negroes.

Greencastle has a sensation. The Echo, in a paragraph under the above heading, says: "This mysterious personage has again commenced her peregrinations through the town, as she was seen on several occasions last week in various sections of the borough. She is said to be a tall, gaunt, cadaverous looking female, and does not appear to look any older than when she first made her appearance some ten years ago. The fleetness and noiselessness of her movements is the secret by which she preserves her mysterious role. If the truth were known, we have no doubt that she would prove to be some rascally he wag strolling around (probably with gum shoes on) trying to create a sensation. A good sized club laid on vigorously across her or his spinal column would, we think, soon solve the mystery of the woman in black."

The first annual re-union of the surviving members of the 126th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, was held in Chambersburg on Tuesday, Dec. 13th, 1870. Some two hundred officers and men of the 126th were present, besides invited guests from other regiments. The Committee of Arrangements consisted of the following persons:--Chairman, T.M. Mahon; Sergt. John A. Seiders, Lieut. Geo. F. Platt, Lieut. Josiah W. Fletcher, Lieut. Geo. W. Welsh and Sergt. Harry Strickler. For the well arranged programme and the able and successful manner in which all the proceedings were conducted, this Committee deserves great credit.

According to the programme the regiment first assembled in the Court House at 1 1/2 o'clock P.M., where the Address of Welcome and Annual Oration were delivered. The meeting was called to order by T.M. Mahon, and the exercises opened with prayer by Rev. J. Ault.

He returned thanks to Him who had permitted the meeting of the day. Though many had been called to lay down their lives on the field of battle or to die a lingering death in the damp tent or loathsome hospital, a goodly number was spared to meet in peace, when the fires of rebellion were quenched and the honor of the Government sustained. He prayed for the President; the Government; all public councils, that they might rule in the fear of God; for the Nation in its sin, that repenting it might become an example of righteousness to all the world; that He would bless these returned soldiers in all their pursuits. When duty called, they buckled on the armor of Liberty, might they now gird on that of the Spirit, and as they fought under the "Banner of the Stars" for the preservation of the Union, might they now also go forth and battle under the banner of Christ for the gaining of His kingdom.

The following officers were then elected: President, Col. James G. Elder; Vice Presidents, Capt. Wm. H. Davidson and Sergt. John A. Seiders; Secretary, Lieut. W.H. Mackey; Treasurer, Sergt. McLellan.

Col. Elder on taking the chair said:

Ladies and Gentlemen:--It affords me great pleasure to meet so many of you here to-day. Comrades of the 126th, I greet you who have come to-day to this re-union.--We meet to mourn for our comrades slain, and rejoice with those living. I bid you welcome.

Col. Elder was followed by Lieut. Col. Rowe in an address of welcome.

After the address was delivered a recess of ten minutes was voted, for the purpose of allowing the members an opportunity to welcome Gen. Tyler. They crowded around their old leader and no doubt felt a welcome, truer than words could express, in the hearty grasp of each soldier's hand.

The recess over, the following business was transacted: The report of the Committee on Constitution &c. accepted, and the following Constitution and By Laws adopted:

Constitution

The object of this organization is to promote and encourage among the survivors of the 126th Regiment P.V. the feelings of friendship and sympathy which grew up among its members during their services in the war of the rebellion, and to perpetuate the memory of their deceased comrades and of the scenes and incidents which they saw and experienced.

I. This organization shall consist of the officers and privates of the 126th Regiment who subscribe their names to the Constitution and pay the annual dues prescribed by the By-Laws.

II. The officers shall consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, and Treasurer, to be ejected by a vote of the members of the annual meeting.

III. The regular annual meeting shall be held on the 13th day of December in each year, at a place to be designated at the regular meeting of the preceding year.

By-Laws

I. Each member of the organization shall be required to pay into the Treasury the sum of fifty cents yearly.

II. It shall be the duty of the Treasurer to report at each annual meeting the financial condition of the organization.

The report of the Committee on Officers for the ensuing year accepted: President, Major R.S. Brownson; Vice President, Capt. J.H. Walker; Secretary, Lieut. G.W. Welsh; Treasurer, Sergt. Harry Strickler.

The report of the Committee on Speakers accepted: Orator--Wm. Kennedy, Address of Welcome--Thad. M. Mahone.

Greencastle was determined upon as the place of next meeting, Dec. 12th, 1871.

Before adjournment the following resolutions were moved and adopted:

Resolved, That we tender our thanks to the Editors of the Valley Spirit, Franklin Repository, Public Opinion, Valley Echo, Village Record, Mercersburg Journal, Fulton Democrat, Valley Sentinel, Shippensburg News, Carlisle Volunteer, Carlisle Herald, State Journal, Morning Patriot, Juniata Democrat & Register, and the Juniata Republican, for their kindness in publishing the notices of our Re-union sent to them by the Committee of Arrangement.

Resolved, That a copy of the above Resolutions be sent to the Editors of the said papers.

Adjourned till 5 o'clock P. M.

Banquet

At five and a half o'clock P.M. the regiment re-assembled at Repository Hall. Here the taste and good judgement of the Com. of arrangements were well displayed in the beautiful manner in which the hall was decorated and in the convenience of all the arrangements. Three tables were spread with an abundant supply of those "good things" which delight the inner man which had been prepared by E Shank, the genial proprietor of the Montgomery House, who knows how, if any one does, to tempt the palate and spoil digestion. To prevent confusion the middle table was reserved for the ladies and other invited guests, whilst the "old boys" of the 126th, after Rev. J. Ault had asked a blessing "did good service on the flanks." After supper the guests were provided with seats, and the members of the regiment gathered round the middle table and pledged to cold water the following toasts, proposed by Col. Rowe:

First: "The Union."

Lieut. Jere. Cook responded briefly to the sentiment--"The Union"--by saying that so much has already been well spoken during the progress of the day's exercises that he felt they would thank him for being brief, and he was as willing to confer that favor as they were to receive it. He was the more willing to be brief because the toast announced, presented an exhaustless subject. After a few pointed remarks as to the origin of the Union, and the central idea about which it was framed, the principle that all men are created equal, he stated that the antagonism which existed on that subject led to the rebellion. War was accepted by the Government to preserve the Union.

"That," continued Mr. Cook, "is why it seems to me fit and proper that this sentiment should be entertained by us. But for the war, we would not be assembled in the capacity we are; and as we fought in defence of the Union, at our first re-union to recall the memory of those terrible scenes of war and bloodshed now almost overgrown with the luxuriant growth of the fruits of peace, we naturally rejoice that the Union is safe.

"It seems to me that this sentiment ought to convey something more to our minds than the idea of the integrity of the nation. It is true there are no states missing in the restored Union, but this is not all that is required to constitute a perfect Union. We all rejoice heartily that our armies were able to hold the rebellious states in the Union in spite of the madness of secession, but we rejoice far more at the unmistakable signs of returning reason to the people of those states, and the evidences of their growing love for the old flag and government. All these satisfy us that the end has justified the war. Let us recognize in this sentiment the facts, that our re-union has no sectional feeling in it, and no sentiment of hostility toward those who were arrayed in arms against the Union, but have returned to her in good faith and sincerity; that this is a Union of the people of the United States, as well as of the several States, that ours is a homogeneous government, that we are one people. Let us give special expression to the thought that whatever of rejoicing we feel and express here, some of it, at least, is due to the recognition of the fact that the Union which was preserved through the war has brought un-numbered blessings to those who in their madness fought against it with arms in their hands, as well as to those who were triumphant in the war, and that the blessed fruits of peace are to-day acknowledged and prized by them as well as they are by us.

Second:--"The Patriotic women of America." Response by Wm. Kennedy.

You do well to propose a toast to women, for in our idea of this worlds happiness woman and toast are inseparably connected. I appreciate the feeling of gratitude which prompted the committee to make this toast an essential part in their programme. For without women I would like to know where any of us would be tonight, and more, there is not one of us would have a button on his shirt. "Women," said the great Toodles in a Herculean effort to vent the feelings that swelled in his bosom, "women, lovely women, your a trump." With women on our side we win the battle of life. Some one has said "woman is like ivy the greater the ruin the closer she clings, and he was a sour old bachelor who perverted it into the closer she clings the greater the ruin. Woman sir is the necessity of our being; the great Creator saw it was not good for man to be alone, so He gave him woman to increase his joys and double his expenses. But we are to talk of the patriotic women of America. They like the Spartan Mother never nursed a coward; she told her son when she sent him forth to do battle "Come back with your shield or on it," but how much higher and nobler is her character who gave her son and left the issue with the God of battle. It is my duty on this occasion to speak of those women, who through the weary night hours watched by the bedside of the suffering, binding up wounds; administering the cooling draught, whispering words of comfort, closing the eyes in death, and bearing the last message to loved ones at home. If it be true that drying a single tear is greater than shedding rivers of gore then we must yield the palm to woman.

While we were in the battle forgetting our danger in excitement she was suffering at home. My comrades it does require some courage to stand in battle, but you will agree that not upon man but woman the sorrow must fall.

Third:--"To our dead comrades." Drank in silence.

Fourth:--"The Army." Response by Gen. Tyler.

In responding to the sentiment which has just been announced, I feel as if it would have been better if you had selected some one who belonged to the regiment rather than me to respond, and the more so, since it is not my forte to make speeches, in other words I'm not a "speechist."

Looking back we find that the first organization of armies was among the Egyptians; several thousand men were arranged in what they called the army. The army was divided into divisions. The men were armed with pikes and swords and there were no cannon and muskets in those days, but this is history and I'll leave it and come down to our army which raises its hat to the "stars and stripes;" the army which forms the nucleus around which the citizens of our government rally to protect it in time of danger. Its dead, its living heroes we all know and it would be folly for me to stand here and try to portray them. It is due to-night that I should repeat what I made a part of the official history of the war, that it is a pleasure for me to be surrounded by these men who performed their duty as soldiers honorable and well, what can I say more? It seems to me that that covers the ground. I will say that I always felt honored by the alacrity with which you performed my commands, and shall carry the feeling to my grave. It must, it should be gratifying to the pride of every one to know that their record is without spot; theirs is the pride of sustaining their country, right or wrong, preferring that it should be right , but their country right or wrong. This is the fourth regimental re-union I have attended since the war, and none can be compared to this. There is nothing more gratifying to him who has been honored by commanding men than to know that his men think he has done his duty. The government gave me the power to comand but you did the work. God bless you.

Fifth:--"The citizen soldier." Responded to by Lieut. Geo W. Welsh.

The tyrants of the Earth, in all ages, have sustained themselves upon their thrones by the power of standing armies, supported by resources wrung from the hands of their toiling subjects. By this means the ambitious and selfish have enslaved and perpetuated the slavery of millions. Wrest, for a day, from the hands of Emperor, King, Czar and Sultan the power of these hired soldiers, and the next dispatch which flashes beneath the Atlantic from the Old World will proclaim that in all Europe there exists not a throne, crown or sceptre. Remove from the soldiers which purpose these armies all hope of gain and preferment, and they will disappear like mist before the rising sun. Stimulated only by promises of reward and promotion, without an impulse of patriotism, these mercenary wretches have become traitors to the best interest of their fellow men, the tools by which despots rivet their shackles on the limbs of their victims.

How different the character of the citizen soldier! Stimulated only by patriotism, and love of race, the citizen soldier ignoring all selfish interests has been the defence of liberty in every age. Wherever the iron grasp of despotism has been broken, wherever the freedom of a people has been achieved, it has been done by the citizen soldier. Look at the history of your own government. It was the citizen soldier who achieved your liberties, the citizen soldier who has defended and sustained them. In every battle of the revolution from the opening fray at Lexington to the closing fight at Yorktown, it was the citizen soldier who met the drilled and disciplined hireling of the tyrant and at last vanquished and drove him from our shores. In our late war with England, veterans who had been drilled and disciplined under the eye of Wellington, soldiers who in Europe had been the victors of many a bloody field, were vanquished by the untrained citizen soldier in almost every battle from Niagara to New Orleans. It was the citizen soldier who sustained our nation's honor in every battle in the war with Mexico and planted our flag on the walls of her capitol.

An in the last great struggle for national life, it was the citizen, untrained in war, who at the call of his country in the hour of her extreme peril relinquished his peaceful avocation, and from work bench and plough and desk came to her defence and crushed the power of treason and rebellion.

Despots may sustain their thrones by the power of a mercenary soldiery but the liberties of a free people when threatened by tyranny are only to be sustained and defended by the patriotism of the people themselves.

Sixth:--"The Comrades of other Regiments." Response by Capt. G.W. Skinner.

Mr. Chairman:--I certainly did not expect to be called upon to respond to this or any other toast. My eloquent friend, Mr. Kennedy, has broadly asserted here this evening that no American mother ever nursed a coward, but I am afraid I am about to disprove the truth of his assertion by shirking the duty you, sir, have just imposed on me. Besides, by your own intimation, the time for this part of the programme of the evening has passed. I must go so far, however, as to thank you and the gallant boys of the 126th, in behalf of my comrades of other regiments, for your kind remembrance of us on this occasion. I feel that it is no uncommon honor you have done us--Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville toasting the other battle fields of the war. Between all soldiers, Mr. Chairman, there exists a common bond of sympathy. It was well said by Col. Rowe in his address of Welcome to-day, that we are all in a manner brothers. Yes, brothers. Having been called forth to succor the same cause, having passed through the same routine of duties, and having shared the same kind of dangers--the tie that binds us is almost as strong as that which draws to one another the hearts of those who, in childhood's hour, knelt at the same parental knee. Between my own regiment, which held a re-union here a few weeks ago, and the 126th there exists a peculiar bond of sympathy. It might be said that the same section sent us forth, and in the ranks of the one were numbered many friends and relatives of those in the ranks of the other.--We gave you our sympathy in the field; we felt proud of your bravery, and we unite to-night, present and absent ones alike, in wishing you a good time generally. Again we thank you for your kindness.

Seventh--"The Loyal People of the Border who fought the enemy at the front while their homes were ravaged by rebel invaders." Response by Lieut. Pott.

Lieut. Pott in his response took occasion to refer to the repeated invasions made by the rebel armies into the defenceless border counties, and the havoc made by them upon the property of loyal citizens, many of whom were at the front fighting the common enemy, and animadverted severely but forcibly upon the unwarranted assaults of the press of the State upon our citizens in their appeal to the Legislature for relief. We regret that the extreme length to which he extended his remarks compels us to forego the pleasure of publishing them in full, and it would be doing him manifest injustice to present an unsatisfactory abstract of them.

The toasts: "Pennsylvania, the Keystone," "The Flag," "The 126th Reg. P.V." "Our Fulton County Comrades," "Our Juniata County Comrades," were taken together and responded to by all the members of the regiment in three hearty cheers.

Interesting letters and dispatches were received from a number of members of the regiment, whose attendance great distance and other circumstances rendered impossible. Kindly greetings and remembrances, tender sympathies for the old associates and expressions of regret that they could not be present came from the far off Pacific coast, from Nebraska, from New Orleans, from Baltimore and other points.

The Regiment now adjourned to the Court House to listen to the recitations and await part fourth of the programme.

Mr. Samuel Palmer was introduced and recited the "Charge of the Light Brigade" in an excellent manner. As no one had been chosen to complete the next part of the programme a vote was taken and Sheriff Fletcher was called upon to recite "Sheridan's Ride." The Sheriff, after remarking that he stood on delicate ground in attempting to recite this "poet-praised poem of an artist poet," delivered the production very well indeed.

The Promenade Concert followed next and, as it was intended it should be, it was the crowning feature of the day. On re-entering the Hall we found the scene entirely changed. The tables were cleared away and the room was crowded with ladies and gentlemen, promenading. Ladies from abroad and the pretty girls of Chambersburg as well, with the Chambersburg Cornet Band and Orchestra discoursing inspiring music and the floor all ready for dancing, is it surprising, good folks, that those inclined to trip the "light fantastic" could not resist the temptation to dance? And dance they did till the midnight hour had struck, and the shriek of the locomotive whistle warned the delegations from abroad that it was time to leave. The citizens of Chambersburg will long remember with pleasure the happy re-union of those brave defenders of the nation's honor, who fought at the front while their homes were ravaged by rebel invaders.