The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-09-11
COMMUNICATIONS.
Stops and Marks-No. 10.
LANCASTER. Pa. Aug. 20. 1863.

LANCASTER, PA, Aug 30, 1868.
To the Editor Of the Press:
The last left me upon the easter n slope of
the Alleghanies, sliding down from glory to
glory, among the magnificent ranges which
grew beautifully less, as we swept onward
toward the Capital. Before reaching Harris
burg, the Juniata is lost in the Susquehanna.
which river we cross by long bridge to enter
the city. On the South end of this bridge, as
nseveral other like positions on the Junata,
strong block houses have been erected to
guard the bridges against destruction hy guer-
rillas. Time forbids our stopping to explore
the objects of interest at Harrisburg. A fur
ther ride of about forty miles, through a fine
agricultural region, brings us to the city of
Lancaster, once the capital of the State and
stall maintaining very staid and substantial
appearance, as ii it had not forgotten its for
mer dignity! Its gas and water-works, its
massive and elegant courthouse. the peniten-
tiary with its lofty tower, aud Fulton Hall. are
It's most prominent public buildings. Private
residences are substantial and safe, rather than
palatfal in style. In calling them safe have
particular reference to the shutters which close
the windows of the lower story, and sometimes
those OF the second, which at night are shut
and bolted with as much care as are the DOORS
Painted white, as they are in most cases, they
contrast singuiarly with the red brick walls.
This is doubtless Dutch taste. The same pe-
culiarity is seen in Philadelphia and other Penn
sylrania cities, and becomes less offensive 10
New England eye on further acquaintance
OF the Lancaster hotels nothing need be said
Three miles from the city, over elayed-
tsrnl and along fine fields and gardens,
We reach the suburban village of Milersvie,
the seat Of the oldest normal school of the
State. Twoothers are Ia operation elsewhere.
Two extensive brick buildings, three stories
high, with ample rooms for the normal and
model classes, accommodate from 300 TO 400
students, preparing to become teachers of the
public schools. The Institution was closed in
haste, at the time of Lees invasion. Prof.
Wickersham at once summoned around him
his students and other young men of that
neghborhood, and with a full regiment entered
the service of the State as their Colonel He
has just returned from the field, and is prepar-
ing to enter upon his Fall campaign in another
kind OF training. We find in Pennsylvania
and the West, as in Maine, that the teachers
in our common and higher schools and col
leges, have gone to the rescue of our imper-
lied liberties with an earnest and intelligent
patriotism not surpassed in any other class Of
men.
Returning from the Normal School to Lam
caster, had two or three hours upon my
hands for further explorations Strolling into
the upper part OF the city northwestwatd,
flnd myself moving in the direction of Frank
lin and Marshall College - now closed for va
cation. II is single edifice of somewhat inn
posing exterior, furnishing no domitories for
students, who are thus compelled to live with
families in the city. The Coegeis said to be
less prosperous than in former days.
Beyond the College a half mile or more. is
Wheatland, the residence Of Ex-President Bu-
chanan. 1t isa serious quest ion whether 10
extend our walk in the direction of the Ex-
Presidents mansion. My curiosity however.
prevails over my objections. Entering the
well shaded grounds l approach the plain
brick mansion, doubling whether to send in
my card. But "a cat may look upon king"
as saith the adage. A plain Democratic Re
publican may perhaps look upon an Ex-Presi-
dent The porter who ushers me into the
drawing-room returns after fewminutes with /
the message that Mr.. Buchanan though some
what indsposed, will be pleased to see me in
hs study. We spent half-hour very pleas
mtly with the old public functionary. Con
versation naturally turned upon the affairs of
the country. The Ex-Presdent was very pa
triopc in his utterances. With an emphatic
gesture he thanked Heaven for the fall Of
Sumterinnder the guns of Gilmore; remark
Ing further that 1t was only "a just retribution
that Charleston, that nest of secession, should
be destroyed" Inquiring tor his friend. the
Hon. John Appleton of Portland-or Gorham
he remarked that Mr.. A. had the happiest
facility in drafting diplomatic papers, which
ne had known In his long experience Say to
your Democratic friends, Mr.. Editor, that what
ever may have been the Ex-Presdent's posi-
uon az any former time. be now declares him
sell IN favor OF "crushing out the rebellion
Leaving Lancaster in mid afternoon. ride of
,iiree hours brings us to the city of brotherly
ioFe' Yours truly,