The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1864-07-13

Sharpsburg, and visited the "Antietam"
battlefield. Here the widow found the
grave of ner only son-the object of her
visit. There was depth of tenderness
and affection displayed by her attentions
to this sacred spot that awakened emo
tions at onoe of pity and Of admiration.
The calm, settled grief, and firm, trus!ful
patience with which she bore it, spoke of
a love that does not linger on this side of
the grave, and of courage that pals not
at the approach of death.
We rode over to Hagerstown, past our
former Camp. Many Incidents came up,
and were related. 1t was in the after
noon and the fierce sun blazed down on
the red brick walls with relentless fury,
we were glad to be off for Harrisburg.
The gentlemanly proprietor of Hers
gave US a hearty welcome and made it
SO very pleasant for us that we were sorry
to leave. The ride to this place was in
the night and uneventful We arrived
just 100 late for the morning train up the
Erie Road. This lateness probably saved
US. The train smashed up and killed
several, and injured nearly every person
on board.
Gold last night closed at 2 %, fall of
40 per cent from the previous day, and
81 from lhe highest point. The city is
very quiet to day compared with Wash
ington under like circumstances. Rather
extensive preparations are being made for
the celebration of the Fourth-of which
perhaps some account in future
When | left Washington we bad the
news of Secretary Chasc's resignation and
Governor Tod's nomination for the place
The Senate Committee had conferred with
the President. and it is understood they
were not at all disposed to confirm the
nomination which will sufficiently explain
the non-acceptance of the place by that
gentleman. A general gloom pervaded
the city. Whatever may have been their
personal preferences, every body seemed
to regard Secretary Chase as the ablest
fnancier we could muster. VIM. Pitt
Fessenden, of Maine, was generally cou-
sidered the only man who would IN any
way replace him. The purpose of the
Senate evidently was to procure Mr.. Fes-
senden's appointment, which, on arriving
here, am glad to learn has been made.
1t is believed there will be more change
in the Cabinet soon. | think | am ia no
danger of mis,statlng facts when l say
that should Mr.. Bates or Mr.. Blair, or
both, resign, nobody would "refuse to be
comforted There is heavy pressure
against Mr. Seward and even Mr. Staur-
ton is violently assa!ed, but change in
their Departments is not generally looked
for. 1t is to be hoped that Mr.. Fessen-
den will accept, though he is very much
much over-worked, and sadly in need Of
res. Should he succeed Mr. Chase, it is
believed his line of policy will be to di-
minish rather than increase the volume
of the National Currency. This would
render the currency more valuable, CON-
pared with gold, that is, it would bring
gold down, while it would of course rem
der payments on the part of the Govern
meut less prompt.
The Herald thinks if Mr.. Lincoln,
among half dozen other things, would
make Mcclellan Secretary of War, he
Mr.. L.) might possibly be re elected.
Weather intensely warm. | have OBJ
served that the crops through the couDtry
traver.ed thus far, are not looking very
well. Yours, MERIT.