The Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1865-09-30 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

ISO. Dear Sir,—l have just seceived the handkerchief you have had the kindness to send, and I return you the most grateful acknowledgements for it. His mother unfolded it, and said, as she read hisname, 'I marked it.' To you it was a curious relic, and as such I can understand that you valued it, and only parted with it from a generous impulse, which is honourable to your feelings. But tons and to our children's children it is, and will be, something more than a relic'; it records the baptism of blood of my first-born on one of the most dreadful fields of this hard fought war. My son has the Annie bullet which tore his breast on that fatal day. He has the large ball from a spherical case which was dug out of his heel at Fredericksburg. But this handkerchief, returned after so long an interval, calls up the recollection of that day when he was so near death more vividly than any other moments could do, and will always be precious to him and to all of us."  POLITICAL AGITATION IN AMERICA —I toting the past week the political movements throughout the country have been most important. The State election was held in Vermont on September 4 .• a very light vote was east, but the Democrats gained slightly upon last year. Neither party wentlnto the canvass with a platform of defined principles, and the State being overwhelmingly Republican always, neither party took much interest in the voting. The great battle will be fought in Maine, on September 11, and though the Republicans will elect their candidates, the Democrats hope to materially reduce their majorities. The most important political movements, however, have been made in State conventions. In Minnesoto the Republicans have indorsed negro suffrage, but refused by an overwhelming majority to support the President's reconstruction policy. In Wisconsin they refused to indorse negro suffrage. In Connecticut, their State Committee, to whom was left the adoption of a platform of principles, have adopted negro suffrage as the foundation upon which all will stand or falL In New York the Democrats have met in convention, fully indorsed Johnson's policy, opposed negro suffrage, and resolved that a "national debt is not a national , blessing." They have nominated a strong ticket, at the head of which stands Major-General Slocum, now commanding in Mississippi, and formerly Sherman's second in command. The strength of the ticket, the wisdom of the platform, and the harmony of the party, are guarantees that the New York Democracy will be successful at the coming election. PRITCHARD'S GHOST ! A paper jliSt published gives a report of "an interview " with the spirit of Pritchard, the poisoner, vouched for as having actually taken place by an Edinburgh M.D. The " spirit " was produced, so nine the story, at a private s<coice, and the conversation was as follows : Why did you murder your wife? Through love of sold. Was your sentence just? Yes. Have you been forgiven ? No. Are you miserable? Yes. What message have you to give us? Keep from evil if it be ever so small ; for one false step will lead to another. What was the first false step you took ? Ostentatious pride • Can we do you good? Yes. Do you know my name? (Name given.) How can we do you good? Pray for me. In what sphere are ymi ? In the first.sphere hut I hope to gain the third sphere. I;an you see? There inns light. Are you hungry? Yes; but no food. Are you thirsty Yes, very Ii there drink? Yes; bitter as gall. Are you sleepless? Yes, but no met. Have you any knowledge of God? No, Have you seen your wife? Yes. And your mother Yes. Were they happy? Yes. Ito you suffer from heat? No. From cold? I suffer c.itil from no clothes or houses. Then you are in—? Yes; lii torment. What torment? Bernorseand devair, for I AM surrounded by a boat of thieves and murderers I an, kicked from one to another, and back again. My hair is pnil.l, and lam nothiNg but bruises ; I hear curses from all the devils my sin has placed me amongst. Hung ! Oh ! I would sooner be hung a thousand times than suffer one day of thin torture amongst these infernal spirits. They fight like wild beasts, and tear each other to pieces.