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Franklin Repository: September 14, 1864 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Soldiers Voting By Proxy
(Column 4)

Summary: The Repository provides detailed information on the procedure for soldiers to vote by proxy. The article prints a portion of the law pertaining to voting by proxy. The soldiers must receive the ballot on or before the day of election and must cast their ballots on election day.

Letter From Gen. Seymour
(Column 5)

Summary: The Repository reprints a letter from Brig. Gen. Seymour to W. E. Dodge, Jr., Esq., of New York. Seymour was a prisoner for almost four months. He believes that only the election of a Democrat as president will improve the terrible condition of the Confederacy.

The 7.30's--What Are They?
(Column 6)

Summary: The editors provide a detailed description of the 7.30 bonds, including their 7.3% interest, denomination of $50 and upward, conversion to cash or 6% gold bearing bonds, and exemption from state and municipal taxation.

Political Intelligence
(Column 7)

Summary: Details the Union Congressional Conference for Franklin's district which met on August 29. The Franklin representatives were George J. Balsley, D. Watson Rowe, and John E. Crawford. Rowe was chosen as secretary. The representatives from Somerset, Franklin, and Adams elected William H. Koontz, of Somerset, as the Union candidate for Congress. Fulton voted for Duffield and the Bedford representative was absent due to a misunderstanding.
(Names in announcement: George J. Balsley, D. Watson Rowe, John E. Crawford)

Gen. Wm. H. Koontz
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces that General William H. Koontz, the Union nominee for Congress from Somerset, spoke in Chambersburg and plans to speak in Waynesboro, Greencastle, and Mercersburg in mid-September.

Gen. M'Clellan's Acceptance
(Column 1)

Summary: The Repository argues that, in his acceptance speech, McClellan attempts to "sugar-coat it [the Chicago platform] with gentle apologies" and "dilutes it with a finely prepared imitation of fidelity to our Nationality, and then swallows the dose down and seems to congratulate himself that he has concealed the cloven foot of his friend and exponents, and hopes to defraud a Nation."

Full Text of Article:

We give in to-day's paper the letter of General M'Clellan formally accepting the Chicago nomination for the Presidency. It is a virtual confession that the declaration of principles adopted by the Democratic National Convention is at variance with the interests of the government, and needs to be modified, charitably explained, and elaborately apologized for, to rescue him from open, undisguised complicity with the traitors in arms against the Union. This is a most herculean task, and no sincere, earnest and honest patriot would have attempted it; but Gen. M'Clellan has undertaken the hopeless enterprise and has wasted every element of strength he possessed with many loyal Democrats because of his presumed manliness and unfaltering devotion to the government and its faithful soldiers and supporters.

The letter of Gen. M'Clellan will, when he shall have been rejected by a loyal people by an overwhelming vote, stand out as the culminating point of his sacrifice of all the qualities of a true soldier and zealous patriot at the feet of a conclave of treacherous politicians. Their aim is well understood. Traitor and loyalist alike read their platform and appreciate their purposes; and Gen. M'Clellan, instead of spurning their treachery and giving heart and hope to loyal men by manfully espousing the cause of the imperiled Republic, tremblingly approaches the traitor's creed--sugar-coats it with gentle apologies; dilutes it with a finely prepared imitation of fidelity to our Nationality, and then swallows the dose down and seems to congratulate himself that he has concealed the cloven foot of his friends and exponents, and hopes to defraud a Nation, just about to triumph decisively over relentless treason, into colossal suicide.

Gen. M'Clellan's letter is unworthy of either a soldier or a statesman. It has neither the frankness of the one, nor the ingenuity of the other. It is miserably jesuitical, serpentine and treacherous; and if inspired by the genius of Treason itself, could not be more hollow, hypocritical and deceptive in its aim. there is not a word in it that would offend the most earnest devotee of Jeff. Davis. All his rethorical [sic] repetitions about preserving the Union can bring no terror to traitors as long as he is bound hand and foot by men who favor his election solely because they know that his administration would bring no evil to the authors of this wicked, desolating war. They know that Clement C. Vallandigham nominated him; they know that the business of that Convention was arranged in council at Niagara between the Thompsons, the Holcombs, the Sanders, and the Clays on the part of Davis, and the Vallandighams, the Seymours, the Longs, the Biglers and the Woods on the part of M'Clellan, and they have no fears for the cunning sophistries which he has assumed to weave about their fabric of treason, since it can accomplish nothing beyond deceieving [sic] honest men into the embrace of their Country's foes. They know that with him on the ticket is Geo. H. Pendleton, who, while M'Clellan was in the field, "thanked God that he had never voted or given a dollar in support of the war, or in payment of Abolition soldiers!" and well do they know that with the triumph of that party all vindication of the majesty of the laws and all hopes of the stability of Republican government must end. With an Executive to control the destinies of the Nation who declares as an additional article of the Democratic faith, "that when any one State is willing to return to the Union it should be received at once, with a full guarantee of all of its constitutional rights," what has treason to fear? It is without penalty. It may drench this fair land in fraternal blood at pleasure, and forfeit no rights; suffer no punishment, and resume its place and honors in the family of States whenever it grows weary of desolation and slaughter. Already treason has sacrificed half a million lives, has shadowed the whole land in mourning; has spread the dark pall of sorrow over almost every family circle; has staggered us with debt all by a war the most causeless, the most wicked in the history of crime; and yet the Democratic candidate for the Presidency, lest his meaningless flourishes on the side of war should offend some faithless man, hastens to declare that traitors must be welcomed to the family fold, and the highest honors and prerogatives lavished upon them. And this from one, too, under whose military lead, fully fifty thousand brave soldiers found untimely graves as sacrifices to the fiendish ferocity of traitors! Is there no avenging hand this side of the Eternal bar for such wanton murder! Are there no violated laws--no sacred principle of order and government to vindicate? Is the power of justice so paralyzed in this great Republic that it can have no terrors in its sweep to palsy the arms of future traitors? Alas! for the warrior of the Peninsula and of Antietam, for what did he draw his sword--for what sacrifice thousands of brave men in sanguinary war, if treason is no crime? It be a crime such as will justify the terrible arbiter of the word, must it be crowned with honor in its dying hours, and exalted to the highest trust of the Nation when it is wasted in power, unable longer to glut its infernal appetites, and seeks to be rescued from the damning history its crimsoned infamy merits? If so, then is treason a virtue--then are its murderers heroes--its desolation records of national prowess and heroism; and fidelity, patriotism, humanity and justice, are but cunningly devised fiction and frauds upon mankind!

We pass hastily over Gen. M'Clellan's war upon himself. The weakness that dwarfed him from the soldier and patriot to the awkward and mousing politician, explains it all. The first to order and enforce arbitrary arrest and summary punishment, he now, in obedience to his managers, pledges himself to maintain the "rights of citizens" inviolate. "See that none escape!" were his peremptory instructions to Gen. Banks when he ordered the summary arrest and incarceration of the Maryland legislature; but Vallandigham had not been schooled in Chattanooga and Richmond, to teach Presidential candidates how to attempt to give a crowning triumph to treason by systematic perfidy. The first to advise and enforce the liberation of the slaves of rebels by military law, to weaken the resources of the enemy, he now recites in faultless style the new lessons given him which call for a "full guarantee" of "all constitutional rights" to rebels whenever they will deign to accept them slaves and all! The first to counsel war until the insurgents submit tot he authority of the government, he now pours the oil of joy into the deadly wounds our brave armies have given to treason, by demanding that they be indemnified for the past, and honored and secured for the future, until it shall be their pleasure to resort to rebellion, murder and free-booting again. The first to demand a conscription of men to fill up the armies, he is now silent as the grave as to the shattered ranks of war heroic and still unfaltering soldiers, while every rioter who abstracts men from the field to preserve order at home, is vociferous for the triumph of M'Clellan in November next. Notwithstanding his rhetorical flourishes in favor of the preservation of the Union, he well knows that there is not an out-right traitor, nor a semi-traitor, nor a rebel sympathizer, nor a foe of the government of any stamp or persuasion, who will not most enthusiastically vote for him; and there is not a rebel in arms to-day from the arch-fiend who presides over the withered waste of treason, down to the humblest of his satellites in crime, who will not watch every pulsation of the North with ardent aspirations for his success!

Such is the position of Gen. M'Clellan as voluntarily made for himself. When the free people of the North forget the claims of their sacred Nationality; when they cease to mourn their martyrs in the cause of Civil Liberty; when they fail to rejoice at the triumph of the Union armies; when they accept treason as a virtue--order and government as a crime--then, and not till then, can Gen. Geo. B. M'Clellan be chosen their President!

What Of Peace?
(Column 2)

Summary: The Repository asserts that every loyal man wants peace, but not the peace of disunion and "unconditional independence" offered by the Confederacy.

Have Soldiers Assessed
(Column 4)

Summary: The Repository urges the Union men of every district to make sure that all soldiers (including Democrats) give their names for assessment and pay their county taxes, to insure eligibility to vote in the upcoming election. The Repository believes that even Democratic soldiers will vote for candidates who support the thorough prosecution of the war.

Letter From Gen. Grant
(Column 4)

Summary: The Repository reprints a letter from Grant to Hon. Washburne, in which he encourages vigorous prosecution of the war and the re-election of the present administration as the surest and quickest end to the war.

Hon. Thaddeus Stevens
(Column 4)

Summary: Announces that "the Union men of the Old Guard" nominated Thaddeus Stevens for re-election to a sixth term in Congress. The article includes a short biography of his political career .
(Names in announcement: Hon. Thaddeus Stevens)

The Rebel Press On Atlanta
(Column 5)

Summary: The Repository reprints quotes from rebel newspapers evaluating the Union capture of Atlanta as a terrible blow for the Confederacy because it bolsters Lincoln and encourages a successful draft of Union troops.

Gen. Butler
(Column 6)

Summary: The Repository reprints General Butler's letter to Judge Ould, the rebel commissioner of exchange of prisoners. Ould finally accepted Butler's proposition offered eight months ago to exchange soldiers and officers. Butler speculates that Ould agreed to the exchange because the rebel forces are desperate for troops.

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: The Repository responds to a quote in the Carlisle Volunteer, stating that since the Emancipation Proclamation men only enlist for the bounty money and not voluntarily. The Repository labels the Volunteer's charges "libel" against all the soldiers in the field.

Gen. Gillem
(Column 7)

Summary: The Repository reports the Union victory of General Gillem over General John Morgan on September 6.

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: Notes that General Sherman complied with the request of officials of Atlanta to respect non-combatants and private property. The Repository offers Sherman's compliance as a contrast to Chambersburg's recent abuse by Confederate forces.

The Judicial Conference
(Column 7)

Summary: Reports that the judicial representatives met in Bedford on August 30. The Franklin and Fulton representatives did not attend, but voted by telegraph. The Judicial Conference chose Judge Alexander King as the Union candidate for judge of Franklin's district.

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: Describes the status of the Lancaster Intelligencer, a Democratic newspaper published by Cooper, Sanderson & Co. Cooper formerly served as editor of the Valley Spirit. He owned the building that housed the Spirit which the rebels destroyed.
(Names in announcement: Mr. Cooper)

[No Title]
(Column 7)

Summary: Reports that the Valley Spirit resumed publishing on August 29.

Volunteering--The Drafts
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors congratulate the numerous districts that have almost filled their quotas. The rebel invasion delayed the draft in Chambersburg, but the Secretary of War promises that "the delinquent districts will be drafted promptly."

Acknowledgment
(Column 1)

Summary: A letter of thanks submitted by a committee of men listed above to the neighboring towns that donated food to Chambersburg citizens deprived by the rebel invasion.
(Names in announcement: B. G. Nead, Samuel Seibert, W. G. Reed, George Flack, D. K. Wunderlich)

A Southern Railroad
(Column 1)

Summary: The Repository notes the pending meeting of the commissioners of the Connellsville and Southern Pennsylvania Railroad company on October 14. The Repository reminds its readers of the benefits a railroad would bring to Chambersburg, including reduced prices on coal and lumber and a direct route west.

Full Text of Article:

It will be seen by reference to an advertisement in to-day's paper, that the Commissioners under the act incorporating the Connellsville and Southern Pennsylvania Railway company, will meet at Bedford on Friday the 14th day of October next, to receive subscriptions to the capital stock of this important enterprise.

We are assured that arrangements have been matured for the early location and prompt completion of this vital link in our Southern railroad connections; and the citizens of the Southern counties should take the liveliest interest in facilitating its progress. It will, when made, give new life to the long isolated border counties, and open new avenues for various articles largely consumed by our people, which now cost enormously because of the immense transportation tax added to the original value. The construction of a Southern railroad will bring us into immediate communication with rich coal fields and vast forests of lumber, and reduce the price of those commodities fully one-third; and in addition it will give us a direct route west; build up new towns along the line; start factories on our water powers; bring our exhaustless beds of superior ore into use, and enhance the value of every acre of land in Franklin and the adjoining counties westward.

To Chambersburg, the centre of the great wealth of the Cumberland Valley, now in ruins, this movement is the boon of promise, the silver-lining to the cloud that envelops our despoiled people. It will give a new impetus to our town--will create new demands; will attract a large amount of capital to improve our now waste but valuable lots, and will give employment and hope to hundreds now on the brink of despair. With Chambersburg in communication with the great West by direct railroad line, it must in a few years far surpass its former wealth, enterprise and elegance; and we hope that every citizen will give his best efforts to push forward the work.

The Tickets
(Column 1)

Summary: The Repository lists the Republican and Democratic Tickets for Franklin County: Congress--Koontz (U) and Coffroth (D). Judge--King (U) and Kimmell (D). Assembly--McClure & Roath (U) and Sharpe & Mitchell (D). Commissioner--Davidson (U) and Armstrong (D). Director of the Poor--Criswell (U) and D. Skinner (D). Auditor--M. Skinner (U) and Martin (D). Coroner--Wertz (U) and Miller (D). The Repository recounts the Union successes in 1863 and predicts greater Union success with the soldier vote.
(Names in announcement: General William H. Koontz, Gen. A. H. Coffroth, Hon. Alexander King, Hon. F. M. Kimmell, Alexander K. McClure, Samuel Roath, J. McDowell Sharpe, William S. Mitchell, Hugh B. Davidson, John Armstrong, John H. Criswell, David J. Skinner, Morrow R. Skinner, Mont. Martin, Hiram E. Wertz, Dr. V. A. Miller)

The Gallant 11th Pa. Cavalry
(Column 1)

Summary: Provides an eye-witness account of the 11th Pennsylvania Cavalry's successful fight, led by Col. Spear, for the Weldon Railroad.
(Names in announcement: Colonel Samuel P. Spear)

(No Title)
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that Chambersburg celebrated the victories at Atlanta and Mobile by ringing the two remaining church bells at the German Reformed and the Lutheran churches.

Full Text of Article:

On Wednesday last the sullen thunders of artillery reverberated through the shattered walls of Chambersburg, and simultaneously with the report of the first gun, the two remaining bells in town--on the German Rreformed [sic] and Lutheran Churches--rang out their merry peals over the triumphs of the Union arms in Atlanta and Mobile. The Flag of the Free was run up on the large Union pole, and was seen streaming from various other parts of the town. Loyal hearts were gladdened where rebel vandalism had done its worst to waste and desolate, and with one accord, they gave thanks to the brave men who are winning the only enduring and honorable Peace that can be made with traitors, by destroying the armies of crime. There were a few sad hearts in our midst--some who thought of Chicago--of the "failure" of the war--of "immediate cessation of hostilities," and of the judgment of a loyal people to come; but they mourned in silence.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors note that Major Shearer, the captured rebel who spent a few days in the Chambersburg jail, was sentenced to fifteen years confinement and hard labor in Fort Delaware. Shearer was born in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, but resided in Frederick, Maryland, at the outbreak of war.

New District
(Column 2)

Summary: Notes Gen. Couch's creation of a new military district called Juniata , encompassing the territory between the Laurel Hill Mountains, the Williamsport and Elmira Railroad, the Susquehanna River from Williamsport to the intersection of Blue Mountain, and the range of mountains to the Maryland border on the east.

Capt. E. K. Lehman
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces the authorization of E. K. Lehman to recruit a company of Field Artillery for state service.
(Names in announcement: Captain E. K. Lehman)

Military
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that the 202nd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers arrived in Chambersburg on September 8. Albright, Moss, and Sipe are the field officers.
(Names in announcement: Colonel Albright, Lieutenant Colonel Moss, Major Sipe)

Donation
(Column 2)

Summary: Acknowledges the donation of $2,000 by the Grand Masonic Lodge of Pennsylvania to the Chambersburg Masonic Lodge "to be distributed among its suffering members."

Gen. M'Clellan's Letter of Acceptance
(Column 2)

Summary: Reprints McClellan's letter of acceptance, in which McClellan writes of peace with the re-establishment of the Union as the only condition.

Trailer: "Geo. B. McClellan"

The News From Maine!
(Column 3)

Summary: Describes the victory of the Union candidate for governor, Cony, with a 20,000 majority.

Immense Union Ratification Meeting--Speech of Hon. Jno. Cessna for Lincoln
(Column 3)

Summary: Describes the Union ratification meeting as the "largest mass meeting ever held in Philadelphia since 1844."

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On August 11, in Chambersburg, by Rev. J. Dickson, George Resides married Lydia A. Skelly, both of Shippensburg.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Dickson, Mr. George Resides, Miss Lydia A. Skelly)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On August 28, by Rev. M. Snyder, William H. Saltsman married Jane A. Bechtal, both of Roxbury.
(Names in announcement: Rev. M. Snyder, Mr. William H. Saltsman, Miss Jane A. Bechtal)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On August 8, in Sacramento, California, John Cochran died at the age of 56 years.
(Names in announcement: John Cochran)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On September 3, Jane, wife of Samuel Vance, formerly of Loudon, died at the age of 70 years.
(Names in announcement: Mrs. Jane Vance, Samuel VanceEsq.)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On August 28, in camp near Chambersburg, W. Gelwix, of Upper Strasburg, died at 27 years, 4 months, and 11 days. Mentions a tribute paid to Gelwix by the Path Valley Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
(Names in announcement: William H. Gelwix)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On August 24, in Waynesboro, Dr. James Brotherton died at 42 years, 8 months, and 10 days.
(Names in announcement: Dr. James Brotherton)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On August 26, Alfred, son of Ignatius and Annie Harbaugh, died at 11 months.
(Names in announcement: Alfred Funk Harbaugh, Ignatious Harbaugh, Annie Harbaugh)

Proclamation! General Election
(Column 5)

Summary: Prints a notice of a general election to take place on October 11. The article lists the polling places: At the house of J. Taylor for the South Ward of Chambersburg; at the Public House of J. Gordon, for Hamilton Township; at the Public House of M. Shoemaker for part of Green Township; at the House of J. Harvey for part of Fannett Township; at the house occupied by G. Anderson for Quincy Township; at the house of J. Adams, for Antrim and part of Peters and Mongomery townships; at the School House on M. Cook's land for Warren Township; at the house of J. Mullen for Peters Township; at the Log House on J. Elliot's farm for the Welsh Run district (part of Montgomery Township); at the house of T. McAfee, for part of Peters and Montgomery townships. Notice given by S. Brandt, High Sheriff of Franklin County.
(Names in announcement: Samuel Brandt, J. W. Taylor, John Gordon, Martin Shoemaker, John Harvey, George Anderson, John H. Adams, Michael Cook, James Mullen, Jacob Elliot, Thomas McAfee)

Tickets For Soldiers
(Column 7)

Summary: The Repository lists Union candidates for Franklin County and Adams County, which can be used as a ballot by soldiers at their company polls for the election. For the list, see the summary on page 2, column 1.