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Franklin Repository: May 30, 1866 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Trust The People
(Column 1)

Summary: Although Congress has been deliberating what course of action it should take to reconstruct the South for the past six months, the editors readily concede that the enormity of the task requires such a lengthy period of time. Indeed, they have every confidence that Congress has used its time well and will enact a plan that both protects northerners' interests and respects the rights of the "blood stained traitors." The only obstacle to achieving this goal is President Johnson, whom the editors assert may try to subvert the government's efforts.

Full Text of Article:

Congress has now been in session six months and will, we trust, soon mature its policy for the restoration of the rebellious States, by the adoption of amendments to the constitution and the enactment of such laws as may be essential to give them effect. It has been a task of the utmost magnitude, and no reasonable man can complain of the inevitable delay. The emergency demanded the most careful, patient, exhausting investigation, and Congress did well, in disregard of the complaints of Johnsonites, copperheads and rebels, to pursue its great work to a full and faithful completion. Not only had the actual condition of the people of all classes in the rebel States to be ascertained; but the conflicting views of true men in both branches of the national legislature had to be consulted and harmonized on one common line of action.

This we trust will be attained within a very few weeks. If it shall be deemed essential to modify the action of the House on the proposed amendments, let it be done; but let the Union men of Congress not fail to present to the country some comprehensive and definite plan for the treatment and restoration of the rebellious States. Congress can adopt no policy designed to make treason infamous that will be in advance of the wishes of the people, and the single peril is that the policy of the Union party may be so stripped of justice, as to deny us guarantees against future traitors and rebellion. The loyal people do not ask that the government shall stain its history with vengeance. It asks no sacrifice of life, yields to blood-stained traitors their liberty and property, but it does demand that our nationality shall not be at once placed in jeopardy by the restoration to power of the implacable foes of our free institutions, and it does demand that they shall not be enabled to seize and control the government they so persistently sought to destroy, until it is safely steered beyond the shoals and rocks which now threaten it. It would be a most remarkable spectacle, indeed, to see the Presidential contest of 1868 depend upon the votes of men who in 1864 were waging wanton war to dismember and destroy the Federal Union.

We have abiding faith in the wisdom of Congress, and when it shall have presented its policy formally to the people we shall give it a most earnest support; and while we do not ask hasty action, we earnestly trust that before another month shall have passed, the issues will be distinctly presented for the judgement of the people. When Congress shall have perfected this great work and made proper provision for the maintenance of the national credit, we hope that an early adjournment will follow. It has been intimated that the session may be protracted to prevent an apostate President from subverting the government and filling all important official positions with the enemies of the party that clothed him with power. We protest against such a selfish and cowardly policy. Andrew Johnson will do all the harm he can or dare do. He may turn out every faithful officer, and he may, as he doubtless will, conspire steadily with traitors and their friends, to restore them to supreme power; but the safety against all his evil designs and actions is in the people! A great party taking issue with men who are seeking to betray a nation into the power of its enemies, must take higher grounds than the hope of honors and plunder. The people care nothing for Andrew Johnson's patronage. They do not want it, nor can they be influenced by men who attempt to exercise it improperly; but they do want to save the nation, for which they have sacrificed their richest blood and untold treasure, from the men who seek its power solely to destroy it. There may be some peril in Congress adjourning; but the greatest peril we can conceive of is to drag the Union party down into a mere contest with a perfidious Executive about the plunder he has to dispose of.

Let Congress wisely, patiently, patriotically perform its great duty, and then go back to the people who elected them and render the account of their stewardship. Let them wash their hands of all selfish or cowardly considerations, and appeal to the supreme power of the nation--the people, and they will be sustained. The issues can then be fairly presented, and the people who saved the country in war by their matchless heroism and sacrifices, will as surely save it in peace by their fidelity and patriotism.

A Confused Cabinet
(Column 2)

Summary: The editorial comments on the discord within Johnson's cabinet. The President has managed to hold onto the support of Seward, McCulloch, Welles, and Dennison, but has encountered resistance from Stanton, Harlan, and Speed, who have refused to follow his meandering policy shifts. Thus, President Johnson faces opposition not only from Congress but from within his cabinet as well.

Full Text of Article:

We admire the perseverance with which the President and his small brigade of office-holders in Washington, labor to get the cabinet into some sort of apparent harmony with the apostasy of the Executive. Divers serenaders have been gotten up, an indefinite amount of music wasted, a profuse assortment of genuine and mixed speeches have been made, but still confusion and discord reign supreme in the constitutional councils of the President. Seward goes the whole figure for the good reason that he is the father of the institution. His brain created the policy, his vengeance devised the insidious assaults the administration has made upon its friends and the country, and it is most natural that he should require no drumming to fall into line. M'Culloch, not being much of anything particularly in politics, and what little he was or is being of coppery affinities, followed his convictions and his interests in supporting the President, and like Welles, would doubtless have run the guillotine for rebels just as willingly as the other way, had the President asked it. Dennison loves his party, loves his office, loves the President and loves Congress, and therefore says least when he says most in his political speeches.

But Stanton, Harlan and Speed have been belligerents. They have been used to some deference to their convictions, and they did not readily follow the new paths in which their chief had wandered. A Jackson would have removed them, and so would any consistent and honest Executive have acted; but a blundering, groping apostate, trembling at every step lest he should offend a rebel, while he had not the manhood to own his treachery, could not thus dismiss cabinet officers for adhering to the principles which triumphed by his election. He therefore resorted to strategy. It was well known to him and his political managers, that neither of the three officers named would support his policy; but it was finally deemed safe to try them and see whether, out of politeness and deference to the President, they would not say something that could be construed into an approval of Johnson. Stanton was thus taken in and done for. He apologized for his former convictions on negro suffrage and rebel disfranchisement, but at the same time tried to make it appear that he was faithful to himself and his record. In this he deceived nobody. The Democrats, who are the only trusted advisors of the President, demand his removal for not saying more than he did, while any average fool can see that, with the progress he has made toward Johnson's policy, one more serenade or two at most, will play him squarely with his old friends Seward and Blair. He was the only man in the nation they feared, and the only man for whom the President had a wholesome terror; but the man has now become master and the master the man. Mr. Stanton has done many good acts, and some wrong acts during his cabinet career, but never before did weakness betray itself in his sayings or doings. He is now nicely balanced--which way will he fall?

Speed and Harlan were wiser than the hero of the War Department. They first said nothing, because he had nothing to say. The latter chose to have something to say, and therefore spoke the truth with all the dignity of a man. He did not accept the proffered serenade, knowing well its purpose, and he notified the tricksters who were running the concern that he was with the Union party, always would be with the Union party, and never would consent to betray its principles. To say this was of course understood to be a direct and pointed censure of the President, although he still professes to be of the Union organization, and Mr. Harlan is allowed to remain only because he don't care a button how soon they turn him out or ask him to resign. The cabinet is thus confused and worse confounded. None of them are really for the President's policy but Seward, who is the author of it, and will appropriate it to himself if it succeeds and charge it to Johnson if it fails. Welles, M'Culloch and Dennison are simply in favor of holding cabinet offices, while the other three are at heart against the President, and two of them do not pretend to qualify or apologize for their belief. Such is the condition of the administration. It is engaged in a great struggle with a loyal Congress, and half its members are against its own policy, and but one really disposed to press it upon the people. If we were a friend of Johnson we should lose no time in demanding a new cabinet deal. No matter whether he goes right or wrong, his cabinet can't be right!

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Relates that the constitutionality of the Deserters' Law was argued before the state supreme court last Thursday. Mr. Cessna, of Bedford, and Col. McClure, of Franklin, represented the state while William Sharpe argued against the law. "Next to the constitutionality of the conscription law," says the article, "it is the most case that has been before the court for many years."

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Among the first reconstruction acts taken by Andrew Johnson, reports the piece, was the unauthorized sale of Government railroads and railroad running stock as well as iron and other materials to southern men on credit. Of course, many of the notes were never paid; yet, Johnson refuses to push for proceedings to compel payment. As a consequence, the federal government faces a loss of close to $200,000,000 in revenues.

Local Items
(Column 2)

Summary: At the May 22nd meeting of Franklin county's soldiers, a committee was selected to promote the veterans' interests.
(Names in announcement: Capt. George H. Miller, Lt. George W. Walker, Private Samuel Alleman, Capt. David Vance, Lt. W. H. Mackey, Col. W. D. Dixon, Col. E. K. Lehman, Col. J. G. Elder, Lt. J. W. Fletcher, Capt. David Greenawalt, Lt. Lewis Detrick, Private Noah Varner, Private George S. Cover, Private John Lackens, Capt. Arthur Bennett, Sergt. John Hays, Sergt. William H. Davis, Private William Claudy)

Local Items
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports that the eastern section of the old Harrisburg bridge was destroyed by fire last Saturday morning, which undoubtedly will result in a serious interruption in the communication between the city and Cumberland county.

Local Items--Petroleum V. Nasby
(Column 2)

Summary: Notes that the author of the Petroleum V. Nasby series, M. Day, visited Gettysburg last week and spent the night in Chambersburg.

Local Items--Sudden Death
(Column 2)

Summary: Thomas Doyle died suddenly in Waynesboro last Wednesday evening from internal injuries he suffered after he fell while drunk. Doyle was approximately 30 years old, and had moved from Baltimore to Waynesboro only a short time earlier.
(Names in announcement: Thomas Doyle, Capt. Easton)

Origin of Article: Waynesboro Village Record

Local Items--The Crucifixion
(Column 2)

Summary: Relates that Frank Reilly, who lost both his legs in a terrible accident while working for the Pennsylvania Railroad Company, is selling copies of a "fine engraving of the Crucifixion." Those who purchase copies of the engraving will both obtain of the "grandest and most interesting event in the history of the world, but they will at the same time assist the unfortunate in obtaining an honest livelihood."
(Names in announcement: Frank Reilly)

Local Items--Chambersburg Woolen Factory
(Column 3)

Summary: The stockholders of the Chambersburg Woolen Factory will meet on Thursday afternoon to select officers.

Local Items--Sunday School
(Column 3)

Summary: The Annual Sunday School Convention for Carlisle District will meet at the M. E. Church on June 5th.

Local Items--Fires
(Column 3)

Summary: There were two fires in Chambersburg last Monday night. The first blaze caused limited damage to B. Wolf's barn in the southern section of the town; the second occurred on the premises of Mr. Kyle on Water Street. Both are suspected to be the work of arsonists.
(Names in announcement: B. Wolf, Kyle)

Local Items--Correction
(Column 3)

Summary: A correction to an article in last week's issue that erroneously asserted Col. G. Elder was selected as a delegate to the Soldier's Convention. The piece should have listed Capt. John Walker, of Fannettsburg, instead.
(Names in announcement: Col. G. Elder, Capt. John H. Walker)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On May 15th, W. W. Crooks, Editor of the Greencastle Pilot, and Ellie M., daughter of George Colby, were married by Rev. J. K. Miller.
(Names in announcement: W. W. Crooks, Ellie M. Colby, George Colby, Rev. J. K. Miller)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On May 15th, John Kadle and Maggie R., daughter of Henry Neff, were married by Rev. J. K. Miller.
(Names in announcement: John Kadle, Maggie R. Neff, Henry Neff, Rev. J. K. Miller)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On May 17th, Jacob Baughman and Eliza C. Pefley were married by Rev. J. K. Miller.
(Names in announcement: Jacob Baughman, Eliza C. Pefley, Rev. J. K. Miller)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On May 22nd, David B. Nace and Julia D., second daughter of Lewis Wampler, were married by Rev. P. S. Davis.
(Names in announcement: David B. Nace, Lewis Wampler, Julia D. Wampler, Rev. P. S. Davis)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On May 24th, Peter Umberhower and Susan Beyers were married by Rev. P. S. Davis.
(Names in announcement: Peter Umberhower, Susan Beyers, Rev. P. S. Davis)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On May 21st, Charles McNue and Agnes Carbonk were married by Rev. Willima McElroy.
(Names in announcement: Charles McNue, Agnes Carbonk, Rev. William McElroy)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On May 29th, R. H. Boyd and Virginia M. Knox, of Adams county, were married by Rev. John R. Warner.
(Names in announcement: R. H. Boyd, Virginia M. Knox, Rev. John R. Warner)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On May 22nd, Laura Belle, wife of James B. Atherton, died in Shippensburg. She was 17 years old.
(Names in announcement: James B. Atherton, Laura Belle Atherton)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On May 27th, William M., son of Thomas M. and Margaret Atherton, died in Chambersburg. He was 5 years old.
(Names in announcement: William M. Atherton, Thomas Atherton, Margaret Atherton)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On May 21st, Rebecca Catherine, daughter of J. M. and Anna M. Montgomery, died in Philadelphia.
(Names in announcement: Rebecca Catherine Montgomery, J. M. Montgomery, Anna M. Montgomery)