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Franklin Repository: 11 28, 1866 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Meeting of Congress
(Column 1)

Summary: The second session of the 39th Congress is set to begin next Monday, and will terminate on March 4th. Although the session will be short, remark the editors, Congress' "duties and responsibilities will be of the gravest character." If, as it appears will be the case, the South refuses to accept the amendments, the federal government will be called upon to impose the "strong arm of power" to hasten the restoration of the Union.

Full Text of Article:

The second session of the 39th Congress will meet on Monday next. Its session will be brief, expiring by constitutional limitation on the 4th of March, but its duties and responsibilities will be of the gravest character. It comes back from the People, to whom its members appealed to sustain them against an apostate Chief Executive, endorsed by the most decisive popular verdict ever given, and instructed by their constituents to persevere in resisting the encroachments of treason in every guise and form.

It will be a proud day for the noble men who never faltered in their devotion to principles. Thaddeus Stevens will return to his great work with unabated vigor and renewed hopes for the safety of the Republic. Although enfeebled by age, his heart beats with all the ardor of youth responsive to the claims of Freedom and Justice, and his towering intellect is unclouded by the ravages of relentless time. While our great Captains have overthrown the hosts of treason in the field, he has, more than all other men, discomfited it in its not less deadly struggles for civil victories. In all the conflicts of ambition, the appeals of power to the timid and time-serving, and the subtle and persistent assaults of treachery upon the integrity of the House, he was the one man who towered over all in marshalling the forces of Freedom and maintaining its holy citadel inviolate. In after years, when posterity shall review the mighty contest, his name will go down from sire to son in reverence, ere the story of history has been learned. Senators will be forgotten; cabinets will pass from public remembrance, and even Presidents will be known as having brightened or faded in the Chief Magistracy of the nation, while over all on the scroll of fame will be written the name of the once humble and friendless New England boy, who wielded the destiny of the Republic against perfidy and power, relying upon the ultimate triumph of Right and the fidelity of the loyal People to the living and to their martyred dead. The People have returned him and his compatriots with the high seal of their approval, and to them is committed the guardianship of our still imperiled nationality.

We cannot assume to foreshadow what remedial measures will prove to be necessary for the complete restoration of the Union. It must be restored, and it must be done without unreasonable delay. The quicker it can be done wisely, the better it will be done. It must not only be done, but it must be on an enduring basis. With the solution of this great problem must be solved all issues which could arise in the future. There must be no new traitors to hurl States into the vortex of rebellion and plunge the people into internecine strife. There must be no dregs of Slavery, no vestige of master and bondman. They belong to the past. They have been effaced from our national escutcheon by a deluge of our noblest blood, and they must give place to the beneficent policy of Universal Freedom and unmingled justice in every section of the Union.

From the best information we can gather, all is in confusion about the Executive department of the government. What Andrew Johnson would have done had it been in his power, all know. He would have made treason a virtue--loyalty a crime. But the people have been aroused to assert their supreme majesty, and he must either bow to their will or suffer the profound humiliation of witnessing the restoration of the Union on a patriotic basis in defiance of his maudlin speeches, his insolent vetoes, and his perfidious efforts to restore traitors to power. What he may now do, will soon be known, and conjecture is needless. Had he honestly made a tithe of the effort to effect the acceptance of the proposed constitutional amendments, that he has given to make treason defiant and insolently reject even the most magnanimous terms, the work of restoration would now be practically over. But he preferred to be faithless, and has probably made it an imperative necessity to enforce a larger measure of justice than was proposed by the last session of Congress.

While the People are prepared to sanction moderation and magnanimity in the restoration of the rebellious States, they are not prepared for any adjustment that will make treason potent, in any degree, in the future administration of the government. They want above all things, a generous and enduring restoration. They have proffered it, and if accepted their faith has been plighted to maintain it; but treason has defied the power that conquered it and spurned the mercy of its conquerers. We consider it safe to assume that the amendments will not be accepted by the South; and if they are rejected, then must the work of restoration begin anew and it will begin at the base of the hideous structure of treason and raze it to the ground. The strong arm of power will take the place of persuasion and magnanimity, and the conquered States will be ruled in justice to all by those who are the friends of justice, while the authors or war and its appalling desolation will be made aliens and strangers to the government they sought to overthrow in blood.

We are not entirely without hope that the South will see the inevitable result of further resistance to the popular will, and that they will yet yield to the logical results of their own wanton war. If a single State shall take the step, there are few that would not follow, and it is still possible that another month may witness the South aiding substantially in the complete restoration of the Union. We earnestly trust that they may; but if they shall still refuse, then must reconstruction begin and go on to its completion without the aid, counsel or regard for the interests of traitors. The work will be thorough, and to this great task Congress will address itself without delay. It has the clearly expressed verdict of the People to guide it, and it cannot err in obedience thereto.

A Hint To Col. Forney
(Column 2)

Summary: Although Col. Forney "is a great leader," explain the editors, he enjoys limited public support for his bid to become Senator. Consequently, they avow, he should halt his attacks on those Republicans who have advocated instructing their representatives on how to vote in the Senatorial contest, and acknowledge that the push for reform has in no way affected his candidacy.

Full Text of Article:

Col. Forney is a candidate for U. S. Senator. It is known by his own formal announcement in the opening of the late campaign, rather than by any demonstrations in his favor. Of the instructions "spoken at the ballot-boxes in October," of which he speaks in a late churlish review of the Franklin Senatorial Convention, not one Senator or Representative is counted as elected for Forney. In his own city the two Republican Senators and thirteen Representatives canvass every competing name but his. Those who mean to obey the wishes of their constituents will vote for Gov. Curtin. Those who make legislation a trade will vote for Simon Cameron. Those who want to defraud their constituents and would divide their wrong with others, find ready sympathy and aid in the Press. It is made to assist in alienating legislators from the sympathies of their people, and when that task is performed, the man who bought Col. Forney's Senatorial laurels in 1857, swoops down upon Forney's unfinished work and gathers in the harvest.

Col. Forney is a great leader. He swung Mr. Buchanan into the Presidency--we do not explain how; it was done successfully. He aided in the revolution of 1860, although voting against both Curtin and Lincoln, and thereafter has been a host in every great struggle. Intrepid and singularly able as a journalist, and rarely equalled on the stump, he has done much for, and deserves well of, his country. He should to-day be the towering Warwick of the Republican party, and would be but for the fact that his advent into the organization was heralded by the acceptance of its richest emoluments, and his forgetfulness of the old adage that he who pleads his own case has a fool for a client. Instead of being the Warwick of Republicanism, he is shorn by the syren embrace of ambition until he is the toy of all who are entered for the Senatorial race. Franklin county exercises an inherent right and expresses a preference for Senator. It is not for Forney, and Forney opens his columns to the anonymous complaints of those whom the people discarded and espouses their cause in a leader. They are "respectable;" they are "entitled to belief and political credit," declares the Press. One asserted that not five hundred Republicans had participated in our instructions, and therefore they were farcical. Another, whose scurrility was wisely denied admission, declared that eight hundred and eight voters had participated, (more than usually participate in the nominations of our most important tickets,) and therefore the people had no hand in it, and Forney pulls chestnuts out of the fire for the sore-heads while they bear to Cameron the fruits of Forney's labors.

It is true, as stated by the Press, that but few districts have followed the example of the Republicans of Franklin, but for a reason that Col. Forney prefers to overlook. We do not know of any other county where the Representative procured the cordial support of the whole party by his voluntary pledge that he would gladly obey instructions made after the election. In accordance with that plighted faith of the one they honored and charged with most important duties, their committee, in the fullest meeting ever held, called a convention with a single dissenting vote, and rarely, if ever, have the Republicans of the county more generally participated in the election of delegates to any nominating convention; and this, too, notwithstanding the fact that in many of the districts enough men could not be found opposed to Gov. Curtin to make up a delegate ticket. The few men who have made Forney war upon and misrepresent the Republicans of Franklin county, left no means untried to defeat instructions, and wherever they could find footing for an effort they called out a large vote and were beaten, with the exception of a single district.

The Senatorial Convention of Franklin was a fair and emphatic expression of the voice of the Republicans of the county, and he who wars upon it wars upon the Republican organization. It is the voice of the Republican People, made by their highest tribunal, with all the ceremony of established usage and political law. It was made because our Representative invited it by his pledge, and because the People wished to make it. They wish the next U. S. Senator to be a true, faithful and competent man. They wish him to be the choice of the Republican People, and not the offspring of corruption and purchase. They wish the historic names of Lebo, Maneer and Wagonseller to stand alone in their shame in the history of our legislators, and for that reason they have, in the exercise of their supreme authority, declared who of their many noble champions they deemed most worthy to wear their highest honors, and discharge their most important trust.

Wounded ambition--ever a dangerous counselor--and weakness and venality may cavil at such action of the People, but those who do it show a remnant of reason by keeping it as far from the Republicans of Franklin as possible. Every Republican, no matter what are his opinions, who has the manliness to give his name, has free access to these columns to give publicity to his views upon any subject relating to the interests or policy of the Republican party. It is the party of free discussion, of honest conviction and of independent action, and it tolerates everything but the spirit of defeated faction that rebels against the decisions of its accepted tribunals. It expresses its opinions freely and fearlessly, and accepts the sacred admonition of the lamented Lincoln, so to act that "government of the People, by the People and for the People shall not perish from the earth!"

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: The editors admonish local congregations to raise the salaries of their ministers. At present, they charge, even a "third rate lawyer in Chambersburg can make double what ministers are paid."

[No Title]
(Column 4)

Summary: The article lampoons the Democrats of Bedford county, who, in the face of their numerous recent defeats, still manage to retain their sense of humor and their belief that "the Democracy is still alive, unterrified, invincible, and victorious."

Life Insurance
(Column 5)

Summary: "G." refutes the claims concerning life insurance that were made by "B" in a letter published in the November 14, 1866 issue of the Repository. In contrast to "B," who alleged that life insurance companies "made false representations" about the potential benefits of their product, "G." assures readers that such is not the case. Life insurance, he avers, is an excellent investment.

Trailer: G.

Local Items--Attempt at Suicide
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that Eli Smith made a "desperate attempt at suicide" last Wednesday. Smith "has been an intemperate man for a number of years, and for some time has been considerably depressed in spirits."
(Names in announcement: Eli Smith)

Origin of Article: Greencastle Pilot

Local Items--Fatal Accident
(Column 1)

Summary: Patrick McManus was fatally injured last Thursday when he was struck by the 11 o'clock train on the Cumberland Railroad. The man was taken to Carlisle after the accident, but his internal injuries were such that little could be done to prevent his death.

Local Items--The Odd Fellows Dedication
(Column 1)

Summary: Announces that the dedicatory services for two Lodges of Odd Fellows will be held tomorrow. Speeches will be given by W. S. Everett and I. H. McCauley.
(Names in announcement: W. S. Everett, I. H. McCauley)

Local Items--Sales of Town Lots
(Column 1)

Summary: Alerts readers that W. S. Everett will sell a number of building lots in the area around his residence, "Federal Hill," this Saturday.
(Names in announcement: W. S. Everett)

Loca Items--Suspicious
(Column 2)

Summary: Last Sunday morning, relates the article, the sons of James L. Black were awakened by the violent barking of their dog. When the boys came down stairs to investigate the cause of the dog's excitement, they discovered two men huddled in the alley way adjacent to their father's store. Although the store had not been broken into, the men ran off once the boys made their presence known, but not before firing a pistol. Fortunately, the bullet failed to hit its mark.
(Names in announcement: James L. Black)

Local Items--Re-Organized
(Column 2)

Summary: Marshall Lodge, No. 233, I. O. O. F., has been re-organized. The new officers are James McClune (N. G.), J. F. Geyer (V. G.), and David McConnell (Secretary).
(Names in announcement: James McClune, J. F. Geyer, David McConnell)

Local Items--Appointed
(Column 2)

Summary: Joseph Severans, a "noted Philadelphia Copperhead politician" and former resident of Chambersburg, has been appointed Surveyor of the Port of Philadelphia.

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On Nov. 23rd, F. Robert Polack, of York, Pa., and Matilda A. Reineman were married by Rev. P. S. Davis.
(Names in announcement: Robert Pollack, Matilda Reineman, Rev. P. S. Davis)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On Nov. 25, Jeremiah McCleary and Rebecca C. Gaster were married by Rev. J. Keller Miller.
(Names in announcement: Jeremiah McCleary, Rebecca C. Gaster, Rev. J. Keller Miller)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On Nov. 20th, Martin Detwiler and Mary A. Albert were married by Rev. H. Y. Hummelbaugh.
(Names in announcement: Martin Detwiler, Mary A. Albert, Rev. H. Y. Hummelbaugh)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On Nov. 23rd, Sarah Ober, 75, died at the residence of her son-in-law, Capt. John Jeffries.
(Names in announcement: Sarah Ober, Capt. John Jeffries)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On Nov. 23rd, Adam Bonebrake, 78, died in Guilford township.
(Names in announcement: Adam Bonebrake)