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Franklin Repository: February 27, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Across the Plains to Montana
(Column 6)

Summary: The letter provides yet more details of the journey taken by men from Franklin county as they travel to the gold fields of Montana.

Trailer: J. C.

The Morn Breaks Brightly
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors celebrate the passage of the Military Reconstruction bill, which they claim "cannot fail to rally the whole nation to the fulfillment of its just and highest duty to Freedom and Mankind."

Full Text of Article:

We give elsewhere in to-day's paper the Reconstruction bill passed finally by both branches of Congress last Wednesday, and now in the hands of the President for his approval or veto. What he may do with it matters little, save so far as his action may indicate his purpose to persist in Wrong or yield gracefully to the inevitable triumph of Right. The bill passed the Senate by the overwhelming vote of 35 to 7--Pennsylvania, as usual, furnishing two votes to proclaim her shame,--and in the House by 125 to 46, being a strict party vote. One of the most significant signs of the times is the manly support given the bill by Hon. Reverdy Johnson, of Maryland, one of the ablest and most earnest of the President's supporters. If the President shall sign the bill, his action will indicate his acceptance of the inexorable march of events under the guidance of a determined and loyal people, and will hasten and smooth the way to complete restoration. If on the contrary, as we anticipate, he shall interpose his veto, the bill will become a law notwithstanding, by the largest vote ever given to any contested measure in our national legislature, and will be enforced either by the President or over the President. He takes his choice either to do right or see it done without his aid, and in defiance of his persistent but now harmless apostasy. Under existing laws, the President can hold the bill until the meeting of the next Congress, (the 5th of March) as it was not sent to him until within ten days of adjournment; but if he should smother the bill by a "pocket veto," the next Congress will re-enact the bill into law within the first fortnight of the session, by a stronger vote than that by which it passed last week.

We invite the dispassionate consideration of men of all parties to the details of the bill. It goes to the very root of the malady that has been festering in the rebellious States since the war, now and again erupting in the shape of the Memphis, New Orleans and other massacres, and making loyalty a term of reproach throughout the whole country embraced in the rebellion. Every effort has been made--even to criminal leniency on the part of the Executive--to regain the controlling people of the South to fidelity, order and law; but each concession and every step toward generous pardon, has but nerved disloyal arms and made disloyal hearts mingle their implacable hatred for free institutions with the intensest hate for every loyal statesman, every loyal measure, and every loyal citizen who claimed the South as his home. Our military commanders, from Grant down, none of whom are charged with radicalism, give concurrent testimony that the submission of the rebellious people is but a mockery and a lie, and that the safety of loyal men and freedmen in those States is solely in the military arm of the government. With one accord these heroic chieftains deprecate the subordination of the civil to military rule, and have resolutely struggled to restore the civil powers to supreme authority; but all have informed the government that they utterly despair of even ultimate success, as long as leading rebels fill every public position and dictate the policy and laws of that section. There is not an Executive in one of the rebellious States who did not give his best efforts to dismember the Union. None others could be chosen, and to be even suspected of luke-warmness in the cause of treason during the war, has thus far been fatal to the aspirations of every citizen, however distinguished or useful he has been.

The act of Congress places the pretended governments of the rebellious States in their proper position. As State governments, or as governments of States, they are but colossal monuments of Executive usurpation; but Congress pronounces them as provisional only, and subordinates them entirely to the military authority, and provides for their early extinction. The practical effect of the bill is to bring the rebel States under martial law, but it wisely provides that the proper exercise of the duties and prerogatives of the civil powers will restrain the interference of military authority, and provides for their early extinction. The practical effect of the bill is to bring the rebel States under martial law, but it wisely provides that the proper exercise of the duties and prerogatives of the civil powers will restrain the interference of military authority in any way whatever. It provides for the faithful and impartial administration of justice--a feature thus far entirely novel in the government of those States since the war; and it sends to all--to traitors South and their impotent but still malignant abetters in the North--the long needed admonition that henceforth there shall be impartial justice and entire equality before the law in every section of the Union.

Most wisely, we think, Congress has not stopped with merely providing for the maintenance of justice in the rebellious States. Earnestly as some of the truest men in Congress resisted the acceptance of the Blaine Amendment, (the fifth section of the bill) it cannot be questioned that the principle involved in it met the overwhelming approval of the Republicans throughout the country, and its adoption will be hailed with the profoundest satisfaction. While the action of the rebels warranted almost any degree of harshness in the laws for their government, yet the nation has in every way manifested its desire that some definite terms for the restoration of the seceded States should be proposed in such shape that they could, by voluntary acceptance, place themselves again within the folds of the Union, and at the same time give ample power for the enforcement of the terms in case they should be rejected. The only plausible complaint against the proposed amendments to the constitution, was the want of any positive assurance that their adoption would facilitate restoration. Willing to grasp any pretext for refusing to accept them, under the advice of a perfidious Executive, they refused to accept what was in fact the plighted faith of Congress that the adoption of, and faithful conformance to, those amendments would restore the States to representation and all their sovereign rights. That refusal has quickened the nation to appreciate the great peril of rebel rule, and now treason is about to crown its utter overthrow with manhood suffrage--a fruition that the persistent malignity of treason only was potent enough to achieve.

We hail this action of Congress as the bright morn of Peace and Union; and breaking as it does amidst the gloom, with every attribute of justice in its refulgence, it cannot fail to rally the whole nation to the fulfilment of its just and highest duty to Freedom and Mankind. It may be delayed or embarrassed for a time by those who hate free institutions and blindly resist the inevitable; but we cannot doubt that the result must, sooner or later, be the cordial restoration of every section to fraternity again, and the great Republic of the world will go on, in discharge of its sacred mission, to prove that the noblest and strongest government of the earth is so because it is most just, and therefore most blessed by the Great Ruler of all!

The Retribution
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors condemn the appointment process for public officers, as conducted by the Johnson administration, as corrupt. To substantiate their claims, they point to the removal of Scull and Harper, both "upright and respected citizens," and replacement with Gen. Coffroth and Col. Swope, two men of questionable character.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Announces that Schuyler Colfax, the Speaker of the House, will come to Chambersburg in a few weeks to speak about his journey to the West, which he undertook during the summer of 1865.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: Having "felt the full measure of rebel barbarity," relates the article, the faithful men of Tennessee have passed a military bill to provide state troops to enforce the recently enacted suffrage law, which grants voting rights to "all loyal men without regard to caste or color" and disfranchises former rebels.

[No Title]
(Column 3)

Summary: The editors alert readers to the fact that the spring election for officers of election and township officers will take place on March 15th, and urges Republicans to cast their ballot since they have been "shamefully remiss" in recent years thus allowing the Democrats to "control the election boards in some of the strongest Republican districts in the county."

Speech of Mr. McConaughy
(Column 5)

Summary: In his address, McConaughy criticizes Cowan, the former U. S. Senator, for making derogatory remarks about the Republican party.

Editorial Comment: "Senator McConaughy, of this district, addressed the Senate last week on the apostacy of Senator Cowan in the following appropriate and pungent terms:"

Government of the South
(Column 7)

Summary: Contains a full copy of the Military Reconstruction Bill.

Editorial Comment: "The following is the Military Government bill which having pssed both houses of Congress, now awaits the signature or veto of President Johnson:"

Full Text of Article:

The following is the Military Government bill which having passed both houses of Congress, now awaits the signature or veto of President Johnson--

Whereas, No legal State governments or adequate protection for life or property now exists in the States of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, Florida, Texas and Arkansas;

And, whereas, It is necessary that peace and good order should be enforced in said States, and loyal and republican State governments be legally established; therefore,

Be it enacted, &c., That said Rebel States shall be divided into military districts, and made subject to the military authority of the United States, as hereinafter prescribed; and for that purpose Virginia shall constitute the first district; North Carolina and South Carolina the second district; Mississippi and Arkansas the fourth district, and Louisiana and Texas the fifth district.

Section 2. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the President to assign to the command of each of said districts an officer of the army not below the rank of brigadier general, and to detail a sufficient military force to enable such officer to perform his duties and enforce his authority within the district to which he is assigned.

Section 3. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of each officer assigned as aforesaid to protect all persons in their rights of person and property, to suppress insurrection, disorder, and violence, and to punish or cause to be punished all disturbers of the public peace and criminals; and to this end he may allow local civil tribunals to take jurisdiction of and to try offenders; or when, in his judgment, it may be necessary for the trial of offenders, he shall have power to organize military commissions or tribunals for that purpose, and all interference, under color of State authority, with the exercise of military authority under this act shall be null and void.

Section 4. And be it further enacted, That no persons put under military arrest by virtue of this act shall be tried without unnecessary delay, and no cruel or unusual punishment shall be inflicted; and no sentence of any military commission or tribunal hereby authorized, affecting the life or liberty of any person, shall be executed until it is approved by the officer in command of this district; and the laws and regulations for the government of the army shall not be effected by this act, except in so far as they conflict with its provisions; Provided that no sentence of death under the provisions of this act shall be carried into effect without the approval of the President of the United States.

Section 5. And be it further enacted, That when the people of any one of the said Rebel States shall have formed a constitutional government, in conformity with the Constitution of the United States in all respects, framed by a convention of delegates elected by the male citizens of said State, twenty-one years old and upwards, of whatever race, color, or previous condition, who have been residents in said State for one year previous to the day of such election, except such as may be disfranchised for participation in Rebellion or for felony at common law, and when such Constitution shall provide that the elective franchise shall be enjoyed by all such persons as have the qualifications herein stated for election of delegates, and when such Constitution shall be adopted by a majority of the persons voting on the question of ratification who are qualified as electors for delegates, and when such Constitution shall have been submitted to Congress for examination and approval, and Congress shall have approved the same, and when said State, by a vote of its Legislature, elected under said Constitution, shall have adopted the amendment to the Constitution of the United States proposed by the Thirty-ninth Congress, and known as article 14, and when said article shall have become a part of the Constitution of the United States, shall be declared entitled to representation in Congress, and Senators and Representatives shall be admitted therefrom on their taking the oath prescribed by law; and thereafter the preceding sections of this act shall not be in operation in said State; Provided, That no person excluded from the privilege of holding office by the said proposed amendment to the Constitution of the United States shall be eligible to election as a member of a convention to frame a constitution for any said Rebel State, nor shall any such person vote for a member of said convention.

Section 6. And be it further enacted, That until the people of said Rebel States shall be by law admitted to representation in the Congress of the United States any civil government which may exist therein shall be deemed provisional only, and in all respects subject to the paramount authority of the United States at any time to abolish, modify, control or supersede the same; and in all elections to any office under such provisional government, all persons shall be entitled to vote, and none other, who are entitled to vote under the provisions of the fifth section of this act, and no person shall be eligible to any office under such provisional government who would be disqualified from holding office under the provisions of the third article of said Constitutional Amendment.

Local Items--Telegraph Office in Waynesboro
(Column 2)

Summary: It is reported that Mr. Shaw, General Superintendent of the Pacific and Atlantic Telegraph Company, visited Waynesboro for the purpose of opening an office there. To do so, $5,000 in subscriptions must be raised.

Origin of Article: Waynesboro Record

Local Items--Application for Pardon
(Column 2)

Summary: Elizabeth Berntisel, now imprisoned for adultery, has applied to Governor Geary for a pardon
(Names in announcement: Elizabeth Berntisel)

Origin of Article: Valley Spirit

Local Items--Post Master
(Column 2)

Summary: Relates that President Johnson nominated Matthew P. Welsh as Post Master of Chambersburg last Thursday.
(Names in announcement: Matthew P. Welsh)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On Feb. 21st, J. W. Heintzelman and Nancy Stouffer were married by Rev. S. Bigham.
(Names in announcement: J. W. Heintzelman, Nancy Stouffer, Rev. S. Bigham)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On Feb. 19th, George Slouthour and Anna Elizabeth Miller were married by Rev. B. S. Schneck.
(Names in announcement: George Slouthour, Anna Elizabeth Miller, Rev. B. S. Schneck)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On Feb. 19th, George W. Smith and Percilla Zimmerman were married by Rev. E. Dutt.
(Names in announcement: George W. Smith, Percilla Zimmerman, Rev. E. Dutt)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On Feb. 19th, Peter Stenger and C. L. Kunkleman were married by Rev. J. A. Kunkelman.
(Names in announcement: Peter Stenger, Rev. J. A. Kunkelman, C. L. Kunkleman)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On Feb. 21st, Andrew S. Conrad and Ann Barbara Florich were married by Rev. G. Roth.
(Names in announcement: Andrew S. Conrad, Ann Barbara Florich, Rev. G. Roth)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On Feb. 21st, P. Dock Frey and Justina Harmony were married by Rev. J. A. Kunkelman.
(Names in announcement: P. Dock Frey, Justina Harmony, Rev. J. A. Kunkelman)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On Nov. 19, 1866, Lemuel King and Rosanna Forney were married by Rev. H. Y. Hummelbaugh.
(Names in announcement: Lemuel King, Rosanna Forney, Rev. H. Y. Hummelbaugh)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On Feb. 8th, P. W. Jacobs and A. M. Peiffer were married by Rev. H. Y. Hummelbaugh.
(Names in announcement: P. W. Jacobs, A. M. Peiffer, Rev. H. Y. Hummelbaugh)

Married
(Column 2)

Summary: On Jan. 16th, Frederick Keller and Mollie J. Jacobs were married by Rev. H. Y. Hummelbaugh.
(Names in announcement: Frederick Keller, Mollie J. Jacobs, Rev. H. Y. Hummelbaugh)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On Feb. 17th, Cario Amanda, infant daughter of Col. B. F. and Susan Duffield Winger, died at Duffield Mansion. She was 5 months old.
(Names in announcement: Cario Amanda Winger, Col. B. F. Winger, Susan Duffield Winger)

Died
(Column 2)

Summary: On Feb. 18th, William Gillen died at his residence near Orrstown. He was almost 70 years old.
(Names in announcement: William GillenSr.)