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Franklin Repository: May 01, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

[No Title]
(Column 1)

Summary: In the article, the editors distance themselves from the opinions expressed by Jane Swisshelm in her column regarding Gen. Grant and Judge Williams, of Pittsburg. They note that Swisshelm's assessment of Gen. Grant--that in the early war he was looking for conciliation--may be true, but they point out that Grant "was faithful, skillful, and successful, and he thus filled the measure of the nation's want."

The Indian War
(Column 1)

Summary: According to the editors, the "last hope of a peaceful solution of our Indian troubles" in the West has disappeared. The Plains Indians have ignored the terms of the treaties agreed to with U. S., and have "practiced the most revolting cruelties" upon white settlers. Consequently, the Indians "must be placed beyond the pale of progress."

Full Text of Article:

The last hope of a peaceful solution of our Indian troubles seems to have vanished, and it is not impossible that we shall have a summer of fierce conflict with the Indians of the Plains. As yet the Sioux and the Cheyennes--two of the most powerful tribes in existence--are alone in actual hostilities against the whites, but it is understood that they are negotiating treaties with other tribes to join them in a general war, and a number of tribes will soon be allied with them unless arrested by prompt treaties. In that event the war will be general throughout the Territories, and cannot, with our meagre force in the field, be terminated for at least a twelve-month. We have not more than 5,000 men in the field for offensive operations against the Indians; and the inadequacy of the force can be properly appreciated when it is considered that our force is divided into two distinct armies, each operating in different directions and beyond all support from each other. Gen. Augur has moved North from Omaha to avenge the Fort Phil Kearney massacre, and Gen. Hancock has moved South to the Smoky Hill region of Kansas and Colorado.

After all is said that can be said of the villainy of Indian Agents, and all is confessed as true that is alleged by the Indians, there is not the shadow of justification for the course pursued by the hostile Indians. The vast tide of emigration to the new gold regions of Montana and Idaho necessitates the opening of a direct route with the North-west from Fort Lawrence, by which some hundreds of miles are saved in distance; the crossing of the Rocky range entirely avoided in the route to Montana, and fine water and pasturage for trains secured. The white man did not thrust himself upon this new route without leave. A council was held at Fort Lawrence last spring, and a treaty was executed with due solemnity by the chiefs of the tribes interested, and the new route was declared open to emigrants. Believing that faith could be reposed in the treaties made, a large number of trains passed over the new route last summer, and the very same Indians who had participated in the treaty at Fort Lawrence, returned to the Powder and Yellowstone regions to murder emigrants with the ammunition they had received from the government under the stipulation of their own treaty. There was not a single team passed the route without either entire or partial destruction, and there were hundreds of soldiers and civilians barbarously murdered. We believe that in every instance they inhumanly butchered their prisoners, scalped all without regard to age, sex or condition, and in many cases practiced the most revolting cruelties. They offer as an excuse for their hostility that the Yellowstone region is the winter home of the Buffalo north of the Platte, and that the advent of the pale face will soon leave them without their chief resource for food. This is measurably true; but the Indians were called upon to name their terms for the cession of this thoroughfare, and they fixed and received it, and they must now be taught that their covert disregard of their faith, forbids future treaties tolerating their presence where progress carries the pioneer and civilization. This war so unfortunately inaugurated by the Indian must now make him recede again with all his race beyond the march of empire toward the setting sun, and it is not improbable that it will well nigh exterminate their warriors before the task is completed.

Equally inexcusable is the hostility of the Indians on the Smoky Hill route, running north-west from Junction City (Fort Riley) in Kansas, to Denver, Colorado. The Union Pacific Railroad is in course of construction over this route at the rate of a mile per day, and it was not attempted until the right to do so was treated for with the Indians recognized as the proprietors of that section. As in the North, so on this route,--they have made treaties to secure a supply of arms and ammunition, and have at once proceeded to relentless butchery of all whites--men, women and children--who are unfortunate enough to fall into their hands. Every day we read of some capture and butchery of the Indians on one or both of these routes, and, it seems to be their pride to deserve a high distinction for savagery. When met by Gen. Hancock recently in council, they professed an earnest desire for peace, and left him under the promise that they would promote harmony and good feeling between themselves and the whites, and they have proved their sincerity by departing from the council to renew their indiscriminate butcheries. With such creatures it is worse than idle, it is criminal, to attempt to make treaties, and the stern purpose and strong arm of the government must give the people of the Territories peace and safety by the removal of the Indians to some place where they will not be annoyed by civilization.

The war now inaugurated by the treachery of the Indians must be accepted by the government as a notice that no binding treaties can be made with them. They must be placed beyond the pale of progress. They have solemnly agreed by treaty to all the government and emigrants ask, and their next security to the white man will be entenuation or exile. Thus far they have committed their appalling atrocities with apparent impunity. They have massacred whole garrisons, and the government has made no demand for the rendition of the leaders who directed it, nor has any order gone forth to teach them that every violation of the rules of warfare must be fearfully atoned for. This must now be done, and done speedily, and when it is promised the fearful faith must be kept, until the Red Man recedes still another step toward his sad but inevitable destiny.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The article offers a severe rebuke to the Patriot and Union, which criticized the Repository editors' pursuit of legislative reform.

Origin of Article: Harrisburg Patriot and Union

Harrisburg
(Column 3)

Summary: "Horace" relates that the key issue in the state capital over the past week has been the impending election of state supreme court justices. The contest, he notes, "is of vital importance" because it "will determine the character of the court."

Trailer: Horace

"Negroes Better Than Yankees"
(Column 7)

Summary: The article contends that white southerners would rather have "qualified" blacks elect "decent and respectable negroes" to office rather than "Puritanical and hypocritical Yankees."

Origin of Article: Southern Herald

Commutation
(Column 7)

Summary: It is reported that the office of Commissary General of Prisoners in Washington is dispensing a commutation of twenty-five cents per day for rations of enlisted men who were prisoners of war.

Local Items--The Crops
(Column 2)

Summary: Reports from all parts of the country indicate that this year's crop will produce an "abundant harvest." The only exception to the rule is the "overflowed regions of the Southern States especially Louisiana, where the cotton and sugar are ruined by water."

Local Items--Personal
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces that Col. A. K. McClure and his family departed on their "summer trip through the Rocky Mountains to Montana." Also of note: Jeremiah Cook, manager of the Montana Gold and Silver Mining company, returned to Chambersburg after nearly a year's absence out West.

Accident
(Column 2)

Summary: While driving his wagon last Saturday during the thunderstorm, Oscar Cushwa, who resides just outside of Mercersburg, crashed after his horses took fright and dashed off when lightning struck close by. Cushwa broke both his ankles in the accident; he was cared for by Dr. Negley.
(Names in announcement: Dr. Negley, Oscar Cushwa)

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The editors offer a correction to the claim made in the Repository two weeks earlier saying the legislature had repealed the tax on personal property.

Local Items--Pennsylvania Dead
(Column 2)

Summary: Relates that four members of the 77th Penna Regiment--D. N. Martin, John Essom, F. Barbel, and J. A. Wood--who were buried in the vicinity of Nashville, Tennessee, during the war were exhumed and their "sacred ashes deposited in the Nashville National Cemetery."
(Names in announcement: D. N. Martin, John Essom, F. Barbel, J. A. Wood)

Local Items--Important to Hucksters
(Column 2)

Summary: It is reported that the legislature approved a bill repealing a section of the law that prohibits huckstering in Bedford, Cumberland, Fulton, and York counties. The basis of the repeal for the section is that it discriminates against non-residents of those counties.

Local Items--African M. E. Conference
(Column 2)

Summary: At the fiftieth annual session of the African M. E. Church, which was held in Baltimore, Rev. J. Tynes was appointed to the church in Chambersburg.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Tynes)

Local Items--Juvenile
(Column 3)

Summary: Announces that Rev. George D. Chenowith, Corresponding Secretary of the State Temperance Union, will give an address at the temperance meeting next Saturday.

Origin of Article: Temperance Meeting

Bounty Account
(Column 3)

Summary: Informs readers that the School Directors of Greencastle were the first to publish bounty accounts, as called for by law.

Local Items--Political
(Column 3)

Summary: Notes that F. M. Kimmell and J. McD. Sharpe were appointed by the Democratic County Committee to be delegates at the next state convention. Additionally, James B. Orr and Jacob Loose were named as delegates to the State Mass Convention.
(Names in announcement: F. M. Kimmell, J. McD. Sharpe, James B. Orr, Jacob S. Loose)

Local Items--New Market House
(Column 3)

Summary: Subscriptions for the New Market House will go on-sale Saturday at the office of Stumbaugh and Gehr.
(Names in announcement: Stumbaugh, Gehr)

Loca ltems--Revival
(Column 3)

Summary: For several weeks, a revival has been in full swing at the Church of God on West Queen, where "quite a number of persons have professed a change of heart."

Married
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Summary: On April 24th, John Rosenberry and Emma Jane Wilhelm were married by Rev. J. Smith Gordon.
(Names in announcement: John Rosenberry, Emma Jane Wilhelm, Rev. J. C. Wilhelm)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On April 25th, Oliver Guyer and Emma C. Gilbert were married by Rev. J. B. Jones.
(Names in announcement: Oliver Guyer, Emma C. Gilbert, Rev. J. B. Jones)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On April 24th, Simon Stewart and Mary Ann, daughter of Stephen Culbertson, were married by Rev. William A. West.
(Names in announcement: Simon Stewart, Stephen Culbertson, Mary Ann Culbertson, Rev. William A. West)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On April 14th, Mariah Kirkpatrick died near Keasey's Mill. She was 62 years old.
(Names in announcement: Mariah Kirkpatrick)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On April 20th, John Carlin died near Dry Run. He was 65 years old.
(Names in announcement: John Carlin)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On April 20th, James L. Horner, of Fayetteville, died in Gettysburg after a brief illness. He was 68 years old.
(Names in announcement: James L. Horner)