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Franklin Repository: July 17, 1867 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

A Tour Through The Rocky Mountains
(Column 5)

Summary: McClure expresses his sentiments on Mormonism and the leaders of the Latter Day Saints. Though scornful of some of the adherents' religious practices--namely polygamy--McClure does cast a sympathetic portrait of the group.

Reconstruction
(Column 1)

Summary: Although Thad Stevens stood alone when he first articulated the view that the southern states held the status of a "foreign power" after they rose up in rebellion against the Union, this position is now widely accepted in Congress, say the editors. As a result, there is a general consensus within that body that the southern states are to be treated as a "conquered territory," a decision that "implies a total forfeiture of rights by the rebellious States and assumes a sovereign power in Congress to govern, direct and control them so long as they remain in their present condition." Thus Congress will have the final word on the terms for reconstructing the Union.

Full Text of Article:

In his closing speech on the reconstruction question, Mr. Stevens takes occasion to say that the Republican majority in Congress "has agreed that the States lately in rebellion are conquered territory." Immediately upon the close of the war, Mr. Stevens advanced the theory, then peculiarly his own, that the Southern States, having engaged in an insurrection which became in time magnified to the proportions of a rebellion, and so powerful as to command the recognition by our own, as well as other governments, of belligerent rights, became for all political purposes a foreign power, subject in case of ultimate defeat and overthrow to all the liabilities of a conquered enemy, with no other rights than those allowed by the laws of war, the laws of nations and the laws of humanity. So far as we can recollect, he advanced this theory and argued for its recognition with but little sympathy either in or out of Congress. It was regarded generally as dangerous ground, and as a theory revolutionary in its character. The Republican party generally accepted the fact that rebellion had placed the Southern States outside of practical relations with the Union, and insisted that on general principles the work of restoration and reconstruction should be committed to Congress; but Mr. Stevens stood alone at first in maintaining that the rebellion had consummated the work of secession so far as the liabilities of the States to the government were concerned, and that they are in consequence of the failure of the rebellion conquered territory. The difference between Mr. Stevens and those of his party who opposed him was just this--he insisted that our arms had conquered a government, owing, by its own repeated declarations, no allegiance to the United States; they maintained that we had merely suppressed a rebellion, which by its magnitude and long continuance had disordered and confused the political relations of the States that had engaged in it. Mr. Stevens' view, if correct, would make these States for all political purposes conquered territory, and entirely dependent upon Congress. The other would simply warrant Congress, by virtue of supreme necessity, in restoring order and government to those States under constitutional restraints and restrictions. According to Mr. Stevens' view, the constitution could impose no restraint to congressional action, that instrument being a compact between States and not applying to territories, no matter how acquired. No direct issue was ever made between these opposing theories. Reconstruction was allowed to progress independent of theory but governed by necessity. Congress legislated upon the subject not on the basis of any particular theory, but as circumstances demanded and the necessities of the country required. The result of it all is unquestionably a practical recognition of the soundness of Mr. Stevens' view. On no other ground can the legislation of Congress be justified. It implies a total forfeiture of rights by the rebellious States and assumes a sovereign power in Congress to govern, direct and control them so long as they remain in their present condition. Mr. Stevens' assertion therefore is warranted by the facts of the case. He is equally correct when he says that we would have had but very little trouble in reconstructing the government had we recognized the principle at the outset. Once concede the Southern States to be conquered territory and the whole problem is solved. The supreme power becomes lodged in Congress and no other department of the government can interfere with its exercise of that power. That power extends not only over the political relations and conditions of the territory, but by the laws of war, and subject to them, is made to embrace even the lives and the property of its people. Reconstruction as applied to them would mean simply admission as States, just as any other territory is built up into States, and by the same power.

A twelve months experience has done more to make Congress of one mind on this important subject than all of Mr. Stevens arguments, unanswerable as they were. Instead of standing alone as he did at first, he is supported by nearly all who then opposed him. The events of the last year has justified his predictions, and the country regards his views as completely vindicated.

"Oh Consistancy Thou Art A Jewel"
(Column 1)

Summary: The editorial mocks the Democratic party for its consistent support of putrid causes, such as the Confederacy and Maximillian, the deposed Emperor of Mexico.

[No Title]
(Column 2)

Summary: The article ridicules the Philadelphia Age for its criticism of Thad Stevens's recent speech on Reconstruction.

Origin of Article: Philadelphia Age

A Tour Through The Rocky Mountains
(Column 2)

Summary: In this installment, McClure excoriates the military leaders assigned the task of protecting the overland route to the West. He contends that they have failed to perform their duties and safeguard against Indian attacks.

Letters From Mrs. Jane G. Swisshelm
(Column 4)

Summary: Swisshelm offers a tepid endorsement of Swinton's history of the Civil War, but refutes the book's attempts to exculpate McClellan for his numerous failures.

Trailer: J. G. S.

Illinois
(Column 5)

Summary: A letter from a former resident of Franklin county exalting life in Illinois, particularly the area around Whiteside county, which has attracted a number of settlers from Chambersburg and its environs.
(Names in announcement: Henry Keefer, Isaac Reed, Benjamin Reed, George Grove, John Over, Frank Carolous)

Trailer: W. W. D.

Associate Judgeship
(Column 5)

Summary: The author of the letter nominates John W. Reges, Esq., as the Republican candidate for Associate Judge.
(Names in announcement: John W. Reges)

Trailer: Washington Township

Speech of Mr. Stevens
(Column 7)

Summary: The piece contains an extract of Thad Stevens's address before Congress in which he described the status of the southern states as a "conquered territory" and suggested that if Congress had agreed on this position earlier, it would have facilitated the reconstruction process.

Editorial Comment: "Hon. Thaddeus Stevens made the following speech in the House of Representatives last week:"

Local Items--A Liberal Law
(Column 1)

Summary: The piece reminds readers that honorably discharged soldiers in Pennsylvania, who are unable to perform manual labor because of an injury they suffered while serving, are entitled to a license granting them the right "to hawk, peddle, and vend any wares."

Local Items--Pastor Installed
(Column 1)

Summary: At the meeting of the Carlisle Presbytery last week, Rev. J. Agnew Crawford, recently elected pastor of the Presbyterian congregation of Chambersburg, was installed. Other ecclesiastical items of note: Rev. I. N. Hays and William G. Reed were selected to attend the convention in Philadelphia to deliberate the "subject of uniting the different branches of the Presbyterian Church."
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Agnew Crawford, Rev. Dr. Creigh, Rev. J. Smith Gordon, Rev. J. W. Wightman, Rev. William A. West, Rev. I. N. Hays, William G. Reed)

Local Items--A Foundling
(Column 1)

Summary: The article reports that an abandoned baby was found in the outhouse at the Cumberland Valley Depot last Friday. Suspicion rested on two women who arrived on the train from Greencastle; after the authorities located the women and determined the mother, "it was handed over to her."

Local Items--Explanation
(Column 1)

Summary: The editors offer a clarification to an article that appeared in the Repository several weeks earlier that listed the names of dead soldiers buried in Chambersburg; the story forgot to mention it only included men who were actually in the service at the time of their death.

Local Items--Another Veteran Gone
(Column 1)

Summary: Reports that John Lightner, "a veteran of the late rebellion," died in Mercersburg last Sunday. He was 37 years old. Lightner joined Company F, 77th Regiment in 1861 and participated in some of the bloodiest battles of the war, including Pittsburg Landing, Murfreesboro, Chattanooga, and the siege of Corinth. He was interred in the M. E. burial ground near his home.
(Names in announcement: John Lightner)

Origin of Article: Mercersburg Journal

Local Items--Bitten By A Snake
(Column 2)

Summary: Joshua Lane, of Mercersburg, was bitten on the hand by a copperhead last Sunday evening, the article relates. Lane was attacked by the snake while reaching into a barrel filled with corn to feed his horse. The "proper" remedies were applied; he is expected to recover fully.
(Names in announcement: Joshua Lane)

Origin of Article: Mercersburg Journal

Local Items--Postponed
(Column 2)

Summary: Notes that the corner-laying ceremony at the Lutheran Church in Mercersburg will be postponed until after the harvest. The event has been re-scheduled for July 20th.

Local Items--Removals
(Column 2)

Summary: The Collector of Internal Revenue for Chambersburg's district has removed Maj. Luther B. Kurtz from his post as inspector of liquors and replaced him with J. Newton Shilito. He also removed Capt. George W. Heagy as warehouse-keeper at Harchelrode's distillery and appointed Tench McDowell his successor.
(Names in announcement: Maj. Luther Kurtz, J. Newton Shilito, George Heagy, Tench McDowell)

Local Items--Sudden Death
(Column 2)

Summary: The piece informs readers that Catharine Jackson, an elderly black woman in the employ of Major Rowe who was familiarly known as "Aunt Kitty," died last Wednesday while washing dishes.
(Names in announcement: Catharine Jackson, Aunt Kitty , Maj. Rowe)

Local Items--New Law Firm
(Column 2)

Summary: Announces that John Cessna, W. S. Everett, and Jeremiah Cook have formed a law firm.
(Names in announcement: John Cessna, W. S. Everett, Jeremiah Cook)

Local Items--Change of Proprietors
(Column 2)

Summary: Relates that Messrs. Hamsher and Keyser will retire from the management of the Valley Spirit. They will be replaced by John M. Cooper, William Stenger, and Augustus Duncan.
(Names in announcement: Hamsher, Keyser, John M. Cooper, William S. Stenger, Augustus Duncan)

Local Items--Appointment
(Column 2)

Summary: Robert Sharp, of Newville, was appointed conductor on the 1:10 train on the Cumberland Valley Railroad.
(Names in announcement: Robert Sharp)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On June 18th, George B. Browne and Annie E. Martin were married by Rev. F. Hassler.
(Names in announcement: George B. Browne, Annie E. Martin, Rev. F. Hassler)

Married
(Column 3)

Summary: On July 9th, McGinley Stach and Susan Stayman were married by Rev. P. S. Davis.
(Names in announcement: McGinley Stach, Susan Stayman, Rev. P. S. Davis)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On July 1st, John McVitty died in Amberson's Valley. He was 63 years old.
(Names in announcement: John McVitty)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On July 3rd, John Koons, formerly of Chambersburg, died in Tremont, Susquehanna county, Pa. He was 45 years old.
(Names in announcement: John Koons)

Died
(Column 3)

Summary: On April 27th, Eveline Allison died in Chambersburg after suffering a "tedious and severe illness." She was 68 years old.
(Names in announcement: Eveline Allison)