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Franklin Repository: February 05, 1868Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | |
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Stand By the Best Party
(Column 02)Summary: The editor seeks to convince voters that they should not abandon their party even if that party does not conform precisely with all their wishes. The paper insists that only two parties mattered in the upcoming election: The Republicans and the Democrats. Labels the former as the party of Union and the destroyer of slavery and the latter as the party of treason.
Full Text of Article:The Political OutlookIt is impossible that any man in America should have a powerful party in the country all of whose principles and doctrines coincide with his own. From the nature of the human mind, such an event would be anomalous and a miracle. The shades and complexions of the mind are infinite, and although "history repeats itself," it never truthfully records the story of two human intellects precisely alike. Yet many of us denounce the party we know to be the best, and stay away from the polls, so permitting the party we most condemn to triumph; because the party we favor has laid down some rule or proclaimed some doctrine which we do not exactly approve. We insist that the principles and views of the party shall be precisely those we individually maintain, or we will withdraw our support. We shrink into our little corner on election day, and weep, because we believe that politically the Godly men cease from the face of the earth. We will take no part in politics when we do not endorse all on either side. As well might a man find fault because no large multitude of his fellow creatures are possessed of faces precisely like his own. As well might he say, you are all different in your features from me and I will have nothing to do with your world; and then blow out his brains. He who thus voluntarily absents himself from the election and deserts his own favorite party, because the principles and aims of that party are not in every particular his own, destroys with his own hand his own political life. Even the master mind of the determined John C. Calhoun, possessing an almost immeasurable power over the intellects of so many of his countrymen, was unable to produce in a long lifetime devoted mainly to the one single purpose, a party which should work out successfully the dogmas he instilled.
There have always been two powerful contemporaneous parties and only two within the United States since the government was first established and it is fair to presume there will not in the future be more than two. The question for every true American to decide is not, can I induce the people of the United States to act politically just as I wish? The important interrogatory is which of the two great antagonistic parties of my country is the best, which is the nearest right? When a man has decided this point, then is it not wisest and most patriotic to adhere to and support the party he has chosen as the best? A man should do all in his power to lead his party nearer to what he considers the attainment of perfect political excellence. But because the majority of that party are not cast in the same mental and moral mould as himself, is no reason that he should abandon what he knows to be the better of the two large parties and pro tanto expose it to be conquered by the one he believes to be the worse. Such highstrung autocratic, self-sufficient practices, savor more of the Napoleonic "all or nothing" spirit than of the republican principles of America, where the will of the majority is the law of the land.
To-day the two great parties in the field are the Republican party and the Democratic party. The Republican party which has stood by the government since the beginning of the rebel war, as Horatius stood by old Rome when her enemies pressed close to her gates. The Republican party which has been true to the old flag, true to the principles of an enlightened free government of a Christian religion. The Republican party which has hurled slavery like a viper from the cradle of our young Republic and warded off the traitor sword which slaveholders had aimed at the Gordian knot of our Federal Union. The herald of all advanced freedom and justice and morality on earth since Christ ascended from among men. The Democratic party. Lucifer lend us words to describe it. The party which attempted to destroy the government Washington founded.--The modern champions of human slavery. The advocates of treason in the United States. The party which murdered hundreds of thousands of Americans because they were marshalled to maintain the Union of the States. The assassins of Abraham Lincoln. The fawning flatterers and pliant tools of Andrew Johnson. The blackest manifestation of all the retrograde doctrines of the American slaveholder. The advanced guard of all that is unjust and enslaving and treasonable and murderous on earth.
These two parties stand before each American citizen. Aid one of them directly or indirectly he must. Let him choose between them and then fight earnestly in the ranks of the one he has chosen.
We have long sneered at Democrats as slaves to party, because, we say, they would vote for the Devil were he a Democratic candidate. So they would, and if there is one right principle left in the rotten platform of that mouldering organization, it is the principle that a man should through thick and thin stand by the nominees of the party he believes to be the best. Let us not be too haughty to learn a good lesson even from our enemies.
(Column 02)Summary: The editor expresses satisfaction at the present conduct of the Republican party in regards to Reconstruction policy. He had feared that they might let President Johnson and southerners enact a lenient reconstruction plan but that prospect led Republicans to finally close ranks. They put Stanton back in office and rendered the Supreme Court mute on hearing reconstruction cases.
Full Text of Article:[No Title]Since the opening of the present session of Congress, the difficulties in the way of reconstruction upon republican principles have been legion; and the main issues, together with the side issues connected with the finances and other important public measures, have been almost interminable. The hostility of the rebel leaders in the South to anything like a fair adjustment of their relations with the Union; the removal by the President, of such officers as were willing to execute the laws of Congress, and the substitution of such men as would take the old Rebel State laws as their guide; the scheme concocted by Andrew Johnson and the leaders of the Democratic Party, to pit the Supreme Court against the Congressional plan of reconstruction, these we say were some of the discouraging features of our political situation.
To render the prospect still more unpromising, the members of the Republican Party in Congress had been somewhat at variance among themselves upon many important measures, and no settled policy seemed even to be indicated by them as the one by which to counteract all these adverse influences. Union men from the South were writing and sending delegations to impress upon others their conviction, that unless further help were afforded them, the work of reconstruction would certainly prove an entire failure. Sheridan, Pope, Swayne and other faithful officers had been set aside, and Hancock with his original States' rights policy was placed at the head of affairs in the principle Military District of the South. The President and Jerry Black were working with might and main to interpose the Supreme Court, in the defeat of Stanton's re-instatement, so that the military power might remain in harmonious tact from the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, down to the lowest officer engaged in the task of reconstruction.
This fierce and threatening aspect of the opposing elements, happily have had the effect of putting a stop to the petty dissensions and wranglings in the Republican ranks, and the great loyal party in Congress is beginning to crystalize into regular, solid forms in regard the essentials. The replacing of Stanton in his old situation as Secretary of War, by a strictly party vote in the Senate, was effected with such neatness and dispatch as to surprise the presidential party, and entirely to overthrow their best laid plans. But as we remarked before, from a feeling that the Republican law-makers were about to become defeated, or demoralized, there is now springing up a sense of strength, integrity and self-reliance among them which always bodes victory.
On the same day that the Senate reinstated Stanton, the bill proposing to regulate the Supreme Court was reported in the House by the Judiciary Committee--a bill requiring a majority of two-thirds of that Court against a law of Congress, in order to render its decision of unconstitutionality valid. To render the coincidents of the day still more remarkable, immediately in the wake of this report of the Judiciary Committee, and in the regular order of business, the new reconstruction bill was introduced; and in the various test ballotings held on all these measures, the old party lines were clearly drawn, and everything had gotten into its proper channel. The Republican ship was putting out before the breeze with steady rudder and taut rigging, in every respect ready for the coming storm.
This mere exhibition of its real strength, has rendered the party buoyant and hopeful, so much so as to make some doubt now the necessity of exerting all its power in the direction contemplated--seeing the opposition so completely baffled and humiliated. In the meantime some things have transpired to induce the belief that the Supreme Court, although admitting the cases testing the validity of the reconstruction laws to a hearing, will most likely then dismiss them as not coming within their jurisdiction.
Congress has, by large majorities in both Houses, quieted the fears of further contraction of the currency by ending the power hitherto resting with the Secretary of the Treasury, to manipulate this delicate business at will. The cheerful political pospect is not alone, or not so much perhaps on account of the legislative acts which have been completed, but in good earnest at Washington. The noble Fortieth Congress is rapidly becoming masters of the situation; and having done its work well, the rank and file will follow it in working for the right during the whole campaign of 1868, until the final act at the ballot-box in November next.
(Column 04)Summary: The paper calls on all Republicans to act vigorously in the election season to prevent a Democratic return to power. The editors assert that Democrats are organizing and will use any means to regain office, and Republicans should fight back with equal force. Southern Republicans should work especially hard to get out the vote to prove that Republicanism was not dying out.
Full Text of Article:The Democrats are organising everywhere, and exerting themselves to the utmost, to be prepared to carry the spring elections, and get the election officers in as many districts as possible. Their State Committee has called attention to this subjct, and their County Committees and prominent politicians every where are busily engaged making the necessary arrangements. The activity of the enemy should arouse every earnest Republican to the necessity of attending to this most important matter. In every district they should exert themselves to the utmost, above all other things, to elect trusty and capable election officers, and to bring out in this preliminary engagement the full strength of the Republican party. There is not the slightest question that a desperate effort will be made by the Democrats and their rebel allies to carry the Congressional and Presidential tickets next fall. To accomplish this, they will be willing to resort to any measure that will assist them in their work. If they can succeed in electing this spring, through the supineness of our party, electing officers of their own stripe in Republican districts, they will not only have some eclat, to furnish material for Buncombe speeches, but a positive advantage in the opportunities presented for fraud, in case of a want of watchfulness on our part. Besides, such a result would give them a decided advantage in the fact that it would tend for a time, to continue the hallucination under which many of them labor, that Republicanism is dying out. Let all our friends turn out at the polls, at the spring elections, and give them a taste of the defeat which we mean shall overwhelm them in the fall.
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The Pennsylvania Conference
(Column 01)Summary: A number of elders from Franklin attended the recent conference of the United Brethren in Christ that met at York. Positive reports on missionary activities were delivered.The Ancient Cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum
(Names in announcement: J. M. Bishop, J. P. Bishop, H. Y. Hummelbaugh, J. Dickson, J. N. Quigley, S. Bigham, A. Tripner, S. A. Mower, T. Y. Sheaffer, N. Altman, J. P. Anthony, J. G. Shoaff, B. G. Hoover)
(Column 01)Summary: The Rev. B. S. Schneck will deliver a lecture on the above topic in the ongoing series for the benefit of the poor.Chambersburg Academy
(Names in announcement: Rev. B. S. Schneck)
(Column 01)Summary: The trustees of the Chambersburg Academy have reached an agreement with J. H. Shoemaker regarding the opening of the school. A new building is now being built on the site of the old academy that was burned down by Confederate troops. Shoemaker will lease it for $3,000 for ten years. He is an experienced teacher, "a graduate of Marshall College, and a gentleman of excellent literary and scholarly attainments."Court Proceedings
(Names in announcement: J. H. Shoemaker)
(Column 02)Summary: The paper records the court proceedings for the week, with only three cases reaching verdicts. The case for the George Kyner will took the longest.
(Names in announcement: Alex W. Kyner, George Kyner, Mary Thompson, Cessna, Penrose, Brewer, Orr, Stewart, Sharpe, Kimmell, George Tucker, William Fleagle, Stumbaugh, Holker Hughes, Oaks, Linn, Nicholas Best, Daniel Hammond)Full Text of Article:I. O. G. T.During last week but three cases were tried by jury, the Kyner will case consuming four days.
COMMON PLEA
Alex W. Kyner, Ex'r of Geo. Kyner, dec'd, vs. Mary Thompson and other heirs of said Geo. Kyner, dec'd.--Feigned issue to try the validity of the last will and testament of Geo. Kyner, dec'd. Verdict for plaintiff. Cessna, Penrose, Brewer and Orr for plaintiff; Stewart, Sharpe and Kimmell for plaintiff.
George Tucker vs. Wm. Fleagle.--Summons in Assumpsit. Defendant confessed judgment for $475 and costs. Kimmell for plaintiff; Stumbaugh and Stewart for defendant.
Holker Hughes vs. Oaks & Linn.--Summons case to recover for value of goods in possession of defendants and captured by rebel Gen. Jenkins, in June, 1863. Verdict for defendants. Sharpe for plaintiff; M'Lellan & Kimmell for defendants.
Nicholas Best vs. Daniel Hammond.--Summon in Ejectment. Verdict for plaintiff. Sharpe for plaintiff; Kimmell for defendant.
(Column 02)Summary: Gilmore Lodge, No. 358, of the I. O. G. T. of Fayetteville elected the following officers: A. B. Shively, Miss Lizzie J. Black, L. J. Wolf, James Downey, Miss Maggie Cook, John Long. The paper reports that the lodge is in a "prosperous condition" and that "King Alcohol is losing ground in that part of the 'Green Spot.'" M'Murray Lodge No. 119 of Chambersburg elected the following officers: Noah Schlosser, Miss Kate M. Kirby, J. W. Fletcher, J. A. S. Cramer, J. Harper Black, Miss Lide P. Welsh, Frank Keagy, Levi Sheets, Miss Mollie C. Forbes, Miss Mary Eyster, Miss Tillie Oaks, John Vance, Barton Leisher.Our Alms House
(Names in announcement: A. B. Shively, Lizzie J. Black, L. J. Wolf, James Downey, Maggie Cook, John Long, Noah Schlosser, Kate M. Kirby, J. W. Fletcher, J. A. S. Cramer, J. Harper Black, Lide P. Welsh, Frank Keagy, Levi Sheets, Mollie C. Forbes, Mary Eyster, Tillie Oaks, John Vance, Barton Leisher)
(Column 02)Summary: The paper prints the report of the inspector of the Franklin County Alms House. The inspector thought the alms house appeared in good order but the facilities for the insane were completely inadequate. He found that some inmates had been chained up for twenty years.
(Names in announcement: Mahlon H. Dickinson)Full Text of Article:New Town HallHon. Mahlon H. Dickinson, appointed by Gov. Geary to visit and inspect the several prisons and alms houses of this Commonwealth, in his report to the Governor speaks as follows of the condition of our alms house:
"Franklin county alms house is located near the town of Chambersburg. The buildings were erected more than fifty years ago. They are kept in good repair, and will accommodate from three to four hundred persons. There are two hundred acres of well cultivated land attached to it, and much of the labor of the farm is done by the paupers. The institution, at the time I visited it, was in good order, except that part wherein the insane are confined. This place is unfit for the confinement of any class of patients and more especially the insane. I found in this hospital a patient who had been chained for at least twenty years. His name is David Wagaman. He was born in Franklin county, and is now about eighty years of age. There are two others who are not chained, but are occasionally confined in the cells. One of them, a German, has been an inmate nearly twenty years. He seldom needs restraining. There is no appliances for properly treating this disease, or provision made for the physical wants of the patients confined in the wards appropriated to the idiotic and insane. At the time I visited the institution there were twenty-seven of this class of patients confined within its walls.
"That portion of the premises occupied by the sane paupers appears to be kept in good condition and its affairs well administered."
(Column 02)Summary: The citizens of Fayetteville have completed construction of a new town hall that includes school rooms.The Lectures for the Poor
(Column 02)Summary: The Rev. John Hunter of the Church of God delivered the third lecture in the series for the benefit of the poor. The Rev. Hunter recently led a revival in Fayetteville and gave an impromptu address to the crowded hall. The evening raised $43. The Rev. Dr. B. S. Schneck will give the next lecture on "Ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum."Church Dedication
(Names in announcement: Rev. John Hunter, Rev. Dr. B. S. Schneck)
(Column 02)Summary: The new Lutheran Church in Orrstown was dedicated last Sunday. A number of local ministers preached during the ceremonies.Building Association
(Names in announcement: Rev. Alliman, Rev. Schindle, Rev. Williams, Rev. Dutt, Rev. I. N. Hays)
(Column 02)Summary: The Chambersburg Building Association will meet in J. N. Snider's building on the Diamond.Found Dead
(Names in announcement: J. N. Snider)
(Column 03)Summary: Dolly Myers, "an aged woman," was found dead in her bed at the residence of Samuel Leidig near Orrstown. The cause is not known.Fine Collection
(Names in announcement: Dolly Myers, Samuel Leidig)
(Column 03)Summary: The Methodist Sunday School held its annual missionary meeting. The classes contributed $339.79, in addition to the $436.98 raised at the monthly meetings, toward the missionary cause. The school also raised $120.57 to cover expenses.The Road Law
(Column 03)Summary: Citizens in the northern portion of Franklin County are pushing for the repeal of the county road laws. They complain that the tax burden is high, and the roads are not improved.Sermon to Young Men
(Column 03)Summary: The Rev. J. A. Crawford will preach a sermon to young men next Sunday at the Presbyterian Church.New Hall
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. A. Crawford)
(Column 03)Summary: The citizens of Orrstown have established a company for the erection of a public hall. A building committee has been appointed.Dead
(Names in announcement: Daniel Keefer, James B. Orr, John Powders, Samuel Knisely, William OrrSr.)
(Column 03)Summary: William Linderman, "an aged and much respected citizen" of Chambersburg, died at his residence after suffering a lingering illness.Married
(Names in announcement: William Linderman)
(Column 03)Summary: George Falter and Anna Hummell, both of Chambersburg, were married on January 17th by the Rev. Dr. Schneck.Married
(Names in announcement: George Falter, Anna Hummell, Rev. Dr. Schneck)
(Column 03)Summary: Ephraim Hockersmith and Sarah A. Orndorf, both of Quincy, were married at the Washington Hotel on January 28th by the Rev. Dr. Schneck.Married
(Names in announcement: Ephraim Hockersmith, Sarah A. Orndorf, Rev. Dr. Schneck)
(Column 03)Summary: Rev. R. Gracy Ferguson of Mercersburg and Miss Emma M. Huber of Gettysburg were married in Gettysburg on January 28th by the Rev. Charles A. Hay.Married
(Names in announcement: Rev. R. Gracy Ferguson, Emma M. Huber, Rev. Charles A. Hay)
(Column 03)Summary: James Geyer and Miss Hannah Starliper, both of Mercersburg, were married at Greencastle on January 19th by the Rev. O. M. Stewart.Married
(Names in announcement: James Geyer, Hannah Starliper, Rev. O. M. Stewart)
(Column 03)Summary: John McCullough of Peters and Miss Susan Mary Rhea, daughter of John S. Rhea of Mercersburg, were married on January 30th by the Rev. Thomas Creigh.Married
(Names in announcement: John McCullough, Susan Mary Rhea, John S. Rhea, Rev. Thomas Creigh)
(Column 03)Summary: Daniel Glaser and Miss Mary E. Lamaster, both of Franklin, were married on January 30th by the Rev. Tobias Crider.Married
(Names in announcement: Daniel Glaser, Mary E. Lamaster, Rev. Tobias Crider)
(Column 03)Summary: Philip G. Shuman from near Rocky Spring and Miss Susan Sleichter of Cumberland County were married on January 30th at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev. James M. Bishop.Married
(Names in announcement: Philip G. Shuman, Susan Sleichter, Rev. James M. Bishop)
(Column 03)Summary: James Williams and Miss Martha Johns, both of Franklin, were married on January 23rd by the Rev. F. Dyson.Married
(Names in announcement: James Williams, Martha Johns, Rev. F. Dyson)
(Column 03)Summary: George Louis Doernfeld and Miss Mary Magdalene Burkhart, both of Chambersburg, were married on January 16th by the Rev. G. Roth.Died
(Names in announcement: George Louis Doernfeld, Mary Magdalene Burkhart, Rev. G. Roth)
(Column 03)Summary: Harriet Sherman Whitmore, daughter of Jacob Whitmore, died near Greencastle on January 26th. She was 3 years old.Died
(Names in announcement: Harriet Sherman Whitmore, Jacob Whitmore)
(Column 03)Summary: Jacob Sites died near St. Thomas on January 25th. He was 74 years old.Died
(Names in announcement: Jacob Sites)
(Column 03)Summary: Samuel Smith died near St. Thomas on January 29th. He was 68 years old.Died
(Names in announcement: Samuel Smith)
(Column 03)Summary: Mrs. Susannah Sweigert, wife of Christian Sweigert, died in St. Thomas on January 27th. She was 74 years old.Died
(Names in announcement: Susannah Sweigert, Christian Sweigert)
(Column 03)Summary: Mary Grace Coble, daughter of David and Mary E. Coble, died in St. Thomas on January 30th. She was 5 years old.Died
(Names in announcement: Mary Grace Coble, David Coble, Mary E. Coble)
(Column 03)Summary: John Wesley Jacobs, son of P. W. and Anna Jacobs, died in Chambersburg on January 15th. He was 4 months old.Died
(Names in announcement: John Wesley Jacobs, P. W. Jacobs, Anna Jacobs)
(Column 03)Summary: Samuel Smith died in St. Thomas on January 29th. He was 58 years old.
(Names in announcement: Samuel Smith)
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