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Franklin Repository: May 20, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

What Was Done, What to Do
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper bemoans the "betrayal" of the people by the politicians of the country through Johnson's acquittal, laying out a long history of what they see as Democratic evils.

Full Text of Article:

When the U.S. Senate on Tuesday of last week postponed the vote on the impeachment articles until Saturday, the 16th, it was feared that Johnson had bought and debauched enough of Republican Senators to secure his acquittal. It was hoped that by this delay the loyal masses might by a universal appeal recall the recreant Senators from the infamy of voting to sustain the President. True, Republican Conventions and Republican State Committees from every State had declared in firm and unmistakable tones their conviction that Johnson was guilty of the charge preferred against him, and demanded his removal. The entire Republican Press had joined in the same demand. But since Tuesday, the 12th instant, the voice of the people in every State from Maine to California has steadily demanded the conviction and removal of the President. Through the journals, by mass meetings, through conventions and committees, and through their Representatives in Congress there has been but one cry. Maine, Illinois, Iowa and Missouri besought their mercenary Senators not to betray them, by acquitting the President, and thus bring upon themselves everlasting shame and reproach. In all the land there was not one dissenting voice, but with marvelous unanimity from a thousand different places at the same time, the same unmistakable messages flashed over the wires to those men holding the grand council of the nation. It cannot then be said that the people did not demand his conviction.

It is not a question wherein the consideration of the Party, as a mere political organization can have a place. Parties may rise and flourish and sink to decay, and the cause of justice and freedom still goes on. But if the loyal people of the United States demanded Johnson's conviction and removal for flagrant violations of the law, and it is resisted only by those who have proved themselves the enemies of the country, we do say the safety of the country demands his conviction. It is a matter of history and needs no proof that the Republican Party has for years been the salvation of the country. It resisted the encroachments of the Slave Power of the South, and when it rebelled and tried to overthrow the Government, it defeated the most gigantic effort treason has ever made to destroy Republican Institutions. Whatever honest and patriotic Democrats may have done, and they did much to save the country, nevertheless the Democratic party by its leaders and its organization voted and labored wholly in the interests of the rebellion. They encouraged the Confederates, they resisted the draft, and always voted in the National Councils and in the legislature of every State to withhold the necessary means and measures to prosecute the war. The party of loyalty and liberty, the Republican party, after treason had been defeated on every battlefield, and the chains of slavery had been stricken from four millions of bondmen, and freedom had been declared the birthright of all men, is guilty of no idle boast when it claims that the loyal country demands the conviction and removal of Johnson. It is too late now to recapitulate how the President usurped the powers of Congress, how he took in his own hands the Reconstruction of the Rebellious States, how he dictated terms of peace, how he converted the federal patronage into a corruption fund to buy renegade Republicans to support his policy, how he pardoned thieves, and counterfeiters, and murderers, to make his party, how he arbitrarily removed loyal Generals for obeying the laws of Congress, how he instigated the bloody massacres of Memphis and New Orleans, how he vetoed the laws of Congress, and how at last he assumed judicial as well as executive powers, declared himself a despot, and violated the laws. All this the people know he has done, and they have labored to secure his removal. But the voice of Avarice and Greed has been louder than the still small voice of conscience, and seven Senators have sold their manhood that they might share his everlasting infamy and shame, while they enjoy none of his power.

To Republicans throughout the land, we say, you have been betrayed and deceived. The steward in whose charge you placed your treasure have proved false to the trust. When your liberties were invaded by the despot, they proved cowards and deserted to the enemy. When your principles were assailed, they did not resist. But principles are eternal, and will live whether you are victor or vanquished.

Hundred of thousand of the best lives of the land died fighting for these same principles. Their graves are found on every battlefield and their vacant places are still felt at every hearthstone. Their silent appeals you cannot resist. The liberties rescued from the hands of traitors, by the sacrifice of their blood you must again rescue from the hands of the tyrant at Washington. Unless you do, they fought in vain; the liberty for which they died is a mockery, and the Constitution, the charter of Freedom which they won from unholy hands, will prove to be an engine of power in the hands of an unscrupulous tyrant to wrest our liberties from us.

Dead
(Column 02)

Summary: This tirade against the Republican Senators who voted for Johnson's acquittal casts them as traitors, weak men, and many other unfortunate things.

Full Text of Article:

Died, on the 14th instant, in Washington City, Senators Fessenden, of Maine, Trumbull, of Illinois, Henderson, of Missouri, Grimes, of Iowa. Their memories will be buried in a graveyard whose only occupants hitherto have been Benedict Arnold, Aaron Burr, and Jeff. Davis. They died of weakness, meanness, betrayal of their country and violation of their oaths. They died because they had not the manhood to live. They aspired to be champions of Freedom, they were only the tools of Despotism. They had well nigh made the people believe that they were freemen, free in thought, speech and action. They were but the cringing slaves of a Tennessee Tailor, and when he snapped his whip they bowed their faces to the earth and licked the dust.

Now there is none so lowly that to gaze upon them he must not look down, none so despised that he may not fervently give thanks that between him and them there is an infinite distance. Let American youth look on Grimes and pray that they be spared the imbecility of second childhood. Let them behold Fessenden and learn the lesson, how the fairest temple of a lifetime, wrought with infinite care and skill, may in an evil moment be dashed to the ground, an unsightly mass. Let them learn that disappointed ambition and envy could accomplish in a day what the enemies of his country failed to effect in a lifetime - his political death.

If disappointed ambition made Fessenden mad; and doting senility would not surrender Grimes to kindlier Death, what can be said in extenuation of the conduct of Trumbull and Henderson? They can plead neither the one nor the other. Old age has not dethroned their reason, nor disappointment burned his mark upon their brows. But they too have fallen in the moment of the crowning glory of their lives; and if their hands be not full of burning gold they have but surrendered themselves to the Despot at their real worth.

"Weep for the dead' Not those who claim
Immortal life on the scroll of Fame;
Not for the soul that feared but shame;
Not for the life that reached its aim;
Not for the step that marked in flame
Print of a hero's tread.
Weep for the dead that breathe and speak!
Dead with a life-bloom on the cheek!
Dead for they have no aim to seek!
Dead to the core - dead!
Dead as the use of a wasted hour!
Dead as the dew on a poison flower!
Dead as the Soul's crime-palsied power!
Dead!

Old Grimes
(Column 02)

Summary: The article comments on the so-called political death of Senator Grimes after his vote to acquit President Johnson in the impeachment trial. It attacks his character and predicts a dire fate for Grimes.

Full Text of Article:

Old Grimes is dead. Faithless to his constituents, faithless to his high and sacred trusts, and faithless to his country, he buried himself deep in the mire of Andrew Johnson's infamy. Old Grimes is dead. "With repenting hand he had abolished his own works," slavishly connived with traitors, and to-day, alone, and separated from those with whom he has stood shoulder to shoulder in many a hard fought contest against those who mourn treason's fall, he wanders without friends, and despised by his new found associates. Old Grimes is dead. He has fallen from his high estate as a gallant standard bearer of the party of Freedom and Humanity. By one fool deed he has blotted out his fair fame. A victim to his own ambition, a betrayer of those who elevated him to his present position, the Judas Iscariot of the U. S. Senate, he has dug his own political grave, and in it let him be buried. It would be charity to suppose that it was an error of judgment that led him astray, were the fact not against him mountain high. Old Grimes is dead. What his price was no man knows, how great his ruin time alone can tell. Iowa has already forsaken him, in the streets of the capitol he is met by no congratulating friends, and when he returns to his home, he will not be received with any manifestations of joy by the true men of his State, for in sadness and sorrow have they seen him surrender his manhood. He will retire into obscurity "not only doomed but damned," never to be thought of, save when it is necessary to warn men who, in violation of the will of the people, would sacrifice their party principles and others to gratify selfish purposes.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The article reports that the impeachment has failed and names the Republican Senators who voted for acquittal. It questions the implications of this acquittal on the government as a structure and reiterates the arguments for impeachment.

Full Text of Article:

On Saturday at noon the Senate met and voted on the eleventh article of Impeachment. The vote stood 35 for conviction and 19 for acquittal. Among the latter were Republicans Grimes, Fessenden, Trumbull, Henderson, Fowler, Van Winkle and Ross. The Senate then adjourned to Tuesday, the 26th inst. This is virtually the end of Impeachment. If, indeed, a vote be taken at all, upon the reassembling of the Senate, on the remaining articles, they will likewise be defeated. The eleventh article charged that the President violated the Tenure of Office Act, by attempting to remove Secretary Stanton, and appointing Gen. Thomas to fill the office of Secretary of War, without the advice and consent of the Senate. The Senate made the Tenure of Office Act a law of the land over the President's veto, for the especial purpose of restraining him in his unlawful removals of loyal men from office. All but one of the Republican Senators who voted for his acquittal on Saturday, voted also to make his law. That he attempted to remove Stanton and appoint Thomas are record facts. On Saturday seven Republican Senators were made to say, no matter how, that the President had a right to remove Stanton and appoint Thomas, and, as a legitimate result of their vote, that he has a right to turn their miserable carcasses out of the Senate Chamber, and if he wishes, turn the government upside down. Why not? If the Senate and House cannot make laws which Johnson is bound to respect, and if he can remove and appoint without their advice and consent, they are without use, and to retain them as a matter of ornament, why tastes differ, besides it is too costly.

Of course Johnson cannot be convicted on any of the remaining articles.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper discusses the Chicago Convention to nominate the Republican candidates for President and Vice President. President, the author says, is universally accepted as going to Grant, but there is discussion about the VP. The author further attacks the Republican Senators who voted for acquittal of the President.

Full Text of Article:

To-day the Chicago Convention meets for the nomination of candidates for President and Vice President on the Republican ticket. The first office in the gift of the nation is universally conceded to the gallant military chieftain who conquered treason's forces, and scattered them like leaves of the forest throughout a land redeemed from the bondage of slavery. There will be a contest for the Vice Presidency, with the chances now strongly in favor of Wade. The most important part of the proceedings will be the making of a platform for the next campaign. It is certain that none of the principles that have already been sustained by the people will be surrendered, and if the Convention determines to occupy still higher ground on the great questions of Humanity and Freedom, they will be still further supported by the masses. But on no account whatever should Trumbull, or Grime, or Fessenden, or Ross, or Fowler, or Van Winkle, or Henderson, or the great Chief Devil, Chase - whose only aim and ambition now is to cause the rupture of the party that gave him the highest place in his profession, not only because he differs from us in principle, but for the purpose of gratifying bitter animosities - be permitted to appear on the floor or in any way exercise any influence on any question that may be brought before the body. Let these renegades no longer enjoy the confidence of the men they have sold for the money of the "whiskey ring," and let them clearly understand that they must cling to the idols of treason and associate with the enemies of free government, to which they have deserted. Whether Johnson is convicted or not, Grimes and Trumbull must be removed from the committees of which they are chairmen, and honest and reliable men, who can withstand the subtle charms of treason and treason's money, be immediately substituted in their place. Let them be denounced in no gentle terms, let their conduct be shown in its true and proper light, let their deep and damning guilt be condemned by the great Union party in convention assembled, and the people will say, amen.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper denounces the seven Republican senators who voted to acquit Johnson as having "betrayed their confiding constituents and dug their own political graves." The only explanation the paper can find is that many had terms expiring in 1869.

Hon. Simon Cameron
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper applauds Simon Cameron for voting to remove Andrew Johnson. "Thoroughly alive to the jeopardy in which Andrew Johnson had brought the country by his treachery, his reckless violation of law, his betrayal of the Southern loyalists and of his party, he has labored earnestly and with a singleness of purpose to effect his removal."

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper charges that Senator Trumbull's "moral character" has been destroyed by his vote to acquit Andrew Johnson. The paper suggests that the explanation lies in Trumbull's son's alleged bet of $5,000 that Johnson would not be removed.

Teachers' Examinations
(Column 05)

Summary: "One of the Com" writes the Repository to defend the new law that requires teachers holding professional certificates, who had previously been exempt, to take the yearly examination. The correspondent argues that this will ensure that all teachers are up to current standards. A committee on permanent certificates will meet applicants and administer a general examination on June 6th.

The Impeachment Excitement
(Column 01)

Summary: The article recounts the shift from certainty that the President would be convicted to a shift, upon hearing of the adjournment of the Senate, to questions of foul play and later disappointment and unhappiness.

Full Text of Article:

It having been made known by the Harrisonburg morning papers that telegraphic despatches would be sent throughout the country, in regard to the action of the U. S. Senate, on the conviction or acquittal of Andrew Johnson, on Tuesday, the 12th inst., many of our Republican friends came to the office of the Repository for the purpose of hearing the news. The New York and Philadelphia dailies of the evening previous having regarded the conviction of the President as certain, there was of course but one conclusion formed throughout the country, as to the result. The Copperheads were prepared for the removal of this great obstruction to the execution of our laws, and the reconstruction of the late rebel states, on a loyal basis. Some of our merchants had received letters from men of the Democratic persuasion, telling them that business would enliven and money would become plenty as soon as Wade occupied the White House. Everybody felt satisfied that his Accidency would be found guilty on some of the charges, at least, that had been presented for the consideration of the high court of impeachment. No one, of either party, seemed to have taken into account that the proposition of the New York World to raise millions of dollars to buy Senators would or could be successful, and regarded it only as an insult to our great Statesmen. But when a telegram was received announcing the adjournment of the Senate until the 16th, suspicions of foul play were at once aroused, and with one voice the recreant Senators were denounced. Had Trumbull, or Fessenden, or poor old Grimes, or the traitor from Missouri been about, they would have been roughly handled by their former party friends. The failure was regarded as a Bull Run disaster. The same countenances were full of grief and the same hearts were sad on Tuesday, that mourned over our fallen braves on the bloody field of Manassas, while on the other hand smiles and congratulations were everywhere extended by joyful "Cops," who never rejoiced save when Union troops were defeated, or never lamented, unless some Gettysburg disaster was the fate of their traitor friends.

Brave veterans, who had gone through storms of lead and shell, and seen many a comrade murdered by Southern bullets, that the "Stars and Stripes" might be the flag of our nation; old men, who sent forth the idols of their household to die for Liberty and Union, and mothers and maidens, who had laid upon the altar of their country their heart's choicest offering, bitterly deplored the evils that had been brought upon us by the vile apostates. It was but the rehearsal of the woe and grief that hallowed Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. The vote on Saturday made the prospect no brighter. The Senate met and virtually acquitted the Executive on the eleventh article, and again adjourned, until the 26th of May. It is hard to tell what may be done then. The betrayers may retrace their footsteps, but it is not probable. The prayers of a Christian people can alone save us, as they have in days gone by, from the ruin staring us in the face, and avert the calamities that now overwhelm us.

Our Dead Heroes
(Column 01)

Summary: General Logan, Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, declared the 30th of May a day of remembrance for fallen troops. The article encourages the populace to observe this day.

Full Text of Article:

Gen. Logan, the Commander in Chief of the society of the Grand Army of the Republic, has issued a general order designating the 30th of the present month of May, as the day for "strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of Comrades who died in defense of their country during the great rebellion, and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but Posts and Comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit. "Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of springtime; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledge to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan."

It is not necessary to ask the gallant soldiers of Franklin County to comply with the above order. There is no better way of keeping green the memories of the sainted dead, than by these sad demonstrations of our appreciation of their services. They nobly fought, nobly lived, and nobly died, that our Republic might exist, and let us not now forget their services or their names. Let each post of the G. A. R. make such arrangements as they may see proper, let our citizens assist them in carrying out their plans and let us all without regard to party or politics, meet over the silent mounds of our slain patriots and then do homage to their remains. We can then refer to May 30th with pleasure, feeling confident that we have done our duty. Our ladies can procure the boquets, and we know they will not hesitate to join in so noble a work. We hope to record a general observance of Gen. Logan's request by all the good people of Cumberland Valley.

Labor
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper publishes for the benefit of employers and laborers an act of the legislature establishing a fair day's work as "eight hours of labor, between the rising and the setting of the sun." The law does not apply to contracts made by the "year, month, or week," nor does it prevent workers from working overtime if they desire.

I. O. G. T.
(Column 01)

Summary: Charles W. Lego, lodge deputy, installed a number of new officers at Gilmore Lodge No. 385, I. O. G. T. of Fayetteville. This lodge has enjoyed "more than usual success" since its organization. It opened with 20 members and now boasts more than 60 in a town of 400. The success "shows what energy and perseverance in a good cause will accomplish in despite of the open and covert animosity of the friends and abettors of that giant evil of our favored land--whiskey." The lodge will hold a picnic on May 29th.
(Names in announcement: Charles W. Lego, Levi J. Wolf, Kate Richards, B. White, Sue M. Black, H. S. Myers, George Henderson, N. K. Mahon, Ida Rodrock, J. S. Bittinger, Maggie A. Black, Emma Downey, R. F. M'Elroy)

What Becomes of All the Butter
(Column 02)

Summary: An estimated 30 tons of butter per month is produced and shipped from Franklin County. At 20 cents per pound, this brings in $140,000 per year.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: J. Madison Bell, an African American orator and poet from California, spoke to a "small but appreciative audience" in Chambersburg's Repository Hall. He plans two more lectures in town.

The New Law Judge
(Column 02)

Summary: Judge D. Watson Rowe, the recent appointment as additional law judge for the 16th Judicial District, won many compliments for the discharge of his duty in Bedford. He is reportedly the youngest judge in the state.
(Names in announcement: Judge D. Watson Rowe)

Origin of Article: Bedford Inquirer

An Assault
(Column 02)

Summary: Samuel Brooks, an "American citizen of African descent" who works at the quarry near Chambersburg, had his temple artery cut when a men with whom he was arguing struck him with a rock. The quick action of Dr. C. L. Bard stopped the bleeding, and Brooks seems to be recovering.
(Names in announcement: Samuel Brooks, Dr. C. L. Bard)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Rev. William George Hawkins of the Episcopal Church declined an offer of chair of National Sciences at Bethany College in order to devote his energies to building up his Chambersburg congregation. He also has plans of opening a female seminary.
(Names in announcement: Rev. William George Hawkins)

Refugees
(Column 03)

Summary: A man named Carpenter passed through Chambersburg with his wife and family on his way to Chester County. He claims he was a loyal Union man driven from his home in Kentucky by "the persecutions of rebels." The loyal citizens of Chambersburg raised money to help him with his travel expenses. "His tale was but the repetition of the outrages and wrongs inflicted on loyal men in the South."

June Court
(Column 03)

Summary: Sheriff Doebler announces to the people of Chambersburg that a special session of the court will be held the first week of June.
(Names in announcement: Sheriff Doebler)

Postponement
(Column 03)

Summary: The railroad committee postponed the public meeting, but are hard at work. They have set the price of shares at $25.06 "thus bringing the enterprise within the reach of all our citizens who take an interest in the prosperity of Chambersburg."

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: John Updyke of Philadelphia and Miss Sarah Jane Buchanan of Franklin were married at the American Hotel in Chambersburg on May 12th by the Rev. S. Barnes.
(Names in announcement: John Updyke, Sarah Jane Buchanan, Rev. S. Barnes)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Henry Millhose and Miss Martha Jane Stumbaugh, both of Franklin, were married on May 14th at the Methodist Parsonage in Chambersburg by the Rev. S. Barnes.
(Names in announcement: Henry Millhose, Martha Jane Stumbaugh, Rev. S. Barnes)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: William H. H. Houghtelin of Chambersburg and Jennie L. McFetridge, daughter of Samuel L. McFetridge of Philadelphia, were married on May 7th by the Rev. William McElwee.
(Names in announcement: William H. H. Houghtelin, Jennie L. McFetridge, Samuel L. McFetridge, Rev. William McElwee)

Died
(Column 03)

Summary: Christian Eakle died at his Chambersburg residence on May 10th. He was 55 years old.
(Names in announcement: Christian Eakle)

Died
(Column 03)

Summary: Annie B. Uglow, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth Uglow, died on May 13th. She was 3 years old.
(Names in announcement: Annie B. Uglow, Benjamin Uglow, Elizabeth Uglow)

Died
(Column 03)

Summary: Mrs. Anna Mary Stahl, wife of Joseph Stahl, died suddenly in Guilford at the residence of Andrew Heintzelman. She was 72 years old.
(Names in announcement: Anna Mary Stahl, Joseph Stahl, Andrew Heintzelman)

Died
(Column 03)

Summary: Miss Mary Wingert died in Green township on May 12th at the residence of Jacob Brechbill. She was 23 years old.
(Names in announcement: Mary Wingert, Jacob Brechbill)