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Franklin Repository: August 19, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Death of Thaddeus Stevens
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper sorrowfully reports the death of Thaddeus Stevens and eulogizes his career and accomplishments.

What Do They Mean?
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper viciously attacks the negative Democratic policies towards the reconstruction acts. The editors label the Democrats as united with the rebels and insist that a Democratic victory would erase everything Union soldiers died for. The article also points out how prominent rebel generals and governors gave speeches endorsing the Democratic platform.

Full Text of Article:

We have said before that the success of the Democratic party means revolution, and, we believe, proved it also by the acts and declarations of the leaders of that party. It might be deemed too strong to declare that the Democratic platform means revolution, because platforms are intentionally couched in such general terms as to mean specifically nothing or generally almost anything. These must be construed in the light of the acts and declarations of the parties who make them, in order to get at their intent and meaning.

The first demand of the Democratic platform is this: "Immediate restoration of all the States to their rights in the Union under the Constitution and of civil government to the American people." Other things being equal, this seems most fair and unobjectionable. The normal condition of the States to the General Government being unimpaired, that is, the duties which the States owe to the government, faithfully performed, they are entitled to all the rights which the government guarantees to American citizens. This correlative relation of rights and duties having been broken up by the rebellion of the Southern States, to understand the import of the first demand of the Democratic platform, we must inquire what is the meaning of "immediate restoration," what are the "rights of the States," and what does the Convention understand by "civil government?"

For at the same time that the Democratic Convention was making this demand through its leaders in Convention for "immediate restoration," the Democratic party in Congress were unanimously resisting the immediate restoration of the rebel States, and violently protesting against the efforts of the Republican party to do so. It is evident therefore that the Democratic party means by "immediate restoration" a different thing from what the people mean.

Now we see the need of the acts and declarations of the Democratic leaders, to explain their meaning. Perhaps their highest authority is Gen. Frank P. Blair, who is the Democratic candidate for Vice President, and was a Union Soldier during the Rebellion. As their candidate his views must be taken as authoritative, so long as they are not repudiated by the party who nominated him. He says in a letter to the Convention: "We must have a President who will execute the will of the people by trampling into dust the usurpations of Congress known as the reconstruction acts."

Here is a key, then, which unlocks the door to the meaning of this section of the Democratic platform. Immediate restoration means that the rebel States shall come back into the Union in precisely the same condition as they were before they rebelled; that the fact that they rebelled, and waged a bloody war during four years, and set up a bastard government whose corner stone was human slavery, and sacrificed half a million of the best lives of the land, and squandered countless treasures, and impoverished a whole nation, shall be blotted out. But is this all? No. It means further that the people shall declare the immortal principle that all men are free and equal is a lie, that the Heaven insulting sin of slavery is right, that treason is honorable and just, that traitors must be rewarded. and that we who fought to defeat the rebellion and support the Government are criminals. It means that we must turn back, and marching ruthlessly over the graves of our comrades, who gave themselves a willing sacrifice to their country, declare that they died as the fool dieth.

That is what the Democratic party means to do. But how do they propose to get a President who will trample the reconstruction acts of Congress into the dust? Wade Hampton, who made the nomination of Blair, tells us. At a ratification meeting in New York, he declared that his party must seize the polls in the South, and have only the white vote cast. Then he added: "I want you all to register an oath, that when they do vote their vote shall be counted, and if there is a majority of white votes, that you will place Seymour and Blair in the White House in spite of all the bayonets that shall be brought against them."

This is charmingly simple. If the negro vote is against the Democratic candidates it must not be counted, but the white vote, even in those States which have rejected the generous proposition of Congress, must be, and the New York mob must register an oath that it shall be counted. Many persons might regard such declarations as incendiary and revolutionary, but we assure them they are not. Being in the latitude of the Northern States, they are exceedingly mild, especially when we reflect that they were addressed to Gov. Seymour's "friends."

When Hampton and his friends got back into the enchanted land of secessiondom they talked out fully and plainly. Ex-confederate Governor Vance, of North Carolina, returning home, addressed a Democratic meeting at Richmond and said: "He could talk more familiarly of the wrongs of the South here than at the North. Whereupon he declared himself still "a rebel" and assured his hearers that what the Confederacy fought for could be won by the election of Seymour and Blair." We of the North believed all along since the war that what they fought for the verdict of battle had decided against them forever.

If the resolution demanding "Immediate restoration of all the States to their civil rights in the Union under the Constitution, and of civil government to the American people," means anything, then, it means the success of Seymour and the rebellion over Grant and the Union, or as ex-Gov. Wise declared in his speech, it means nothing, because since the candidates are acceptable to the rebels, the platform is of no account at all. "He did not care for the platform. It told a lie in its first resolution. It said secession was dead; that was not so. Secession was more alive than ever. He supported the nominees, and especially Blair, because he had declared that he would assume military power."

The conclusion from these undisputed facts is this, and we solemnly declare it: The Democratic party deliberately oppose the whole plan of legal reconstruction, and demand "immediate reconstruction" instead. Gen. Blair suggests how this is to be done, and makes the otherwise meaningless platform mean something. He did this in a letter to the Convention, and thereupon he was at once nominated. The Convention, without a dissenting voice, accepted his construction and endorsed it. And since the Convention, not a Democratic speaker, North or South, has dissented from it.

If we have written a single word that is not true, we ask our readers to disbelieve it; but if otherwise, we pray them to reflect upon the awful consequences that must result from the election of Seymour and Blair, from the success of the Democrats and rebels.

If there be men of patriotism among the Democratic ranks, who are not willing to fight for the Confederacy under a new name, we entreat them to come out.

Honor to the Country's Defenders
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper appeals to Union veterans to look at the contrast between the Republican and Democratic nominations for office. The Republicans nominated many former soldiers for various offices while the Democrats nominated barely any soldiers. The article lists the names of the Republican candidates and asks veterans to vote for their fellow soldiers.

Full Text of Article:

The leaders of the Democratic party of Franklin county, through their journal and their public speakers, strive to deceive the public into the belief that they were in favor of the war to suppress the rebellion and sustain the government, and that they are desirous to reward meritorious soldiers by bestowing on them civil offices. They do this in order to secure the suffrages of those who have been soldiers, and thereby swell the ranks of the Democracy. Nothing is more false and more completely exploded by the facts themselves than this assumption. It is a little more than three years since the war closed, and what was left of our gallant and patriotic armies returned to their homes. Since then, is it the Democratic or the Republican party which has rewarded them? We ask the attention of soldiers to the facts.

Col. J.G. Elder was wounded while fighting at the head of his regiment in the battle of Fredericksburg, so that he will be maimed for life. When he had recovered from his wounds, the Republicans of Franklin county elected him County Treasurer. Capt. John Doebler, wounded in the arm in the same bloody engagement, was elected County Sheriff. His term of service expires this fall.

Sergt. Harry Strickler, who lost an arm in the same charge with Col. Elder and Capt. Doebler, is now filling the second term of the office of Register and Recorder.

Sergt Thad. M. Mahon, a gallant soldier who fought in many bloody battles and was badly wounded, is our present efficient Clerk of the Courts.

These men were all disabled by wounds received in fighting the battles of their country. Col. Stumbaugh, who raised the 77th Penna. Regiment and led it gallantly during a part of the war, was twice elected to the State Legislature.

Major John Hassler was a Lieutenant in the 158th Penna. regiment, and after his term of service was elected County Treasurer.

So much in the past. How is it with the Republican ticket recently nominated? Out of six county nominations four are made from the army, Lieut. Josiah W. Fletcher was nominated for Sheriff, Lieut. S. Wilson Hays for District Attorney, Captain Elias K. Lehman for Director of the Poor, and Captain Joseph W. Winger for Auditor. Out of four nominations made for the District ticket three come from the army. Col. D. Watson Rowe has been nominated for Additional Law Judge, Col. W. D. Dixon for Senator, and Captain J.H. Walker for Assembly. Of this number Lieut. Josiah Fletcher and Capt. John H. Walker were both seriously wounded during their term of service.

Now how does the record stand on the part of the Democrats of Franklin county. There is no necessity to conceal anything in this inquiry. The truth is sufficiently damaging. Col. B. F. Winger, was bought over to the Democratic party by the promise of a nomination for the Assembly, and strangest of all the party fulfilled its promise. He has been renominated for the same position. It is true he was a soldier, but his nomination was the price of his apostacy and not in lieu of his services to his country. Capt. Geo. W. Skinner was nominated by the Democratic party for County Treasurer and at present fills that office. He was a good and true soldier we have no doubt, but how much did that fact assist in securing his nomination. We answer none at all. Lieut. G. W. Welsh, the only soldier who asked a nomination of the party at their recent convention was defeated by a man who had been no soldier, was opposed to the war and had already filled the office two terms. Such is the sympathy that the Democratic party feels toward those who defeated their friends in the South.

Soldiers read this record, reflect upon it, and when you deposit your votes on the second Tuesday of October vote with the political party which has proved itself to be the soldier's friend.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The editors ridicule a recent Democratic gathering while expressing some respect for the speaker, Mr. Sharpe. The article claims that the Democrats have no new ideas and will continue to repeat their old charges for the rest of the campaign.

Full Text of Article:

The Democracy of Chambersburg have had a meeting, and Sharpe has made a speech. Sharpe is one of the best of Democratic speakers in Franklin county, and in order to understand how well the Democracy manage not to see and know the truth one should go to hear him. He spoke just one hour and a half to the most apathetic assembly; if a hundred men make an assembly, that we have ever beheld; but Sharpe is a man of determination and whether it be hard work or easy, pleasant or irksome, when his task is set he does it. Nothing short of an earthquake would have brought him to a halt until that speech was made, and indeed some of the Democracy looked as if a small earthquake would have been a decided relief.

To our great surprise we gather from the speech that the Democracy, though they have new candidates, have no new ideas. That the Republican party were the cause of the rebellion, that they made the National debt, that they are responsible for the heavy taxes, that they are oppressing their dear Southern brethren, and that, worst of all crimes, they have set the colored race free, is the bill of indictment. Upon this, as we gather it from Mr. Sharpe's speech, the Democracy propose to go before the country. As the people have heard all this stuff a hundred times before and know how fallacious it is, it would be useless to reproduce it here. They may be compelled to listen to it repeatedly during the campaign, and we will not annoy them now.

Mr. Sharpe of course thoroughly understands Grant's character, at least we should think so from the remark he made. He told his audience that that matchless soldier had written in his letter of acceptance "let there be peace." That, said the speaker with immense gravity, is "cant." It was the observation of a man of keen penetration who had scrutinized Gen. Grant's public acts and words with skill and care, and had made the profound deduction that this was "cant."

A singular phenomenon in natural history is Mr. Sharpe's extraordinary fear of the Negro race, and we wonder that it has not attracted the attention of some of our Savans. Whether it is the superiority of intellect, the comeliness of person or the prowess in arms of this oppressed race that he so much fears we know not, but we do know that in competition with the Democratic party in some respect or other, Mr. Sharpe foresees only the most disastrous consequences to his party. Dry your tears and banish your fears, Mr. Shrape; there is still hope for the Democracy. We once heard a colored man say that negroes had their preferences as well as Democrats.

Court Proceedings
(Column 01)

Summary: Report of the proceedings of the county court, listing cases and verdicts. Most of the cases were minor crimes and the defendants usually received light sentences.
(Names in announcement: John Isenberger, John Toms, Elizabeth Traer, Susannah Heist, Henry Null, Lewis K. Morrison, William Boyd, James Martin, Isaac Newman, William Stitzell, Joseph Pheil, Frank Ely, Samuel Worley, Susan Howard, Frank Jones, William Fahnestock, William R. Sturgeon, William Rosenberry, Jacob J. Spesard, William B. Raby, John R. Smith, George Mellinger, Ann Burkholder, William Hartman, A. Krider, Frank Myers, Frank Jones, John Trostle, Catharine Washabaugh, Catharine Hanes, Nancy Traer, Elizabeth Traer, John Isenberger, John S. Palsgrove, George Rock, Andrew Freeman, Jacob B. Besore, Henry Wilson, Samuel Neikirk, George Blue, Michael Miller, William Tarner, Henry Shirk, James A. Miley, Tip Savage, William Jones, P. D. Ostrander, Luther Benedict, Frank M. Andrews, James Alexander, John Bartley, Peter Trexel, H. S. Miller, George Metz, Ambrose Welsh, Jacob J. Spesard, John Miller, Benjamin Zarger)

Full Text of Article:

The following cases were disposed of last week:

QUARTER SESSIONS.

Commonwealth vs John Isenberger, alias John Toms. Assault and Battery, on oath of Elizabeth Traer. Defendant plead not guilty. Verdict guilty, and sentenced by the Court to pay a fine of one cent and costs of prosecution.

Com. vs Same. Surety of the Peace, on oath of Elizabeth Traer. Case dismissed and the prosecutrix sentenced by the Court to pay the costs of prosecution.

Com. vs. Same. Assault and Battery, on oath of Susannah Heist. Defendant plead not guilty. Verdict guilty, and sentenced by the Court to pay a fine of one cent and costs of prosecution, and undergo an imprisonment in the county jail for a period of one month.

Com. vs. Same. Surety of the Peace, on oath of Susannah Heist. Case heard and the Court sentenced the defendant to pay the costs of prosecution.

Com. vs. Henry Null. Surety of the Peace, on oath of Lewis K. Morrison. Defendant plead guilty, and was sentenced by the Court to pay the costs of prosecution, and to give bond in the sum of $100 to keep the peace toward Lewis K. Morrison especially, and also toward all good citizens.

Com. vs. Wm. Boyd. Assault, on oath of Jas. Martin. A true bill. Defendant pleaded guilty, and was sentenced by the Court to pay a fine of twenty-five cents and costs of prosecution.

Com. vs. Isaac Newman. Horse Stealing, on oath of Wm. Stitzell. A true bill. Defendant plead not guilty. Verdict guilty, and sentenced by the Court to pay a fine of $1 and cost of prosecution, and undergo an imprisonment in the Eastern penitentiary, by separate and solitary confinement at hard labor, for a term of three years, to commence from the 13th day of August, 1868.

Com. vs. Same. Horse Stealing, on oath of Joseph Pheil. Defendant plead guilty, and was sentenced by the Court to pay a fine of $1 and costs of prosecution, and undergo an imprisonment in the Eastern penitentiary, by separate and solitary confinement at hard labor, for a period of two years, to commence at expiration of his first sentence.

Com. vs. Frank Ely. Surety of the Peace, on oath of Samuel Worley. Defendant plead guilty, and was sentenced by the Court to pay the costs of prosecution, and to give bail in the sum of $100 that he keep the peace toward all good citizens, and especially toward Samuel Worley.

Com. vs. Susan Howard. Keeping a Bawdy House, on oath of Frank Jones. A true bill.--Defendant plead not guilty. Verdict guilty, and sentenced by the Court to pay a fine of one dollar, costs of prosecution and to undergo an imprisonment in the county jail for a period of one month.

Com. vs. Wm. Fahnestock. Assault and Battery, on oath of M. W. Houser. A true bill.--Defendant plead not guilty. Verdict not guilty, and the county to pay the costs.

Com. vs. Wm. R. Sturgeon. Assault with intent to commit Rape, on oath of Wm. Rosenberry. A true bill. Defendant plead not guilty. Verdict not guilty of first count in indictment, but guilty of the second in manner and form as he stands indicted, and was sentenced by the Court to pay a fine of one cent, costs of prosecution and to be imprisoned in the county jail one day.

Com. vs. Jacob J. Spesard. Furnishing Liquor to Minors, on oath of Wm. B. Raby. Defendant plead not guilty. Verdict not guilty, and that the defendant pay one cent of the costs of prosecution, remainder of costs to be paid by the prosecutors, Wm. B. Raby and John R. Smith.

Com. vs. Geo. Mellinger. Surety of the Peace, on oath of Ann Burkholder. Defendant sentenced by the Court to pay costs of prosecution and give security in the sum of $100, that he keep the peace toward all good citizens, and especially toward Ann Burkholder.

Com. vs. Wm. Hartman. Assault and Battery, on oath of A. Krider. A true bill. Defendant plead not guilty. Verdict not guilty, and prosecutor pay costs of presentation.

Com. vs. Frank Myers. Adultery, on oath of Frank Jones. A true bill. Defendant plead not guilty. Verdict not guilty, and the costs to be divided between the defendant and prosecutor.

Com. vs. Frank Jones. Assault and Surety of the Peace, on oath of Susan Howard. Defendant plead guilty, submitted the decision of the Court, and was sentenced to pay a fine of five dollars and costs of the prosecution.

Com. vs. Jno. Trostle. Assault and Battery, on oath of Catharine Washabaugh. A true bill. Defendant plead not guilty. Verdict not guilty, and that the costs be equally divided between the defendant and prosecutrix.

Com. vs. Catharine Hanes. Surety of the Peace, on oath of Jno. Trostle. Case dismissed and the prosecutor to pay the costs.

Com. vs. Nancy Traer and Elizabeth Traer. Assault and Battery, on oath of John Isenberger. Not a true bill, and the prosecutor to pay costs of prosecution.

Nolle prosequies were entered in the following cases:--Com. vs. John S Palsgrove; Com. vs. Geo. Rock--two suits; Com. vs. Andrew Freeman; Com. vs. Ferdinand Evans; Com. vs. R. W. Ramsey, et al.; Com vs. Andrew Freeman; Com. vs. Jacob B. Besore; Com. vs. Henry Wilson; Com. vs. Samuel Neikirk; Com. vs. George Blue, et. al.: Com. vs. Michael Miller; Com. vs. William Tarner; Com. vs. Henry Shirk; Com. vs. James A. Miley; Com. vs. Tip Savage; Com. vs. Wm. Jones; Com. vs. P.D. Ostrander; Com. vs. Luther Benedict, et. al.; Com. vs. Frank M. Andrews; Com. vs. James Alexander: Com vs John Bartley.

Com. vs. Peter Trexel. Larceny, on oath of H. S. Miller. Defendant pleaded guilty and was sentenced by the Court to pay a fine of one cent and costs of prosecution, and undergo imprisonment in the county jail for a period of one day.

Com. vs. Geo. Metz. Malicious Mischief, on oath of Benj. Uglow. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Verdict not guilty, and the prosecutor to pay the costs.

Com. vs. Ambrose Welsh. Assault and Battery, on oath of Jacob J. Spesard. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Verdict guilty, and sentenced by the Court to pay cost of prosecution and a fine of twenty-five cents.

Com. vs. Same. Larceny, on oath of Jacob J. Spesard. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Verdict not guilty.

Com. vs. John Miller. Burglary; on oath of Benj. Zarger. Defendent pleaded not guilty. Verdict not guilty.

C. V. Railroad to Williamsport
(Column 02)

Summary: Surveyors have finished laying out the proposed line that will extend the Cumberland Valley Railroad to Williamsport. Property-owners along the line have agreed on rates for damages. The Cumberland Valley Company, which owns the Franklin Railroad Company, will oversee the work.

Origin of Article: Hagerstown Mail

The Railroad
(Column 02)

Summary: The survey of the proposed Scotland and Mont Alto Railroad has not yet been made, and the article demands that citizens endeavor to find out why. The project is too important to let delays get in the way.

Origin of Article: Village Record

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The members of the Franklin County Bar pass resolutions of sympathy and respect upon the death of Thaddeus Stevens.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports that the Fair Grounds "present a lively appearance." There are between 20 and 25 hands working on erecting buildings, tracks, and grading. The main building has been completed, and stalls will go up in the coming days. The fencing is finished and the track has been tested and found to be "one of the finest in the State." All these efforts will ensure that Franklin County has a fair second to none in the state.

Camp Meeting
(Column 02)

Summary: J. M. Bishop announces that the United Brethren in Christ will hold a camp meeting on the grounds of John Yaukey beginning on August 28th.
(Names in announcement: J. M. Bishop, John Yaukey)

Appraisement of Damages
(Column 03)

Summary: The commission for the appraisement of war-damage claims has divided Franklin into several districts in order to better hear all claims on their next visit. They also stress that there is no charge for blank claim sheets. The Repository will print and distribute 2,500 forms for free. The commissioners will meet at Mercersburg on September 8th; Waynesboro on the 10th; Chambersburg on the 11th; and Shippesnburg on the 15th.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The Republicans of Chambersburg held a large and enthusiastic meeting at the Court House. Col. A. K. M'Clure addressed the crowd. John Cessna was not able to attend due to his wife's illness.
(Names in announcement: Col. A. K. M'Clure, John Cessna)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The Monumental Association held an open-air concert on the grounds of Mr. and Mrs. William M'Lellan. The grounds were lit with Chinese lamps, and a large crowd attended. Water and ice cream were served before a storm cut short the festivities. The event raised $100. The next will be held on the grounds of W. L. Chambers.
(Names in announcement: William M'Lellan, W. L. Chambers)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The Republicans of Scotland held a meeting to organize a Grant and Colfax club. Lyman S. Clarke and T. M. Mahon spoke. Officers were elected, including A. H. Etter, president. Resolutions were passed supporting Grant and resolving to "fight it out" alongside "loyal men" and the Boys in Blue against the "copperhead ticket."
(Names in announcement: Lyman S. Clarke, T. M. Mahon, A. H. Etter, Daniel Hess, John Dessinger, M. L. Garver, Frank B. Eyler, James Chambers)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: A correspondent of a Pittsburgh paper reports from Graeffenburg Springs that crops in Franklin and surrounding counties turned out well, and now that the harvest is over, attention is turned to the fall elections. "Old soldiers who fought under Grant are disgusted with the Seymour ticket," he asserts. "Democracy this year means war--rebels trying to get power to give pensions to the widows and orphans, wives and children of the rebel soldiers who tried to destroy our government, but the soldier understands it and can't be cheated. I am told by those who know that Franklin county is sure for 250 for Grant."

Republican Meeting in Waynesboro
(Column 03)

Summary: The Republicans of Waynesboro held a large meeting chaired by Dr. J. W. M. Wright. Resolutions mourning the death of Thaddeus Stevens and supporting the Republican county ticket were passed. A number of addresses were made by prominent local Republicans. A meeting is scheduled for the 22nd to form a Grant and Colfax club.
(Names in announcement: Dr. J. W. M. Wright, Dr. J. Burns Amberson, Volney Rogers, S. W. Hays, Col. F. S. Stumbaugh)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The town of Chambersburg observed the funeral of Thaddeus Stevens by tolling bells and closing all places of business. The Boys in Blue flew their headquarters flag at half mast as a tribute of respect for "the good works of the deceased." "A general feeling of sadness and sorrow over the death of this great patriot and statesman was everywhere manifested."

Daily Prayer Meeting
(Column 03)

Summary: A daily Union Prayer Meeting will be held in the rooms of the Young Men's Christian Association beginning September 1st.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: George Eyster and W. H. Wanamaker announce that the members of the Grant and Colfax club will meet this evening in their hall above Snider's store.
(Names in announcement: George Eyster, W. H. Wanamaker)

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Jacob Eyer and Miss Emma E. Phreaner, both of Upper Strasburg, were married on August 11th at the National Hotel in Chambersburg by the Rev. S. Barnes.
(Names in announcement: Jacob Eyer, Emma E. Phreaner, Rev. S. Barnes)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Mrs. Margaret S. Crawford, wife of Holmes Crawford, died on August 9th at the house of her brother-in-law, Joseph Crawford. She was 81 years old, and had been a member of the Falling Spring Presbyterian Church for 57 years.
(Names in announcement: Margaret S. Crawford, Holmes Crawford, Joseph Crawford)