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Franklin Repository: September 02, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Democratic Lies
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper issues a long "bloody shirt" speech that blames the Democrats for starting the Civil War burdened the people with heavy taxation and debt. The article asserts to loyal voters that the Democrats falsely placed the blame on Republicans because they had no other record to run on.

Full Text of Article:

A favorite mode of the Democracy to deceive the people is to hold up before them some great outrage that has been done or some onerous burden that has been brought upon them, and falsely and wilfully charge the responsibility of it upon the Republican party. War, always brings in its train increased burdens and unsettled finances. Experience and history teach us that these are its logical results. The rebellion has made our National debt enormous, has given us a debased currency, and has rendered our taxes burdensome and onerous. No one denies that these are the results of the war. That being granted, the responsibility of the enormous debt, the debased currency and the burdensome taxes rests with the party that caused the war. Our proposition is now clear, and if the undisputed facts as we trace them fix upon the corrupt Democracy the responsibility of the war, we shall not hesitate to say that in charging these things upon the Republican party they have lied, wilfully and maliciously.

When Abraham Lincoln was elected in 1860 by the Republican party, long before he was inaugurated, the Southern States, one after an other, seceded from the Union and began war upon the government, by seizing government forts, arsenals, navy yards, mints, custom houses, &c.. and stealing the public money and arms within the limits of these States. They then organized an independent government and prosecuted the war by besieging the garrison at Fort Sumpter.

This was done by the Democratic party South. The preparation for it was made by Democrats under a Democratic administration and with the aid and assistance of the leaders of the Democratic party North. There was not a single Republican in the entire Union who voluntarily went with the rebellion, all were Democrats, every one, and they commenced a war whose end was to overthrow the government and establish in its stead a government "whose corner stone was to be slavery."

Because of this rebellion, the President was forced to call into the field immense armies, to raise large sums of money and to sacrifice hundreds of thousands of lives, and at every step of the progress of the war the efforts of the loyal administration were opposed and resisted by the Democratic party.

After a war of four years' duration, unparalleled for wicked cruelty and bloodshed on the part of the secessionists, aided and encouraged by the Democratic party, the South laid down its arms and submitted to the general government.

Without stopping to count the noble lives that this Democratic war sacrificed, the hundred of thousands of cripples it made, who are pensioners upon the government, the helpless widows and orphans who fill the land with sorrow and mourning, it imposed upon the people a debt of three thousand millions of dollars, all of which was spent in saving the nation and overthrowing this gigantic Democratic rebellion.

Nor must it be forgotten that in this war every man who fought against the flag was a Democrat, and every man who encouraged the rebellion was a Democrat, and that every Republican in the Union was on the side of the government.

These are facts so patent and notorious that every one who thinks and is honest knows and believes them, and it seems like an insult to one's reason and understanding to urge them upon his notice.--Yet it is necessary, because every Democratic journal that is published and every Democratic stump speaker boldly and falsely charge the war debt and all its consequences upon the Republican Party.

The enormous tax the people are forced to pay yearly is the result of the rebellion, of a rebellion originated and prosecuted during four years by Democrats. It is a tax to pay the interest on the National debt created by a Democratic war and to pay pensions to disabled soldiers and to the widows and orphans of deceased soldiers killed by Democratic rebels.--Does any person who has reached man's estate not know this? And yet Democratic newspapers and speakers attempt to shift the weight and responsibility of this burdensome taxation, the fruit of a Democratic rebellion, upon the shoulders of the Republican party, and say that it brought it upon the people.

This wholesale system of lying adopted by the organs of the Copperhead Democracy clearly show the extremity to which they are driven. Having no record upon which they dare go before the people, their only hope is to deceive the masses into the belief that their most odious acts are not their own but the acts of the Republican party. We are not astonished that they shrunk with fear and horror from the awful calamity they have brought upon the nation, and from the overwhelming defeat that must overtake them unless they can defraud the loyal voters.

In 1860 they asked the suffrages of the people to bolster up the rotten system of slavery, and threatened if it were not done there would be civil war. The people repudiated them and the war came. True to their threats, none but Democrats upheld and fought for slavery. But it went down, and with it half the Democratic thunder and all its terror. In 1864 they declared that the war was a failure and was carried on for the purpose of persecuting their Southern brethren, and carried the issue before the people. The loyal masses repudiated them again by an overwhelming Republican victory.--Now the war is over and but for Democratic hostility all the seceded States would be fully restored to their former relations in the Federal Government. A third, and we believe, last time they ask the people to reject the reconstruction acts of Congress, to accept their oft-told lies about the authors of the National debt and Federal taxes, to accept a revolutionary President and Vice President, and inaugurate another civil war. They want a President who will trample into dust the reconstruction acts of Congress.

It is for the loyal voters to say whether the Union is worth what it cost; and if it be so they will hesitate long before they elect the candidates of the present Democratic party to the head of the National Government, and especially candidates who pledge themselves to overthrow the government and inaugurate another rebellion.

Judge Kimmell Nominated
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper announces that the Democrats nominated Judge Kimmell for Congress. The editors sarcastically praise the choice because in the editor's view, Kimmell represents everything the Democrats will do if elected. The editors especially criticize Kimmell's views on reconstruction and voting rights for blacks.

Full Text of Article:

Judg Kimmell of this town was nominated as the Democratic candidate for Congress in this district on Thursday last. There was strong opposition to Judge Kimmell in the conference and forty-six ballots were cast before the claims of Franklin county to the candidate were admitted.

Now he is nominated and by authority of the Democratic party is made its representative in this Congressional district. We are glad that this is so, that the disloyal party of the country, the party that accepts the rebel leaders in the late rebellion as its dictators and masters, has presented him as its candidate for Congress. He is a man of far more than average ability and courage, is fully up to the standard of the Democratic platform made by Pendleton and Wade Hampton, and will, we firmly hope and believe, go before the people of this district and ask their suffrages openly and squarely upon the issue therein raised.

This would not have been so in the case of his principal opponent in the conference. Mr. Myers if he had been nominated, or any one of the others, could not have been regarded as the type or embodiment of the present Democracy, and his election or defeat would have been neither the triumph or overthrow in the district.

In Judge Kimmell, however, the Democracy have chosen perhaps, their ablest and truest representative, and we may look for a contest worthy of the vital principles at stake. He is bold and aggressive, and will win or fall on the outer works of the party, and will scorn to steal into Congress by ingenious and plausible misrepresentations of the loyalty and integrity of the Democratic party. We look to see him admit the facts of the war. He could not deny them if he would. We look to see him demand for rebel States and Rebel men the same rights that are claimed for those who shed their blood in defence of the country. We look to see him denounce the reconstruction acts of Congress as unjust and unconstitutional, and claim that traitors to the government have the right to say who shall be allowed the privilege of citizenship in the Southern States. We shall look to see him declare that his is a white man's government made for white men, and that negroes who were loyal have no rights which white men, though stained with the blood of loyal citizens, are bound to respect. He will be listened to with the earnest attention which his ability and the gravity of the subject demands, and he will be heard by an intelligent and reasoning community. While many will talk without authority, and be endured, he will be expected to elucidate and make clear the most momentous questions that have ever agitated the American people. If he can satisfy them that the policy foreshadowed by his party at the New York Convention, and boldly and defiantly demanded by the most violent traitors of the South, is not fraught with fearful perils to the Republic, he is possessed with more than human ability.

On the part of Judge Kimmell there can be no evasion or concealment. He will demand the immediate restoration of the seceded States, as that restoration is explained by the Democratic candidate for Vice President, when he declares "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." He will claim for traitors, whose hands are yet unwashed of the blood of loyal soldiers, not only what they spurned in the Union when the South seceded, but all that they now demand through the Democratic party. His prejudices against freedmen are well known, and while he will scornfully pronounce them the ignorant and debased creatures who have sprung from the Monkey and Chimpanzee, in one sentence, in the next he will assert "that they are threatening to subordinate the proud and mighty Anglo-Saxon race and bring it under the heel of the untutored African."

In short, he will strive to make the war fruitless and its results barren. He will make its glorious battles mere butcheries, because fought without a purpose, and will declare that our best and bravest and most patriotic generals were nothing better than booted and spurred tyrants, and our gallant soldiers only the abject tools of Despotism.

We do not say that Judge Kimmell will do all this as a private individual, but we do say that the principles of his party which he earnestly and warmly supports and advocates, if successful, could accomplish nothing short of this baneful result.

Judge Kimmell will be met by Hon. John Cessna, who will go before the people advocating the enlightened and christian policy of a people redeemed by countless sacrifices through fire and blood. We claim him as the fearless, energetic and true champion and exponent of Republican principles, who will rally the faithful men of the district as one man to the cause of the right. His nervous and trenchant eloquence has neither causeless war, nor slavery, nor treason, nor blood to paliate or excuse. On the contrary, he can proudly proclaim a rebellion defeated, a country restored, four millions of bondsmen made free, and a magnanimity and charity conceded to traitors such as the world has never seen before, and all this in spite of the bitter opposition of the Democratic party. But he is not unaided in this contest. While treason rears its head afresh in the South, and daily sacrifices new victims through its hellish instruments, the Ku Klux Klan, there will be mute voices in every gathering, and mute appeals at every meeting, far more eloquent than the chosen champions of either party can be, who will move the hearts and the honest impulses of the people with the force of a tempest against the man who ignores the lessons of the war, and asks the people to blot out its accomplished facts. The rebels gave us countless graves and unnumbered armless sleeves and legless trousers, and grief stricken widows and orphans. These cannot be removed from sight or memory, and the people will take care that the others shall not be.

Forrest in a New Play
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper criticizes Nathan Bedford Forrest "the Fort Pillow murderer and Confederate free-booter" who is now stumping for Seymour and Blair. The editors charge that he has not abandoned his devotion to the Confederacy, and mock his claims of being "a warm friend of the negroes." They also charge he has plans to murder white radicals.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper reports that C. M. Duncan of Chambersburg has been nominated by the Democrats for state senate from the district including Franklin. The editors say he is not objectionable personally, but politically he is a "terrible copperhead."
(Names in announcement: C. M. Duncan)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper mocks the editors of the Valley Spirit who admit that the people of Franklin are no longer influenced by "fuss and feathers." "What a melancholy admission? The entire capital stock of the Democratic party worthless." The editors of the Repository argue that the old campaign issues of white supremacy, which they consider "fuss and feathers," will no longer win votes.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper scoffs that the Democratic nomination of Frank Blair is supposed to curry favor with veterans. The editors point out that Confederate Generals Wade Hampton and Nathan Bedford Forrest, "of Fort Pillow notoriety," seconded the nomination. The article charges that the Democratic Party is "working like beavers" to restore the principles of the old Confederacy. "Soldiers, General Grant never compromised with traitors, the New York Convention did. General Grant never called the draft rioters of New York his friends. Governor Seymour did."

[No Title]
(Column 05)

Summary: The paper celebrates Republican success in reducing the state debt.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports on attempts by local Democrats to organize their own "Boys in Blue" club. One of the soldiers at the meeting, who had voted Democratic up to then, refused to join because the meeting contained a number of men who fought against the Union. The editors proudly declared that the soldier later joined the Republican ranks.

Full Text of Article:

A communication from a "Boy in Blue" in Greencastle, states that at the adjournment of the Democratic Club in that place, the other evening, quite an interesting scene was enacted. It seems the club intended to organize an association under the title of the "White Boys in Blue," for the benefit of Democratic soldiers. One of the "unterrified," a prominent member of the club, escorted a gentleman to the club room, who served the country faithfully in the capacity of a soldier during the late war, and who has heretofore voted the Democratic ticket; but the rebel element displayed this fall in the Democratic ranks, the material that composed the New York Convention, and the choice of that Convention, has had a tendency to cool his past Democratic enthusiasm. Upon looking over the "immense" audience in the club room, our friend discovered men who had fired on the old Flag and marched in the rebel ranks during the war. This, in connection with the two or three patriotic orators, was a little too heavy a dose for our friend to digest. After the meeting, the members of the club remained around the entrance some minutes, congratulating themselves upon the success of their cause, when our friend made them a neat little speech, in which he told them, in tones sufficiently loud to be heard by all passers by, that he had served in the federal army during the war as a soldier for the suppression of treason and traitors, that he had the same love for rebels now that he had during the war, and that he discovered men in their midst that tried to dismember this government and who had marched in the rebel ranks, and he wanted it distinctly understood that he would never identify himself with any political society or party that admitted rebels. The club displayed their want of appreciation of these remarks by evaporating instantly. The only persons who appreciated it, was the many Republicans who were standing by and overheard it. The club can receive a large Republican audience at any time by giving notice of a similar ratification of their proceedings by one of its members. At the first meeting of the "Boys in Blue" after the above proceeding, our friend joined his old comrades, and is now advocating and defending the principle he so nobly sustained on the battle field.

To the Hon. F. M. Kimmell and the Hon. John Cessna
(Column 01)

Summary: A group of Democrats and Republicans call on Kimmell and Cessna, the candidates for Congress, to hold a debate in Waynesboro. Republicans signing: Alex Hamilton, Joseph Elden, George Besore, E. W. Washabaugh, W. S. Amberson, William Blair, John Philips, W. A. Reid, W. A. Tritle, Samuel P. Stoner, Daniel Mickley, Ezekiel Elden, A. G. Nevin, Volney Rogers, J. C. Long. Democrats signing: D. B. Russell, George Bender, George W. Welsh, J. W. Coon, J. Cooper, Joseph Douglas, H. Brackbill, Samuel Lecrone, Jacob J. Miller, John Mullan, Jacob Fitz, Henry Besore, Simon Lechrone, T. D. French.
(Names in announcement: Alex Hamilton, Joseph Elden, George Besore, E. W. Washabaugh, W. S. Amberson, William Blair, John Philips, W. A. Reid, W. A. Tritle, Samuel P. Stoner, Daniel Mickley, Ezekial Elden, A. G. Nevin, Volney Rogers, J. C. Long, D. B. Russell, George Bender, George W. Welsh, J. W. Coon, J. Cooper, Joseph Douglas, H. Brackbill, Samuel Lecrone, Jacob J. Miller, John Mullan, Jacob Fitz, Henry Besore, Simon Lechrone, T. D. French)

Waynesboro Items
(Column 01)

Summary: A tournament was held near Waynesboro on the 21st.
(Names in announcement: Maj. David H. Brotherton, Berkley Logan, T. S. Nevin, S. J. Strite, A. F. Foreman, J. M'Curdy, Daniel Stover, Victoria Walker, Annie Breneman, Emma M'Guire, Jennie Martin, John D. DeGolley, Joseph Douglas)

Waynesboro Items
(Column 01)

Summary: The Republicans of Waynesboro organized a Grant and Colfax club.
(Names in announcement: H. X. Stoner, John W. Good, Volney Rogers)

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The senatorial conferees of Adams and Franklin counties met at Graeffenburg on August 25th and presented Col. W. D. Dixon to the voters as a candidate for state senate.
(Names in announcement: Col. James G. Elder, H. C. Greenawalt, William S. Keefer)

Female College
(Column 02)

Summary: The citizens of Greencastle held a meeting at Hostetter's Hall to promote construction of the proposed Presbyterian Female College in their town. More than $4000 was subscribed for the effort. A number of prominent citizens spoke on the advantages the college would bring to Greencastle.
(Names in announcement: Maj. Rowe, G. W. Zeigler, A. B. Wingerd, Judge Rowe)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Preparations are underway throughout the county for the upcoming fair, and excitement is building. Prizes will be awarded for horses, cattle, sheep, swine, poultry, "and everything in the mechanical and industrial line."

The Campaign Open
(Column 02)

Summary: The friends of Grant and Colfax will hold a meeting at the Court House. John Cessna will speak and the Silver Cornet Band will play. Both Democrats and Republicans are welcome to attend.

Grant and Colfax
(Column 02)

Summary: The Republicans of Greencastle will hold a mass-meeting on Saturday. The Boys in Blue, the Tanners Club, and the Silver Cornet Band will parade. Cessna, Wiestling, and Stewart will address the crowds.
(Names in announcement: John Cessna, Col. George B. Wiestling, John Stewart)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Boys in Blue have stocked their reading room with all campaign papers and documents and keep it open every night. All voters are invited to peruse the literature. The club meets each week on Tuesday.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Rev. J. Agnew Crawford will hold religious services in Repository Hall while the First Presbyterian Church undergoes repairs.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. Agnew Crawford)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Rev. Irving Magee will resume preaching on Sunday after enjoying a six-week vacation.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Irving Magee)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: Harry Besore, infant son of Franklin and Mary Besore, died in Scotland on August 27th. He was 4 months old.
(Names in announcement: Harry Besore, Mary Besore)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: Mrs. Elizabeth L. Fahnestock died in Chambersburg on August 8th. She was 76 years old. "The deceased was one of those who had her full share of earthly trials and crosses, but she bore them as becomes the devoted Christian. She was a worthy member of the German Reformed Church."
(Names in announcement: Elizabeth L. Fahnestock)