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Franklin Repository: December 09, 1868 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Border Damages
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper reports on the progress of border compensation. Not much has been done and the editor urges the citizens of the border counties to ask the legislature to take the issue more seriously.

Full Text of Article:

As the time appointed for the meeting of the Legislature approaches, the subject of border damages again becomes one of interest and discussion. Every session since these damages were sustained has an effort been made, always more or less feebly, to secure compensation to those of the border counties who suffered material loss from the armies during the rebellion. It has met with no further success than the appointment of a commission to ascertain and adjudicate the losses with a view to their payment by the General Government at some future day.--Even this much was obtained only last winter, after being at least twice refused by former Legislatures.

The losses of the border are of three kinds, those inflicted by the rebels, those sustained by the citizens on account of property taken or destroyed by troops in the United States service, and those losses of property taken by or given to our State troops during the war. Neither of these has been paid; and hitherto our law makers have managed to find more genial, perhaps more profitable, occupation than in rendering justice to a worthy but impoverished and bankrupt portion of the citizens of the State. While we do not believe that anything will come of the commission of last winter so far as securing compensation from the General Government, it is at least an entering wedge, inasmuch as it is an admission that these losses should be paid.

We confess that we fail to see how on principles of equity and justice the State can refuse to make compensation to that portion of her citizens whose loss was sustained in the interest of all, and, indeed, whose loss was the price paid for the safety of the property of the rest of her citizens. While the rebels were devastating the border counties, burning, destroying and plundering everywhere, their invading steps were arrested and they were driven back beyond the limits of the State. But for the time thus consumed they could have penetrated beyond the Susquehanna, and instead of counting the loses by a few millions, they would have been counted by hundreds of millions. The border counties did not stint in their men and means for the general defence, and if much the largest part of her able bodied men had not been in the service of the country they could have done much towards defending themselves against the invaders. It has been alleged that the border counties must look to the General Government for compensation, because these losses were sustained in a rebellion against the General Government and the forces of the State were employed in its defense. This is true but it is no less true that the State was as vitally concerned in the success of the union arms as the General Government, and far more in the protection and security of her own citizens.

There is no question, that these claims should be paid, and that too by the State. She is an empire in herself, with inexhaustible resources, and making splendid progress in wealth and power. Even the rebellion, while it sacrificed the best lives and impoverished many, only gave additional impetus to her development, besides bringing wealth to the doors of numbers of the citizens. Those whose names and property the rebellion consumed as by fire were no less loyal nor less worthy her protection, and failing in that, her aid and assistance than the more fortunate, and it is as humiliating as unjust that their petitions for relief should be heard with indifference and neglect.

The Commission which has during the summer ascertained the losses resulting from the war to the border counties can report, as never has been done before, with reasonable certainty both their extent and kind. Those citizens whose property went to supply our own troops, whether in the service of the State or the General Government, should be repaid without unreasonable delay, to the full extent of their loss, not as a gift or a charity, but as their just due. Having taken it, the State is as much bound to pay for it as if it had first purchased the same. Now is the time for the people of the border counties to urge upon those whom they have elected to the legislature to make an effort to secure compensation for their losses. It is their right and they can get it if they persist. If they themselves neglect to do so we know of none who will take up the work for them.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper urges Congress to take action to remedy the country's financial difficulties before adjourning. The editors rejoice that the next session will have a new president to work with on vital issues.

Visit of Our Band
(Column 01)

Summary: The Silver Cornet Band of Chambersburg played in Mechanicsburg on Thanksgiving Day. The citizens of the town enjoyed the concert tremendously.

Lecture Before the Young Men's Christian Association
(Column 01)

Summary: The Rev. R. H. Williams of Frederick, Maryland, gave the opening lecture in the Young Men's Christian Association's winter series. He spoke on "Trifles: their littleness and greatness." The Association will host two free lectures a month in the Court House.

Arrested
(Column 01)

Summary: Chief of Police Houser arrested two boys for throwing snowballs at persons passing on the street. The incident should serve as a warning to town youth.
(Names in announcement: Houser)

Medical Society
(Column 01)

Summary: The physicians of Franklin County will meet in Chambersburg on January 19th to discuss the formation of a Medical Society.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Executive Committee of the Boys in Blue requests the return of all capes, caps, and torches.

Married
(Column 02)

Summary: John L. Williams of Chambersburg and Miss Sue Garber were married in Cumberland County at the residence of the bride's mother on November 19th by the Rev. Daniel Keller.
(Names in announcement: John L. Williams, Sue Garber, Rev. Daniel Keller)

Married
(Column 02)

Summary: Christian Strite of Maryland and Miss Mary Lehman, daughter of John Lehman of Green township, were married on November 26th by the Rev. Dr. Schneck.
(Names in announcement: Christian Strite, Mary Lehman, John Lehman, Rev. Dr. Schneck)

Married
(Column 02)

Summary: Abraham S. Lehman and Miss Amelia Stouffer, daughter of Christian Stouffer of Franklin, were married on December 3rd by the Rev. Dr. Schneck.
(Names in announcement: Abraham S. Lehman, Amelia Stouffer, Christian Stouffer, Rev. Dr. Schneck)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: John Schaubel died near Chambersburg at the residence of Henry Greenawalt on November 17th. He was 85 years old.
(Names in announcement: John Schaubel, Henry Greenawalt)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: Samuel Stouffer died in Chambersburg on November 27th. He was 63 years old.
(Names in announcement: Samuel Stouffer)

Died
(Column 02)

Summary: Mary Belle Pugh, infant daughter of John and Mary E. Pugh, died in Chambersburg on November 30th.
(Names in announcement: Mary Belle Pugh, John Pugh, Mary E. Pugh)