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Franklin Repository: September 29, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

To the Republicans of Franklin County
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper urges Republicans to work hard for victory in the coming election, and reminds voters that the Democrats represent the party of slavery, treason, and rebellion.

Full Text of Article:

The days of preparation for the great conflict are fading rapidly away, and the question will soon be settled whether the government of this great and influential Commonwealth shall remain in the hands of those who have been loyal to the country and humanity, or pass over to those who are hostile to both.

It were a calamity, State and National, that we shudder to contemplate, should the old Keystone be recreant to her record and to herself, and suffer the false Democracy to seize the reins of power. This can only happen if Republicans falter in the discharge of duty. We have a safe majority and our people are earnest enough in their convictions of right. But we are prone to relax our efforts, and we trust too much to well ascertained strength. Such confidence will not do now. We are pressed by desperate, hungry antagonists, who are working with incredible zeal, and are backed by a candidate whose fabulous wealth is lavished for the corruption of the ballot-box. His political history is but the history of his party--no better, it could not be worse. He carries their standard, not because he has endeared himself to the people of Pennsylvania by any public service he rendered them--not because he has any qualifications of statesmanship. Other distinguished gentlemen were pressed in their nominating convention, who served gallantly during the war, or had given evidence of fitness for the administration of public affairs.

They were pushed aside; and why? Because Asa Packer counts his money by millions, and is willing to buy his way to power. And upon this sole qualification, it is expected that he is to win the place of a patriot who has filled with honor many places of public trust; who has added to the glory of our arms in two bloody wars, and has paid his taxes, discharged all his obligations, and is inferior to the Democratic candidate only in being poor. There may be corrupt and beggarly creatures in our ranks in the cities, who can be had for the price the ambitious millionaire may be willing to pay for gubernatorial honors; but we feel such purchasable material is scarce in the pure moral atmosphere of the country. We will not lose here from this source. If we lose at all, it will be from lukewarmness; from a want of realization of the importance of the occasion; from indifference and paltry dissatisfaction.

What new good has the Democratic party developed, that atones for its atrocious treason that drenched our whole territory in fraternal blood, and left us a crushing burden of debt, to bear down our prosperity, and make foreign governments insolent towards us? Has it spoken one kind word of the heroes who bled and died in the country's cause? Has it honored with its applause one great soldier, who has won glory in the struggle, unless he has repented of his service, like Blair and Hancock, and bowed his suppliant knees, in their interests? Are not their papers, and speeches and hearts full of admiration of Lee, and Jackson, and the red handed villains who slaughtered our patriotic countrymen, who held up the flag now glorious the wide world over? Are they not as openly favoring the depreciation of our currency, and moving towards repudiation, as ever? Have they grown any more fond of freedom? Do they not still mourn for the halycon days of slavery, when it secured Democratic majorities, which gave the government and its chief offices to the lords of the lash, and dispensed the pap in free States to their sordid followers, thankful for small favors for which no service was too mean for them to render in return? True! they profess to acquiesce in the abolition of slavery, but they insist that the negro is a brute, incapable of civilization, and fit only for bandage.

The war has taught them nothing. The repeated indignant repudiation of them by the people, has profited them nothing. As they were aforetimes, so are they now. They are, perhaps, more artful and discreet. The danger of their success may be less apparent; it is but little less real. Their triumph would bring back into power, the unsoftened rebels, with hearts embittered by disappointment and defeat. These miscreants wait, with unsuppressed impudence, their hoped-for day of restoration, when the loyal public will be at their feet.

Voters of Franklin county, will you play into their hands? Will you forget your fidelity, in the bloody and dark days that have passed? You have allowed them to steal into power partially. They are entrenched in your alms house. Do not pass the county offices into their possession. They will use them for party purposes. Men who made it necessary for your sires and sons to leave your peaceful, happy homes to go to the front of the battle, while they speculated in the calamities of war, will fatten coils of copperheads upon your taxes.

It is enough if you forget the great hurt they inflict upon you; it is full enough if you forgive them their almost unpardonable crimes; it were too much, if you rewarded them for their iniquity. You will not do so. Honest and capable men, who are in full accord with you now, who stood shoulder to shoulder with you, when you sacrificed every thing, to save the nation from disgrace and dissolution, are offered for your suffrages.

Give them a day of service! If you hesitate to go to the polls, remember how unfairly you act, how unkind to your own associates in sorrow, in danger, and at length in such great glory. Remember you are untrue to your convictions, that you fail in your duty.

Next to a deserter to the enemy in obloquy is the man who is absent from his place in the hour of battle.

Republicans of Franklin county, save yourselves from self-reproach, and be early at the polls!

The Future of the South
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper prints excerpts from an article defending the white South, and blasts it for making peaceful Reconstruction less likely.

Full Text of Article:

The great struggle for the perpetuity of the Union has now been over for more than four years, and high hopes have been, and still are entertained by the best friends of the nation that a firm and stable peace will soon again be vouchsafed to a united country.

Reconstruction, though much delayed by the treachery of him who so recently occupied the highest place in the government, is still believed to be quietly and surely being accomplished, according to the declared will of the people, notwithstanding those who are wedded to the ancient condition of things.

This result, we of the North, hope will be brought about mainly through the influences first, of the abolition of human slavery; secondly, of the introduction of a free population from abroad, and thirdly, by the removal and establishment of Northern people and Northern capital in the Southern States.

But whilst we depend so largely upon the influences of these agents in changing the condition of affairs in the South--altering the feelings and removing the prejudices of the people, and securing the grand results so aredently desired--it is well at the same time to become acquainted, if we can, with the views entertained of them by those whom we expect to be subjected to their influences. We can thus judge much better, and more surely, whether the results we hope for are likely to be obtained either speedily or remotely.

We have been led to these reflections by the perusal of an article entitled "Chivalrous Southrons," published in the New Eclectic Magazine for the month of October, 1869, in answer to an article in Harper's Magazine of January and February last. The New Eclectic is published at Baltimore, and is devoted to the "Lost Cause," and in the article referred to the author goes lengthily into the causes of the recent rebellion, and gives freely and fully the Southern view of the subjects from which we of the North hope so much.

These views we infer may be taken as a true exponent of the educated Southron opinion upon these great questions, and therefore we think the people of the North should be made more fully acquainted with them than they will likely ever be through the circulation of the New Eclectic alone. This must therefore be our excuse for the following extracts:

"Many a cause has been assigned for the late war. The Northerners say that the cause was Slavery; and that they, therefore, are the grand vindicators of liberty. Mr. Alex Stephens also endeavors to show that this was the real cause of the war. He is right as far as he goes, but he has made the contest too much a mere difference about the words of the constitution. If every word of the constitution had been against us, we ought to have seceded from the Union of the United States, because it had become a vile despotism. If he had dug deeper in his search for causes, Mr. Stephens might have turned up another cause--the cause which set aside the constitution itself--the faithfulness of the Northern people. No words however clear could bind this people. If the right of secession had been expressly reserved to the States in the Constitution, it would have made no difference whatever in the result. They would have made war upon us, just as their interests or passions dictated, without the least regard to their covenants. The same faithlessness accompanied all the compromises their usurpations produced. They violated every one of them. The violation of the last--the California compromise--and the formation of a sectional party consisting of the Whigs and Abolitionists combined, with the mean subterfuge of squatter sovereignty, by the only party which professed to respect the constitution, satisfied the Southern people that there was no hope for the constitution, and none for their institutions, or the principles of free government, in the good faith of the North. They therefore seceded from the Union they had voluntarily made with them."

"To break down and abolish the characteristics of the Southern people, and reduce them to an assimilation with the Northern people, these instrumentalities are relied upon. First. The influence of the negroes no longer slaves, and now free. Second. Foreign immigration. Third Northern immigration.

"1st. The emancipation of the slaves of the South, according to Northern logic, is to work a complete overthrow of the characterisitics and civilization of the South."

"There would be some force in this expectation, if the negro could change his nature and lift himself beyond an inferiority to the white race. But if he is still to continue an inferior, how does his exemption from slavery abolish the sense of superiority in the white race? Under the teachings and excitations of Northern emisaries, and the government of the United States, all sympathy between the white and the black race is rapidly disappearing. The negro is deteriorating from the civilization he possessed as a slave, and relapsing into his natural barbarism. While a slave there were two powerful supports to the civilization of the negro. He was the best fed and clothed laborer in the world, and the marital relations were enforced upon him. He must now labor or starve. He will starve."

2d. "But immigration from foreign nations will mould and abolish the characteristics of the South."

"It appears to be a law of all immigration, that the immigrant sinks in o the habits and mode of thought of the people with whom he seeks a home. He comes as a friend, and he wants friends. His children grow up with the children of the country, and it becomes their country. Let the immigrant from Europe come. Let him come, as he always has come to the South, not as a revolutionist, and enemy to the country; a busy fermenter of hate between races, but a lover of order and peace, a friend of education and industry, a hater of oppression and barbarism, and the whole South will open its arms and say to him--come!"

3d. "The least instrumentality for revolutionizing and improving the character and civilization of the South, is Northern immigration."

"The last people on earth to influence and change the Southern people by their emigrant population, is the people of the North. There has never been much love or respect for them among the Southern people; but now they come into the country the living symbols of hate and tyranny. It is vain to say that the peaceful emigrant who comes to cultivate the land, is not the soldier who desolated the country. He is of that race--that race which for seventy years has been false to their constitutional compacts, and which by war and blood has made the Southern people political slaves--the slaves of slaves--slaves to the most ignominious despotism. By the blessings of our past, lost liberties, we cannot follow or imitate our destroyers. But the Northern emigrant comes to us with a still fouler pollution. He is the ally, the patron, the leader, the instigator of the negro race to rule and plunder the white race. Identified with negroes in all their moral squalor and weak barbarity, how can he have the least influence upon the white race to change their characteristics? Yet, although he cannot influence the characterisitcs of the South, the Northern emigrant may better his condition by emigrating to the South. Politically he is not worse; for in the North the despotism of the United States alike prevails. He is safe from molestation, if he will leave others unmolested. His industry will have its reward, and in two generations his children will be as good Southern men as walk the land. He will soon understand the negro, and know his capacity to rule him, or to rule himself. He will understand also the government of the United States, in its sectional despotism, when he also is its victim. Let him come therefore, and we will freely welcome him, if neither a carpet bagger, nor a miscegenist nor a white-man hater. It matters not, however, what he is, so far as the characteristics of the south are concerned. We may adopt them--he cannot change them."

"The late war against the south has laid the Constitution of the United States in the coffin of consolidation. Its lid is held down by two screws, one black and the other yellow. We have got negro emancipation, and negro equality already--and the Pacific Railroad being now completed, the United States will receive into its boson, by the operation of the last constitutional amendment, all the yellow races of Asia to an equal participation of power with the white race in the government of the United States. The civil war in Rome, in which the slaves were emancipated and made citizens, destroyed the liberties of Rome. The same means must produce the same results in the United States. Despotism--not the mere Despotism of factions, but the Despotism of a sectional majority, fixed, heartless and insatiable rules the United States, and must ever continue to rule them under the present condition of things."

That there are many errors, misstatements and falsehoods in these quotations will be perceived by every unprejudiced reader, and we give them, not to attempt their refutation, for we have not the time for that, but to show the animus controlling the intelligent minds of the South towards both the government of the nation and the measures adopted for the pacification of the lately rebellious States. If such be the sentiments of the masses of the Southern people, a complete and cordial Reconstruction must assuredly be more distant and difficult than the friends of the Union had hoped. Upon the good sense of the people there must depend the result.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper charges that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Asa Packer is hostile to Catholics and working men. The editors assert that he once refused to support a Catholic nominee, and opposed an 8-hour-day law.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper calls on the "soldiers of Franklin county" to vote for "comrades" Lew W. Detrich, Capt. James C. Patton, and Capt. John Doebler. "They were all faithful to their country in her hour of peril, and with you confronted the armies of the rebellion at the cannon's mouth."
(Names in announcement: Lew W. Detrich, Capt. James C. Patton, Capt. John Doebler)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper condemns Asa Packer for supporting the southern wing of the Democratic Party during the 1850s. The editors charge that he supported Breckinridge over Douglas, and, "when even a word from a man of his influence would have helped the Union cause, he was silent."

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper urges Franklin citizens to work for the election of Capt. William C. M'Knight to the legislature. The editors assert that he was first to champion reimbursement for war-damages, and has the experience needed to push it through the legislature.
(Names in announcement: Capt. William C. M'Knight)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper criticizes the Democrats of Pennsylvania for resorting to "prejudice and passion" to prevent adoption of the 15th Amendment. The editors compare that to the stance of many southern journals that have allegedly dropped the fight against African American citizenship and voting rights.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper denounces as a lie Democratic charges that Gov. Geary has pardoned Cain Norris, the black man who was sentenced to 35 years in prison for "fearful crimes" allegedly committed in Franklin County last spring.
(Names in announcement: Cain Norris)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper urges local Republicans to awake and organize for the upcoming campaign.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper criticizes Asa Packer for inviting Clement Vallandigham to his home, and entertaining him during "the darkest days of the war." "What think the gallant soldiers of Pennsylvania of such a record? Can they who wore the blue vote for such a man?"

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper endorses John Frey for administrator of the county Poor House. "Mr. Frey is a hard working farmer of Guilford township, and is 'honest as steel.' He would carefully guard your interests."
(Names in announcement: John Frey)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper urges citizens to vote for Hyssong, Greenawalt, and Detrich--all "responsible men" who will handle the business of the Court House with "care and promptness."

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: The Franklin County Horticultural Society submits a report testifying to the great success of their recent exhibition of fruits and vegetables held in Repository Hall.
(Names in announcement: B. L. Ryder, Joseph C. Cressler, W. D. Guthrie, A. J. White, Josiah Allen, Lydia Lippy, Mrs. George Eyster, J. Brand, Adam Stouffer, Adam Foust, J. L. Dechert, Mrs. B. Washington, Col. J. Elder, Mrs. Jacob Garver, Solomon Miller, Jacob Oyer, Dr. W. H. Boyle, R. P. Hazelet, Henry Tritle, Miss A. H. M'Culloh, Dr. W. H. Boyle, John Linn, Maj. W. B. Thompson, E. Burkholder, Charles F. Miller, Mrs. Spencer, J. Heyser, Dr. B. S. Schneck, H. E. Hoke, Mrs. S. T. Nixon, Albert Eyster, Mrs. M. J. Nixon, Reuben Lehman, R. H. Sloan, Jacob Oyer, Michael Ebersole, William Boyd, Samuel Knisely, George A. Deitz, Jacob Heyser, George Miles, Dr. E. Culbertson, S. M. Sollenberger, Rev. J. Agnew Crawford, Dr. J. L. Suesserott, B. L. Maurer, M'Nulty, M. Heagy, Samuel Dice, John Zook, John B. Kaufman, Solomon Allison, Jacob Zook, Elias Hoke, H. M. Engle, B. Chambers, W. S. Fletcher, William McLenegan, A. J. White, Mary A. Garver, Mrs. J. S. Nixon, Lizzie Gilmore, Lizzie Watson, Mrs. A. Banker, J. W. Douglas, Lyman S. Clarke, Charles H. Cressler)

Emancipation Celebration
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper publishes an ccount of an emancipation celebration held by Chambersburg's African American community. The article includes a summary of remarks made by the primary speaker, Prof. D. D. Brown.
(Names in announcement: Edward Lowery, David Patterson, Alexander Lewis, Ashford Collins, Col. Henson Turner, Capt. Alfred Bradford, Capt. Elijah Hommet, Capt. H. H. Watson, Capt. Shadrick Campbell, Prof. D. D. Brown, Rev. Isaac Gassaway, Rev. J. D. Brooks, Levi Lee, Rev. Hopkins)

Full Text of Article:

The colored citizens of Chambersburg, had a grand celebration of the Emancipation Proclamation, on the 22nd inst. The colored men from this vicinity had been working for several weeks past, to have the occasion they celebrated well observed on the part of their race, and their efforts were very successful. Delegations were present from various points in the valley. At 11 A.M. the procession was formed and moved through our principal streets. The men in the ranks kept good time and marched well.

The following were the officers of the day:--Chief Marshal, Edward Lowery; Assistant Marshal, David Patterson; Aids, Alexander Lewis and Ashford Collins. Col. Henson Turner was in command of the military, which consisted of the Independent Blues of Chambersburg, Capt. Alfred Bradford; Grant's Rough and Ready Boys, Capt. Elijah Hommet; Lincoln Guards, of Mercersburg, Capt. H. H. Watson; Cavalry Company from Mt. Alto, Capt. Shadrick Campbell

An entertainment was held in Reside's woods, near town, in the afternoon, where not only large numbers of colored men and women assembled, but also a goodly proportion of white men, to hear the orator, Prof. D. D. Brown, of New Jersey. The meeting was organized by electing Rev. Isaac Gassaway President, Rev. J. D. Brooks and Levi Lee Vice Presidents. The speaker was introduced by Rev. Hopkins.

Prof. Brown is a pure black man, without the least tint of amalgamation about him. His remarks were spoken in an earnest and forcible manner. He said, among other things, that he was not in favor of any party which did not fear God and regard race, color or condition as a necessary element of citizenship; that there was no natural inferiority in any race, and that God had endowed all men with the right of life, liberty and independence; that all the colored men needed was an opportunity to show those who had been oppressing them for years that they had intellects and could cultivate them. He further said that as a representative of a race that had been loyal to the "Stars and Stripes" when traitors attacked it; that as the representative of a race that had shown its manhood and courage under the lamented Col. Shaw at Fort Wagner, under Gen. Banks at Port Hudson, under Gen. Grant at Petersburg, and in many other engagements, that had its patriotic dead and wounded, who suffered and died, he demanded protection from the rebels and assassins of the South, and Justice from the North; that if the colored men could be trusted with the bullet in order to save the sons and brothers and fathers of the North from the deadly fire of Jeff Davis' army, that it was but right that they should have the ballot to protect themselves. He spoke for about an hour. His manner was easy and natural and many parts of his speech were full of outbursts of true eloquence. His audience listened attentively. His colored hearers seemed proud of this, their representative.

In the evening a festival was held in Repository Hall, which was well attended. The order during the day and evening was excellent. There was no disturbance of any kind. Everything passed off exceedingly creditable to those who has this movement in charge.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper summarizes the news from Greencastle. Philip Shade was found dead in his garden on September 20th. He was 83 years old and died from natural causes. Archibald Fleming died at his residence on the 20th. He was 87 years old and had once been county sheriff. He also had held office in Antrim. "He was a good citizen, a successful farmer, a social neighbor and a Christian gentleman, being a life-long member of the Presbyterian Church. He was laid to rest in Moss Spring Cemetery and survived by a number of family and friends. The Republicans of Greencastle nominated the following borough ticket: Col. Joseph A. Davison for burgess; Joseph B. Strickler, William Osbraugh, John Bort, C. F. Bonner, and Theodore Koontz for town council; D. Watson Rowe and William Kreps for school directors; A. K. Weir for justice of the peace; William U. Brewer for town clerk; Jacob L. Detrich for auditor; Daniel Hawbecker for constable; Benjamin Snively for judge; and John Wilhelm for inspector.
(Names in announcement: Philip Shade, Archibald Fleming, Col. Joseph A. Davison, Joseph B. Strickler, William Osbraugh, John Bort, C. F. Bonner, Theodore Koontz, D. Watson Rowe, William Kreps, A. K. Weir, William U. Brewer, Jacob L. Detrich, Daniel Hawbecker, Benjamin Snively, John Wilhelm)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The third quarterly meeting for the Chambersburg Station, United Brethren in Christ, will begin on Saturday with the Rev. Z. A. Colestock presiding.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Z. A. Colestock)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: Stephen D. Lightcap, dispatcher of trains at Bridgeport on the Cumberland Valley Railroad, will replace Lt. Robert A. Sharp as conductor of the afternoon passenger train. Alex Fritz, long-time baggage handler on the road, turned down the position. Harry Elliott will take Lightcap's place.
(Names in announcement: Alex Fritz, Robert A. Sharp, Stephen D. Lightcap, Harry Elliott)

Tribute of Respect
(Column 03)

Summary: John M. Andrews passes, on behalf of the Conductor's Brotherhood No. 11, a tribute of sympathy and respect upon the death of Robert A. Sharp.
(Names in announcement: John M. Andrews, Robert A. Sharp)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper prints the Republican nominees for Chambersburg city offices.
(Names in announcement: E. J. Bonebrake, F. S. Gillespie, L. B. Kurtz, Samuel F. Greenawalt, Dr. J. L. Suesserott, Peter Creighbaum, J. N. Snider, Calvin Gilbert, R. P. Hazelet, Samuel Etter, David M. Leisher, Philip Hamman, Hugh B. Davison, Joseph Frey, Wilbur F. Eyster, David Davis)

Full Text of Article:

On Friday evening last, the Republicans of the North and South Wards met at their accustomed places of meeting, for the purpose of nominating borough and ward officers. As the various officers are selected alternately from either ward, the following list was soon agreed upon:

Borough

Chief Burgess--E. J. Bonebrake, S.W.
Town Council--F. S. Gillespie, N.W.; L. B. Kurtz, N.W.; Samuel F. Greenawalt, N.W.; Dr. J. L. Sueserott, S.W.; Peter Creighbaum, S.W.
School Directors--J. N. Snider, S.W.; Calvin Gilbert, S.W.
Auditor--R. P. Hazelet, S. W.

North Ward

Judge of Election--Samuel Etter
Inspector--David M. Leisher
Constable--Philip Hamman

South Ward

Justice of the Peace--Hugh B. Davison
Judge of Election--Joseph Frey
Inspector--Wilbur F. Eyster
Constable--David Davis

Dedication
(Column 03)

Summary: Letterkenny Lodge No. 663, I. O. O. F., will hold dedicatory ceremonies on October 2nd. The Lodge was first organized last June at Strasburg and boasts 50 members. I. H. McCauley will deliver the address, and the Silver Cornet Band will perform.
(Names in announcement: I. H. McCauley)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The Republicans of Guilford met and nominated the following ticket: Samuel Myers for judge; A. S. Lehman for inspector; Solomon Sollenberger and Solomon Miller for school directors; Michael Ebersole, Samuel Caufman, and Abraham Horst for supervisors; Jacob Shirk for auditor; Samuel Frederick for treasurer; George W. Foltz for town clerk; George Bowers, Sr., for constable.
(Names in announcement: Samuel Myers, A. S. Lehman, Solomon Sollenberger, Solomon Miller, Michael Ebersole, Samuel Caufman, Abraham Horst, Jacob Shirk, Samuel Frederick, George W. Foltz, George BowersSr.)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The Rev. Dr. Shannahan, bishop of Harrisburg, will administer the sacrement of confirmation at the Catholic Church in Chambersburg on October 3rd.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Dr. Shannahan)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: A new bell weighing 1,583 pounds has been installed in the First Lutheran Church of Chamberbsurg.

Married
(Column 05)

Summary: John H. Boner and Miss Maudie Knepper, both of Franklin, were married near Quincy on September 19th by the Rev. John Fohl.
(Names in announcement: John H. Boner, Maudie Knepper, Rev. John Fohl)

Married
(Column 05)

Summary: John Feidt and Miss Kate Zimmerman, both of Warren, were married on September 19th by the Rev. J. M. Grabill.
(Names in announcement: John Feidt, Kate Zimmerman, Rev. J. M. Grabill)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Minnie Ross, daughter of Daniel and Susan Reisher, died in Chambersburg on September 24th. She was 2 years old.
(Names in announcement: Minnie Ross, Daniel Reisher, Susan Reisher)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Jesse Craig died in Montgomery on September 24th. He was 70 years old.
(Names in announcement: Jesse Craig)