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Franklin Repository: December 08, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

High-Toned Democracy
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper gloats that the defeat of Democrat Packer in the governor's race has touched off squabbling within the Democratic Party.

Full Text of Article:

There is always something entertaining to Republican spectators in a square fight between members of the Democratic household, especially if the contestants are none of your common Democrats, but real bona fide politicians, and editors of little newspapers which rejoice in being the "organ of the party" in their respective counties. The fiercest quarrels are family quarrels, is the experience of all the world, and the most amusing family quarrels are those who look on as at a dog-fight, merely to enjoy the sport, are such as take place in the Democratic family. There is no denying that the average Democrat is a peculiar animal, and believes that the most ponderous argument against an opponent, consists in calling him names and epithets, which suggest objects offensive to the sense of smell, repulsive to the sight, or loathsome to the imagination. He who wields these most felicitously, and hurls them at his enemy most recklessly, is generally conceded to have the best of the argument. If he calls him a "miserable creature," a "slimy, hissing serpent," a "bloated, grovelling toad," or a "cesspool of corruption," he is almost sure to be regarded as having totally demolished his adversary.

Many Republican readers may regard this statement as overdrawn, but it is not. A Democratic paper lies before us which fully establishes all we have said.

The defeat of the millionaire candidate for Governor in this State, seems to have left some sore heads in the Democratic party, who imagine that they did not get a fair share of the rich man's plunder, and they persist in asking ugly questions of others whom they think circumstances favored more highly than themselves.--Gibson, of the Genius of Liberty, of Fayette county--we would like him better if the name of his paper did not convict him of being an arrant demagogue--asks Myers, of the Bedford Gazette, whether it was pay the latter was after, when he sought the Chairmanship of the Democratic Central Committee, and the handling of Packer's money-bags! and inquires why he informed a certain gentleman that Packer could go to hell if he didn't make him chairman? He also asks him if he compromised with Packer for the deputy management of the central counties! and why he was lukewarm in the Senatorial contest between Scull and Findley, in his own district? These questions are rather direct it is true, but they are respectful, and entitled to a respectful answer. If Myers had nothing to conceal, he could have answered them briefly and to the satisfaction of his readers.--This is the way he does answer them:--"Gibson of the Genius of Liberty, whose name stinks in the nostrils of the Democracy of Fayette county, as the very skunk weed of corruption, dare not deny that he declared in Philadelphia last fall, that Packer's vote in that county would depend altogether on how much money was given him by the State Committee for the purchase of his independent candidate for Prothonotary. He fights very shy on that subject, and beats an inglorious retreat under cover of a scattering fire, armed however, a little too low to hurt any one who does not lie in the same depths of political infamy, in which the miserable creature of the Genius perpetually grovels. Dropping the metaphor," &c.--Myers calls this metaphor. * * * "Let this cowardly blackguard whose congenial business it is to libel those whose fair fame his corrupt nature prevents from emulating, ask the Democrats of this Senatorial District, whether we were lukewarm in the struggle between Findlay and Scull." After more of like kind, he covers himself all over with glory or dirt, and no doubt even astonishes himself in the brilliancy of his last sentence. His opponent is demolished, and inspired with mingled pity and scorn, he drops him thus: "But we have already said more on this subject, than the nature of it warrants. Let the vain coward of the Genius eject his slimy words. They are quite innocuous."

We look in vain for any instance of decency, dignity or manhood throughout the article from which we have quoted, yet it is likely that its author regards it as a conclusive and unanswerable reply to the questions which were respectfully put to him. We look equally in vain for a direct answer, for a single explanation, or for any attempt at reasoning or argument. Yet this man Myers,--we need not withold the name for the names are called out by themselves--is an admitted leader of his party not only in his county but throughout the congressional district, and has been and active and formidable aspirant for congressional honors. He is even now looking and laboring with a view to securing the next Democratic nomination for that position, and it is said that he is likely to succeed. We can imagine with what feelings the intelligent and gentlemanly voters among the Democracy will march to the polls and vote to put such a man into such a position.

The Jews in Russia
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper calls on Americans to support equal treatment of the Jews in Russia, reminding readers that the "struggle in behalf of human rights" has no borders. The editors believe that the mission of all governments is to destroy all "distinctions on account of religion, condition, race, or color."

Full Text of Article:

The great struggle in behalf of human rights is not confined to any party nor to any country. Man, as man, and not because he is an individual member of any class, clan or caste, has rights inherent and inalienable, and no national, religious, or social organization can with impunity infringe upon those rights. The only marked distinction ever ordained by the great Creator of all, was the election of the seed of Abraham, which he constituted a distinct organization, invested with peculiar privileges, not, we are told in scripture, for their own sakes, but that through them higher and more inestimable privileges should be extended to mankind. The fullness of time having come, this distinction itself was abolished, and the blessings of the Gospel, which is the highest favor of God to man, were extended to every creature. In the economy of Heaven, there is now neither
"Greek nor Jew, Barbarian, Scythian, nond nor free."

But man, erring, selfish man, is wont to establish and keep up certain "walls of partition," to separate between those of the same flesh and blood, and by virtue of those distinctions, to trample on the rights which are common to all. We hear much in regard to superiority of races and people, but if superiority in one respect or another, can be a justification for oppression of man in his rights, then indeed the doctrine would soon obtain, "that an inferior has no rights which a superior is bound to respect." Scripture, reason--nay selfishness itself--demands equality of rights in society, and before the law.

Every government, therefore, should overturn, and overturn and overturn its fundamental and municipal law, until all distinctions on account of religion, condition, race or color, are swept from the face of the earth when man, because he is a man, made in the image of his Creator, may stand upon his rights, and claim their vindication before all judicial tribunals on earth. One of these inalienable and inherent rights of man, is to live in whatever part of God's habitable globe he chooses, or in fact, where he may, in the providence of God, be compelled by circumstance to live. "God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth; and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation." Acts 17c., 26v. Even the Israelites, who by direct revelation, were assigned to the land of Palestine, were commanded to respect the rights of strangers. "If a stranger sojourn with you in your land, ye shall not vex him. But the stranger that dwelleth with you, shall be as one born amongst you, and thou shalt love him as thyself." Levit. 19c., 33 and 34vs.

America, which received the exiles from the continent of Europe, and now stands foremost of the nations of the earth in vindicating the rights of man, is appealed to by the scattered Israelites, to use its friendly interposition with the Czar of Russia, to prevent the expatriation of the Jews from their home in the midst of winter. And we have reason to believe that the great Autocrat of all the Russias, from his throne in the East, will listen to a respectful request from our government, in regard to these unfortunate people. He, of his own accord, in 1863, emancipated thirty-eight millions of serfs, sixteen millions of whom belonged to the Crown. When the greatest nations of the earth, Russia and the United States, shall, not only by precept but by example, teach the powers of the earth that man, as man, irrespective of race, religion, or color, has rights, then will all the low and sordid attempts of political partisans, to array one race against the other, be met by the people with that contempt and derision, which should always repel from our consideration the appeals to passion and prejudice, in which ignoble spirits delight to indulge. Let the conflict rage; time will crown with success the efforts of those who labor for the education, elevation, and christianization of all mankind.

Democratic Calculators to the Front
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper celebrates the Grant administration's success in paying down the public debt and mocks Democrats for having made it an issue.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper looks forward to Grant's annual message and the coming session of Congress. The paper urges the government to move forward during the coming year on revision of tariff duties, Reconstruction, and recognition of Cuba.

Full Text of Article:

Congress met on Monday. As the President's message will not be given to the press before it is read in Congress, we cannot lay it before our readers until next week. It is said that the President has given much careful study to the subjects discussed in the message, and it is a much shorter paper than Presidential messages usually are. This is certainly no fault, and if it is as clear, concise and pointed as his other official productions, both civil and military, have been, it will be perused with unusual interest. The present session of Congress will be marked by serious work, because the people are in a serious mood, and they look to that body to help them out of some of their troubles. The members have had much intercommunication with their constituents, and ought to have learned many things of value to assist their judgment in the business of legislation. Some of the important committees have travelled from place to place during the summer, and have studied the needs of the people on both sides of the continent.

The finances of the country call loudly upon Congress for some legislation, which will give a new impetus to industry and manufactures. The tariff regulations ought to be revised, and such imports as are necessaries, and enter into the consumption of all classes of people should be relieved from duty. The revenue of the government will admit of this without giving embarrassment, and the necessity of the government is the only reason at any time, why it is justifiable to impose a tax upon such imported commodities as are necessary, and cannot be produced among us. The question of the recognition of Cuba will be considered early in the session. It cannot be too soon. Reconstruction of the South may see its final accomplishment this winter. Further effort is needed, and urgent necessity demands that it be given, to clean out fraud and corruption in the civil service of the government. The President is pledged to this, and is striving to perform all he has promised. Let Congress aid him by competent legislation.

Proceedings of the Third Annual Meeting of the Franklin County Teachers' Institute
(Column 01)

Summary: Account of the meeting of the Franklin County Teachers' Institute. Prominent teachers spoke at the meeting on a variety of topics related to the craft of teaching.
(Names in announcement: Rev. D. Townsend, J. R. Gaff, W. H. Hockenberry, D. B. Mentzer, George W. Heighes, D. B. Kline, A. M'Elwain, Eckhart, D. B. Mentzer)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: George A. Kosier of Chambersburg is Franklin County agent for the sale of Eastman's Penman Assistant, "a new invention to improve the art of writing."
(Names in announcement: George A. Kosier)

I.O.G.T.
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper prints a list of the Good Templar lodges in Franklin and the names of their lodge deputies. M'Murray Lodge, 119, W. E. Tolbert; Franklin Lodge, 152, John Grumbine; Concord Lodge, 155, S. T. Brackbill; Valley Echo Lodge, 188, Jacob K. Smith; Loudon Lodge, 197; Fannettsburg Lodge, 226, C. Smith; Mercersburg Lodge, 285, M. J. Slick; Gilmore Lodge, 358, J. B. White; Snow Flake Lodge, 519, George R. Smith; Mont Alto Lodge, 628, Melchor Elden. John M. Gilmore of M'Murray Lodge, P.W.C.T., has been appointed District Deputy for Franklin County.
(Names in announcement: W. E. Tolbert, John Grumbine, S. T. Brackbill, Jacob K. Smith, C. Smith, M. J. Slick, J. B. White, George R. Smith, Melchor Elden, John M. Gilmore)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The new Second Methodist Church was dedicated last Sunday. Dr. Dashiel of Dickinson College and Rev. James Curns, presiding elder of the district including Franklin officiated. The event raised $1500 that will go toward debts.

Public Lecture
(Column 03)

Summary: The Ladies Church Improvement Society of the First Methodist Church of Chambersburg will sponsor a lecture by Dr. Dashiel of Dickinson College to help raise money for their congregation.

Woman's Right
(Column 04)

Summary: Rev. E. B. Raffensperger, Financial Secretary of Wilson College, will preach in the Central Presbyterian Church on the subject of "Female Education" on December 12th. Rev. I. N. Hays will preside over services that day.
(Names in announcement: Rev. E. B. Raffensperger, Rev. I. N. Hays)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: Welsh, Cormany, and Snider, the new Court House officers, gave a oyster supper for the Chambersburg Bar on Wednesday.
(Names in announcement: Welsh, Cormany, Snider)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: J. L. Dechert has been appointed agent of the Adams Express Company in place of John Matthews who has been appointed express manager.
(Names in announcement: J. L. Dechert, John Matthews)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: Rev. E. B. Raffensperger of Chambersburg will lecture in Indiana, Pa., on "Humors of the Pulpit and Pew."
(Names in announcement: Rev. E. B. Raffensperger)

Attention, Housum Zouaves
(Column 04)

Summary: Henry Elliott, 1st Sergt., announces a meeting of the Housum Zouaves to be held on December 13th.
(Names in announcement: Henry Elliott)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The ladies of Upper Path Valley Presbyterian Church have presented the pastor and his wife with more than $100.

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Mrs. Susannah Downin died in Mercersburg on November 30th. She was 76 years old.
(Names in announcement: Susannah Downin)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Mrs. Agnes Kirkpatrick died in Dry Run on November 9th. She was 48 years old.
(Names in announcement: Agnes Kirkpatrick)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Miss Ruth Beatty died in Guilford on December 3rd. She was more than 80 years old.
(Names in announcement: Ruth Beatty)