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Franklin Repository: May 04, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Celebration on Tuesday
(Column 01)

Summary: The Repository reports that the recent celebration of the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment was marked by orderly, appropriate behavior from the 'colored citizens' of the county and Republican allies.

Full Text of Article:

The exercise held throughout the State on Tuesday of last week by the colored citizens, to celebrate the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment, were too important and too instructive to be passed over without comment. In almost every town in the Commonwealth, in every important town and city, these exercises were held, and to the great honor of the colored citizens the newspapers have not one single instance of disorderly or riotous conduct to chronicle.

It is no trifling matter that in the midst of such unusual joy and rejoicing as pervaded the enfranchised class on that day, they were never unmindful that with the right of citizenship came also the duties of citizens. The order, decorum and propriety which marked their conduct at other places were also observed here. The procession of the various societies and companies was dignified and becoming in all its appointments. The banners with their inscriptions and mottoes were appropriate and right. There was nothing done for the purpose of giving offense, and if any offense was taken by any white person he must have taken special pains to be hurt. Altogether our colored citizens are entitled to the highest praise for this, and for this reason; Our experience does not furnish us a single instance in Chambersburg where white persons, either Democratic or Republican, assembled in large numbers, that the day passed off so peacefully and orderly as did this one. There is no doubt that the inducements to behave well on this occasion were strong, but at the same time the temptation to yield to the feeling of unrestrained joy and rejoicing which they met to celebrate was great. They are entitled to commendation for their good conduct, and we at least shall not withhold it.

In the afternoon speeches were made in front of the Court House by both white and colored speakers, and also in Repository Hall in the evening. The attendance was large, both classes being well represented. Of the remarks made by the white speakers we need say nothing. What the colored orators had to say is of more importance as an expression of their views, sentiments and feelings. What was made memorable during the long enslavement of the colored race, and particularly during the war of the rebellion, was also apparent in their remarks. They cherish no feeling of revenge or resentment towards those who stole their labor and their liberty, who made them ignorant and degraded, but they have a keen and just appreciation of all their wrongs and cannot be deceived as to who were their friends and who their enemies. Those were the dominant ideas pervading the remarks of each of the speakers and we heard three or four. They were all Republicans, and Republican from the purest and highest motives. They reasoned clearly and unerringly that their interest and their duty both allied them with the Republican party. They foresaw and predicted that the Democratic party were bound to make an effort to secure their suffrages, but they warned them that the record they had made in the past would forever destroy the confidence of the colored voters in their promises in the future. We fear the Democracy derived but little comfort or encouragement from what they heard.

We were pleased to see that the colored citizens provided most of the speakers for this occasion from their own color. They were right in so doing. We urge them to persevere in this rule. If many of them are ignorant, it is because they could not be intelligent and be slaves. The whites were the stronger and they chose rather to have them ignorant and slaves than free and intelligent. With the natural ability they have, and the earnestness and zeal to learn which they display, they need not long be behind their more favored brethren since learning and paid labor are as open to them as to others.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper reports mockingly that the previous headquarters of the Democratic party in Philadelphia has become a 'negro minstrel concert room,' an unexpected fulfillment of the prophecy of black men taking over white places.

Full Text of Article:

The Democratic leaders have persistently dinned into the ears of the ignorant of their party that if slavery were allowed to vote they would soon occupy all the places or trade and labor held by the white Democrats, and thus they would be left without employment and without the means of living. These leaders did not then believe that their own places were endangered by the encroachments of the negro, but it seems they were. In Philadelphia the headquarters of the Democracy, hallowed by the memory of years devoted to the enslavement and degradation of the negro race, has been converted into a negro minstrel concert room.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper warns that Democrats plan to "alienate the foreign vote" from the Republican Party at all costs. The 15th Amendment brought such a large number of new voters into Republican ranks that it is imperative for Democrats to make up the numbers elsewhere.

The Day of Jubilee
(Column 01)

Summary: This article contains a details account of the recent celebration of the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment.
(Names in announcement: Albert Jones, Henson Turner, James D. Lewis, George Williams, Capt. Thomas L. White, Alexander Lewis, Elijah Hammett, Capt. George Miller, Alfred Bradford, Capt. John Downey, Jesse Holmes, Capt. Campbell, Henry Stuart, Joseph R. Winters, William S. Hall, Dr. A. R. Green, John Stewart, I. H. McCauley, L. S. Clarke, H. G. Mendenhall, Gen. F. S. Stumbaugh, W. S. Hall, Ashford F. Collins, Rev. McKeehan, J. R. Winters, Henry Monks, William H. Middleton)

Full Text of Article:

Tuesday of last week was a day that will long be remembered by the colored people of Chambersburg. It was a day for which they had been preparing since the 30th of March. Nothing was left undone to make the occasion a grand one. The weather was exceedingly pleasant.

The procession formed about 1 o'clock P. M., and marched through the various streets of the town in charge of the following officers:

Chief Marshal - Albert Jones.
Aids - Henson Turner, James D. Lewis and George Williams.
Commander of Military - Capt. Thomas L. White.
Adjutant - Alexander Lewis.

ORDER OF PROCESSION:

Marshal and Aids,
Band.
Rough and Ready Boys, Capt. Elijah Hammett.
Stevens Union Star Club, Capt. Geo. Miller.
Drum Corps.
Independent Blues, Capt. Alfred Bradford.
Lincoln Cadets, Capt. John Downey.
Wagon containing thirty ladies, representing the thirty States who ratified the Fifteenth Amendment, in charge of Jesse Holmes, mounted.
Delegation from Mount Alto, Capt. Campbell.
Civilians, in charge of Henry Stuart.

The procession halted in front of the Court House, when speaking began at 2 P.M. Speeches appropriated to the occasion were made by the following gentlemen: Joseph R. Winters, Wm. S. Hall, Rev. Dr. A. R. Green, of Washington, D. C., and John Stewart, Esq. The speaking over, the procession counter-marched to Water street, where it was disbanded.

In the evening there was a grand festival and ball in Repository Hall, which was largely attended. The audience was addressed by I. H. McCauley, Esq., L. S. Clarke, Esq., Mr. H. G. Mendenhall, Gen. F. S. Stumbaugh, W. S. Hall, Ashford F. Collins, Rev. McKeehan and J. R. Winters. Much of the success attending the celebration is due to the energy of Henry Monks, Chairman of the Executive committee, and Wm. H. Middleton, Secretary.

The colored men have every reason to feel gratified that their day of rejoicing passed off as pleasantly as it did. Their programme was carried out with excellent order. Their friends were pleased with the manner in which they conducted themselves, and their enemies were compelled to acknowledge that there never was a public day in this place attended with so little disturbance.

Anniversary Exercises
(Column 01)

Summary: The Odd Fellows of America celebrated their fifty-first anniversary, and the Chambersburg ladges observed the occasion with music and addresses. The Silver Cornet Band played, Prof. George W. Noftsker led the choir, and Rev. D. Townsend and Rev. E. W. Kirby led prayers and addressed the crowd. Past Grand Master I. H. McCauley also spoke.
(Names in announcement: Prof. George W. Noftsker, Rev. D. Townsend, Rev. E. W. Kirby, I. H. McCauley)

Last Tuesday at Greencastle
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper here discusses two speakers' remarks at the recent celebration of the passage of the Fifteenth Amendment.
(Names in announcement: S. W. Hays, George W. Zeigler, Rev. Whiteman, Anderson)

Full Text of Article:

The colored citizens of the Southern portion of Franklin county celebrated the final passage of the Fifteenth Amendment, near Greencastle, on Tuesday last. Mercersburg, Greencastle, and Waynesboro were all represented. The procession, after marching through the principal streets, proceeded to Moss Spring. His honor Judge Rowe, being compelled to come to Chambersburg to preside at court, made a short speech shortly after arriving on the grounds. He made no reference to politics. His remarks were eloquent and were greeted with rounds of applause. After the Judge had concluded the crowd was dismissed until 1.30 p. m. An elegant dinner had been prepared and as one of the guests we must say we enjoyed it.

In the afternoon addresses were delivered by S. W. Hays, Esq., Geo. W. Zeigler, Esq., and Rev. Whiteman. Mr. Hays spoke for about an hour. He was then followed by Mr. Zeigler, who addressed the audience in an earnest and effective manner. Rev. Whiteman's remarks were peculiarly appropriate. He advised the colored people not only to educate their minds, but to see it that their hearts were also purified. His speech was of such a character as one would be sure to hear from a Christian minister. Mr. Anderson's remarks were full of good advice to his colored brethren, and were well received.

The audience dispersed about 4 p. m., and retired quietly to their homes. The order on the grounds could not have been better. The colored Band of Greencastle furnished good music for the occasion.

One Eye but Two Ears
(Column 02)

Summary: This short account contains a 'humorous' snippet of conversation overheard between a Democrat, a one-eyed black man, and a Republican woman.

Full Text of Article:

A Democratic politician was engaged in earnest conversation with a one-eyed colored man on Wallace's corner, one day last week, and seeing a lady pass remarked to her that he was making a convert to the Democratic faith.

"It is well you try the one-eyed darkies first," she remarked, "for you can never find one with two eyes that couldn't see through your miserable blarney."

"Lord, missus," said the newly enfranchised, "if this darkey is got only one eye, he has two ears, and he lets the copperheads talk in at one, and out it goes at the other."

An Old Fashioned Circus
(Column 02)

Summary: G. G. Grady's Old Fashioned American Circus will exhibit in Chambersburg on May 13th. It will feature riders, leapers, vaulters, tumblers, gymnasts, contortionists, and clowns.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Horticultural Soicety held their regular meeting on April 19th. Six or eight ladies were present. Prof. Shumaker, Judge King, and Mr. Jenkins plan to list the prizes for the upcoming exhibition on June 11th and 12th. The group discussed various aspects of vegetable cultivation.
(Names in announcement: Prof. Shumaker, Judge King, Mr. Jenkins)

I.O.O.F.
(Column 02)

Summary: Olive Branch Encampment No. 13, I.O.O.F., will meet on May 6th. Members of Shippensburg Encampment will also attend.

Cumberland Valley Railroad
(Column 02)

Summary: The Auditor General for Pennsylvania published the following statistics on the Cumberland Valley Railroad: length, 73 miles; engine houses and shops, 5; engines, 16; first class passenger cars, 14; baggage, mail, and express cars, 6; freight, 232; iron bridges, 17; wooden bridges, 2; railroads crossed, 1; ticket stations on road, 8; flag stations on road, 14; wood and water stations, 6; total passengers carried, 308,213; gross tonnage, 244,532.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Franklin County Bible Society will hold an anniversary meeting in the Lutheran English Church on the second Sunday in May.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The Chambersburg Silver Cornet Band refused to play for the celebration by African American citizens last week. The paper has the "pleasure" of stating that Prof. Keller, Mr. Snider, and Mr. Hullenberger were in favor of playing. "The Fayetteville Band behaved like men, although they charged mighty well for their services."
(Names in announcement: Prof. Keller, Snider, Hullenberger)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The African American residents of Chambersburg were refused the use of the grounds of the Franklin County Agricultural Society through the intransigence of one member. He wished to charge them $20 for an hour and a half, which they refused to pay.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: Rev. S. McHenry, former pastor of the Grindstone Hill Lutheran congregation, preached his farewell sermon on April 24th.
(Names in announcement: Rev. S. McHenry)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: President C. M. Duncan and Secretary C. Gilbert announce that the Franklin County Agricultural Fair Company will hold its annual meeting on May 5th.
(Names in announcement: C. M. Duncan, C. Gilbert)

Sentenced
(Column 03)

Summary: William F. Swingler, and African American man formerly of Chambersburg, was found guilty of stealing a coat in Adams County and was sentenced to one year's imprisonment in the Eastern Penitentiary.
(Names in announcement: William F. Swingler)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: Officer Houser arrested Lewis Shrup, William Flora, and Lewis Keltner on Saturday for drunkenness.
(Names in announcement: Officer Houser, Lewis Shrup, William Flora, Lewis Keltner)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: John Brotherton, formery of Franklin, died in New Orleans on January 27th.
(Names in announcement: John Brotherton)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: William Leonard Keagey, oldest son of Henry and Maggie Keagey, died in Chambersburg on April 30th. He was 6 years old.
(Names in announcement: William Leonard Keagey, Henry Keagey, Maggie Keagey)

Died
(Column 05)

Summary: Harry Strock Cormany, son of B. A. and Elizabeth Cormany, died on May 2nd. He was 2 months old.
(Names in announcement: Harry Strock Cormany, B. A. Cormany, Elizabeth Cormany)