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Franklin Repository: June 01, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Honest Elections Not Wanted
(Column 01)

Summary: The Repository assails the Democrats for opposing a senate bill that targets election tampering.

Full Text of Article:

It is too well established by unbroken experience to the contrary to hope that anything a Republican Congress may or can do will receive the approval of the Democracy. Still the various measures proposed and the laws made in Congress receive different degrees of disapproval. Democracy as a National party may be practically dead; its hopes of ever electing a Chief Magistrate, or of having a controlling voice in either house of Congress may be infinitessimally small; still it has its green spots, its oases, its wells of pure, we cannot say undefiled, Democratic waters, which even the Fifteenth Amendment cannot obliterate or make waste. New York city has never yet run after strange gods, and it is even possible in a few States to elect Democratic Governors and Legislatures. These last and slender remains of what was once the dominant party from Maine to Texas must be cherished and guarded with jealous care. If they too be swallowed up by the insatiable monster of radicalism, Democracy will exist only in the memory of its crimes and misdeeds.

Imagine then the consternation created in the Democratic camp by the passage through the Senate of Sherman's bill providing a general election law, a bill to enforce the Fifteenth Amendment, a bill to protect honest voters, and to punish perjurers, repeaters, ballot stuffers and forgers in elections. It is authoritatively said that the bill, or one closely approximating to its provisions, will pass the House and become a law, and what, Oh! what will the Democracy do then? The Fifteenth Amendment was almost more than they could bear and live. It destroyed all hope of their becoming a party whose dominion would extend over the country, a party of latitude and longitude. Still it left them rich spots not to be despised. It did not take from them New York city. Nay, as the last election demonstrated, it made them stronger in that famous stronghold than before. It supplemented their already enormous majority by the negro vote. True the wishes of the negroes were not consulted as to their choice of candidates, only when they came to deposit their ballots they were informed that they had been relieved from the irksome duty of exercising citizenship, and that kind friends had already used their names and cast their ballots for the incorruptible Democracy.

But just when they had arranged everything to their entire satisfaction, when they had manipulated State laws and city ordinance exactly to suit their taste, when they could have swelled their majority by adding the negro votes to their other enormous frauds large enough to have carried the State itself, the Senate threatens them with a law actually intended to protect honest voters and to prevent and punish fraudulent ones, and it is well framed to accomplish those ends. Was ever anything more despotic, high-handed and unconstitutional than this? We are sure nothing in our recollection has excited Democratic indignation as it has. And this feeling is not confined to New York city. In other cities, and even outside of the cities, with one voice they cry out against it. We have no doubt that its passage will determine Wallace to refuse the chairmanship of the next Democratic committee in this State. It would settle the fate of prematurely aged naturalization papers, as well as the fate of a good many Democratic aspirants for Congress and the Legislature. Among other things it would put an end to the large number of contested election cases by increasing the peril of fraudulent votes. If it accomplished this alone, it would be no trifling good.

But best of all, if it becomes a law it discriminates in favor of no political party. It protects the honest voter of either party and punishes the fraudulent of both. The Democracy object to it, because being most dishonest they are most hurt by it. Of course they do not give that as a reason. They say that it is subversive of State sovereignty and State rights, but that is mere stuff. A national law which provides the means for enforcing an honest election is not likely to seriously damage State rights. We hope that Congress will speedily make Sherman's bill a law, and by its rigid enforcement make fraudulent voting, or unlawful interference with qualified voters such a dangerous experiment as that few will have the temerity to undertake it.

No Principles--No Issue
(Column 02)

Summary: This editorial argues that the local Democrats are constantly bringing up the issue of blacks' rights and inciting racial prejudice because they have no other issues to campaign on.

Full Text of Article:

The Democracy of this, the 16th Congressional District have by the general concurrence of their journals fully admitted that they have no issue upon which to go before the people in the approaching Congressional campaign. In some districts in the State they have taken issue with the Republican party on the tariff question, but here, though the Bedford Gazette and the Somerset Democrat make a feeble show of free trade, the party is afraid to array itself against a protective policy. They have agreed to be unanimous, however, in assailing the colored vote, which explains what we mean by the assertion that they have no issue. The negro question is finally and eternally settled. The Fifteenth Amendment could not be revoked except in the same way as it was adopted, by the concurrence of three-fourths of the States to an act of Congress submitting the question to them. This of course can never be done. Then what means or what is the use of the cry of the "White men's party?" Nothing more than that they dare not take issue on the tariff, that all other issues are dead, and that they hope to win a few Republicans to their party by thus exciting their prejudice against the negro. Suppose that there were enough of Republicans opposed to the Fifteenth Amendment to enable the Democracy by voting with them to elect their ticket, what would such a result accomplish? It would not deprive the colored people of the right to vote. It would not annul the Fifteenth Amendment. It would in fact do nothing except elect some corrupt demagogues to office, and in no respect benefit the disaffected Republicans.

Then nothing is clearer than this, that the leaders of a bankrupt and desperate party want to ride into office on the wave of a miserable prejudice. That is the whole sum and substance of the "white man's party." That is the whole text from which they preach. It has no principle and no character. If they did not think they saw personal advantage in it they would have nothing to do with it; and if they succeeded in their aims if they could entice enough ally Republicans to their party to elect them they would laugh at their folly and enjoy the offices.

We have yet to learn of any Republicans who are willing to sacrifice the principles of their party for the sake of such a prejudice though the Spirit boasts loudly of such, but if there be any we shall not allow them to throw away their votes without fully informing them that they will be merely making themselves the dupes and tools of designing Democratic leaders.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper celebrates passage of the 15th Amendment. "It puts the power to protect the ballot box against fraud and corruption in the hands of United States officers, and punishes offenders in the United States Courts, and gives the President the necessary authority to enforce the law."

Distribution of Documents
(Column 04)

Summary: This author of this letter states that black voters know that the Republicans are their true friends and attacks the editor of the Valley Spirit.

Full Text of Article:

To the Editors of the Franklin Repository

I don't think it would be amiss to reply to the statement made by the Valley Spirit, in its last week's issue, in regard to the distribution of documents, &c., to the colored people by Mr. Cessna. The writer should know that his colored brethren have sufficient gratitude to support, and enough of discrimination to know their friends, without the aid documents. His own manhood, if he possessed any, should teach him that the vituperation and abuse of the colored people by the journal which he represents cannot but make them a unit in support of Mr. Cessna.

That the colored editor of the Spirit has long been in sympathy with the party that teaches that a black man has no right which a white man is bound to respect is well known. But that he should play the spy in the camp of his own people, who have been oppressed and kept in bondage for over two centuries, passes all belief, and makes the epithet "nigger," which his party friends so much delight in bandying about, apply with peculiar force to him. A COLORED VOTER.

[It is currently reported that the Spirit has secured the services of an apostate colored man as associate editor. - ED. REPOS.]

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: S. W. Hays has dissolved his relations with the Repository and Henry S. Stoner has taken his place. He will handle business concerns. Jere Cook remains editor. Hays is retiring to resume practice of his profession.
(Names in announcement: S. W. Hays, Henry S. Stoner, Jere Cook)

County Committee
(Column 01)

Summary: Theodore M'Gowen announces that the Republican County Committee will meet in the office of Thomas J. Grimison on June 4th.
(Names in announcement: Theodore M'Gowen, Thomas J. Grimison)

Not Cunning, But Right
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper applauds the decision of the Democratic-controlled Board of County Commissioners to replace departing Republican Capt. Doebler with Republican George Foreman. The members of the board believed they had a duty to respect the wishes of the voters at the last election, much to the chagrin of the Valley Spirit who accused the commissioners of violating Democratic principles. The paper scoffs sarcastically that "a splendid chance to swindle the colored voters out of their votes was lost by this appointment, but we hope it will find some consolation for its grief in our assurance that a perfectly fair and just assessment will now be made and no man's rights will be violated or trifled with."
(Names in announcement: Capt. Doebler, George Foreman)

Decoration Day
(Column 02)

Summary: This report about the recent Decoration Day celebrations declares the festivities "a grand success."
(Names in announcement: Col. McGowan, Rev. I. N. Hays, Rev. Gotwalt)

Full Text of Article:

The ceremonies attending the decoration of the soldiers' graves in this vicinity were a grand success. The only thing which created dissatisfaction was the refusal of the Chambersburg Silver Cornet Band on Monday morning to play. The Fayetteville Band was secured in their stead. About 430 P.M. returned soldiers and citizens assembled in front of the Court House. The procession was divided into two divisions, one division, under charge of the Chief Marshal, Col. McGowan, composed of the returned soldiers and citizens, preceded by the Fayetteville band, visiting the graveyards of the Falling Spring and Catholic Churches, the other division, under charge of Capt. Skinner composed of Housum Zouaves, the Knights of Pythias and the members of the Columbus and Chambersburg Lodges, I. O. O. F., preceded by the Drum corps, visiting the various graveyards south of Market street. After the ceremonies in these localities were concluded, the two divisions united and proceeded to the cemetery where a short eloquent and exceedingly appropriate address was delivered by Rev. I. N. Hays. The services were concluded with a benediction by Rev. Gotwalt. Our citizens all seemed interested in the ceremonies of the day. The ladies, with their accustomed generosity, made large donations of wreaths, flowers, and boquets. The music furnished by the Fayetteville Band elicited the praise of all who heard it.

The respect shown the memories of our heroic dead is an evidence that their services and patriotism will not soon be forgotten by those who survive them.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Franklin County Horticultural Society met on the 24th. Miss Mattie M'Keehan and Calvin Gilbert were elected members to the society. Committees were appointed for the upcoming exhibition.
(Names in announcement: Mattie M'Keehan, Calvin Gilbert, Frank Henderson, W. D. Guthrie, Josiah W. Schofield, Dr. W. H. Boyle, B. L. Maurer, J. L. Dechert, T. B. Jenkens, W. Heyser, R. P. Hazelet, G. B. Myers, George Rowden, Dr. E. Culbertson, John Jeffries, B. F. Nead, J. S. Nixon, John Linn, D. F. Leisher, J. G. Elder, J. P. Keefer, C. H. Cressler, E. B. Engle, Hazelet)

Orrstown Election
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper defends Mr. Knisely and Mr. Dehart, two Republicans reportedly elected to posts in Orrstown, from attacks made by the Valley Spirit.
(Names in announcement: Knisely, Dehart)

Mercersburg Classes
(Column 03)

Summary: The Thirtieth Annual Meeting of the Mercersburg Classes of the Reformed Church of the United States met in St. John's Church in Schellsburg on May 19th. Rev. P. S. Davis of Chambersburg preached the opening sermon. Rev. S. N. Callender of Greencastle was elected president.
(Names in announcement: Rev. P. S. Davis, Rev. S. N. Callender)

Internal Revenue
(Column 03)

Summary: George L. Balsley, Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue for Franklin, will receive taxes on annual incomes and special businesses and professions in Hoke's Building in Chambersburg between June 14th and 18th. Licenses must also be paid at that time.
(Names in announcement: George L. Balsley)

Colored Band
(Column 03)

Summary: The African Americans of Chambersburg are holding a festival in Repository Hall to raise money to purchase instruments for a brass band. A lecture will also be delivered. Admission is 25 cents. "Those who have witnessed the entertainments given by the colored people, in the Hall, need not be reminded that this will be worth attending."

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: James Keggereis, a disabled soldier from Fanettsburg, has been appointed watchman and messenger at a government department in Washington. John Cessna secured the post for the veteran, who had not been able to find any work he could do.
(Names in announcement: James Keggereis, John Cessna)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: A. J. White of the Olive Branch Encampment No. 13, I.O.O.F., has been elected District Deputy Grand Patriarch of Pennsylvania.
(Names in announcement: A. J. White)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: S. W. Hays is resuming the practice of law in partnership with Jere Cook.
(Names in announcement: S. W. Hays, Jere Cook)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: Dr. Edmund Culbertson of Columbus Lodge No. 75, I.O.O.F., has been elected District Grand Master of Franklin County.
(Names in announcement: Dr. Edmund Culbertson)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: An ice cream festival will be held in Repository Hall under the auspices of the Ladies' Improvement Society of the First M. E. Church.

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The citizens of Shippensburg have organized a new brass band.

Married
(Column 04)

Summary: Theodore Mowen of St. Thomas and Miss Annie Stroup of Cashtown, Franklin County, were married in Chambersburg on May 26th by the Rev. John Fohl at his residence.
(Names in announcement: Theodore Mowen, Annie Stroup, Rev. John Fohl)

Died
(Column 04)

Summary: Margaret M'Clure died in Chambersburg on May 5th. She was 78 years old.
(Names in announcement: Margaret M'Clure)