Search the Newspapers Browse Newspapers by Date Articles Indexed by Topic About the Newspapers Valley of the Shadow Home

Franklin Repository: June 29, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

A Democratic Conundrum
(Column 01)

Summary: This editorial defends President Grant's administration and states that the upcoming elections will be favorable for the Republicans despite what their Democratic counterparts suggest.

Full Text of Article:

A CONUNDRUM the Democracy never weary of asking is, "What will be the political complexion of the next Congress?" It shows the increasing restlessness and anxiety of the Democratic mind that the party should for ten years back have biennially sought information upon this subject in advance of the elections. That the answers which they framed to this oft-repeated interrogatory were always wrong does not seem to deter them from making the same inquiry now, and of answering it again to suit their desires. In the same breath they ask the question and give a reply. As oft before, they say, this time, at least, Congress will be Democratic.

We feel like encouraging this search into the secrets of the future. It gives innocent entertainment to those who but for this might be occupied in something less harmless. It affords a temporary enjoyment to the Democracy only less satisfying, this belief in their triumph, than the actual triumph itself. Indeed it is claimed by many wise philosophers that the pursuit of an end or object gives men greater satisfaction than its attainment. We wish to think so, because we wish to see our Democratic brethren happy. They shall have all the enjoyment the chase affords; the Republican party will bag the game.

Why should the Democratic party triumph in the next election? Not because as a party, they were opposed to the abolition of slavery. The people have decided against them on this question, and do not wish to reverse their decision. Not because, as a party, they were in sympathy with the rebellion during the war. The people said the rebellion must be put down, and they did it. Not bebause, as a party, they were opposed to making suffrage in the United States universal. The people declared by their Legislatures that the constitution must be so amended, and it was so amended. Not because the rebellious States were compelled to recognize the changed condition wrought in the country by the overthrow of the rebellion, and to bring their State governments into harmony with these conditions before they could enter into the relation of States to the Union. The people demanded this as a guaranty for the future, and it was done. These things have all been fixed, and irrevocably fixed. They cannot now be changed. If it were possible the people would contemplate with horror a single step backwards. The principles of the Declaration of Independence and the principles of slavery were arrayed against each other, and the wisdom of the fathers was confirmed by the acts of their sons, in that the former were placed on an enduring foundation and the latter were destroyed.

None of these things can be in issue again whatever politicians may do. They are functus officio. When the Democracy claim that they will control the next Congress, they must calculate to get this control by means of some other question than any of these. They must bury out of sight and recollection of the people the catalogue of their crimes and iniquities, and arraign the Republican party for having in something betrayed the trust and confidence of the people. The election of Grant over Seymour must be accepted as a complete endorsement of the Republican party up to that time. If it is unworthy of the place it now holds the cause of this unworthiness has originated since his election. What are the prominent features of his administration? His watchwords were Peace, the economical administration of the government, the extinguishment of the public debt, the reduction of the taxes and the enforcement of the laws. On these he was elected and the lease of the Republican party extended. Have his promises been idle words or have they been strictly lived up to? Almost every man woman and child is prepared to answer these questions for him or herself. He has maintained the rights and dignity of the United States, in their relations with foreign powers in a particularly critical period; and while all may not agree as to the details of his foreign policy he has won the respect of every nation and preserved peace without any humiliating concessions. The government has been administered with rare economy and skill. Except the extraordinary expenses entailed by the war, and that caused by the rapid settlement of the Indian country, the necessary expenses of the government would be no greater than before the war. The public debt has been extinguished at the rate of a hundred millions a year, and while this has been done the taxes have been taken off of many commodoties and articles of manufacture. Before Congress adjourns still further reduction of taxes will be made. The laws have been justly and rigidly enforced. The passage of the Fifteenth Amendment has been secured, and those whom it has made citizens are protected in their rights.

Is it for any of these things that the Democracy can hope to secure the control of the next Congress. A majority of all the voters are Republicans. Can they or any part of them be purchased to join the ranks of their enemies? We fail to see any reason to think that they can. Do the Democracy; and whence their hope?

Will Free Negroes Work?
(Column 02)

Summary: The Repository argues that the freedmen have done well for themselves and have helped the South to recover from the war. The article cites increased agricultural output and proclaims that free black labor is a success.

Full Text of Article:

It used to be incumbent on every good Democrat to proclaim that they would not; that they were an idle, lazy, shiftless, thriftless lot, and if slavery was abolished productive labor would be at an end in the South. What is the fact? Last cotton crop is larger by a million bales than that of the year before. It numbers over three millions bales and is worth more than $300,000,000. It was produced by free negro labor, and these figures do not represent more than half the productive labor of the South last year. It does not include the tobacco, corn wheat rye and oats, the fruits and vegetables of the South, nearly all the growth of voluntary negro labor. In addition to this the former slaves have since the war deposited of their earnings some millions of money, we do not now know how many, in Saving Banks, and have built churches, school-houses, and many of them have bought land and made themselves permanent homes. Altogether, we doubt if history furnishes another example where the wisdom of those who freed and enfranchised an enslaved race has been so wonderly vindicated by the results as in the case of the colored people of the United States.

By means of the negro labor the South has actually rebounded from the condition of abject and deplorable poverty into which it was plunged by the rebellion, and our Democratic friends who are howling about the negroes now should recollect that to them their dear Southern brethren owe their prosperity to-day. No thinking mind familiar with the facts will undertake to deny that the ex slaveholders have done far less than the ex slaves to bring about the present prosperous condition of the South. But for the presence of their former slaves after the war they would scarcely have escaped starvation. How well it becomes them and the Democracy of the North to denounce their benefactors we leave for the sober judgment of the unprejudiced everywhere to say.

The Income Tax
(Column 03)

Summary: The Senate passed a bill striking out the income tax. "There is no doubt that the sentiment of the country is against the Income Tax, and within the last month that sentiment has received such general expression that the House when called to act on the amended bill will hearken to it."

Chambersburg Academy
(Column 01)

Summary: The Chambersburg Academy exhibition, held on Friday in Repository Hall, received excellent reviews. Prof. Shumaker's students performed music and delivered literary addresses.
(Names in announcement: Prof. Shumaker, J. A. Case, Joseph Snively, Marco Bozzaris, David Nevin, Samuel B. Loose, C. A. Suesserott, William E. Bloyer, D. M. Kennedy, Joseph M. Russell, C. B. Ludwig, J. Harper Black, G. S. Hull, N. S. Duffield, S. M'Lanahan, J. W. Sharpe, Thomas J. Ferguson, H. G. Mendenhall, J. A. Vanderbilt, Joseph M. Russel, C. B. Ludwig, J. Harper Black, L. W. Sharpe)

The Public Bath House Again
(Column 02)

Summary: Public response has supported the Repository's call for a public bath house in Chambersburg.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Corner-stone laying services will take place in Trinity Church, Chambersburg, on July 6th. A schedule of services is included.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Wilbur F. Paddock, Rev. Benjamin Watson, Rev. Dr. Howe, R. A. Lamberton, Rev. Francis J. Clerc, Rev. Dr. Marsden, Rev. Joseph R. Moore, Rev. William Hobart Hare, Rev. William S. Heaton, Rev. Douglass, Rev. Orrick, Rev. Kellogg, Rev. Martin, Rev. Brown)

Shippensburg Items
(Column 02)

Summary: Shippensburg is installing a town clock. Fines are being instituted in town for unmuzzled dogs allowed to roam freely. A chapter of the Improved Order of Red Men was recently founded. A vote was taken on a location for the proposed Cumberland Valley State Normal School.
(Names in announcement: James Kelso, D. K. Wagner, R. J. Coffey)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The article chastizes the slow pace of work on the pavements on North Front Street.

Deputy U.S. Marshals
(Column 03)

Summary: The following were appointed Deputy US Marshals in Franklin County: Jacob Kendig, Lurgan, Fannett, and Metal; W. K. Widner, Southampton, Letterkenny, and Green; D. F. Leisher, North Ward of Chambersburg and Hamilton; W. T. Graham, St. Thomas and Peters; W. Lackens, Montgomery and Warren; E. D. Reid, South Ward of Chambersburg; J. P. Study, Guilford and Quincy; Henry P. Prather, Greencastle and Antrim; J. F. Kurtz, Waynesboro and Washington.
(Names in announcement: Jacob Kendig, W. K. Widner, D. F. Leisher, W. T. Graham, W. Lackens, E. D. Reid, J. P. Study, Henry P. Prather, J. F. Kurtz)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: Monterey Springs, four miles from Waynesboro, will be open for visitors on July 4th. Harry Yingling is proprietor.
(Names in announcement: Harry Yingling)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: A large bell was elevated to the top of the Central Presbyterian Church. Col. O. N. Lull of Chambersburg was among those presenting the bell.
(Names in announcement: Col. O. N. Lull)

[No Title]
(Column 04)

Summary: The Franklin County Medical Society will meet in Chambersburg on July 6th.

Married
(Column 06)

Summary: George Wolf and Miss Mary E. McAfee, both of Mercersburg, were married on June 4th at the M. E. Parsonage in Chambersburg by the Rev. E. W. Kirby.
(Names in announcement: George Wolf, Mary E. McAfee, Rev. E. W. Kirby)

Died
(Column 06)

Summary: Mrs. Maria Sechrist died in Warren on June 22nd. She was 64 years old.
(Names in announcement: Maria Sechrist)

Died
(Column 06)

Summary: James Williams died in Warren on June 20th. He was 58 years old.
(Names in announcement: James Williams)

Died
(Column 06)

Summary: John Thomas died in Warren on May 1st. He was 35 years old.
(Names in announcement: John Thomas)

Died
(Column 06)

Summary: Eliza Yeakle died on April 30th in Warren. She was 30 years old.
(Names in announcement: Eliza Yeakle)

Died
(Column 06)

Summary: Edward Shriver Miller, son of G. A. and Mary Emeline Miller of Chambersburg, died in Baltimore at the residence of his uncle, Dr. William Riley, after returning from Florida. He was 21 years old.
(Names in announcement: Edward Shriver Miller, G. A. Miller, Mary Emeline Miller, Dr. William Riley)

Died
(Column 06)

Summary: John C. Anderson, adopted son of Mr. John C. Anderson, died in Chambersburg on June 22nd of cholera infantum. He was 5 months old.
(Names in announcement: John C. Anderson)