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Franklin Repository: August 31, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Campaign Repository
(Column 01)

Summary: The Repository announces its intention to distribute an extra 1,000 copies of its paper in order to expose the Democratic nominee for Congress as a traitor and a "notorious Free Trader."

Full Text of Article:

In our local columns, see the prospectus of the Campaign REPOSITORY. We intend with the aid of the friends of the Republican cause to send into the county a thousand copies of the REPOSITORY every week in addition to our regular list. We wish to do this solely for the advantages of the party and not for our own profit, and have therefore put the price down to the lowest figure. The great effort of the Democracy in the present campaign will be directed to the election of their candidates for Congress. They have declared their intention to concentrate all their power throughout the States to this end, and their plan is to allow strong Republican districts to go without a contest, and to bend all their energies to carry Republican districts which gave small majorities at the last election. The Sixteenth District is one of those in which they hope to elect a Democrat. Unfortunately for their purposes they have nominated a man who was a traitor during the war, and is a notorious Free Trader now, but unless his objectionable record and his odious principles are fully exposed they will try to deceive the people into the belief that he is neither of these.

We want the help and assistance of all true and earnest friends of the Republican cause to aid us in giving the wildest publicity to the real political character and conduct of Benjamin F. Myers, and believe that in so doing they will give material aid to the cause of their party. We want clubs organized in every township for the Campaign REPOSITORY, and we want particularly that those who do not now receive a county paper be supplied with it. If there are any who can not afford to pay for it let the money be raised in the township, so that no one shall be found without a newspaper who is willing to receive and read one.

A Strange Anomoly
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper wonders why the Democrats nominated B. F. Myers for Congress since he is a free trader who opposses the tariff. Pennsylvania Democrats have in the past insisted they favor protection.

The Political Situation
(Column 02)

Summary: The Repository declares that Benjamin F. Myers, the Democratic nominee for Congress, sympathized with the Confederacy, is opposed to the enfranchisement of freedmen, and is "the enemy of every laborer in the land" because of his stance on free trade.

Full Text of Article:

Now is the time to take note of the political situation in Franklin county. The whole ticket to be voted for this fall by each party has been chosen, County Legislative and Congressional.

In the last named the Republican Conference has not yet met, but the choice of a candidate has been as clearly settled as if it had. A majority of the five counties have already declared for Hon. John Cessna. The Democratic Conference which met at McConnellsburg, last week, closed its work by putting in nomination Mr. B. F. Myers, of Bedford. It is settled therefore that the Congressional fight will be made by two men both from Bedford county, and it may be truly stated, that this is the only particular in which the two candidates are alike. In every political feature of the present campaign they are as diametrically opposed as it is possible to be.

We are glad that this is so. Mr. Cessna is a fair representative of the radical Republican school, and Mr. Myers is the truest type of the Democracy named for Congress in the District. In no particular do their views or principles so nearly run parallel as to allow the members of the Republican party to vote for the other candidate without doing violence to their party faith.

No other man in the District named in connection with this nomination could so truly represent the National Democratic party as Mr. Myers. In the rebellion he was a friend of the confederate cause, and never hesitated to manifest as much sympathy with it as was consistent with personal safety. His most bitter disappointments during the war were those which came of the success of the loyal armies, and he did not conceal his satisfaction at their reverses and defeats. He has opposed every measure for the restoration of the South States inaugurated and carried out by a Republican administration and Congress. He denounced the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln, the enfranchisement of the negroes of the rebel States, and the adoption of the Fifteenth Amendment. He is the champion of the White Man's Party today, which denies the validity of that Amendment, and declares its determination to return the colored population back to a condition of practical servitude if ever it should be restored to power. In all this, which neither Mr. Myers, nor his friends will deny, he does not much differ from the majority of the other Democratic leaders. But in one important particular he does differ vitally from a large body of the democratic voters of the Sixteenth Congressional district. He is the avowed and earnest advocate of the pernicious Free Trade doctrines, which British gold and British influence are attempting to fasten upon the labor and industry of this country. He is the enemy of every laborer in the land, and would reduce the price of workmen's wages down to the low standard of wages in Europe. He is the proprietor and Editor of the Bedford Gazette, and is also one of the owners and Editors of the Harrisburg Patriot, both of which papers persistently oppose the policy of protecting and fostering manufacturing and laboring interests of this country, and urge the removal of all duties from foreign importations which have been imposed to help build up domestic industry and enable manufacturers to give a fair day's wages for a fair day's work. In this matter he is opposed to the interests of Democrats and Republicans of this District alike, for their prosperity is largely bound up in their labor. If that does not receive a fair compensation the industry of the country must languish and die.

In every particular we have mentioned Mr. Cessna holds views opposed to those of Mr. Myers. At the beginning of the war he gave all his erergies to the Union cause, though he did not cease to act with the Democratic party until that party declared itself in sympathy with the rebellion. Then he openly and boldly disowned it, and from that day to this he has not ceased to condemn its acts, and to give his best efforts to defeat its ends.

We believe that we have not misrepresented Mr. Myers in what we have written. We intend to present his political record and views to the voters of this district during the campaign and we are glad that both are so positively made and defined by himself that there can be no mistaking them. At present we intended no more than a general statement of his position. Hereafter we will speak more specifically.

That Remonstrance
(Column 03)

Summary: This editorial suggests dissatisfaction and disunion among Democratic party members at the nomination of Benjamin F. Meyers as the candidate for Congress.

Full Text of Article:

If a forty pound shell were to fall upon the Court House pavement, without warning, some evening when the steps are lined with Democratic politicians earnestly discussing the approaching campaign, it would create no greater consternation than did the despatch from M'Connellsburg on Thursday evening last, announcing the nomination of B. F. Myers by the Democratic Conference for Congress. If the situation hadn't been so excessively ludicrous to Republicans they could not have helped sympathyzing with the Democracy in their hope stricken dismay. Before the Conference met, the cry had gone forth "give us any person but Myers. His war record will damn him, and his Free Trade heresies will cause hopeless defeat," and so extreme was the feeling that a remonstrance was actually got up embodying these objections, and signed by thirty of the leading Democrats of Chambersburg, and by them forwarded to the Conference to influence the Conferees against Myers. Indeed the very men who last winter pledged themselves to the support of Myers, joined in this paper for his defeat, and though we condemn their insincerity we do not wonder at their extraordinary conduct at this time. They did not think then that Myers stood any chance of nomination, and gave the promise freely. But when it became probably, nay almost certain, they saw it must bring inevitable defeat to the party in the District, and in their despair they protested against it. With a few exceptions all the leading Democrats in town signed the protest of remonstrance.

Now that Myers is nominated their situation is really pitiable. They are on record against him, yet they must support him. Some of them had pledged themselves for him, then betrayed him, and now have no alternative but to work and vote for him.

Perhaps the most miserable of the lot is Skinner, the Democratic candidate for Assembly. Myers had been particularly friendly to Skinner, and had taken occasion in the Patriot last winter and since to say all sorts of nice things about him, but the latter, who is not famed for gratitude any more than he is for political shrewdness, saw Myers' unpopularity, and fearing it would drag him down too, was prominently instrumental in getting signatures to the protest. Now that his plans have all "gang" wrong, and his ingratitude and want of political shrewdness all exposed, and Myers the successful candidate, we will not undertake to say what his feelings are. Political sins, like hens, will come home to roost, and we fear that the fruits of Skinner's youthful folly and mature ingratitude are rapidly wending their way homeward. He could not have hoped to help himself if he had by such unfair means defeated Myers. For the latter would have become his enemy. His present position is only worse than this in that he has made him his enemy and yet has failed to keep him from the top of the ticket. Who will say Democratic politics are not lovely in Franklin county?

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper reports that thirty leading Democrats of Franklin County protested the nomination of Myers for Congress.

The Nomination of Myers a Success
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper jokes that the nomination of Myers "delighted" Republicans and pleased only some Democrats. Republicans are delighted because they feel they can defeat the Democratic nominee for Congress.

Workingmen and Free Trade
(Column 04)

Summary: The paper asserts that working men oppose free trade and are "beginning to discriminate between their own interest and the success of the Democratic office hunters."

Fifth Avenue and Shade Trees
(Column 04)

Summary: "A Citizen" calls for the planting of shade trees along a street in Chambersburg. He asserts that if Charles H. Taylor of the Franklin County Bank offered subscriptions, then many private citizens woul;d contribute money toward the project.
(Names in announcement: Rev. J. A. Crawford, Charles Taylor)

Republican County Committee
(Column 01)

Summary: Theodore M'Gowan announces that a meeting of the Republican County Committee will be held in the office of Thomas J. Grimason on September 3rd.
(Names in announcement: Theodore M'Gowan, Thomas J. Grimason)

Railroad Meeting
(Column 01)

Summary: This article notes a recent meeting in which railroad enthusiasts presented the benefits of establishing a new line in the area.
(Names in announcement: S. S. Shryrock, John Moor, Capt. Joseph Mifflin, John Stewart, Col. D. V. Ahl)

Full Text of Article:

A meeting was held in the Council House, in the borough of Shippensburg, on Thursday evening last, with a view to awaken an interest among the people of that town in Mirimar railroad, of which notice has been made in these columns. The meeting was called to order by placing Mr. S. S. Shryrock in the chair. Mr. John Mifflin, of Columbia, Pa, the Engineer of the road, spoke strongly in favor of the enterprise and set forth the advantages which railroads had been in developing the resources of our country. Our townsman, John Stewart, Esq., who happened at the meeting spoke encouragingly of the project and presented as an illustration of the advantage which railroads afford communities, the condition of our own valley prior to and since the completion of the Cumberland Valley railroad. That thoroughfare had contributed an immense degree to the activities of the valley, in enhancing the value of property and promoting the comfort of the inhabitants along the line of the road. Rich in deposits of iron ore as is the region of country through which it is proposed to build the Mirimar railroad that line of travel would tend to the development of those mines of wealth and in various ways add to the enterprise and prosperity of the entire valley. At the conclusion of Mr. Stewart's remarks, Mr. Moor again rose and gave in detail the results of the efforts thus far put forth in procuring subscriptions to the stock. In the brief time that had been given to that work subscriptions to the amount of one hundred and eighty-seven thousand dollars had been secured, and that the entire stock would be taken in a short time he had not a shadow of a doubt. The road could not fail to pay and pay well. It was a well established fact that the region of country lying on the south side of Cumberland Valley was the richest and most productive land in the valley; and he spoke within bounds when he said that in addition to ordinary articles of transportation, at least five hundred tons of ore would daily pass over the road to Harrisburg and other cities, thereby affording not only an immediate source of revenue to the road, but at the same time add very materially to the wealth of the owners of the numerous iron ore mines contiguous to the road. Mr. Moor urged upon the people of Shippensburg the importance to them of having the Mirimar railroad continued to that place and solicited their aid and hearty co operation in the work.

The irrepressible President of the Mirimar railroad, Col. D. V. Ahl, was present at the meeting, laboring with his usual zeal in behalf of the enterprise. Owing to the inclemency of the weather the attendance at the meeting was small but, we are informed that the people of that ancient town manifest considerable interest in the object of the meeting. Should a reasonable amount of the stock of the Mirimar railroad be taken by the people of Shippensburg, the road will doubtless be extended to that town.

A Melancholy Event
(Column 01)

Summary: Mrs. M'Clure, wife of A. K. M'Clure, was taken "in a deplorable condition of insanity" to Kirkbride's Insane Asylum in Philadelphia on August 22nd. "For some months past she manifested alarming indications of disordered intelligence." "This sad event will bring sorrow to our community, where Mrs. M'C. is highly esteemed for her many social and personal virtues. She was endowed with high natural powers of intellect, which she cultivated carefully; was always foremost in promoting movements for the general good, was hospitable to a proverb, and benevolent and beneficant to a degree that makes her name cherished by the indigent wherever she has resided."
(Names in announcement: Mrs. M'Clure, A. K. M'Clure)

The Fair
(Column 01)

Summary: The Franklin County Fair Company has issued a list of prizes for this years fair. The paper encourages Franklin County citizens to support the event.

Reformed Festival
(Column 01)

Summary: A festival will be held in the yard in front of the Reformed Church of St. Thomas on Friday and Saturday.

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: This news item from the Mercersburg Journal reports that a fight broke out between railroad workers and blacks and further notes that "a feud has existed between the workmen and colored people for some time."

Origin of Article: Mercersburg Journal

Full Text of Article:

THE Mercersburg Journal says that the quiet of the village was disturbed on last Saturday night by a free fight, participated in by the railroad laborers on one hand and the colored people on the other, which resulted in some cracked heads and bloody noses. It adds that a feud has existed between the workmen and colored people for some time, but assigns no reason for the bad blood, and makes no charges against either party as causing or instigating the difficulty. We fear that our Milesian friends are a little unreasonable in their conduct towards the "bloody negers," and can't resist going in and giving the "divels of spalpeens a sound bating."

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper reports that the man killed when thrown by his horse was not named Duffield as previously reported. His name was Higgins and he resided with James Duffield. He was carrying some plow irons to the blacksmith shop when one struck the side of his horse, causing it to become unmanageable.
(Names in announcement: Higgins, James Duffield)

Protracted Meeting
(Column 02)

Summary: A protracted meeting will be held in the Bethel Church of God beginning on September 2nd. A number of distinguished ministers are expected to be present, including Rev. P. D. Collins, known popularly as the "Indian Preacher." Members of all denominations are invited to attend.

Washabaugh's Brewery
(Column 02)

Summary: Martin Ludwig has purchased the Washabaugh Brewery from the Chambersburg Woolen Manufacturing Company.
(Names in announcement: Martin Ludwig)

Correction
(Column 02)

Summary: The reunion of the 77th Pa. Vols. will be held on Chambersburg on October 6th, not the 13th. The 6th coincides with the fair, making it a convenient time to hold the event.

Lutheran Church
(Column 02)

Summary: Rev. L. A. Gotwald will preach in services at the Lutheran Church.
(Names in announcement: Rev. L. A. Gotwald)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Curtis M. Carolus and Miss Susan Brown, both of Franklin, were married on August 25th at the residence of Mr. Hoke by the Rev. Z. A. Colestock.
(Names in announcement: Curtis M. Carolus, Susan Brown, Hoke, Rev. Z. A. Colestock)

Died
(Column 03)

Summary: Josiah Mead died in Chambersburg on August 26th. He was 67 years old.
(Names in announcement: Josiah Mead)

Died
(Column 03)

Summary: Helen Seibert Spangler, daughter of Jacob and Ann E. Spangler, died in Chambersburg on August 30th. She was 1 year old.
(Names in announcement: Helen Seibert Spangler, Jacob Spangler, Ann E. Spangler)

Died
(Column 03)

Summary: Annie Rodenhaver, daughter of Henry and Anna M. Rodenhaver, died on August 13th. She was 7 months old.
(Names in announcement: Annie Rodenhaver, Henry Rodenhaver, Anna M. Rodenhaver)