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Franklin Repository: November 23, 1870 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The Late Elections
(Column 01)

Summary: The Repository claims that the situation in Congress is similar to what it was before the election of 1870 since the Republicans still maintain control of the House of Representatives. The author argues that Democrats, due to the passage of the 15th Amendment, gained from alienated voters and "weak-kneed Republicans whose sensitive political stomachs still gag when they attempt to swallow negro suffrage." The editorial calls for Republican unity in 1872, concluding "for every fracture made in the Republican ranks only rivets the Democratic party more closely together."

Full Text of Article:

Since the date of the late elections, the 8th inst., the result has been generally discussed by the journals of both political parties. Each party, as is natural, has sought to make for itself the most favorable showing, and each we think has claimed more than its legitimate share. What has the Democratic party gained by the elections, and what has the Republican party lost? The Democracy did not gain what they contended for, the political control of the House of Representatives, nor has the Republican party lost it. In that respect they stand as before. So far then as the Democracy failed in this the great end they had in view they have suffered a defeat. The House of Representatives in the Forty-second Congress will have a Republican majority of not less than 45 members, a larger majority than any administration ever had at its second Congressional election. In considering whether the Republican party has been actually weakened by the late election it is necessary to consider the circumstances of the Congressional elections in 1868, and to determine from them whether the wonderful Republican triumphs of that year were not the result of special causes, which arose then out of the insane action of certain Southern members of the Democratic party, and which did not exist before and do not exist now. It was the year of the Presidential election, and at the Democratic National Convention in New York, the Southern Democracy dictated a revolutionary platform for the party and nominated Gen. Frank Blair for the Vice Presidency after he had written a letter endorsing the sentiments of the Southern fire eaters. The Democratic party went into the contest burdened by all the bad blood of the South and with the confidence of the whole country in its patriotism and loyalty weakened and discouraged. The people were opposed to further sectional agitation, and with reckless frankness the leaders of the Democracy had assured them that they could expect no quiet and no stability of government at their hands. This was the situation when the Congressional elections of 1868 were held, and out of this situation sprung Grant's tremendous majorities, and the overwhelming Republican majority in Congress.

None of these circumstances existed in 1870. The Fifteenth Amendment had been peaceably adopted and had been accepted by the Democracy, except in a single belt where Democratic bigotry is unusually dense, and where the leaders thought it might be the means of bringing them a temporary triumph. This was the case in the border States, and was especially noticeable in the counties which fringed what was once the dividing line between slavery and freedom. In the late election the Democracy could reasonably expect the support of the thousands of their party who had been driven into a temporary support of the Republican party in 1868, and they were not disappointed. In addition to this they received, in the belt already mentioned, a class of weak-kneed Republicans whose sensitive political stomachs still gag when they attempt to swallow negro suffrage. Beyond the return of their own, who were frightened from them in 1868, and the weak-kneed Republicans, we fail to perceive wherein the Democratic party have made any encroachments upon the Republican party. In spite of all the tricks they adopted, as for instance, declaring themselves revenue reformers when it was believed revenue reform, whatever that may be, was popular, and tariff men when a protective tariff was demanded by the peculiar interests of the country, and their skillful efforts to create dissensions in strong Republican districts by encouraging disappointed aspirants for office to run independent and then abstaining from making any nominations of their own, and casting their votes for the independent candidate. When the result is honestly scrutinized we fail to see any Democratic gains which cannot be fully accounted for on other grounds than an increase of Democratic and a decrease of Republican strength among the masses. On the contrary, there are numerous instances all over the country to show that where the Republican party was not divided by local and personal causes, it not only held its own but actually added to its old majorities.

The Democracy boast of gains in the State of New York and in Pennsylvania, and of the defeat of General Schenck in Ohio. It is true these are gains so far as Democratic members are substituted for Republicans, but when they are scrutinized every candid mind must admit that they all grew out of transient causes, and not out of the only substantial ground, a majority of Democratic votes. The loss of Republican members in New York is seen to happen in districts having large and unmistakable Republican majorities, and arises out of the difficulties between Senators Fenton and Conkling. The same is true at our own State. Morrell's defeat in the Seventeenth, Armstrong's defeat in the Eighteenth, Gilfillan's defeat in the Twentieth and Donley's defeat in the Twenty-fourth, are the result of Republican dissensions in the State and cannot be charged to the lack of Republican voters. Each of these districts has a large Republican majority to-day and will prove the fact whenever nominations are made satisfactory to the party. The defeat of Schenck in the Dayton district, which the Democracy claim as a Free Trade victory, is no such victory at all. The district has always been so close as to be called doubtful, and Schenck would have been re-elected but for the disfranchisement of several hundred disabled soldiers residing in a national asylum in the district. Even previous to his nomination he declared his belief that if these voters would be excluded he could not be elected.

In the late elections much has been learned, and the future success of the Republican party, as does every success whether individual or general, will depend upon the judicious use of the knowledge obtained. If wisdom reign in the councils of the party her success will be no less signal and overwhelming in 1872 than it was in 1868. If partisanship, factions, rings and personal vanities and selfish ambitions be allowed to divide and distract the party in the several states, she can expect nothing else than to be ground to pieces by the united Democracy, for every fracture made in the Republican ranks only rivets the Democratic party more closely together.

Cessna Vs. Meyers
(Column 02)

Summary: The Repository defends defeated Republican congressman John Cessna when he declares that he is challenging the election results.

Full Text of Article:

MR. MEYERS has scarcely forgotten how we urged him to abstain from wasting his really magnificent stock of indignation, his abundant supply of scorn, his well preserved injured innocence, his startling invectives and his withering scorn upon mere shadows, as he was doing in assailing Hon. John Cessna weeks before the latter had given him any intimation that he was not going to allow him to retain the seat in Congress which he had reached through fraudulent votes. We prayed him to do so because we knew that like other pyrotecnics, when once shot off they were worthless for future use, and if Mr. Meyers had his show before the spectators arrived, he could make no display when the great occasion occurred. The result has fully warranted the correctness of our observations. When the time came Mr. Cessna served Mr. Meyers a notice that he meant to contest with him the seat in Congress from this district, and the latter, having exhausted his magazine before the battle, makes only a sorry fusilade in the columns of the Bedford Gazette.

We are sorry for his own sake that he allows himself to make such a miserable spectacle. Isn't it a contemptible soul that suggests that Mr. Cessna contests for the purpose of "robbing him" of his salary as a member of Congress? Mr. Meyers in his feeble way attempted to convince the people previous to the election, that he was as moved to seek a seat in Congress solely to advance their interest. It seems now from the way he cries out that it is the fear of losing the salary which causes his tears. Then, too, why does Mr. Meyers speak of the intention to "swindle" him by the aid of a "packed committee and purjured witnesses?" Is it not a little early in the contest when only the first step has been taken, the serving of a notice, for one gentleman to employ such terms to another gentleman? Is it because Meyers has all along been foolishly talking such stuff in order to scare Cessna, and now, since he finds he don't scare worth a cent, he is compelled to continue the use of it?

Now, in the progress of this contest we are not inclined to expect much from Mr. Meyers that is either courteous or decent. If we were we would take it wholly upon faith and not upon works. But however reckless he may be in the use of epithets and assertions, he should at least be consistent with himself. Previous to Mr. Cessna's notice, when the shadow of a contest was haunting him, Mr. Meyers frequently boasted that he did not fear Mr. Cessna, because in the next Congress he would not be chairman of the committee on contested elections, nor would the committee be composed of the corrupt men who now compose it. If he had any faith in what he said, why does he now charge that Mr. Cessna "has made up his mind to rob him of his salary by a dishonest attempt to swindle him out of his seat in Congress," and to add to it, "we say swindle, because he has no just ground of contest and cannot succeed in his scheme without the aid of a packed committee and purjured witnesses." If he has any confidence in his boast as to the integrity of the next committee he should have no fear that he will be swindled by Mr. Cessna, even though the latter were willing to undertake such a dishonest trick, out of his "salary" in the next Congress. Again, no person knows better than Mr. Meyers, because the notice served on him must specify the facts on which Mr. Cessna intends to contest, that when he charges the latter with "founding his case on generalities and guesses," he is simply saying what is not true. Such charges and stories are merely attempts to get up public sympathy, and not very rational attempts either. Mr. Cessna has excellent reasons to believe not only that Mr. Meyers' small majority of fifteen votes, but that fourfold as many more Democratic votes were fraudulently cast at the late election, and believing so, it is his duty, both to his party and to himself, to prove them so and oust Mr. Meyers. If he is mistaken, Mr. Meyers will have every opportunity to prove it, especially, as he himself professes the utmost confidence in the purity and integrity of the next committee. In order that the whole matter may be thoroughly investigated we hope the proclamation of Mr. Meyers to his clansmen through the district to go to smelling up his case for him in every election precinct, will be promptly obeyed, and that he will be able to make the best showing before the committee his case will possibly admit of. Only we beseech him to abstain as much as he can from making an ass of himself.

[No Title]
(Column 01)

Summary: John Spidle died after being accidently shot by William Bushman while the two men were hunting rabits. Spidle was 21 years old. Mr. Black was killed in an accident while driving Mr. McFerren's team near Samuel Lehman's residence.
(Names in announcement: John Spidle, William Bushman, Black, McFerren, Samuel Lehman)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The East Pennsylvania Eldership of the Church of God met at Shippensburg and made appointments to local posts, including D. Townsend for Newville and Orrstown; J. Hunter for Newburg and Green Spring; G. Sigler for Shippensburg; and W. Engler for Chambersburg and Fayetteville.
(Names in announcement: D. Townsend, J. Hunter, G. Sigler, W. Engler)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Rev. D. Townsend of Chambersburg has been elected by the Grand Lodge of the I.O.G.T. to travel throughout the state and speak in favor of the cause of temperance. The paper appluads the choice. "Mr. Townsend is ardently devoted to his work, has enthusiasm in the cause and experience among men. We have only known him since his residence of about two years in this place, but two years of his active practical labor among the poor to relieve their want and improve their lives is enough to enable us to speak of him with confidence."
(Names in announcement: Rev. D. Townsend)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Rev. A. A. Willits of Philadelphia will lecture in Repository Hall for the benefit of the Horticultural Society. His topic will be "Sunshine or the Philosophy of a Happy Life."

Teacher Institute
(Column 02)

Summary: The Franklin County's Teacher Institute is now in session. Nearly 200 teachers from througout the county are in attendance. Prof. Shumaker of the Chambersburg academy and prominent instructors from throughout the state are speaking.
(Names in announcement: Prof. Shumaker)

Lecture at Mont Alto
(Column 02)

Summary: Rev. Dr. Dashiel, president of Dickinson College, will deliver a lecture in the Methodist Church at Mont Alto on November 29th. His talk is entitled "Wanted--A Situation for a Gentleman's Son." The proceeds will go towards paying the debt on the M. E. Church.

Notice
(Column 02)

Summary: Rev. D. Townsend of Chambersburg has been appointed by the Grand Lodge of the I.O.G.T. of Pennsylvania to travel through the state and deliver lecture promoting the cause of temperance.
(Names in announcement: Rev. D. Townsend)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Gen. E. B. Tyler is manufacturing steam fire-proof safes for sale.
(Names in announcement: Gen. E. B. Tyler)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: Gen. E. B. Tyler, manager of the Baltimore Branch of the American Steam Safe Company will be in town at the office of J. R. Orr to sell orders for his goods.
(Names in announcement: Gen. E. B. Tyler, J. R. Orr)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Jacob A. Martin and Miss Fannie Martin, daughter of Joseph R. Martin, both of Green, were married on November 17th by the Rev. B. S. Schneck.
(Names in announcement: Jacob A. Martin, Fannie Martin, Joseph R. Martin, Rev. B. S. Schneck)

Married
(Column 03)

Summary: Calvin Maloy of Fayetteville and Mary Catharine Speck of Shippensburg were married on November 17th by the Rev. D. Townsend.
(Names in announcement: Calvin Maloy, Catharine Speck, Rev. D. Townsend)

Died
(Column 03)

Summary: Hannah Dice died near Greencastle on November 5th of bronchitis.
(Names in announcement: Hannah Dice)

Died
(Column 03)

Summary: Christian Brewbaker died suddenly near Welsh Run on November 16th. He was 64 years old.
(Names in announcement: Christian Brewbaker)