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Franklin Repository: November 17, 1869 Go To Page : 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

Thanksgiving Day
(Column 01)

Summary: The paper's Thanksgiving message reflects on the accomplishments of the year and the meaning of the occasion to the united nation.

Full Text of Article:

To-morrow will be observed generally throughout this wide spread country, as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God, for the manifold mercies which he has vouchsafed to this favored land. In its outward commemoration, all sects and parties, all creeds and confessions, all colors and conditions, races and nationalities, will unite. It will be celebrated in august domes and humble mission houses; with the pompous and magnificent rites of the most venerable and exacting of the christian churches, and with the crude and simple modes of worship that characterize the unauthorized petty sects into which christianity is unhappily divided.

No people ever had so much to be thankful for, as the citizens of these United States; no generation so much as this, and no year has been so fraught with blessings as the one, for whose benefit we are called upon to return our thanks tomorrow.

The soil has rendered us a surpassing abundance of fruits, of all kinds, for our nourishment and enjoyment, the air has been singularly healthful, no pestilence having spread its wings to darken it, and diseases of all kinds having strangely spared us. Above all, peace has brooded over the land. The war-clouds which so long shadowed us have left no "wrack behind," and prosperity has followed in the paths of peace. The heart-burnings and animosities, begot by war, are dying out, and good neighborhood and brotherly affection are coming back, to be more pure and lasting than before. An identity of interests are being felt, to be surely accompanied by a harmony of action. The dark demon of caste is shrinking, and the spirit of a common brotherhood among the sons of Adam is beginning to rule in the hearts of Americans.

The material interests of the country are immensely enhanced. Its population has been enormously swollen by the immigration of useful and wealth-producing subjects of the despotisms of the old world. The means of intercourse and commercial facilities throughout the republic have been greatly enlarged; so that now the shores of the Pacific are as near, and the wild recesses of the Rocky Mountains are as accessible, as the frontiers of our own State were less than a half a century ago.

We have cause for thankfulness in the wisdom and fidelity of the rulers set over us. This year will be memorable in all time as that which opened the administration of Grant, rendered still more blessed in the closing of that of the debauched recreant who sullied our fair fame.

We have cause for thankfulness for the religious privileges enjoyed, for the advancement of the kingdom of Christ upon earth, for the wakened interest in the higher concerns of life, that has manifested itself over great portions of this country, and for the growing desire for christian unity, forcing itself outward in religious communities, and illustrated so magnificently within the past few days in one of the foremost of the ecclesiastical bodies in this country.

These are a portion of the many reasons for thankfulness to the Ruler of Nations and the Merciful Benefactor of the meanest individual. Each one of us has special cause for thanks. Let us search our hearts for them, and give praise with joy, not forgetting that even tribulations and sorrows, may be mercifully ordained.

How shall we observe this day? So far as religious exercises go, we answer, of course, in the right spirit and manner. But on the whole, we question whether the true idea of thankfulness obtains. It will be a day of mixed good and evil, as it is a day in which civic and ecclesiastical authorities unite in forming a holiday, in which the spirit of jollification and of worship will share the sway. It will be a grand feast day, whereon we will show our gratitude for the creature comforts bestowed upon us, by a greedy appropriation of them to our own sustenance. And here it occurs to us to suggest that while we are indulging in the luxuries of the table, that we remember those of our fellows who are suffering from the want of the necessaries of life, those whom the wild winds of winter will find defenceless from its storms, half-clad, and broken by distress and disease. The consciousness that multitudes about us, many of them even professing the same christian faith, are starving while we are revelling, should temper our indulgences and lead us of our abundance to bestow something upon the poor. Such benevolence is the best of our good works, and is the genuine fruit of faith. It is the most acceptable of thank offerings. As we have received, so should we give. Selfish and insincere is the gratitude for good gifts granted unto us, if we neglect those who have humanity's claim upon us, for a portion of the superabundant comforts we have obtained.

We hope that the ministers of the gospel, who will accept from the State this as a religious holiday, will save it from the emptiness of a mere formality, a meaningless ostentation of devout gratitude for the favors bestowed upon the nation and people, by the Head of the Church; and press upon the Rulers of the Nation who make a rhetorical show of gratitude, their obligations to Him and their duty to men whom the Father of all has organized into communities and governments; and upon the people at large--the solemn duty of not giving a mere outward and decorous show of thankfulness, but to give evidence of its inward earnestness by a life of devotion, and to prove themselves deserving of heavenly favors by their willingness to favor the unfortunate who are "always with us."

"Let the people praise Thee, O God! let all the people praise Thee.

Then shall the earth yield her increase; and God, even our own God, shall bless us."

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The paper issues a strong defense of the rights of the people of Franklin for compensation for war damages.

Full Text of Article:

There is such visible improvement of the tone and temper of our neighbor, the Spirit, on the subject of the payment of the Border damages, since our article two weeks ago, that we cannot refrain from congratulating it on the change, and ourselves on being somewhat instrumental in bringing it about.

On the 27th of October, with the disappointment and chagrin arising from the Democratic defeat hanging heavily upon its spirits, it growled forth the following:

"We are thoroughly convinced that unless the Republicans of the Border Counties lay aside their political prejudice for a season and vote as their interests demand, payment of the Border damages never will be obtained. They must make their political friends in other parts of the State feel the danger they incur by denying the just demands of the plundered people of the Border Counties."

In last week's issue of the same paper we find a far more just and hopeful view. It says in concluding an article on the same subject:

"We have an abiding confidence in the ability of the border counties, if they but work energetically together, to procure the passage of a bill to reimburse them for the losses sustained by reason of the rebellion. Let us give then, a long pull, a strong pull, and a pull altogether, and let us hear no more about the inclination of Democrats to pay Rebel losses."

Faith in the power to accomplish that which we wish to do is a very strong element and may be regarded as so much positive strength in any undertaking. It is not an uncommon saying that if one believes strongly enough in himself, he can do anything which he undertakes. In this unlimited way of putting it, of course, it is not true. Examples are too common of men undertaking mighty things who lack nothing necessary to make them successful except ability. They have an "abiding confidence" in themselves, but it is an unreasonable confidence. No person entertains it but themselves, and when they fail no person is at a loss for the reason of their failure but themselves. We say this in order to qualify the remark which we made above. We also have an abiding faith in the ability of the border counties to procure reinbursement from the Legislature, for their losses sustained by reason of the rebellion. It is not an unreasonable faith, because it is founded on the operation of causes and conditions which never fail in moving men to the performance of every right act. We have confidence, first of all, because the claim of our people on the Legislature for payment is just and right. The property which was destroyed by rebels or consumed by Union troops was theirs. They were loyal men and women, and gave their sons without stint, to battle with the foes of the government, many of whom never returned to gladden the hearts of their parents.

When the heaviest losses came upon them, the destruction of their property by rebels, almost the entire available force of the county was in the army, at the command of the government. Many who lived in comfort were reduced to extreme poverty, and continue so to this day. Others were severely crippled in their circumstances, and the entire county, once the most prosperous in the State, is now heavily burdened with debt. By reason of the abundance which this county and a few others furnished to fill the ravenous maw of the Confederate army, the remainder of the State, with its immense wealth, escaped unhurt. It can still be said that the unparalleled sacrifice of the border counties by which the State was rescued from devastation was made for an ungenerous and ungrateful people, because they have neglected, out of the abundance saved to them, to make compensation to those who lost theirs in saving it. But it will not long be said. The Commonwealth dare not suffer such injustice to a part of her own people to continue. They have rights as clearly established as that they owe duties. They were entitled to protection against hostile invaders, and failing in that the Commonwealth now owes compensation from which it cannot escape without disgrace and dishonor. Hence we say our claim is just, which is the strngest reason why we have confidence in its being granted by the Legislature.

Our confidence is strengthened, in the second place, by the fact of the large number of persons who are among the losers. They compose the most influential citizens of the border counties, a large number of them farmers, and others merchants, mechanics, manufacturers and professional men. Their united influence cannot fail to have great weight in bringing those who are constituted the lawmakers of the State, to see the justice of their claims and in procuring compensation. We hope to see all who have suffered losses exert themselves as if they too had confidence in an earnest and united effort, and our word for it, if they do, though their efforts may not be crowned with success at once, the time will come when they will receive full compensation.

Something Worth Hearing
(Column 01)

Summary: Charles Sumner will lecture in Repository Hall on November 25th. He will speak on the "Question of Caste." The paper praises Sumner as a great statesman, placing him "among the chiefest and ablest advocates of the rights of mankind, and the boldest enemies of slavery."

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Western Union Telegraph Company is announcing lowered rates. W. B. Gilmore, Chambersburg operator, announces that even cheaper rates can be purchased if the message is allowed to sit for awhile in the office. Messages from Chambersburg to Hagerstown, Greencastle, Shippesnburg, and Gettysburg have fallen from 40 cents to 25cents; to McConnellsburg from 40 cents to 35 cents; to Newville, Carlisle, Mechanicsburg, and Harrisburg from 40 cents to 30 cents; to Charlestown, Va., from 80 cents to 55 cents; to Winchester, Va., from 90 cents to 55 cents; to New Hamburg, NY, from $1.20 to 75 cents; to Rochester, NY, from $1.60 to 75 cents; to Buffalo, NY, from $1.40 to 75 cents; to Omaha, Nebraska, from $5.35 to $2.40; and to San Francisco, CA, from $7.50 to $5.40.

Religious
(Column 02)

Summary: The First Lutheran Church of Chambersburg will be open for worship on November 21st. A number of improvements have been made to the church building. Rev. Schaff and Rev. I. N. Hays will lead services in the German Reformed Church on Thanksgiving Day. Rev. W. G. Hawkins will preach a Thanksgiving sermon in the Episcopal Church on Thursday. Rev. James Kennedy and Rev. Mr. Woodburn will administer the Lord's Supper in Fayetteville on Saturday.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Schaff, Rev. I. N. Hays, Rev. W. G. Hawkins, Rev. James Kennedy, Rev. Woodburn)

Railroad Meeting
(Column 02)

Summary: The citizens of Metal and Fannett township will meet in the public house of C. Gross in Fannettsburg on November 27th to take action to promote the extension of the railroad from Mercersburg to Loudon.
(Names in announcement: Frank Elliott, Dr. John S. Flickinger, William Elder, William A. West, James Furgeson, John M'Allen, Dr. John H. Flickinger, William S. Harris, Dr. W. B. Brown, George W. Skinner, Thomas M'Allen, Daniel Skinner, David J. Skinner, Capt. J. H. Walker, James Stark, J. H. Witherow, Maj. James M'Curdy, William Noonan, Noah M. Witherow, Porter Skinner)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: The Ministerial Association of the Pennsylvania Annual Conference of the United Brethren in Christ, whose object is "the mutual improvement of its members in their pulpit labors, pastoral duties and literary pursuits," holds semi-annual meetings, and includes Franklin County ministers.
(Names in announcement: J. G. Schaff, J. C. Smith, J. P. Bishop, J. T. Shaffer)

[No Title]
(Column 02)

Summary: A number of repairs to the basement of the First M. E. Church have been completed. The rooms have been arranged for the accomodation of Sunday Schools.

Election
(Column 02)

Summary: The Chambersburg Building Association chose officers at an annual election.
(Names in announcement: W. D. Guthrie, Frank Henderson, B. F. Nead, C. Gilbert, R. P. Hazelet, R. L. Maurer, M. A. Foltz, N. P. Grove, William Heyser, F. S. Stumbaugh)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The paper reports that the African American population of Pennsylvania in 1860 stood at 56,949, including 1,799 in Franklin County.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The Mechanicsburg Brass Band will perform in Chambersburg on Thanksgiving.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: The silver medal won by the Franklin County Horticultural Society at the United States Pomological Convention is on display in Philadelphia.

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: Rev. Richard Newton of the American Sunday School Union spoke at the Court House to the Sabbath School children of Chambersburg.
(Names in announcement: Rev. Richard Newton)

[No Title]
(Column 03)

Summary: Col. T. B. Kennedy and family left for St. Augustine, Florida, where they will spend the winter.
(Names in announcement: Col. T. B. Kennedy)

Died
(Column 03)

Summary: John P. Grove died near Brough's Mill in Hamilton on November 13th. He was 53 years old.
(Names in announcement: John P. Grove)