Franklin Repository

The Opposition papers of Pennsylvania[,] says the Harrisburg Telegraph with but few exceptions, have spoken out in favor of Gen. Simon Cameron as the anti-Democratic candidate for next President; and in a number of counties the people, in mass meeting assembled, have declared him to be the man of their choice. A correspondent of a prominent journal in the western part of the State, assuming that, the so-called Democratic National Convention which is to assemble at Charleston in 1860, will, under the whip of its Southern masters and the miserable subserviency of their Northern allies, promulgate an offensive pro-slavery platform, argues that it "becomes imperative upon the Opposition to seek some candidate who can unite the various parties and associations that will be arrayed against the so-called Democratic nominee.

We can safely anticipate that every element now opposed to the general Administration will next year occupy an antagonistic position to that of the Charleston Convention; and these are chiefly comprised under the name of Old-Line Whigs, Old-Line Democrats, Republicans and Americans, forming a large majority of our legal voters, and capable, with a thorough union, of defeating with ease both the popular vote and the votes of the Electoral Colleges, the great slavery party of the country. Still, the writer thinks that, "separately and single-handed, neither the old-line Whigs, the old-line Democrats, the Republicans or the Americans can be pitted against the Charleston nominees with any hope of success; yet the very weakness of those parties, individually, warms within them a desire to make common cause against the common enemy, and they only await the presentation of a suitable Presidential candidate, with an affinity for each, to unite in one grand and successful effort their various integuments of strength. Such a candidate is presented in the person of Gen. Simon Cameron.

The old-line Whig, longing for the protection of American industry, will find it in Gen. Cameron, the able, bold and tenacious champion of his cause. Nor is this a new impromptu idea with him, gotten up for the purpose of trolling men of this political caste into his support. In years gone by, and in defiance of the discipline of his party, too, in the Senate and out of it, he has been the zealous an[d] efficient advocate of protection, and these principles he still maintains. The old-line Democrat, glorying in the balmy recollections of Jacksonism which firmly knit our beloved Union by meting out "equal and exact justice" between the States and to all sections; "protecting the States severally from the encroachments of the General Government," and sternly resisting all "special privileges which make the rich richer and poor still more poor," will find a brother of his political faith in Gen. Cameron, who wore his spurs under the Old Roman. The American, opposed to emptying the alms-houses and prisons of Europe of their felons and paupers, and transporting them to this country by the shipload will find in Gen. Cameron one who ever has and ever will stand shoulder to shoulder with him in this work of reform. And last, though not least, the Republicans will find a companion in arms in Gen. Cameron who was one of the god-fathers of the party when it was baptized in the fire of the Fremont campaign, and who has sustained its measures most determinedly ever since. These affinities and combinations forming a basis of easy and harmonius [sic] union on Gen. Cameron, should be enough of themselves to make him the Presidential candidate of the Opposition in 1860, but they by no means display all his strong points for that position.

"Gen. Cameron's history is one of romantic interest, which cannot fail to arrest popular attention and arouse popular enthusiasm. -- There is much in the varied incidents making up the life of the poor Printer boy, who clambers the ladder of moral and intellectual excellence from his humble calling to so giddy a height in the galaxy of Senators and statesmen that the Presidency itself is probably within his reach, which goes directly to every emotional heart, exciting a generous and growing interest in the progress of the lonely and hardy adventurer. There has been nothing in Gen. Cameron's success to remove him from the people. When seated with Senators he is as emphatically a man of the people as he was when he entered on man's estate. Himself a laborer, he early learned [t]o appreciate the dignity of free labor, and there is no man living who champions for it with more sympathetic feeling and more devotion. Both in the Senate and in the walks of private life he has defended it with a beautiful consistency, sustaining a protective tariff on the one hand to rescue our industry and arts from the competition of the pauper labor of Europe, and on the other resisting all encroachments of the South upon free Territories which were calculated to degrade and diminish the profits of free labor by the introduction of slave labor. During our war with Mexico, too, most of the leading measures of the Senate, intended to imbue our common soldiers with true soldierly principles, and to elevate their condition, originated with Gen. Cameron. And here let us say that Gen. Cameron possesses in an eminent degree that high courage which we all love to see displayed, when there is a necessity for it, either in the defence [sic] of one's honor or person. On more than one occasion he has shown that dauntless disregard of personal danger that has illustrated every page of our country's history with the names of heroes in good old Pennsylvania born. Let us all join, then in hearty, determined, preserving efforts for the poor Printer boy, the brave, good man of the people, the soldier's friend, the enlightened and patriotic statesman, Gen. Simon Cameron."

To which we add, that Franklin County is deeply interested in elevating Gen. SIMON CAMERON to the Presidency. He is a native of this County -- having been born near Waynesboro' in Washington township. The present incumbent is also a native of our County; but he has disgraced us so badly that it is every way important that we should send another of our sons to the white House, to redeem our character from the infamy which Buchanan has cast upon it.

As time rolls on, and the excitement incident to their passage dies away, the wisdom of the acts of Assembly which provided for the sale of the Public Works, becomes more and more apparent. Before long all candid men, of whatever party, will admit, that the State at large, and all her citizens who have to bear upon their Houses, Lands, Trades and Occupations, the heavy burthens incurred by the Commonwealth in erecting the Canals and Railroads, which have borne us down for thirty years, and from which we are at last relieved, have been greatly benefited [sic] by the legislation that cast from our weary shoulders the oppressive load.

Those honest tax payers who still remain in the ranks of the sham Democracy, because their fathers, many long years since, belonged to a genuine Democracy, and who were actuated by their party leaders to oppose the sale of the State Works, will soon be able to see for themselves, by the difference in the amount of their taxation -- which, after all, is the surest way of teaching the hard-working thonsands [sic] the wisdom of those laws -- who are their true friends; the canting, hypocritical locofocos who pretended that our dear old State would suffer loss by parting with her great thoroughfares, but whose policy was adding steadily to their already almost unbearable weight of taxes; or the honest advocates of measures for disposing of these pecuniary sinks of corruption and profligacy, whose accomplishment has produced such glorious results, already.

We defy the whining enemies of the sale of the public improvements to show one bad result as the cousequence [sic] of partiug [sic] with those plague-spots upon our body corporate. We challenge any one of these partisans to show any good the people enjoyed as a result of the State owning the Public Works, which is in any wise comparable to the reduction of the State debt, and the consequent lightening of the people's taxes. Why cannot the advocates of the old system of managing the Railroads, and Canals, of the State, the methed [sic] fraught with such high-handed villainy, show some period in the history of Pennsylvania, during the last score and a half of years, under locofoce [sic] Administrations, while enforcing locofoco laws, when the mountain debt of the State was reduced, in the least, without, creating other or floating debts by, making new loans to effect the purpose -- borrowing from Peter to pay Paul? We would like to be informed, if such is the fact, when an effort was make [sic] to pull down the pyramid of debt, which, like an incubus, has been restricting the healthful respirations of our body politic, by any locofoco State Administration acting under laws, of their own making, having that end in view[.] Some attempts have been made, it is true, to reduce the huge pile of public debt, by the sincere friends of correct governmental economy, under the healthful operation of the Act establishing the sinking fund; but the recklessness and mismanagement of the locofoco Board of Canal Commissioners, and the various appropriations annually made to enable those inefficient public servants to make the two ends of the year meet, added more each year to the bulk of the debt than the sinking fund removed, so that under locofoco misrule our large indebtedness has been steadily augmenting.

A change, however, has taken place, and the gradual, sure and constant extinguishment of the public debt, of the old Keystone, is being accomplished, through the agency of the beneficent laws which the friends of low taxes -- the old line Whigs, Americans, and Republicans -- placed upon our statute Books. The wisdom of these Acts of Assembly will be universally acknowledged by all tax-ridden citizens, no matter what may be their political creed, before another decennary passes over our heads. The People have great reason to feel thankful on account of the pleasing prospect which looms up in the near future of becoming able to wipe out every dollar of debt the State now owes. How else, than [sic] by disposing of the cause of constant leakage -- the Public Works -- could this pleasing anticipation be presented to the view of our industrious Farmers and Mechanics?

The State debt is now, since all the Public Works have been sold, being reduced at the rate of ONE MILLION OF [sic] DOLLARS PER YEAR. Our excellent State Treasurer has given notice, that he will take up claims against the State, in the shape of stocks, amounting to the snug little sum of one fourth of a million of dollars. This is quite pleasant news to those whose taxes will soon begin to lighten as million upon million of our funded debt is cancelled [sic]. One reduction as a consequence of the wisdom of the laws providing for the sale of the Public Works, would already have taken place, but for the wicked trickery of the locofoco Senate, last winter. A bill, which was intended to relieve tax payers, was passed, unanimously, in the lower House, during the last session; but it failed to become a law in consequence of the locofocos having a majority in the Senate, where it never was permitted to appear. Those slaves to party knew very well that if they voted down a law providing for giving the People relief, their powor [sic] with our tax-burthened citizens would depart forever, and they were just as well aware of losing caste with the thinking portion of [the] community if they passed the law -- thereby admitting that all their prating against the sale of the Public Works was but childish nonsense.

The People will cherish in their heart of hearts the names of those noble spirits, those generous, untiring, persevering men, who battled so manfully, during the last two sessions of the Legislature, for the passage of the bills providing for the sale of the balance of our Public Works and the abolition of the Canal Board. -- Conspicuous among these is, we are much pleased to find, our own gallant chieftain, Col. A. K. McCLURE. The People of this district, reposing full credit in his integrity, and honesty of political purpose, clothed him with the robes of office, and bid him go forth to represent them in the councils of the State; well and faithfully did he discharge the duties devolving upon him; and now, as a mark of their continued confidence in his every act as a legislator, and respect for his many excellent traits of character, which could be largely imitated, with profit to society, by many men in every community, they intend conferring on him the honor of occupying a seat in the State Senate -- another evidence of the appreciation by the People of the wisdom of the laws enacted with special reference to the sale of the Public Works.

The Locofoco leaders have resolved upon another change of programme with new scenery, an entire new cast of star actors, new scene shifters, new prompters and new baggage-masters. Some two months ago the programme had been decided upon definitely as all supposed, by a few wire-pullers in town. J. Wyethe Douglas was to have the honor of a defeat for Senator. So fully had the Senatorial part of the ticket been determined, that the Spirit, of June 15th, issued the edict with a grand flourish of trumpets as follows:

"Now we have no objection whatever that Adams should have the nomination (for Senator) and if she insists upon it, she will get it; but we have Mr. Douglas in the field for that position, and all the manoeuering [sic] of the combination clique of the People's party will not succed [sic] in making him a candidate for the Legislature."

So matters stood two months ago -- Mr. Douglas was in the field as the candidate of the Spirit, and would probably have remained the only candidate in the party; but the friendship of the Spirit proved too heavy a load for him, and within ten days, behold the scene shifts suddenly -- the wire-pullers have found it an easy task to overthrow any man who has incurred the praise of the Spirit, and when the curtain is about to rise, the leading actor in the popular farce about to be played by the Locofocos in this Senatorial District, turns out to be James Nill!

True, the managers find all manner of obsticles [sic] in the way. Douglas is easily disposed of, as the Spirit had spoken well of him; but the popular feat of Mr. Nill -- the only one indeed for which he is eminent on the political stage -- is that of springing into a nomination at the eleventh hour over everybody else, seems to have lost much of its novelty and more of its charms for the party. It did tolerably well two years ago, when he made a clean bound over Douglas a few days before the Convention met, and jostled him aside for a Legislative nomination; and it worked passably a year ago as he repeated the feat -- all the time insisting that he couldn't and wouldn't perform it; but when it comes to be practised [sic] again, the "old war horse" is found a little stiff and rusty from over-exertion and hair-breadth escapes, experienced in the gales of last October. But it is resolved by the wire-pullers that he must do it again, and while he is still insisting that he can't and won't, he is being groomed and lubricated daily, and on Convention day, he will, as usual, attempt to leap over all competitors and barriers to the head of the ticket, and turn up a full blown aspirant for Senatorial honors.

We congratulate Douglas--we commend Nill to the friendly consideration of his brethren in Adams. It is true that they have presented Mr. Myers; and it is true also that Franklin has already had two successive nominations for Senator and three for Congress; but Mr. Myers should not have the presumption to allow himself to come in competition with so dexterous and resplendent a luminary as Mr. Nill. There are other stars in the party whose effulgence has shone out in bygone days; but little by little these lights have paled before him, until they have faded beyond the power of political vision. Occasionally, one and another will display a modest twinkle; but the dazzling brilliancy of the bright, particular star is soon flung upon the political horizon, and the humble satilites [sic] must revolve around it in obscurity. Mr. Myers must therefore take his rank with the host of obliterate lights of the party. He is a clever man, but he can't run for Senator this time. If he has relied upon the declaration of the Spirit relative to the nomination -- that if Adams "insists upon it she will get it," he was not probably aware that when that paper predicts one thing the people are sure to do just the contrary. What evil he has done that the Spirit should thus fasten its deadly friendship upon him, we are not advised.

Upon a careful survey of the field we are for the new programme -- including actors, scenery, decapitations, &c. We are for Nill; for him decidedly, and we regard it as settled that the Convention will be for him, also. He has the party in leading-strings, and will wield his power; and we bid him speed in his efforts. He has with him the fossils, the dead weights, the incumbrances of the party, while its heart beats time to the living, active, earnest elements of the organization. -- We want the issue, and welcome its coming. We are for him, too, because his is the nomination at this time most fit to be made -- he being the true type of his party on the living issues to be decided. When the whole State is rejoicing at the fact that our State Debt is being gradually reduced, while our interest is being promptly paid and no new debts created, he will go before the people as a cloud upon the cheering life that has at last broken in the midnight of financial darkness that has been resting upon us.

He will go forth as a fossil of the plundering Canal Board; as the fogy opponent of the sale of the Public Works; as the trembling, hesitating apologist of the Locompton infamy; as the dreamy theorist who opposes Protection to American Industry when desolation rules around him for want of it; as the deadly foe of a Democratic State administration because it has dared to fulfil [sic] its promises; and as the defender of the National Administration, that has quadrupled our debt, plundered the treasury by its profligacy, and struck at the very foundation of our liberties by its policy. He is the true embodiment of the scattered remnants of the once powerful Democracy, and as other voices have been hushed, and other luminaries have faded from the view, by the portentous clouds which promise only disaster to Democratic nominees, we unhesitatingly pronounce him the man for the times.

The new programme throws Seacrist overboard for Sheriff, without ceremony. It is decreed by the same tribunal that has built up Nill that Seacrist must go down. Quincy takes queer freaks sometimes -- her people have an old-fashioned way of doing and voting as they please, and they might do it again. They must be kept out of temptation, lest they should forget a dead Senatorial candidate to make a live Sheriff of one of there [sic] own citizens, hence Seacrist must be slaughtered. -- The die is cast, and Nill and Sellers will be the men. They will work together safely and die in the ditch together, but Quincy must be put on the stool of repentance.

Such is the last programme, but Presto, change! may be the order given before the Convention meets. So now you see it -- now you don't see it. Can any one tell where the little joker is?

Opposition to National Profligacy and National Debt; to Free Trade and Prostrated Industry; to the Extension of Slavery over Free Territory, and to the Increase of our State Debt.

The People of Franklin County, without distinction of Party, who are in favor of Protection to the great Industrial interests of Pennsylvania; who are in favor of Free Labor in Free Territories; who are in favor of arresting the Profligacy of the National Administration and the alarming Increase of our National Debt, and who are in favor [of] the Sale of the Public Works, the abolition of the Canal Board; the gradual but certain Payment of our State Debt, and the Reduction of our crushing Taxes, are invited to meet in MASS MEETINGS at the following named places:

Waynesboro', Monday Evening, Sep. 5

Greencastle, Tuesday Evening, Sep. 6

Mercersburg, Wednesday Evening, Sep. 7

Fayetteville, Thursday Evening, Sep. 8

Loudon, Friday Evening, Sep. 9

Greenvillage, Saturday Evening, Sep. 10

Other meetings will be announced in a few days, and due notice will be given[.] Meetings will be held every evening in some portion of Franklin County from the 5th of September until the election. The People's Party of Franklin county acheived [sic] a brilliant triumph last fall, and a still more brilliant and glorious one awaits them this fall if they are but true to themselves. The victory of 1859 will be the forerunner of the Great National Victory to be achieved by the People in the Presidential contest of 1860. Let every local district ORGANIZE AT ONCE!

HON. JOSEPH CASEY.

Of Harrisburg will speak at Waynesboro', Greencastle and Mercersburg, and probably at Fayetteville.

A. K. McCLURE,

The People's Candidate for Senator and

GEORGE EYSTER, ESQ.

The People's Candidate for District Attorney, will positively speak at the Meetings announced above, assisted by different other able speakers of the County, in different localities.

MUSIC.

The Mercersburg Band will perform at the Mercersburg and Loudon Meetings; the Waynesboro' Band will perform at the Waynesboro' Meeting; the Greencastle Band will perform at the Greencastle Meeting; the Fayettveille [sic] Band will perform at the Fayettville [sic] Meeting, and the Chambersburg Band will perform at the Greenvillage Meeting.

By Order of the County Committee.

SOLOMON HUBER, Chairman

L. S. CLARK, Secretary.

The Nigger Democracy, in rage at their loss of influence and power in the South, are beginning to turn their backs upon their former friends and allies. -- Last Saturday night, their leader, FRED. DOUGLASS, the notorious Negro Orator from the State of New York, delivered a flaming address to his friends and admirers, in the Public Hall of this place. We noticed one of the editors of the Valley Spirit sitting in a front seat -- evidently as the "right supporter" of the sable speaker. What is Democracy coming to? What expedients will not that party resort to in order to rescue their sinking political ship? They have brought this man here for political effect. They became in 1844, the most ardent friends of the Tariff of '42, and succeeded in carrying the election, under that banner. Are they now about to don the garb of abolitionism? Do they foolishly think this will enable them to carry the North? If they are after this game, why not pursue it openly? All underhanded work is despicable. How did it happen that the principal editor of the Spirit -- that is when there is any editorial in that barren sheet -- JOHN M. COOPER, a clerk in Attorney General Black's Office, at Washington, and this woolly headed son of Africa, Fred. Douglas, [sic] both dropped so suddenly and unexpectedly into our midst, about the same time?

The destiny of Chambersburg, is something beyond the ordinary lot of inland towns, if we are to judge by the piles of brick, lumber &c., with which our streets have been blocked up, since early in the spring, materials for new brick buildings in course of erection. Nor does it appear likely to cease, from the indications we have, until cold weather shall put a stop to the busy hum of the mason hammer and carpenter saw. The following persons have either begun to build or will have Brick houses erected this fall and winter, ready for occupation next April.

Frederick Henninger, one; George Bressler, one-double; F. Elliott, Clothier, one; T. J. Early, one-double; Mathew Gillan, two-3-storied; John Snider, one; Jacob Oyster, one-double; John Reasner, one; Wm. Wallace, three-3-storied; James Boreland, one; Rev. James Kennedy, one; Joseph Dick, one; Wm. Haslett, two; John Bickley, one; making room for 21 families. In addition to these J. A. EYSTER, Esq., is now ready for roofing his seventh brick building for this season. This last named gentleman is also about putting up a substantial brick stable on the lot in the rear of the one on which their store is erected.

These houses, with those already built, since last spring, will accommodate from 40 to 50 families. Our own people, hereafter, will not be so likely to be turned out of their houses by wealthy persons from other counties, who desire a home with us and can only get it, by purchasing, and thus putting our own citizens to shift for a dwelling as best they can.

These signs of the prosperity of Chambersburg, are highly gratifying and are a sure presage of future greatness. One of our brickmakers, Mr. JOHN REASONER, has informed us, that last year and from early this Spring, to July, he made near one million of brick and they are all disposed of. He will have to buy for his own house from his successor, Mr. WANAMAKER, late of Philadelphia, who has bought out his Brick Yard and located himself in our goodly Borough to carry on the brick making just as extensively as the demand may, or can require. He intends to show us Philadelphia style -- by always having a large stock on hand. This yard in connection with JOHN SENSENY'S BENJAMIN UGLOW'S, JOHN HUNESECKER'S, Mr. ROOT'S, and others, will be able to supply the town demand, as well as the surrounding country, hereafter.

As an evidence of the increase in the value of Real Estate in this County, we note some sales which have occured [sic] in the vicinity of Greencastle, recently.

Col. GEORGE H. DAVIDSON, sold his farm for $85 per acre. J. C. McLANAHAN Esq., sold his farm for $70 per acre. Both of which are large farms; the former having the advantage of location, being upon the side of the Greencastle and Hagerstown road, while the other one is some distance from the road. -- Mr. JAMES ALLISON sold part of his farm -- fifty acres -- for $100 dollars [sic] per acre. This land like Col. DAVIDSON'S, is also upon the side of the Hagerstown road. In addition to which we append the following list of sales of small pieces of unimproved land outside of the Borough of Greencastle, but near the line. One acre was sold for $600. Half an acre brought $250. Two acres and a fourth were knocked off at $780; and one acre and a fourth commanded $425. All these sales were made for cash, or its equivalent; payments bearing interest. The purchasers were all persons residing near to the premises they bought.

On Saturday evening last the 17th, the Town Hall was very well filled to listen to DOUGLAS, not Hon. STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS, nor yet our townsman, J. WYTHE DOUGLAS, Esq., but a no less distinguished man than either of them, the notorious FREDERICK DOUGLAS, [sic] of New York State, the Negro Orator, and, Editor of an abolition News Paper, in the western part of the Empire State.

His theme was, the wrongs of his race. -- He handled his subject in a style which would have been creditable to many, very many of our white orators. He is, without doubt, an extraordinary man. He is highly eloquent, has unlimited command of his voice -- which breathes forth betimes the sweetest accents, and again swells to Stentorian volume -- and his gestures are graceful; on the whole we do not hesitate about pronouncing him a first class speaker. We can easily excuse him -- a black man -- for advocating the doctrine of immediate and unconditional emancipation; but if such a thing were practicable it would be altogether inexpedient. If slavery was to become rooted out, and the blacks remain among the whites, we honestly believe a war of extermination would soon be the result. The history of the "Red Man" is sufficient to prove, beyond cavil, that two distinct races cannot dwell, as equals, in harmony, upon the same soil. If slavery is to be abolished, we must, at the same time, provide for the colonization of the negroes.

A true story is told by a dealer who had advertised eye-glasses, by the aid of which a person could read easily the finest print. A well-dressed Irishman called at his counter one day to be fitted to a pair of spectacles. As he remarked that he had never worn any, some were handed to him that magnified very little. He looked hard through them upon the book set before him, but declared he could make out nothing. Another pair of stronger power then saddled upon his nose, but unsuccessfully as before. Further trials were made, until at length the almost discouraged dealer passed to him a pair which magnified more than all the rest in his stock. The customer, quite as impatient as the merchant at having to try so many, put on the last pair and glowered through them at the printed page with all his might, "Can you read that printing now?" inquired the dealer, pretty certain that he had hit it right this time at any rate. "Divil a bit," was the reply. -- "Can you read at all?" said the merchant, unable to conceal his vexation any longer. -- "Read at all?" cried the customer. "There's not a single word among them that I can identify his fatures." "I say, do you know how to read?" exclaimed the dealer, impatiently. "Out wid you!" shouted the Irishman, throwing down the spectacles in a huff. "If I could read, what would I be afther buying a pair of spectacles for?" You chate the paple wid the iday that your glasses wud help'em to read print aisy; but it's a big lie, it is! Ah, you blackguard, you thought I'd buy'em widout thrying'em!" And he left the store, muttering "humbug -- humbug." -- Line of Battle-Ship.