The proper reg;*atln of this subject, groatlv i concerns the moral welfare of the people, and i for thai reason will claim your anxious consid eration. Perhaps no other moral question with in the range of your authority, so deeply niter- \ ests the people of every class, race and condi tion. Indeed, the immoderate use of intoxica ting drinks is an evil that has left it* fatal mark in every vicinage. Its progress, fortunately J has been steadily resisted bv individuals and so- ! cieties, who have done much, aud mav do more hereafter to mitigate the evil. Avoiding all Vexatious encroachments upon the rights aud privileges of every citizen, there is clearly no reason why the influence of a well designed law, regulating and restraining the sale of in toxicating liquors, should not be brought to the aid of these individual efforts. Although the vote-of tHe people would seem to indicate their averson to the particular measure of reform pro jfbsed.it is not to he inferred, lor that reason they are averse to all attempts at reformation. So lar from this, they acknowledge the existence of the evil and the necessity of proper remedies. Our present license laws, to this end, might, in my opinion, be usefully revised—the object of such revision being to lessen the vice of in temperance. That those laws need such revi sion, is conceded. So lar as relates to the city of Philadelphia, they are peculiarly prejudicial to public morals, and seem to have been con structed to promote the convenience of drink ing, far more than to restrain its evil conse quences. The subject is worthy of your early and deliberate consideration. The report of the Superintendent will exhibit to you in detail, the operations of the Common School system for the year just closed: and I respectfully lecommend the suggestions ol that officer to your careful consideration. The gen. law of 184-9, with amendments and modifications, was re-modelled by the last Leg islature. The most material parts of the old law, which were omitted in the new, were the sub-district, the endowment, and sectarian fea tures. The former was rejected because of the unnecessary multiplication of offices which it authorized, and the conflict which perpetually arose between the committees and directors; and the latter, because in manifest hostility to the true intent of the common school system. — These provisions which s-emd to. contemplate a separate school establishment, under sectarian patronage, although controlled by the common sc.hool directors* were originally engrafted up on the acts of 1536 and IS3B, and were again re-en acted in 184-9. They were very proper ly stricken from the system by the law ot last session. Should efforts be made in the future, at similar innovations, come whence they may, it is hoped they maybe promptly rejected,— The system to be effectual, mu>t be simple and uoform in its operations. Special legislation inconsistent with the general law, applicable to particular localities orllisticts, to ansuvr tem porary or partial ends, always has, and always will embarrass the administration of the general .system, and should for this reason, be carefully avoided. Tiie integrity ol' its forms, not less than tbp means to .mstain its :.peia!i->us. should be constantly maintained, and sacredly cherished by the government. A new feature in the system, adopted in the law of last session, creating the cffic- of Coun ty Superintendent, has not, as vt hern Lilly tested ; am! there evidently exist some diver sify of opinion as to the wisdom of the provision. It is already very obvious, at least, that its ben eficial workings must depend mainly upon the character of the agents selected o carry it into operation. Competent and faithful Superinten dents may produce the happiest result ; whilst agency of the ignorant or inefficient will be attended by the reverse consequences, in or der to give this new feature of 1h • lave a fair trial, it will be necessary, therefore, for the di rectors, in tiie respective counties, to select Su perintendents, with sole le/erence u their ad aptation to the duties of the station. Oi* the many obstacles in the way . the com plete success of our Common School system, tiie cue most prominent, and most difficult to remove, is the want of competent teachers.— In some communities, I regret to say, the sys tem has fallen into comparative inefficiency, be cause good teachers cannot he Lund; and in others, the most vexations consequ nces have arisen from the employment of the illiterate and incompetent. Nothing could exercise a more prejudicial influence : indeed, between a very bad teacher and none at ail, the latter al ternative might, in many instances, be prefer red. This deficiency is clearly manifest, and hard to obviate. Some of the best minds of the Slat" have been occupied and perplexed with it: and until recently no general and practicable plan for its removal had been devised. The plan of granting permanent professional' certificates, by officers skilled in the art ol teach ing . and eminent in literary ami scientific ac quirements, to teachers who satisfactorily pass a thorough examination, in theseveiai branches of study, which the act ot May, 1854, requires to be taught in every district, and also in the ait of teaching—is already effecting decided improvement in this regard, and it is believed will do much towiads placing the profession upon a high and firm basis. Normal schools, it is urged, could in addition, to some extent sup ply the deficiency, but the expenses of such an institution would be heavy. The source of this difficulty, it is cl>-ar, can he traced, in a great measure, to the want of a proper appreciation in the public mind, of the jwsition and business of a teacher. The profes sion tor this reason, in addition to the absence of lair compensation, has not been attractive. In deed, it has scarcely been regarded as a profes sion at all, but rather as a preliminary step to some other pursuit. Well directed efforts have recently been made to change the general s"n timent on this point, and I rejoice in the belief that these have not been in va;n ; aud (hat the day is not far distant, when the profession of teacher will be equal to the aspirations of the most ambitious of our people: when its distinc tions, dignities, and pecuniary rewards, will command the time and attention of the most gifted. I can see no reason why this slate of tyeliug should not prevail ; why the profession of teacher should not rank in honor and profit with the ether learned professions; uhv the science of developing (he human intellect—of giving scope and force to mind—of elevating the moial faculties of our race—of controlling the passions and tempering the desires, should uot he esteemed as highly as those professions and callings, whose ornaments have received all their capacity and polish at the hands of the comparatively humble and illy rewarded teach er. I earnestly recommend the Common school system to your guardian care, asth ■ most sacred of all our institutions. The offspring of a con stitutional injunction on the Legislature—the extension and perpetuity of its usefulness, is the plain duty of a!!. If ,ting at the vciv founda- tion of the government, its practical workings' should be a true reflection of our republican system, and its blessed opportunities made avail able to all, regardless of rank, or condition, or persuasion. It should aid the poor, advance the rich, and make the ignorant wise. I confidently anticipate for it, a day of great er perfection and wider influence. No better object can engage the attention of government, or consume its means, than the education of the < people in the mo-t comprehensive sense of the term : embracing the use of letters, the cultiva tion of the moral facuities r and the diffusion of christian truth. Tn this we have the surest guarantee for the perpetuity of our republican government, and for the enjoyment of civil liberty and religious freedom. Such an educa- | tion mav be safelv claimed as the most poterii j means of preventing crime—ot increasing indi vidual happiness and national dignity—of pro moting Christianity and civilization—of extir pating moral and political evils—ol elevating, dignifying and adorning our social condition. Cur various charitable arid reformatory insti tutions—so creditable to the State, and which, in their practical operations, have done so much for the relief of suffering humanity will claim the continued care and bounty ol the | Commonwealth. The State Lunatic Hospital at liarrisburg, under its present efficient control and manage ment, meets the just anticipations ot its wise and benevolent advocates. Its humane and be nignant agency in ameliorating the condition of the unfortunate class for whose relief it was designed, can he judged bv no ordinary stand aid. The benefits of such an institution rise above all mere pecuniary estimates. Its pur poses address themselves to the best and no blest feelings of our nature, and can only h rated at the price ofhurr.au hope and human reason. A somewhat dissimilar, though not less meri torious institution has recently been established in Philadelphia, for the mental training of tiie Idiotic and the Imbecile. The astonishing re sults it has already achieved in developing and invigorating the weak and clouded intellect, should secure for it public confidence and pa tronage. It commends itself to the bounty aud care of the State. The institutions for the education of the Deaf and Dumb, and Mind, will also need, as thev justly merit, the usual annuity from the State. They are in a flourishing condition, and continue io bestow numberless blessing- upon the unfortunate beings committed to their charge. As a scheme for correcting and reclaiming wayward and offending youth, the House of ideinge stands pre-eminent : and is every where gaining public confidence. Its general influ ence upon this cfos of erring creatures, is lar more effectual and humanizmg than that ol the ordinary modes of punishment. It takes charge of those whose offences are often the result of circumstances rather than criminal intent : who fall by the influence of bad example, of wicker! association, of idle habits or animal necessities; or who sin because of the utter want of moral and mental perception : who do wrung, rather than right because they have not the power to distiagui.di between them. For such unfortu nate beings,the House of-Refuge possesses the advantages of restraint and correction—with moral and intellectual training, as well as of instruction in the usual pursuits of life, without the disgrace and chiiliug influence of prison confinement. The r suns, therefore, often are. that its ininates go back to society, cured of ail I moraf defection, and competent to till the place i of correct and useful me rimers of community. : During the past summer, the tTiagiutiecr.t strnc | lure erected under the supervision of certain benev • o!ent gentlemen of Philadelphia, as a new House of ; Refuge, was completed and t brown open for public inspection. Ttti-capacity.order, and arrangements, ; m every particular, ol this admirable building, arc tii.ly equal to flu? design of i:s founders. It ; s an | honor them and r. ornament to the beautiful city i in '.vhic-u .t i situated; and :■ good effects in fo ! lure, under the same systematic nud wise di-ciplme which so eminently distinguished its past tnanago • inert, w iff not be readily over-rated. j The western Hon.-e of Kuftige, situate on the banks of the Ohio river, a short di-tatice below Pittsburg, ! I am gratified vo say, is also completed and ready lor inmates. Though 1-s. imposing, as to size and 1 capacity, than its stately compeer of the east, if pos ; ses-es all the order, economy* of space, and perfect . adaptation to The purposes designed. Ihnt characfer j ize the more eostlv -! met lire at Philadelphia ; and it is also behevod to be quite adequate, as to size, to j present wants, while it is built with express refer ence to t'lture additions, should they become neces- I sary. j Neither of the-e buildings have, J presume, bpen | erected without involving their projectors in pecuni ary liability, and perhaps io.--. The entire b'tate has | n deep interest in such truly meritorious institutions; | and whatever relief can be given to them by the Le i gtslature, consistently- with the condition of the trea sury or our public engagements, should be cheerfully extended. The interests of Agriculture are ardently com mended to yonr care. Extensive and energetic ( fonts I have been recently made to disseminate correct in formation concerning this great pursuit, and in this j way to confer upon the farmer the advantages of a j scientific as well as a greatly lejined, practical un | derstanding of the noble pursuit in which he is en j gaged. 1 he utility of a College, devoted to the science of Agriculture, with a model farm attached—wherein the principles of a scientific cultivation of The soil, and manual labor in that pursuit, would be joined to I th usual academical studies—has been strongly pressed upon my attention. It is believed that ,-nrh n institution can be successfully organized, under ; the au-piees ol the State and County Agricultural so ! cieties. The practice adopted and maintained by the last i General Assembly, in reference to omnibus bills ami j special legislation, is an improvement ot such value j a- to commend itself as a settled nde ; and i confi dently turst Ibis salutary precedent may not be dis ! regarded. Obscurity, contusion ar.d inaccuracy in the con j struct ion of our laws, inroads upon private rights, ; and unguarded corporate privileges, litigation and i confusion in the interpretation and administration of , our statutes, have been the fruits of a loose and un guarded system of legislation. The evil has been one of the great-t magnitude, and the remedy 1 should bo cherished with unyielding tenacity. Special legislation has so Utile to recommend or sustain it in principle, it is surprising it has been so long endured. Although much was dune by the two preceding leg islatures by general laws, to obviate anv supposed necessity for special acts, there still is ttutch to be performed in avoiding a return to tins unsafe prac tice. It is believed that general laws can be so fiamed as To avoid in most cases the necessity tor special acts, and the proposition is most earnestly commended to your favorable consideration. Tiie omnibus system—a pernicious mode of legis lation, by which the most opposite measures, good and bed, are thrown together in one bill and under one title—was, J rejoice to say, entirely broken down and discorded By the last General Assembly. The volume of laws lor iss-l contains no acts of tais character. Each law embraces but a single subject, and that indicated hy its proper title. The 55th section of the act providing for the ex penses ol Government for lO'.'J, authorised and re quired the Governor to sell the State atseual at Phil adelphia. and apply the proceeds of such sale towards the purchase ol another site and the erection of H new buiiding; and restricting Ibe expenditure to the sum received for the old property. The iniilding and lot were readily sold for 5?30,000. The selection ola new location, and the erection of another build ing. presented a far more difficult ta-k. I readily drwoveicd that the sum thus appropriated was entire •ty inadequate to accomplish the end in view. The j J prrce of a similar location would leave but a meagre sum wuji *bich to erect a building, lender all the rircuinsfatK-es, i have not felt authorized to attempt : to carry out the law. and would respectfully suggest She propriety of increasing the appropriation tor this purpose. The of the present able and energetic Adju ' fanr Genera? veil! iniorni you ol the condition of the ! military affair* of the State, 'i bis department of ! public affairs. 1 regret to say, has beert in a contused i and declining condition tor several years. The public Librnrian ha* called my attention to ' the fact, that the law reports ol twenty-two other States have been regulaily received by this, and that uo provision ha ever been made, on our part, recip rocate this courtesy and generosity. I respectfully suggest the propriety of authorizing sorpe officers of I : the Government to procure the necessary copies of the Pennsylvania reports, to supply those States who J have so generously add-d to our library. | The registration act, 1 respectfully suggest, has ; essentially failed to accomplish the end designed, and i i should be repealed or amended. A record so incom plete aud imperfect can uo no good; but may really do harm, it tm< already cost the State about 000, to which Ihere mutt he annual additions. The object is a desirable opf, but lam conijdent it can never be attained by the mode contemplated in tins law. It is a subject of constant complaint by regis- j : ters and physicians, and only such registration is ■ made as is compulsory, in order to legalize letters of ; administration. By the 07, th section of the appropriation law* of last 1 session the Secretary of the Commonwealth was an ; thorized to continue the publication ol the Archives to the vear 17110. Under this authority the selection i "of documents lrom 1783 to 179(1 has been made, and . i the tenth volume, containing this matter, w ill be ready for distribution before the close of the session. Two additional volumes will complete the work as : originally designed. : The councils of Philadelphia, by an ordinance pas- ' : se.| i;i October, 18.7"d, dedicated the nece-sary ground in Independence Square, to the erection of a moriu j ttjeirt commemorative ol the Declaration ol Indepen dence; and tendered the possession of the premises ' to the representatives of nine or mo re of the original i ■ States. Since that time the States of New York, New Jer sey, New Hamp-hire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Georgia and Pennsylvania, have signified their wil lingness to accept the proposition on the terms indi cated by the councils, and to participate HI this pa triotic work. Delawaie, Alary land, Virginia and the j two Corolinas. have taken uo action on the subject. i cannot refrain from again expressing my miaba j ted solic.fade for the success of tins movement.— j ;If American history furnishes a single event , i worthy of commemoration by a monument, the ; , Declaration of Independence is that event. | In moral grandeur it is without a parallel, and stands ' above all others tor the mighty influence which it has exerted upon the political, religious and social condi tion of mankind. It has been justly said, it ushered | in a new member into the family of nations and elec- ( trifled all Kurope. It opened new revelations of lib ; ertv, and changed the relations of people and govern ment, by teaching theone how to resist and conquer oppressions,and the other the absolute necessity to it> own continuance, of rcrgiiizing and respecting tl. ■ right Vol' humanity. From that ti trie forth, ft new, vital Hie! quickening spirit has pervaded the world. Throne.-, have been shaker., empi; s have been over turned. society has been coiiv ulsed. blood and carnage ; | bavf ifesojated the earth ; but still the intelligence and souls of tb people of all Christendom have been ! so vivified, elevated arid expanded, )„ a comprehen sion of their r.ghts, as ii| never be obliterated or forgettes; but will advance, enlarge, and inciease, " unt ' that moral and social preparation for the appre ciation and enjoyment of liberty shall be effected, which, in the divine economy, is so indispensable to i the permanence of free institutions. As lli<* third, general-oil of that posterity, for whom the men of it:'* revolution chiefly labored ami suffer "J, and died, it peculiarly fitting that we should erect such representation* of their great and control ling acts as shall speak to wn own hearts, to our chil dren. 5 * hearts, and rhail testify to God and the world, : that vvc appreciate and admire, ami would cultivate ami disseminate the mighty truths and principles j ; which brought our nation into existence, which con stitute it- very ; ie, and of wine:, it wrmi designa ted by Providence to be the sp.-cial defender' and ' i protector. 1 believe we should have a monument to perpetuate I the remembrance .of liie great event, Iroin which such manifold ami inestimable bles-mg have sprung; some iniperwhaijle memoral ofour gratitude t the authors of the D< rlaiatior, ol Independence ; to the ■ j hero's who participated in the mighty struggle; ah en during witne.-s ol the great things bone amongst n ami tor us; an embodiment of the origin and principle, ot our government; some distinguishing mark of the | place ot the nation's birth; a consecrated temple cf ! liberty, about which unborn generations of Ameri cans may meet and renew their assurances of fidelity to the principles of the Declaration and to their na tural offspring—the Constitution and the Union. 1 c.rn for this work* most earnestly; and 1 trust that Pennsylvania will i t permit it to laii; but that* it may be pie.-,ed upon the attention of tLe original ! thirteen ."state-, until each ami ali shall evince a wil j lt::uss and determination to participate in the e reclion of this glorious structure. To this end 1 rr<- 1 ■ pectfiilly suggest to the General As-emblv, the pio ■ priety of again calling the attention of the original : Siates to the subject., by resolutions or otherwise. In closing my last communication to the General : | Assembly, and terminating my official relatione with i tic people .of tny native Commonwealth, I may be • 1 i mini get) m a brief and general reference to her pre- j i ent proud position as a member ol the great family , of State-, and to the paftioTisrri, lot -grity, and geli i eta! pro per.Tv of her citizens. The advantageous I . geographical position of Pennsylvania, with a hue . ; itaibor open to the Atlantic, and another connecting ; her centiaily with the magnificent chain of western i ■ | lake navigation—her long branching rivers" spread- j nig their arms and arteries tnrough every portion ol ' r i her territory*—all added to her fertile soil and ex liau-tb.-.-s deposits of valuable ininetal present a | . : combination of the natural element - of greatness, j : ; scarcely equalled in our own or any other quarter ot j - j the globe. These have made her an attractive field ! ; for the science, industry, and enterprise of man; and i ali her natural advantages have been cherished and ! . j cultivated, until she has reached a condition of vari .• ed wealth and positive prosperity. Her system of in- ■ i terra! improvements will safely compare with thofte f ol anv sister State, whether in regard to complete i nr-s in construction, or the extent of country which ■ they traverse. Nor have the higher hopes of human- i > ity been disregarded by our statesmen, and tiie pro- I j pleat large; as the liberal provisions for common I school-*, Academies and Colieg-s, ai.d our numerous 1 crowded Churches attest: while, at the same time, i the various Asylums for the insane, and tor the un- j fortunate of ali cla-ses and conditions, and House- of j Refuge, fur the reformat ion of the wayward and err- i ! ing. silently, vet surely, bear witness jhat the cause ■ ol benevolence ha- always lound effective advocates within her borders. In physical improvement and population her pro gress has been steady and rapid. In the days of Gov j ernor Snyder the erection of u bridge over the Sns ' i quebanr.u river, and the construction of a turnpike road was the subject of executive exatrltatron, and a : matter ol congratulation among ttie people. Now i her whole surface is checkered over with railroads, ! canal- and other i ighways. Then the w hole reven j ues of the State amounted to but $1.10,000. Now tbey exceed five million*. Of the four large Slates iier per centage of increase in population, since 1840, is the greatest ; am! she has besides excelled the best of her sisters in the production of wheat, iron and coal. Hx_popu!ation numbers not less than two and a half millions; nearly as large as all ihe Stale- at 1 t the rime of the Revolution. 'l'be present , value of her real and personal estates exceeds $8,70,- ! 000,000. lier annual production ofcoal is worth in ! the market over twenty millions. Her grea r interests j of agriculture, manufactures and commerce are ra pidly extending. She has, in addition, a history. of which we may , well be proud. Within i.er limits is fob rid the birth- I place Oi Independence—that -acred spot where was ' first declared tho.-e great truths which lie at the i foundation of American nationality. In the main- ' tairiance of those truth-, she bore a glorious part.— i Her contribution of men to the held, and money to 1 tae trea.-ury—of talent and wisdom to the Congress j j of the Colonies, were not surpassed by those of any i other State. Tt was her sens who crossed the Dela ware in th" dead of winter, under the lead of Wash ington, and for a time turned the tide of war. Again, j in the struggle of ISI2, lor the rights of American ! cit lZ'-n-hip, and in that oi 1846, for American honor j and progress, she contribated with a profuse gencro-- • ify* The cnr.ief amongst her sons was not as tn who should have the right to slay at borne, but who > I should have the privilege of going into the field.— Bearing this honorable port in matters ot foreign war she ha* bad no less enviable participation in allaying domestic strifes. Whenever l lie exigency seemed to require it, she has stood firmly bv Ihe Constitution and the Union, and ever contended for the rights of all sections of the counntry, and all classes and denominations of the people. Such is. our fit ate. To live and die within hei limits, arid, to have borne even a very bumble port in her civil se-- vire and in iter history, I shall ever esteem as a i proud privilege—one that, as it draws nearer to its close, swells my heart with gratitude to her people, ' at the recollection of the numerous proofs of confi dence 1 have experienced at their hands. The fullness of my exultation in the character ■ and happy condition ol our beloved Commonwealth, i ami of Ihe gratitude I have expressed, leaves no ! room in rny bosom for even a lingering regret at a decision ot my fellow-citizens, which i* soon to re- : i lieve me from the cares and labors of a public life. : Its transient excitements .have already been forgot i ten,and its .alienations; il any, forgiven. 1 shall re sume my place in the ranks of the people, with a j i calm consciousness ot buv fng always sought to ad- : vance their best interests lo the extent of ray abili ty ; arid of never having yielded my eon vie lions of right, either in subservience to any selfish purpose, or any narrow and unworthy prejudice. Having adverted to various subjects of con-j gratulafiionj in regard to the public affairs of my own State, J may he indulged in a brief refer- i ence, also, to the happy aspect of our common country, and the elevation it has reached among the nations of the earth, in the light of liberty, and through the workings of its benign institn- j tions. Who amongst us, and throughout tins broad land, does not experience at this moment, and at ev* ry moment, in his own condition, and the condition ol those who surround him, the in- : fluence and benefit of our happy Union, and the well considered compact by which it is sustain ed. A basis of calculation, exhibited hy past experience, will give our country a population j of thirty uiilli msin less than ten years from the J present time—ofeighty millions in thirty years to come—and of one hundred millions at Ihe : close of the present century' I'ut tie-re nutu-; bers are of no moment, compared with moral | elements, in a nation's greatness. 'J in* vital i strength and stability of the United Siates as a ■ ; people, consists in the substantial interest which j ■ each individual has in the permanency ol those ■ [glorious institutions, which were baptized in j I the blood of our revolutioriaiy struggle, and j handed down to us as the sacred legacy of j i our fa!he:s. Peril, or desti iv tln se, and we j peril or destroy the share of sovereignly and; ( equality which they were designed to secure,; alike to the richest and poon >t, to the highest j and humhiest in th" land. The experience of i n.ore than three-fourths of a cer.tui v [troves, I ; am persuaded, t'. 11 the American people, ni \ th'* main, truly appreciate the beneficent strut:- ' iure and beautiful operation of our republican ' system.. We have been assailed by an insidi ous and npeu hostility from abroad, and have, at ! times hefitre the present, been encountered both by the concealed and tmlp-ahle spirit of fiction at : home; yet the Constitution slili sninds as widely and firmly rivettpd in the affections of the hon est masses of American freemen, as at any for mer period of onr history. The more fruitful sources of our rational pros- j peritv, undoubtedly consist in the fieedom, in- 1 riustry and intelligence of our peojd" *. and in ' the rich natural resources of our c.ountiy, united to art advantageous commercial intercourse with j a warring world. Put there is one element which wesbouid ciierisri as more potent than all , these : it is the protection and encourigement ! -afforded by the it a iou ot the States, uny. r .an * adequate and stable government. To ' „ L the virtue of our citizens, under the smiles of lli-avc, we are mor • indebted us a p.op;*, than to any other circumstance or lelalion. \o one : who has studied our l.istory, end marked the spirit in which our Lnion w as form--., catMvoid the covjcli HI thatr>ur government > . f to r a> con cerns the sis' oi tins co.uleriert.ev, must he ' one of opini in rather ffrrce. Porn in com promise ami conciliation, it must I;** cherish, d in the sirr.e spirit : it must present itself !•> eye- I V member of this repu'dtc in th * we!c< n egii:- - • of friendship and protection—not in ov t rb<*ar ing pride, or us w i l.iing the si ror-garm i f povvi r. We have before us the plain written coinf act of our fathers, to which they relied i,ugly con sented ar.d stb scrii/ed, ami so bound ns who , iiave succeeded th'-ni. Its i hs-iiigs and its 'i • nfits have !„*eii f<*!t througlsout long years of unexampled prosperity. It we would change 1 any of its provisions, let us, with at least com mon honesty arid manliness, pursue t lie mode of amendment which is pointed out, with adti.ira ! hie precision, in the noble instrument itself.— j Put until this is done, those amongst its, w ho, from whatever m live, or under whatever pre ! text, either opi nly repudiate any cf its plain i provisions, or, c verily retreating under the ! cloak of a secret organization, seek to violate its I . . , , i*i,i : spirit, or avoid compliance with its clear u> In sts, i dishonor tin* faith of their fathers, and deny ] their own palpable and solemn obligations.— j | Entertaining ihese views, how can any An: *ri-| | can patriot regard, with the least degree ofcom | piacency, the continued ami embittered rxcite ! tr.ent of one section of the country against the clomestic institutions of another: or the more recent organization of secret societies through- j out the Union, based upon doctrines of exclu sion and proscription, utterly at war with our ! National and Stat" constitutions, and obnoxious j | to the liberal spirit of American republicanism?! ! What admirer of the venerated father of his! j country, hut must now fee!, with resistless force, i his solemn warnings against secret societies for j political ends, as placing a powerful engine in ' the hands of the selfish and designing, and enab- j ling them not oni v to acquire power unworthily, j but also to sap and destroy the most sacred prin ciples of our government ! In these reflections upon certain political or ganization;:, if I rightly comprehend my own motives, 1 am actuated by no mere partisan hos tility or resentment. Were Ito say !< ss at the present moment, I should stifle my clearest con- ! victions of right, and shrink from a duty J owe to tiie people of Pennsylvania, who have so gen erously sustained me in various public relations in the past. Nay, more : I should, by silence in this regard, fail properly to reflect that con stancy and unswerving faith which our noble j Commonwealth has ever evinced towards the i ; principles of our national compact, in reference I lo the freedom of conscience and universal reii- j | gious toleration : and also to the wise doctrines i of popular and State sovereignty, and tiie inher ; en! right of self-government. During tin* period which remains of my ofli- ! cial term, J shall readily and cheerfully co- j opeiate with the General Assembly in all pro-! ; per measures, to advance the public weal *, and j I earnestly invoke upon our labors, anil the la- i ! bors of those who may follow us in our public ! vocation, the kindly care and keeping of that Great and Beneficent Being who holds the des- I finies of nations as well as of individuals, as it were, in the hoiiow oi' his hand, and without whose continued sn.iie there can be neither na lioual or individual prosperity. VYAL BIGLF.R. i THE BEDFORD GAZETTE.] ttcdiofdj iiwi. 19, Js.'j."., Q-.-W, Cowman, Editor and Proprietor w n' **m. ■. Trnmar®. •>-r - iiw <—a* no at T<-rTto:i whatever to any an-wer ! from an anonymous sotjref- —much less will In* notice | any writer who i- so forgetful of the Christian spirit as to disregard th-* nn*i cpiittssy of giving to every denomination of Christians - not nick-naves but the : ::ajie I>v which they wish 10 bedistinguished. Such ' persons should receive lessens on ma.vxers as well a* j on history. THOMAS lIF.Y DEN. Bedford, Jan. 13, 1S 55. K7~Flour in Philadelphia, New York, and Talfi ! more, s'.'as9 (52, according; to quality—Wheal s2a i $2 0-3—Corn $ I 0-3 per bushel. Or?"!!' the person Who sent u> a corrtmnniention sinned "KNOX" will authorize us to attach bis pro per name to it, we tvill publish it n the next Gazette, jiintvvirhflfaiidiug another writer has usedthe sume ar gument and made nearly-the -aun- quota! on>. We publish no anonymous communication-. VfT" The Governor's .Mr-sane ha- excluded our u sual variety this week, but no intelligent mind will regret the space it occupies, as it i-, perhaps, the a bie-t and tuost satisluctory State Paper ever issued by any CtaeJ Magistrate of this Couimonwealth. — , it reflects an honest and candid statement of the con- ; | ditiori of the Commonwealth, and t- so plain that the ; most ordinary runul can comprehend its meaning. I'aithru! and tritP to the Constitution and the be-t in i terests of the Tax-payei s, WILLIAM CIGLEU en ; joys the regard and confidence ot the People to as i great an extent a- any other man now living. Read his Message carefully, and then hand it to your neighbor. pp7"On last Monday Hon. Eu Sr.irr.it, of Union j county, was elected Treasurer ot Pennsylvania. lie ; served in the Mexican war, and is said to be well qualified lor the trust. fryftV are tinder obligations to Hon. F-. Banks for j a copy of his ahnual Report as Auditor General ol the | Commonwealth. Pennsylvania never had a belter or ' more pi intent officer than Mr. Banks, and his Report 1 clearly indicates bis high capacity for u (aithlul dts ! charge of the duties of the distinguished tru-t corn : niiited to his hand-. KttOW XtithiUYS Difraifil. Morgan, the Know-Nothing candidate for Mayor I ill Pittsburg, has been defeated by > uiz. lire <m zens candidate, by 175 majority. The m : -pendent • ticket i.us elected a majority ol ( ouficilmen, tints totally defeating tiie Know-Nothings. Adams, Ttic Independent Candidate to. Mayer in Allegheny city, j is u!.-o elected over tie* Know-Nothing candiuule. I 217°"The Democratic U. >. Senators have had a ; preliminary meeting, and w ill shortly make a demori -1 stratum defining the position ol the Democracy upon tlie so, ject of secret societies for political purposes. Sei:;i,ui . dams, of .Miss..-- ; in, is -aid to be UiC on- | ly Demotratic Senator who is disinclined to take giouio; against the.-e societi* - -. CFTbc country residence ot John A Haven, sit uate near Toil Washington, N.) . was destroyed by hie on t . ii)tti i: si. and iiiiee ol his daughters, Irom id to -3. ji-r. bed in th- dames. CX'"Jaah;s Pm.1.011. was inaugurated Governor of J Penhsy 11 hhiiuiii la.- I Tuesday. VVe will publish bis ' liiaug. Idi Addle--, in the in xf Gazette. Vcsipcrsl i'ower of tiie Pope! Gyit, tiie National House of Representatives, on - the 11 In >i st. Hon. JO.-. U. CHANDLER, member ; xrc.ru tlic city of Philadelphia* Hade a speech o . tfc 1- ! subject urrch cannot fail to carry conviction to the in;i.;l 01 --v. ; - . unprejudiced mm. vvt o leans it. He den.t-, .n I,o.liti Ja. i (iii.ph.itit: U rms v (a:ul c ( v.-.- tk- most overwhelming p: opts in support ol the n-| 1 svrtion,) that tin - Pope has any power whatever over the imtj-'jiit' ujimi o: (atho; 0 citizen-, and avers ■ that they, u- a class, in. - , e been as true to their Court -11 v ami lis institutions as any other body of profes sing Christian- in tin 1 land, fart vhirh ix fully s/t*- t/ttiHil by ALL PAST EXPERIENCE. That there , i- no honety. not even the - id.lance o! honesty, in the declulatioii. of the papers now unfurling the Ban- < i.erot hustii.ty to Catholics, must he apparent to the iu< -t ordn.iiry iiiind. Every ti /i<g yujtrr f tie land, , on: > a little over two year- ago, was filled with ar- ; i gtioienU against Gen. Pii.lvCE and the Demnciat c j 1 Party b cause there happ net! to he an old clause 111 , the Constitution of New Hampshire prohibiting Calk ulirv from holding office. Tin- they considered an f.um tin: without a parallel, anil, to shew- their at>- I horn-ice for the measure, urged the people, by ail the arguments in their power, to place Geu. SCO I'i in the /Vr 1 ...v- atuti Ohairs hiiriseil a Catholic in a!i his feelings, and two of his daughters the inmates of. a Catholic Convent at the time!!! Even pioa* j PREACHERS-am! laymen who now write sof rliiiL'- IT; against the Catholics, were the warmest udvo- ! ; rates of his election. Did any two yeats in the histo- j irrot the country ever exhibit a system of down ; r;glit wickediie.--s equal to this ! No, never. Hence we are warranted in the assertion that ail the opposi tion now niii.ie to Catholics .< tiie oti'.-pring of a mere ilrma leal spirit tor whiist the Know Nothings ] 1 wage a war of extermination against Catholics 111 | consequence of their rtligiou# Mir/, they have 110 ob- > I jection to every man, woman, and child in the laud | turning htfilrl. (In this subject they are mum.— ! j Preachers, Moralists, smooth-faced oily-tongued ex ! horters, Sabbath-breakers, profane swearers, drun- j kards, garnbblers, and debauchees, all meet in the same Lodges, as harmoniously as if all were honestly travelling the narrow road to eternal life. Shame, j shame, on the Minister or professing Christian who I can sanction means of this character to check the j progress of a religious profession that does not ac- • I i | cord with Their own views. The following paragraph from the speech of Mr. j 1 Chandler is pointed, eloquent, beautiful, touching— j j and, as he edited the WHIG organ of Pennsylvania ! for upwards of a quarter of a century, (the V. .S". Ga- ! zrtte,) we pre-ume his sentiments will have some i weight, at least, with lus old whig friends, who used to think hiui a perfect mix, notwithstanding he was then, a--he is now, a member of the Catholic j Church. Only a few years since they lected him to j Congre-S/on the ground that he was one ol the nio-t j competent and TRI'ST-WOKTHY defenders of A-j MF.RICAX Institutions known to our people. Then ! his Cathoiocism was considered by the Whigs as j harmless as a dove—now (although precisely the : same man he was then) a- loathsome and terrible as I a den of serpents ! Such is Whiggery under its ?;e\v ! name! But here is the extract to which we bave ! made allusion: And, sir, clearly and distinctly do I deny that the I power of the Popp extends one grain beyond his ( spiiituu! relations with the members of his church, j or impr-sses, in the least degree, upon the political allegiance which any Roman Catholic ol this country ! may owe to the government and Constitution of the , I United States. | And, sir, that this disavowal of a divided fealty j ma'v not be regarded as a mere generality, 1 give it j | explicitnes- by declaring that if, by any provider.ee, } ] the Bishop of Rome shonld become possessed ol j I armies and a fleet, and in a spirit of conquest, or any ; other spirit, should invade the teintory of the Uni- I Ted States, or assail the rights of our county, he would find no more earnest antagonists than the Ro ; man Catholics. And for myself, R not here in this 1 Hall to vote supplies for a defending army, or if too old to take part in the active defence, i should, ifj ; alive, he at least in my chamber, or at the loot of the j ; altar, imploring God forthe safety of my country anil 1 the defeat ®f the invaders. j nA un eei;'; Oa th" f!h,uii.t., at the Pursonse, by ft, v p 1 •ledict. Mr. A..A;,; ami Mis, CATUAR,", '7 ! N'-M, WGi o| lieilford I'owr,-hqi. . •"* At PATRONAGE in Scbelisburg, on the fm, , by the Rev. VVM. K.Q.P, Mr. VKKXISU n.trat to'\f r V M il: ; IPET L|OI CUSTAETTKK . '* | In I'ittshurg, on the morning of the i]iy. j.,, ( I the Rev. Mr. Wilson. Pa-tor ol fhe hth Chilr.-k ' w"'' j -i/.j; s Ml i'uiEi.r-, a ruling Elder m the Pre-ht'' j Ctjurafa of Butler, Pa. to Miss J.*v K •<. ,i a , . ; the late Thomas Hunt, Esq. of Bedford couun - .'' - • ■ cy SiiKuiFr s sal::s. By virtue of sundry writ- of Fi. Fa. to me d;„. r . Ed there will he sold at the Court Hon- in the . | rough of Bedford ou Monday the 12th day of Ik-.' ' ary, lb-,.;, at 2 o clock, P. M. the following Lee* - tate, viz: One tract of land containing about 2fXl acre- 8 ~, or less about 40 acres cleared and tirider fence si - " 1 a two story log hou-e tenant house and log thereon erected; adjoining lands of Teeter's ' John Layton and others; situate iu Monroe Tow ; , Bedfoid county and taken in execution as tiie V ' perty of BamuM Karns.- Ai-o one truct of lanil containing 123 acres tr.orenr less about b!l acres cleared and under fence wit; r ab HI house and double log turn thereon erected n joining land- ol Joseph Croyle John Piekis an/of ers; situate in Union Township Bedford county aivi taken in execution as the property of bamuel Bcr,> - Famuel Funk, deceased, ill the bands of his exer! utofs, alt his right title and interest to and in a ; - of ground in the Borough of Bedford fronting ;o j,.„ ; on ihlt street and extending hark to the Ravtto-i brat ch of the Juniata river; adjoining an aliv'ou ;i --east and lot herein alter mentioned on the i-i[ a . being lot No. IN9 in the p'an of said borough AGo the right title and interest of the said SaiMi,' Fui.k ol in and to lot No 100 in the plan 0! sa 1! Ik! rough fronting GO leet on Pitt street and e.xtstuh-, : back to tin - Kay Mown branch of Juniata adjoining tid before dhrcribed on the east atei lot , - Anthony Ft idler 011 the west with a two story W hou-e arid log stable thereon erected; situate *lll the Borough of Bedford Bedlord county ami taken ine*. ecution as the property of Samuel Funk decea-eJ. All of dcfeuduiit Solomon Ft.flier's interest in an,| ' to a tract of laud containing 120 acre- more or about 15 acres cleared and under fence with a cue ami a hall story iog hou-e and smell log stable there on erected; adjoining lands of Henry Mock Joi.., A . li.-on and others; situate in Union Township Bedford county and taken in execution as the property ofS#- i lotiton Ftifflcr. One tract of land on HIP west side ol Demnrgs , mountain containing 113 acies more or less situateta Union Toivuship Bedford county — Also one other tract of mountain land CONTA:R U R..' 200 acre- more or less with a cabin house then-OR, E. reeled; adjoining land- of Conrad CI ay comb A >|| and other.-; -ituu E partly in Tti'.on and partly in M, Clair townships Bedford county and taken 111 EXCR U . lion AS the piopeity ol MICHAEL Shinier. Also one tract of land routa'nrr.g 53 acres rrtore C-r less neorl , all cleared arid IIJIUER lenre with a store ami a halt log house anil log stable thereon en rite, adjoining lam! of NICHOLAS Slighter ANDREA Ms:., ami others; situate in Monroe Township Bedford Co. and taken in execution as the property of James II , McFarland. I Al t) one lot of ground in the town of Plensantrilb fronting CO '3-et ON the Johnstown road and EVEN ING luck ABOUT 200 feet; unjoining land's ol Jot.. Leighty and others with a TWO story fiarjie L.IT,-- thereon erected; situate IN Ft. Clair township EOVR-ty and taken in execution a* the property of JOS B .Mock. A' of defendant John Herr his interest in and T a tract of land containing. 27G acres more or T--A! 130 acres cleared and under fence with a two s'UR, frame house one two story log house two T-OAIK L.O . ses gr:-t MRLL saw mill double log burn and frame -T&. hie thei on erected also an apple orchard thercor.; 3 j >:n;I.G lands of Thomas VVisegarver Michael St: . others; situate in FT Clair Township Bedford cou: - v ar.D taken in execution as the propert y of James Fet pie- John Herr AND John W Heeler. Also ali defendants interest in ami to one tract of , land conjaintng 373 acres roorf or !CS- aln,;;: TC-L. cres CLEARED ami under fence with a 1 üb.n hou-e one Other old LOG L OOSE LI'ID ONE new Urg stable their:,:, erected; ADJOINING lands of Daniel IMankley DOII. FMUVFLS - *TNI others; stluate TU (loleiam town .-H.p tn to.D county A:.K taken 1.1 exccutiouas the prup-itycf IIQLJCRT .JRATI; r. tract of land containing 150 acres n:MC cr Jess'Sbout Kit) ac: -s cleared and under fence vvi'lia story ami a half log home and double log barn tiisre- U;I ercct.-d; adjoining lands of Benjamin Lybcrger James I.oguc and others; situate in Loiidonilcny Tp Bedford county and taken in execution as the prop-;, ty of Jacob VVollord. Also one tract of land containing 200 acres m>r - lcss about 32D acres cii-aied and under fence uifsn tv.o story Iran.i* house double frame barn tivostciy !c,g TON e double log barn am! -prii.g 1.0'.-e and -T thereon erected also an apple orchard theieoi. ing land- of situate in Napicr'L ovt ri-h P I>ec I county and taken in execution as the property CI .-e Biaekbiiri;. Also one and one-fourth acres of groan ! in the town of Plea-ant ville with a two story log I:t-R and frame stable thereon erected; adjoining lam!, James FILL Thomas Sehooly and other-; situate A I Pleasantvijle St. Clair Township Bedford county IK ! taken IN execution as the property of Samuel Choi.- HUGH MOORE, Sheaf Sheriff OJficc, Jan. 19, IS"'.). HEGISTES'S NOTICE- All persons interested either a- heirs creditors or otherwise are hereby notified that the tallowing ed persons have filed their accounts in the Rcgi-T-I - i Otiice and that they will b° presented to the Orpaan > 1 Court of Bedford county on Friday the LPTH DSR •• February next at the court-house for confirmation *'■ which tune and place they may attend it they th.nk pioper: The account ofJpnnings Oldham adm'r ol thec j tate of Thomas Oldham late of St Clair ToivntOip : deceased : The account of Samuel Way and Thomas Mr - , it executors ol liie la-t Will Kc of David Way law a j St Clair Township deceased: The account of Jacob Guyer administrator oft!' E-tute of John Guyer late of Middle Woodbcrrj Tow nship deceased: The account of O E Shannon administrator N! 'J E I estate of Peter Fisher late of Bedffftd Borough DCT C: The final account of Joseph Griffith one ot thejj- I ministrators of the ESTATE of WTN Griffith late OT V -1 Clair township deceased: The partial account of Edwin A Vickroy OW the executors of the hist Will &C of Thomas \ickw) late of St Clair Town-hip deceased: The account of George W. Vickroy ore n! tip ?)'■ 1 editors of the la-t Will fcp of Thomas Vickroy law 11 : St Clair township deceased: The account of Westley Tisher administrator • the e-tate of Philip Fisher late of'Fa-t Pruvitlf'- L Township deceased: The account ol" Jacob Croyle and Joseph Inder es ; editors of the last Will Kc of Thomas Croyle luteo* ! Union Town-hip deceased; j The account of Richard Ramsay one of the a' -* ' i-trators of the estate of Thomas Ran.-ay iate j Dublin Township (now Fulton) deceased: ! The account of George Wbitehill admm'.str.ilor r ; the e-tate of Wrn Piper late of Hopewell Towu, - i' j deceased: , The account of Wm T Daugherty one of th' 1 a, nistrators of the estate of Wm Alett lateofCo'et township decea-ed: j The account ot Wm T Daugherty executor OT . last Will Kc of Thomas Kuiton late of Bedlom - 1 i rough deceased: The account of John H Schel! acting ai'mmi-fj 1 : of the e-tafe of Edmund D Sehell late of Scbcli-K-r ! Borough deceased; The final account of John H Rub administra^ - the estafe of Samuel Taylor late of the Borouj- ' Bedford deceased. The supplemental account of Henry Thick c f the executors of Henry Flock late of Soutn l J ; berry Township deceased. I). WASHABAUGH, Register's Office, Jan. 19, 18A-"'- NOTICE TO CCLLECTORS. Collectors of the Poor Tax are notii'*'l their Duplicates for 1853 and 1831 imrrrcdiat'b a save costs, as suits will be inatitnted against a ■ I neglect this notice. By order of the Director- 1 JOJLY If. HI'S If, Trecjurir i Jan. 19, ! S"u.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers