3ntelligencer E. W. HOTTER, EDITOR Lancaster, January 23,1849. Democratic Meetings. MILE Democratic Citizens of the South-East Ward of the City will meet'at the public house of ADAM HARLACHER, East King Street 4 --Sonth- West Ward, at the public house of Rusts Fizz- PATRICK, South Queen Street—North-East Ward, at the public house of Owes HOPPLE, North Queen Street--North-West Ward, at the..public house of GEORGE HINKLE, West King Street, on Saturday Evening, January 27th, at 7 o'clock P. M., for the Purpose of electing Five Delegates to represent each :Ward. in a City Convention, to be h&c' at Mrs. Messenkop , s, on Wednesday, the 31st, at 7 o'clock P. M., for the purpose of settling a City Ticket. By , order of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OP The Democratic - Citizens of the City of Lan caster, are requested to meet at the Court House, on Thursday Evening, February Ist, at 6k o'clock P. M., for the purpose of nominating a candidate for the office of Mayor, Assessor, and High Con stable, to be voted for at the City Election, on Tuesday, the 6th ofFebruary. By order of the EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. January 23. City Election. Last year, the Democratic candidates for Mayor, City Councils, Constables, &c. were elected without' opposition, but it would seem such is not to be the case the present year. A notice appears in the op position presses, signed by N. ELLMAKER and Geo. W. HLXERSLY, Esqfs., chairmen of the executive committees of the East and West Wards, convening the friends of "Taylor, Fillmore and City Reform," on to-morrow evening, to elect eight delegates to represent each ward in a general convention to be held on the following Saturday, to settle a ticket to be supported at the ensuing election. - It is appa rent from these movements that the supremacy of parties in the old city is to he earnestly contested, and it behooves the Democrats, therefore, at their primary meeting, to make. popular and unexcep tionable selections. Let every voter, in the exer cise of his undoubted right, battle for his favorite candidates as warmly as may be, prior to the nom. Mations--but, when the ticket has once been set tled, let us all go vigorously and unitedly to work and elect it. This is the duty of all true Demo. crate, who have the ascendency of their party and principles sincerely.at heart. • Trial for Murdei Among the important business transacted in the Oyer and Terminer,' held last week, Judge LEWIS presiding, was the trial of a colored man, named HENRY NEWMAN, alias HENRI PLEisax•rs, charged with the murder of a colored companion, named EDWARD STOUTS. The murder was committed at Columbia, on the 19th October, 1847, and the indictment found by the Grand Jury, was for Murder in the First Degree. The affair commenced in a pugilistic encounter between the parties, and ended in the shooting of Stouts by the accused, un der circumstances betraying the'most palpable in tent and deliberation. After a lull hearing of the ease, it was submitted to the Jury on Wednesday evening, without argument of counsel, who returned . a yerdict, next morning, of Murder in the Wand Degree—and the offender was sentenced to 11 years and 9 months t ,solitary confinement at hard labor in the Eastern Penitentiary. The result of this trial affords strong demonstra tion ofthe growing unpopularity of the Death Pen ally. Fifty-one names were called before a Jury could be selected—a large majority being excused from service on account of their conscientious re pugnance to the taking of human life. It is the prevailing impression, also, that the accused tech t,ieallybelonged in the category of capital offenders, and mainly owes his life to the increasing odious. ness of the Gallows. It is evident that some legis lation on this subject is indispensable. As it is now almost impossible to procure a conviction of murder in the first degree, however aggravated the circumstances, the penalty of a conviction for murder in the serail degree should not be restricted. us at present, to twelve years, but it should, we think, be made discretionary with the Court to in flict imprisonmeat for life. Such, we doubt not, would have been the sentence in this case, had it been in the power of the Court. The New State Treasuret We announced in our last the election of GIDEON J. BALL, Esq. - of Erie county to the office of State Treasurer—but we were not aware of the peculiar ,circumstances attending his election. Mr. 13. is a Whig member of the House of Representatives from Erie county, and he has been made the State Treasurer by Ming for himself! ln other words, Gideon J. Ball, the representative, voted for Gideon 3. Ball as State Treasurer, and Gideon J. Ball was thereby duly elected! "Solitary and alone he set this ball in motion." We will do Mr. Ball the jus tice to say, that all accounts agree in representing that he was exceedingly loth to take this step, and that it required the earnest and persevering efforts of the "spoils-hating" whigs to overcome his re pugnance. Conscious of the impropriety of their conduct, the whigs are now engaged in hunting up prece. dents in the Democratic ranks—and they pretend to have discovered one in the fact, that under a similar state of parties, Col. WILLIAM BroLEn had voted for himself as Speaker of the State Senate. In our opinion, the cases are widely different. The Speakership of the legislative body is a post belong. ing peculiarly to itself, and cannot be filled except by one of its own members. If the parties are equally divided, they cannot go beyond ; the body, and draw. upon the services of an "outsider. - Not so with the office of State Treasurer. The worth, talent, and integrity of the whole Commonwealth lit open as a field of selection. We have, indeed, never before known, that a member of the Legis• lature has been taken out of his seat and placed at the head of the Treasury, much less by his own vote ! The State Treasurership is, besides, an office of such peculiar nature, such immense responsibil ity and disproportionate compensation, that it is little to be sought or coveted. Viewed in all its aspects, therefore, we give it as our opinion, that Mr. Ball, who is otherwise a correct and gentlemanly man, has on this occasion been betrayed into an improper step by unwise counsels. A New State Librarian. JOSEPH GEED!, Esq., former editor and publisher of the Lebanon Courier, has been superseded in hi@ office as State Librarian. His successor is JANES 'JOHNSTON, of Westmoreland county, brother to the Governor. Mr. Gleim is an old and true whig, having served, his party in sunshine and storm, whilst the new incumbent, it is said, has been a very active and decided Democrat up to last fall. when he deposited the first whig ballot in favor of his brother. This change has caused considerable sensation in the political circles of es pecially as Mr. Gm:4 had discharged his duties with admitted correctness and punctuality. • ITS The Philadelphia Daily Republic, the organ of the Free Soilers in Pennsylvania, has been dis continued, for lack of patronage. We-regret this —for, although - not the advoeate of its peculiar doctrines, we admired the ability with which they were enforced. As a controversialist Dr. ELDER has few superiors. 1:1:' Attorney General DARRAH has re-appointed Is.A.A.c E. HaEsTma and W. L. CAMPBELL. Esqr's , to prosecute in the courts for the city and county of Lancaster—the former for the county, the latter for the city. nzr_ A correspondent of the Brookville Jeffersonia9; recommends .Lores_l 3 . HOOVER, Esq., of Venango county, for Canal Commissioner, at the nest State Convention, S¢b-Dlvlding the City. We notice that Mr. FISHER, one of the wifig, members of this county, has introduced a bill into] the House of Representatives, creating four election!, districts in the city, instead of two, Wi r it present-1 changing the place of holding the,electiins from; the court-house to the several school-holies—and' closing the polls at seven o'clock, instead of keeping them open until twine. Nye assure repisientatives , that the proposed bill does not at all meet with the public favor. The court-house is ceptrt d and acces sible to all, whilst theschool-houses are remote and; devoted to purposes exclusively their own. On election- days the schools would necessarily have, to be suspended, and the hundreds of scholars indis-; criminately allowed to roam the streets. The pro-, posed change of the hour for closing the polls is, equally objectionable. Many of our laboring men' do not come to the polls until after nightfall, when they have concluded their day's work, and to close the polls thus early would deprive them of their, suffrages. We trust the Democratic members of the. House of Representatives will keep a watch on . this bill, and spare no honorable effort to defeat its passage, as it is wholly unnecessary and unsolicited Its provisions are in the last degree objectionable. The One t itian Powell*. The whigs are constantly declaiming against . what !hey term the "One Man Power"—but let us see how their practice corresponds with their pro-', fessions. The recent election of State Treasurer' was decided in favor of the caucus nominee of the wliigs, by the casting vote of a single representa-, tire, who held off until the last—and then modestly' concluded the conflict by voting for himself! Was not this a glaring example of the power of one man, exerted under yet more doubtful circumstances, because in his own favor? A veto is merely of "egatirr action, leaving things to remain as before —but here was a positive act, performed by one roan, and determining the action of one hundred and thirty-one others! lion. ItiorrlN Longstreth. As much anxiety is t'y the Democrats in this quarter to know the condition 'of their excellent friend, Judge LoNGSTMETFI, we are gratified to state, i on the authority of the Peamylvanian of yesterday, that ' he has improved rapidly, and up to Saturday last had been out several times. - "We hope . — adds the same paper—“ shortly to announce his thorough recovery." Lite of Gen. Peter Muhlenber*. We have on our table a handsomely executed volume, containing THE tars or Mason GENERAL PETER MUHLENBERO, OF THE REVOLUTIONARY Aludy—By HENRY A. MUHLENBERO, of Reading. The Philadelphia North American, in noticing the same Memoir, well and truly observes : " The name of Muhlenberg is an honored one, not only in Penn-. sylvania, but in all parts of the 'United States. The illustrious ihead of the tastily—the really reverend, Henry Muhlenberg—lives in the memory of all who cherish a due regard for eminent piety, self-, denying labours and earnest Christian zeal ; and: the simple and sincere community at the Trappe,: the scene of his early labours and his honored grave, yet recount with affectionate exultation the triumphs of his missionary strivings, and dwell on the fruits of his blessed spirit. "Father Muhlenberg," though several generations have passed away sines , he built the church in whose shadow he now reposes, is still On the lips of those who gather within its precincts, and the influence of his example is seen and felt in. a ll the neighborhood which surrounds it. Gen. Muhlenberg was the eldest son of the ven erated pastor, and fur a time labored in the same, sacred calling as - his father. But when the war of, liberty broke out, first animating his flock by earn est appeals to their patriotism, and then lea bog such as chose to follow him, into the thickest of: the fight. lie speedily acquired military renown, and before the - conflict was over haul secured in a high' degree the confidence of Washington, and theesteem of those whom he commanded. It is not our pm ' pose to follow Mr. Muhlenberg through the inter-' esting narrative he has given of his great uncle, but we may say, generally, that he has executed his task with diligence and fidelity ; and furnished a book that will suggest and supply valuable add'•. lions to our revolutionary history." The above work is for sale at the book-store of .icon and MURRAY in this city. Special Election. A special election for member of the State Senate, in place of Governor WlLLissi F. JOHN. tiros, is to be held on Friday, February 2d. An- Guterus Diu's!, Esq., of Indiana is the Democratic and Ro ERT Jon N Wll, N , Esq. of Cambria the Whig candidate. The district is composed of the follow ing counties. Clearfield, Indiana, Armstrong, and Cambria. They voted at the last Presidential elec tion as follows CASs. TAY LOIt. V. BUHEN 1168 761 23 I°,ll 2110 204 2126 2030 111 1380 1233 Clearfield, Indiana, Armstrong fambna 6224 6184 39:5 Secretary of the Treasury - I ship," if it proves any thing, proves too much. All The whig members from Pennsylvania held a I selections of agents labor under the same difficulty. meeting in the Capitol at Washington, on Saturday For even a lawyer, as such, would not be compe last, and adopted resolutions, asking from Gen. Tay tent as a physician, or perhaps as a clergyman, or for the appointment of ANDREW 'STEWART, a merchant, a blacksmith, a carpenter, or any other Esq. of this State as Secretary of the Treasury. It trade or calling than his own. And yet the busi remains to be seen how the President will relish ness of life calls upon him every day to decide, this extra-official interference of Congressmen ittk,, quiteimportantly sometimes, whom he will select cabinet-matters. to serve him in the various avocations of life, or offices of government. - We must decide and act for ourselves, almost continually and we are habit ' uated to look around very carefully for an agent when from necessity we are compelled to have an act done, or an opinion formed for us by another. We ought not, and no independent man does, wil lingly, trust an important act to be done for him by another, which lie may without inconvenience, do for himself Every man should do his own think ing, particularly in a republican government, and not have it done by deputy! The more important the result to his welfare, the greater reason that he should determine and act for himself And what in government or life is more important than the selection of a man, not to make the laws, but to administer them—to decide how they shall be ap plied, and to whom—perhaps first to: the very man who by the present system has been excluded front any immediate agency in the selection? The nde of appointment, whin election may be had, militates against the great principle of selfgoverument, that we are expected to obey the laws cheerfully, be cause we have equal right with every other one, in - ta making and matting them. That we are as well fitted to elect Judges, as any other of our officers, will not bear argument for a moment. And that we have not now the power, under our constitution, has arisen from the preju dice of ancient and transmitted habit and feeling. The policy and laws of England came to us as colonists subservient to that government. It cost us a bloody revolution to overturn its power and establish on the ruins of tyranny our free and happy .form of government. Ever since we became a free people, we are but slowly and painfully getting rid of the trammels. of monarchical habits of thought, and indefinite fears of change, the propriety of which is staring us in the face. Nothing of a mon- archical kind has lingered longer than this, that somebody above us must appoint the Judges. In ancient times the King or Queen of England, then as vet the supposed fountain and dispensatory of justice, administered the laws, or perhaps his or her arbitrary will, by deciding between his or her subjects in person. As the monarch grew indolent, or became holy' in war, the chase, or some other kingly sport, the business of dispensing justice fell to the servants of his household—the butler, chara- Mechanic's Society The following gentlemen have been elected offi cers of the Mechanic's Society for the ensuing year President.—Christian Kieffer. Vice President.—Charles Gillespie. Treasure•.—l-fenry Pinkerton. Serretary.—Peter McConomy. • Library Committee.—John Bear, J. F. Kramph, R F. Middleton, A. Armstrong, Peter McConomy. Librarian.—Peter G. Ebern-ian. Fourth of July Convention. The following delegates to the Canal Commis sioner's Convention, to be held on the 4th of July at Pittsburg, have recently been chosen: Armetrong.—George R. Barrett (sen.) and A. J Faulk (rep.) Cambria.--W. S. Campbell. Philadelphia County.—Charles 'Murphy, James E. Hall, William F. Hagan, Alexander Brown, William F. Ireland, William S. Hallowell, Andrew Lowrey, Hugh Clark, Thomas D. Dougherty, Geo. Shetzline, George Esher. Gen. Taylor's Movements Gen. TAYLOR expects to leave Baton Rouge on the Ist of February, on the steamer Tennessee, for Nashville, where he expects to spend one day; thence to Frankford, where he will stay two days; thence to Cincinnati, where he wilt remainone day; and hence direct to Washington, by the Ohio river. Illness of Ilan. John C. Calhoun WAsarNaTax, Jan. 19. Senator CaLatium fainted.at the capitol this af ternoon, and was conveyed to Iris lodgings in a carriage. Mr. Calhoun was similarly attacked yekerday. He is not considered in any danger. 117 Gen. TAlmon and Mr. Fur.mons have both taken rooms at Coleman's 'Hotel, in Washington. Large preparations are in progress for a grand in- auguration ball. An immense booth is to be built in Judiciary Square, for, the occasion, capable ot , holding 10,000 persons. Foams Missrosia—The receipt of the Ameri can Board of Missions (which now sustains five hundred and seventy missionary laborers) were, for the last five months, $92;246. Etettlng the Judges, We are pleased to perceive a movement tit the SenaM'and House of Representatives, to submit an amendment of the Constitution to the Electors, vestingthe diction - of the Juks - of OureoUrts.:M the people, instead of continuing theist appointment in the hands'of the State Executive. On the 17th instant, Mr. .43WAHTZlirELTEli, (whig) offered a resolution instructing, the Committee on theJtsdi ciary to report a bill providing for the election of Judges of the Supreme Court, District Courts, and Courts of Commori Pleas, by the people. Mr. PZAIICE (Democrat) moved to postpone the resolu tion indefinitely, which was negatived, 60 to 32: Mr. Ey/Ns (whig) moved to postpone lot the present, which was also lost. Mr. MlCALstoser (Democrat) moved so to amend as merely to re quest the Committee on the Judiciary to inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill, as proposed —which was agreed to, yeas 50, nays 46. So much for the 'sentiment of the House. In : the Senate, on motion of Mr. STrse, (whig) a similar resolution has been adopted, including also a pro vision to elect the Prosecuting Attornies and Deputy Surveyors. These preliminary results augur favor ably for the success of the proposition, and inspire its advocates with fresh courage to prosecute it to final and triumphant consummation. A year ago—when that pure-minded Patriot and Statesman, Fuss:ere R. Suortx, was yet living, and when the probability was that he Would serve out his full Executive term, we strongly advocated the proposed amendment of the Constitution. We were willing then to surrender this branch of official patronage, although wielded by a Democrat, in whose integrity the whole Commonwealth reposed unlimited reliance. We are still warmly Wedded to the measure, and our action then will shield us from the imputation of improper motives nom:that the Executives:office has passed into different hands. As a member of the State Senate, Wm. F. JOHN.' • stoat sustained the measure by his votes and speeches, which would preclude him front opposing it now, even if he were loth to part with the pat. ronage dispensed under the present system. On the I occasion referred to, we had the services of a cots respondent, "REFORM, - who discussed the subject in I all its bearings with such marked ability, that we cannot refrain front a present draft upott his pro- ductions, omitting such portions of his argument as were applicable to then existing circumstances I but which would be out of place now. " Let us, - says "Reform," I'follow the example of I I New York, and make the whole Judiciary directly elective by the people. The men who thir.k, work, and suffer—the bone and sinew, us they are proper ly called—the universal constituency, who, having their own, and therefore, the general welfare at heart, are necess'arily honest. Their united judgment, compounded out of the unbiased judgments of each and all. must necessarily he sounder than the judg ment of one, or a part, with a separate interest. To doubt this conclusion is anti-republican. It must come from one, whu doubts our ability for self government; and who ought to go live in a monarchy. It is the sentiment of that class of men who, reared to believe themselves possessed of all, or nearly all the talent and virtue in the country, half honestly think it just to rheat the rest into Idoing right. They will not appeal to their reason, because they think them incapable of exercising it even to discover their own true interest. What a. mistake! It is they are ignorant of human nature! , And not that the combined opinion of the mass is so likely to be wrong, as the lodgment of a clique, who may be, and probably are, influenced by mo tives adverse to the interests of the whole. I •IBut," say some, ' What can the people, who are not lawyears, know about who is tit to be a Judge!" It is this very notion of incapacity, so strongly pressed against the Democracy in former I times, that has so long prevented a change to a more popular form of selecting the Judges, or even much public inquiry on the subject. : We are all more or less lite slaves of habit, guid ed by accustomed modes of thinking, which we mistake for reason. The doctrine, that lawyers : alone are fit to recommend or select Judges, is one of those modes of thought forced upon us on treat. The question in government is not, who knows best, but who will decide or select with judgment and honesty combined? In line, who is moal likely to do right ! All our other notions of freedom end in trusting no one man, or set of men, to do that which all may, without too much inconvenience, have a hand in doing. Why do we select a Governor by vote Do we know his fitness for that high trust any bet. ter before his election, than we would the fitness of the Chief Justice before his election! We may find out the fitness of one, by inquiry, as well as of the other. Nay, from his profession and practice as a lawyer, and the necessary exposure of his legal and moral character to public view and act it tiny, his fitness fur a Judge is much better known, Ithan that of any man can be beforehand for the mul- Itifarious and responsible duties of Governor. In theory, then, , if that were the better way, it is of much more importance to elect a nominator and a Senate, to nominate and vonfirm the Governor himsetf, than it is to elect a Governor and Senate to appoint a Judge! Besides, the taunt. 'what do the ,oeopk know about ie qualifications of a lawyer fitting him for a flap or some other upper servant of the King's kitchen, larder, cellar, or bedchamber. The Saxon revolution placed it in the Wittenagemote or Grand Council of the-Nation, At the conquest the Nor man ruler took the decision of causes and. - trial his subjeits, back again to his hii*aoti; skiing this mighty . Court the Jura Regis m=•Kizigis. Court, held in his hall or palace. In process of titne i and by the workings of interest or aceident,thredmin the-admin- istration of justice became morefixed, and" conve . nience or whimdivided it up into the'King's Bench, • Common Pleas, &c., in which the power in the Crown of presiding was delegated to certain Judges learned in the law. But always, down to the pre sent time, the Monarch, who is in theory the pure source of justice, and one who can do no wrong, holds on with a firm grasp, to the power of ap pointing these his' servants, the Judges. At first they were appointed during his' pleasure; after wards it was modified so that their commissions lasted during the reign, and expired with his de ! • cease; and, then further modified to the good beha viour tenure. And so the po‘yer of appointment is at this day in England. We have followed strictly this eminent example, except that by the new Constitution—our mimic . monarch, the Governor, has not now quite as much power as England's crown still retains—the sole power of appointment; but the - most mischievous share, that of nomination or selection and choice for confirmation by the Senate. England finds it requisite to the stability of the Crown to keep up the fiction that the monarch is the pure source of justice, and therefore. of course and of right ought to appoint all the Judges, the dispensers ID, justice. We, through our kingly Governor, without any necessity in, theory or in fact for a falsehood or the legal fiction; or plausi ble reason that the Governor should retain the power to appoint one who may adjudge us, if he please, to be hanged, or worse yet, disgraced alive —remain:the victims of a slavish prejudice for the forms of our ancestors. We have copied the pow er of appointment to the most important office, from'a kingly government; and still retain it as a remnant of our former vassalage, in -the face of the light of history showing us the error, and to the manifest detriment of our true! interests! This slavery of habit and thought to the practice of our ancestors is the reason why we have not long since takem.upon ourselves the power to elect our Judges; but 'Continue, without reason, to dele gate to another what we could better do ourselves. There is no good cause why the Governor'should select a Judge for each county, district, or the whole State, any more than he should the Magis trates, the Canal Commissioners, and the host of other officers which experience proves to be so much better selected by the'-people themselves, through that best Governor, the ballot box. Let us hasten, then, to put this thing right. The legislature should be urged by the newspapers, by petition and by every other legitimate , method, to model and adopt the requisite amendment this ses sion. It will be adopted again by the next,legisla titre; andi.the people, having adopted the amend ment by a vote, the election of Judges may \take place in October, 1850.- Such were the views, logically and clearly enfor ced, by our correspondent "REFORM," at the com mencement of the last session. Although unheeded then, they have lost none of their original truth and force, and bear repetition now. We commend them to the calm and and considerate attention of repre sentatives of all parties in the Legislature. Ex-Governor Shunk. In the State Senate, Mr Meson, from the Select grnmittee, to whom was referred that portion of the Governor's 'message which related to the late Executive, Ingle report, in which they respond to the sentiments expressed in the Governor's mes sage in regard tot jr.edistinguished virtues and ser vices of the illuitAitts deceased. They recommend the adoption of the following resolutions: Rewired, That as a testimony of high regard for the memory and virtues of the deceased,the chairs of the Speakers of the Senate and House of Represen tatives, be shrouded in black during the residue of the session. Resolved, That the Governor be requested to trans mit a copy of these resolutions to Mrs. Shunk, and to express the regard of the two Houses to Mrs. Shunk for her elevated character, and their profound regret at the late Providential dispensation. Resolved, That a bill be introduced authorizing the payment to Mrs. Shook of the balance of the annual salary of the late Executive, computed to the 16th of January instant. The report was adopted and the resolutions ttnan• imously agreed to by the Senate, sent to the Howe, and there immediately concurred in The District Court. We learn that the Grand Jury of the county, at their session, held last week, declared in favor of the abolition of the District Court. Governor of Ohio. The Joint Committee have reported that SEA- Bun: FORD has 300 majority. A majority of the Committee express their decided opinion that Ford has been fairly elected Governor, but the minority differ in relation to certain facts. Lancaster Co. Medical Society. At a recent meeting of the Lancaster Count• Medical Society, the following gentlemen were elected officers for the present year : President.—Dr. F. A. Muhlenberg. Vice Presidents.—Dr. R. 1.. Burrowes and Dr. Isaac Winters. Recording Secretary.—Dr. Henry Carpenter., Corresponding Secretary.—Dr. Charles L. Baker. 'Pieasurer and Librarian.--Dr. Eli Parry. Appointment by the President, By and with the advice and consent of the &nate. Jon?: B. WEid.sa, of Ohio, to be Commissioner for running the boundary line between the United States and the Republic of Mexico, under the sth article of the treaty with that republic, concluded on the ;ad of February, 184 8. The Washington Union says: We congratulate the country upon the above appointment. It has been in every respect honorable to Col. WELLER. He was nominated only yesterday to the Senate, and was promptly confirmed, without difficulty ,or opposition. Michigan U. S. Senator. A letter from Lansing, the seat of government of Michigan, to the Detroit Free Press, dated Jan. 9, gives us the vote for U..S. Senator in the House on that day, but does not bring the action of the Senate. In the former body the vote stood : Lewis Cass, -- Epaphroditus Rawson, - Edwin Lawrance, W., - Joseph R. Williams, A committee was appointed to inform the Senate of the result. The body has fixed the 11th for the day of its action. Jan. 11-8 P. M.—The Senate, after a long fight today, ref Used to nominate a U. S. Senator. The House, after an equal fight, passed the free soil resolutions. Ayes 16, nays 17. Nothing else done. ID" Hon. Joseph A. Wright has been nominated as the Democratic candidate for Governor of Indi ana, and Col. James H. Lane for Lieut. Governor, Col. L. commanded the 3d regiments of Indiana volunteers at the battle Buena Vista. 11 - .7" At a Democratic meeting recently held in Northumberland county,EDWARD Y. BRIGHT, Eeq. was recommended as their first and Col. Htsirr C. Ersu their second choice for Canal Commissioner. Isarrounaxxos BALL.—The Washington Whig states that the most extensive preparations are On foot to make the Taylorinaugaration ball worthy of the occasion. Mr The Indian Appropriations this year amount to $774,317, which -it larger than the sum Of last year's appropriations, (For 11u iancizster Nelligenceil) ' TEL LIFE OF MAJOR GENERAL PETER .MUHLEN , BERG, OF THE REVOLUTIONARY ARMY, BY HENRY ~1.. A. Muutza - RERG—Philadelphia, - CAurr. & HART, '5.1849. Duodecimo. 456 pages. -, •,. .. 1 • •.,:".We Itatrolust finialied a rapid primal of thin Life 'of one of thtiae gallant and exalted -spirits iitt• the SAMerituin,Revolutioa w hom our Country; Under , to ... , Providence, owes hit existence, and rational' fiber-- , - ty th ro u g hout the Wilirkl much of it* advaicement . and hoped of progress. This work, which contributes some valuable ma terials to the hithory of that most important era, is the production of a near relative of the hero,whosc career it delineates with a modesty and an imparti ality, in unison with the character of the subject. General Muhlenberg, was the model of a republican hero. Calm, considerate, just, vigilant, untiring, always ready to sacrifice his personal interests to the public good, highminded, frank, generous, and brave, lie won the confidence and affection of his countrymen, wherever he appeared, and was ever found equal to• the calls of duty in the most respon sible and difficult situations. His courage in the field was " composed and keen"; his conduct, that of a wary and prudent commander. In the battle of Brandywine—of Ger mantown, and the capture of Cornwallis, his gal-. lantry was most effective and conspicuous. But his disinterestedness was equal to his valor; and, if his country won the victory, he was careless about the Appropriation of the laurels. The author has done well in gathering up and exhibiting to the world the proofs . of Major General Muhlenburg's distinguished services in the moR trying times of our revolution, thus performing at once a duty to his illustrious relative and to the truth of history. And the manner in which this has been accomplished, is worthy of particular commenda tions. With rare judgment, he has abstained from all impeachment of the compatriots of Gen Mull lenburg ; and whilst showing that by oversight and omission his great merit in certain instances, was not presented to the world, in the prominence which it deserved, the biographer has furnished a probable excuse for the apparent wrong, instead of attempting to fixiupon others the charge of parti ality and injustice. In the brilliant assault of the enemy's woi-k, at York Town, which was actually led by General Muhlenberg, the fame of the achievment has hith erto been atvarded to one of the officers'under his command. His biographer shows, that it belongs in point of truth and in historical justice to the gen eral, but in, proving this, he concedes to the infe rior officer his own especial merit in the affair, and ascribes the mistake to accident, rather than de sign. General Muhlenberg was not only a skilful and an excellent leader, but possessed uncommon tal ents for readily converting the raw recruit into . an efficient soldier. His reputation stood high in that respect; and for another rare quality of a great general, he was much distinguished, namely the capacity of drawing forth the resources of the coun try for its protection and defence. On this account he was assigned at the most critical period of the revolution to the military command of Virginia, in which he acquitted Inn - feel f with great ability. There were two plans of operation attempted by the Brit ish, either of which, if successful, would have been Mtal to our hopes of Independence. The objectwof both was the same—to divide the South from the North, and then conquer the separate provinces in detail. The first project was signally defeated by the capture of Burgoyne at Saratoga. The second was—to take possession of Virginia, (as they had endeavored to do of New York) and thence, having the whole South under their control, proceed step by steel,to subjugate the North. So soon as their design was penetrated by the Commander-in-chief, he despatched Gen. Muhlenberg to Virginia for the purpose of `preparing her for the struggle which he foresaw must ensue. The extraordinary activity, vigilance, and 'skill which lie exhibited at this crisis, attested the sagacity of Washington in: selecting him for a service se important. The result was, that Lord Cornwalliewith the flower of the British army was cooped up at Yorktown, where he was compelled to surrender-•-thereby, in effect, termi nating the great content for our Liberties. It is not possible to go through these pages with out a conviction, founded upon the enlarged views, sound judgment, disinterested patriotism, military skill, and undaunted valour of Gen. Muhlenberg, that he was one of those great men who were pecu liarly qualified to lend our people on to the consum ation 'ot their Independence. The . biographer adheres closely throughout to his primary object of furnishing a sketch of the life and public services of his hero, going no further into the gemiral his tory of the revolutionary struggle or of the conntry after our Independence was achieved, than was necessary to elucidate those topics. He has accOM-. plished his purpose, with a manly candour and erality of spirit and with a perspicuity of narrative and precision of style, that do equal honour to his head and heart. CLIO. For the Lancaster Intelligence). Next Canal Commissioner. Air. Editor: As it seems to be generally conceded, that the next member of the Canal Board shall be taken from either the Central or Northern section of the state, allow me the use of your coluMns to bring to the consideration of delegates to the Dem ,ocratic State Convention, to he held on the 4th of July next at Pittsburgh, the name of A LEXAN DER JORDAN, Esq., of Sunbury, as a gentleman combining every requisite qualification for that office. Mr Jordan is an Attorney of high standing in his section of the state, a sound and consistent Democrat, and a Citizen of pure and unblemished integrity. As there is no professional gentleman in the present Board, the presence of one possessing such eminent legal attainments would seem to me highly - esirable. This communicatiomis written without consultation with Mr. Jordan, and the writer does not know that he would even accept the office, if tendered. But if settled by the 4th of July Convention, he would far outrun his party vote in Northumberland, Tram), Lycoming, and other conuties, which would make him one of the most "available - candidates that could be named. SHAMOK IN. From the Harrisburg-Union Ilan. Richard Brodhead's Letter The following admirable letter is from the pen of the Hon. Richard Bir.lhead, to Capt. Wm. F. Small, thanking the Democratic members of the Legislature for the firm and unwavering support given him in the late contest for the responsible post of United States Senator : WASHINGTON CITY, lan. 12,181 V DEAR Sin ..---I duly received and thank you for your kind letter of the 9th inst., informing the of the result of the election for United States Senator in our State, and that I had received the unanimous vote of the Democratic members for that office, &c. So distinguished an honor was alike unexpected and flattering. To have been the recipient of the unanimous vote of the Democratic members of both branches of the Legislature of my native State, on every ballot, for so elevated and responsi ble a position, I will always regard as a compli ment and an endorsement to be remembered with pride and pleasure. My sole regret is that Iso lit tle deserved and can so poorly repay their kindness. The unanimity, discretion and firmness with which the Democratic members of our Legislature acted during the organization, the good feeling and conscious rectitude which pervade our party gene rally, furnish sufficient evidence that the questiona ble triumph of our political opponents, at the re cent elections, will be temporary; and that our good old Commonwealth, which has heretofore oc cupied ad important a position in this confederacy between the dividing interests of the North arid the South, will shortly resume her plate in the ranks of that great national party of principle, having the Constitution for a text book, upon whose suc cess, I firmly believe, depends the stability, prosper ity and true glory of our country. With the repetition of my thanks, and the hope that your session may be a pleasant one, I subscribe myself, as ever, truly your friend and fellow-citi zen, RICHARD BRODHEAD. ER" A writer in the Pittsburg Post urges the nomination of ALoxzo Wu.cox, Esq., present member of the House of Representataves'from Elk County, for Canal Commissioner, at the next Dem ocratic State Convention. GoVernotos Inauguration. Governor Wim.t.ix. F. JORNSTON was duly inau gurated at Harrisburg, in the-Hall of the Honse of Rerpresentatives, on Tueiday . last. The ceremo nies, thotigh interesting have ot differed materially . from others that. preceded it was a .. large crowd of people in the streets, the gallery was mass of human heads, and the floor was covered . ; with the members and officials of various kinds.' The tobbies were reserved especially for the ladies, and they were filled with a• bright and beautifid array. Between 10 and 11 o'clock, the joint committee of the two branches of the Legislature, viz: Messrs. King, Small and Boas, of the Senate, and Messrs. Ball, Seibert and McCartney, of the House, pro ceeded to the Governor's lodgings, at Coverly's Hotel, for the purpose of accompaying him to the Capitol. After the usual • pre 'urinary confusion and excitement, the cortege for _Le Capitol was ar ranged as follows, and started at 11i o'clock: Col. E. C. Williams, Marshal of the day; The Dauphin Band ; The Military ; The Joint Commit. tees of the two Houses; Governor Johnston, sup. ported on each side by two of his Aids, Col. John H. Berryhill and Col. G. W. Kinzer; Aids of the Governor g.enerally; Heads of Department; Officers and Soldiers of the war of 1812 and of Mexico; Members of the Bench and Bar: Citizens generally: Military. The procession having reached the Capitol, the Governor elect was conducted to the Speaker's plat form, wher ‘ eon, also, were the two Speakers of the Senate and House—Mr. Darsie, Speaker of the Sen ate, and pro trot. Governor, presiding, on his right. The certificate of the Governor's election, signed by the Clerks of the two Houses, haiing been read, the oath of office was most impressively adminis tered by Speaker Darsie. This ceremony through with, the Governor de livered his Inaugural Address. INAUGURAL. ADDRESS. FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS: The kindness and confidence of the people having cast upon me the Executive functions of the Government, and the prescribed oath to support the Constitution having been admin, istered ' I should be false to the sacred trust reposed in me, and unworthy the confidence manifested, did I not deeply feel the reponsi bility of my position, and firmly resolve to merit your support. Profouudly sensible however, of my own weakness, and fully conscious that without the encouragement'ar.d assistance of the people, the Chief Magistrate is unable properly to dis charge the high duties of Ins station, and in stead of the-substance, popular power becomes the empty shadow of Executive authority; I would earnestly invoke at the hands of the citizens, the efficient aid of the same spirit, which called into existence the free institutions of our country, to assist me in supporting and defending them. At the commencement of an Administra tion, it has been a custom with the Executive, to indicate the principles which will govern his counsels, and the measures he may desire for the benefit of the State. The Annual Mes sage delivered at the opening of the present Session of the Legislature has superceded the necessityof a strict compliance with this usage, and on this occasion it will suffice, to refer to a few general views of the public policy that shall receive at my hands the fullest and steadiest support and consideration. At all times and under all circumstances the highest obligation of the public servant, is the main tainance and defence of our republican insti tutions. That these shall receive in the exer cise of the Executive power a sound interpre tation; that no impediment shall interpose to prevent the salutary influence of their princi ples • that the popular mind, when understood shall be obeyed, are indices which no public officer will disregard. The founders of the Republic, inspired with profound wisdom, declared that all men are born equally free and independent; that the right of defending life and liberty, of acqui ring, possessing and protecting property and reputation, are indefeasible; that all power is inherent in the people, and all free govern ments are founded on their authority; that no preference shall ever be given by law to any religious establishments or modes of worship; that no one can be deprived of his life, liberty or property, unless by the judgment of his peers, or the law of the land; that no man's property shall be taken or applied to public use withoul the consent of his representatives; that education should be promoted, and the blessings of intellectual culture placed within the reach of every citizen. History and expe rience have demonstrated the justice of these principles, and private feeling as well as pub lic duty demand for them a cordial support. It is a venerated maxim that the object of all just government is the greatest good of the greatest number. In reducing this theory to practice, it shall be a constant endeavor to procure such legislation as shall promote reli gion and morality, and encourage science and literature. It will also be deemed a duty to elevate by proper means the condition of the laboring classes of society; to advance the active industry of the citizen, and foster com merce, agriculture and manufactures. Meas ures for the reduction of the public debt, and the consequent relief of the tax-paying and burthened people, shall at all times receive a most cordialsupport. An indebted nation cannot command the full measure of its independence, nor feel the entire blessings of its institutions. Whatever may be its desire to prornnte active objects of general benevolence, its resources refuse a compliance with its will, and national justice is thereby frequently delayed: , With a deep conviction of the importance of, this subject, and a settled confidence that yeti will sustain any safe measures, having in view the pay ment of the debt of the State, it shall be a constant aim, to place our finances \ in a condi tion to discharge every public obligation; to maintain unsullied the honor of the Common, wealth; and to preserve unspotted its motto! of " VIRTUE, LIBERTY, AND INDEPENDENCEO The intentions of the people are pure, and' are uniformly directed to advance the general prosperity. When, therefore, they believe a public functionary feels an anxious desire in unison with their own, for the public welfare, they will willingly pardon errors of judgment, and sustain him in his public course. It is hoped the same generous and manly senti ment—the same construction of motives—the same appreciation of public conduct which have been extended to °therein similar po sitions will shield the administration about to ' be commenced, from, at least, unmerited cen sure. An evil spirit is at work amongst us, against whose malign influence all should be on their guard. It is that spirit which creates a wrong where none exists; which in advance con demns the public servant, and labors to des troy confidence in the honesty of his designs; which unwilling to judge of works, draws from its guilty imaginings the spectres of a corrupt heart, and holds them up to the pub lic gaze as substantial truths. It is the same spirit which would array in hostile position the classes into which society divides; that would place capital and labor, the rich and the poor, at variance with each other. It is the spirit which animates the bosoms of Cate lines of every age. In Europe there are no blemen and peasants; political and social die tinctions created and sustained by law, and sanctioned by prescription. In this country all are equal under the law; and no politician, no party . in our country would desire a change in this fundamental principle of our Constitu tion. Factitious distinctions can have no resi dence where they are not sustained by law; and such are the sudden transitions of wealth among the citizens, that the rich man of yes terday is the parir man of to-day; and the poor of to-day, the rich of to-morrow. Where property is not secured by legal enactment to particular classes. and wealth is unguardedhy immemorial privileges, an enlightened self in terest will teach the rich to hold in reverence the rights of the poor, for their conditions may be changed in themselves or their offspring. The rich and the poor are equally depen dent on each other for the comforts and luxu ries of civilized life.. Separate them and the interests of both perish. The capital of the rich is valueless without the assistance of the cApital of labor. The most dangerous, because 'the most iris , ..- Wilms enemies of the Republic, aro - those who prowl among the honest, pnsuspecting citizens whispering insinuations against men whose every interest is connected with the welfare of the country. Such men should be rebuked ai dangerous to the well being of so ciet ; as sacrificing at the shrine of party 'trut honor and patriotism ; and as tearing asun er the confidence which hoidens togeth- K a er 41E1 one pmple. . In' the discharge of my official 'duties, I shall ever bear in Mind the oath of fidelity to the Constitution ; and shall endeavor, with my utmost ability to perform the sacred trust com mitted to my charge. That I shall err in judgement when. most anxious to do right must be anticipated, for human intelligence is incapable of reaching unerring truth; and the hope that a generous forgiveness on your part will accompany hone6t intentions will sustain me ; and if at the end of my term of seryiee it shall be my fortune to leave the people of my native State happier and more prosperous than f found them; i shall ask no prouder inscrip tion over my grive. With a firm reliance that the God of Na. [IOUS will preserve our happy country as the home of his people, and will lend his support to an anxious endeavor to promote their inter ests, and perpetuate their civil and religious institutions, I enter on the discharge of the du ties of the Executive Department of the State. WM. F. JOHNSTON. HARRISBURG, Jan. 16, 1849. Benton and California Gold. Mr. Benton made a speech a few days ago upon the California bill against the proposition to aelt mineral lands in two acre lots, as no two lots of that size would be alike. The value can only be told by digging, and many two acres will contain ns gold, and many patches of twenty or thirty feet square will contain a rich deposit. The object is to find it, and that is to be done by hunting, for which permits are required and protection in the discovery. The following remarks upon the gold washings are interesting: Thep washings are called in Spanish placer, from the Latin placers to please because it is a pleasing thing to find the shining gold under one's feet. But it is a transient pleasure. There isno fee simple in it; there is not even 6: life estate in it; not even a lease for a year, a month, a week, or a day. The - pleasure is soon gone. , Exhausted placers now ex ist in New Mexico, formerly yielding much, now some twenty-five or fifty cents a day', and only pur. sued by the poorest Mexicans. Regular mining has followed there, and is now yielding considerable quantities. These washings of California are mar vellously rich) for we have to believe what is cer• titled to us by so many witnesses ;- but they are not the richest ;hat ever were seen.- - Far from it.— Those of Brazil, in the •mountains, back of,Rio Janeiro, in the time of Lord Anson'S voyage, say one hundred years ago, were far richer; and yet they have been exhausted so long that all memory of them is lost, and their history only lives in old books. The millions sterling .ten millions of dol lars—were annually sent to Europe, for years, from these washings. They were worked by slaves. who, to secure their fidelity and industry, were usirdly allowed by their masters all the proceeds of the day above a given amount; and in that way many slaves became rich, purchased their freedom, and then bought slaves of their own, lived in splendor and opulence, and laid the foundation, of families. Yet these washings are exhausted, time out of mind ; and so will be those of California, and the sooner the better. lam a friend to a gold currency, but not to gold mining. That is a pursuit which the experience of nations shows to be both impover ishing and demoralizing to a nation. I regret that we have these mines in California; but they are there, and I ant for getting rid of them as soon' as possible. Make the working as free as possible. Instead of hoarding, and holding them up, and sel ling in driblets, lay them open to industry and en terprise. Lay them open to natural capital—to labor—to the man that has stout arms and a wil ling heart. Give him a fair chance. Give all a fair chance. It is no matter who digs up the gold, or where it goes. The digger will not eat it, and it will go where commerce will carry it. The nations which have industry—which have agriculture, com merce, and mainuaetures—they will get the, gold, provided always that they keep out small paper money. Not sales, but permits, is the proper mode to follow, and the only practicable mode. Union Dorcas Society. The Ladies of the Union Dorcas Society ac knowledge with gratitude to the citizens of Lances ter, the receipt of the following sums through the several committees appointed at a town meeting to raise funds for,the relief of the poor, viz: From committee of the North East Ward $65 " North West Ward 54 Aldo, from the ladies anti gentlemen employed in the Conestoga, Steam Mills 30 Various other contributions have been received which will be acknowledged in their annuatreport. Membership to the Society is open to all Ladies that may be induced to join through motives of benevolence, without any regard to their religious persuasions,—their charity is not circumscribed, it enters at the door of destitution, without regard to their c omplexion, ” their religion, or their political sentiments. Mrs. GEO. M. STEINMAN, Pres't Attest: ANNIE WITMER, Seey. From the West Chester Republican Laborers on the Public WOrks. We observe in the proceedings of our State Leg islature, that, on motion of Mr. Bent, the Canal Commissioners have been requested to report to the House, hOw much money is due to agents and la borers employed upon the public works, and how long it has been due. • This is a proper movement, and we hope it will result in such legislation as will hereafter avoid the disgrace which has too frequently attached to the State, in permitting her day laborers on the public works to remain unpaid for their services. Those who have read the last report of the Canal Commissioners, may have observed that the Colum bia Railway yielded to the State, during the year ending November 30th, 1848, a net- revenue of $278, 869 83, over and above all expenses paid or incurred. And yet it is a fart that the laborers who, in Summer's sun and Winter's cold, keep that road in repair, have not been paid for almost sixmonths of that period! This is wrong—it is ant outrage upon everything like justice; and 'the Legislature should lose no time in making the . appropriation necessary for the payment of these men and others similarly Situated. It ought not to be delayed for the gen'eraliappropriation bill. These laborers are mostly men - of limited means, dependent for the .support of themselves and families, upon their ear nings, and by reason of non-payment on the part of the State, are , s9hjeeted not unfrequeutly te great inconveniences and sacrifices. This state of things so discreditable to the State, and unjust to these worthy men,is, it is understood, owing to the funds appropriated by the last Legis lature for the repairs of the public works, having been exhinsted by reason of extraordinary repairs arising from the damagesoccasioned by high water. This may relieve the Canal Board and other officers. but it is no justification of the wrong complained of. The Legislature should be carefu to avoid its occurrence. Appropriations for ordinary repairs should not be permitted to be used for any other purpose; and there should be a distinct appropria tion for each branch of the public works. If flood or fire make a necessity for extraordinary expendi tures, let the contingency be provided for by proper legislation; but under no, circumstances permit it to stop the pay of the laborers, while all others in the service of the State, Governor, Cabinet; Officers, Legislators, Canal CommissiOners, Superintendents, Supervisors, Collectors, &c., are, punctuall3? paid. We cordially concur in the views contained in the foregoing seasonable article 'from - the West Chester Republican. Many instances of extreme suffering, produced by the same cause'have come to our knowledge in this vicinity. "The laborer is worthy his hire," and surely our publkanthori ties are in the highest degree culpable, when they neglect to make provision for the hardworking , men in the srvice of the State.—Ed. Intelligence-.) Presidential Election. The Harrisburg Telegraph publishes the entire vote for Presidential electors at the November elec tion. We publish the vote received by the two first-named of the electors, to show the TAYLOR majority: bus P. SANnzusonr, (Fed.) 185,486 WILLIAM .13mLan, (Dem.) 171,979 Federal majority. - - - The VAN BURN vote is not given Gotten ore WELL.—A person who had been listening to a very dull addle* remarked thanestry. thing went off well, uptcially the audience.
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