3ntelligenter & journal.
Lancaster. April 27, 1852•
GEO. SANDERSON, EDITOR
FOR PRESIDENT: '.
(Allied to _the decision of the National Convention.)
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
SENATORIAL.
GEORGE W. WOODWARD, 01 Luzerne.
Wrnsort M , C.,trrnt.r.ss, of Allegheny.
ADDITIONAL DISTRICT.
ROBERT PATTERSON, Of Philadelphia.
DISTRICTS.
1. Peter. Logan, 13. IL C. Eyer,
2. Geo. H. Martin, 14. John Clayton,
3. John Miller 15. Isaac Robison,
4. F. W. Backing, 16. Henry Fetter,
5. R. McKay, 17. James Burnside,
6. A. Apple, 18. Maxwell McCaslin,
7. N. Strickland, 19. Joseph McDonald,
8. Abraham Peters, 20. IV. . Callahan,
9. David Fester, 21. Andrew Burke,
10. R. E. James, 22. William Dunn,
11. John Mcßeynolds, 23. J. S. M2Clmont,
12. P. Demon, 24. George R a . Barrett.
FOR CANAL COMMISSIONER:
tlliam Ztatigl)t ili •
OF FAYETTE COUNTY. •
Gov. Bigler and the Banks.
'We have read nothing for a long time that af
forded us more real gratification, than the Message
of Governor BIGLER vetoing the batch of new Banks
which had been run through the Legislative mill.
It is a state paper worthy the best days of the Re
public, and does infinite credit to the head and heart
of our Democratic Executive. Our banks now,
generally speaking are in a sound condition, with
an aggregated capital and circulation sufficient for
all useful purposes, and any considerable increase
at this time would only operate injuriously to the
whole system, and in the end prove disastrous to
the public at large. We had our misgivings all
along that the money power would prove an over
match for the Legislature, but—we had on the other
hand an abiding faith in the firmness and integrity
of the Governor, and we felt sure that he at least,
acting as a Tribune of the people, would be proof
against all theruachinations and corrupt appliances
that would belrought to bear at Harrisburg, and
would fearlessly maintain the proud position taken
by the patriotic SIMON SNYDER, and his no less dis
tinguished predecessor, the lamented FRANCIS R.
BRUNK. We have not been disappointed. Win.
'LIAM Bionan has proved himself to be the man for
the crisis, and we record the fact With delight, and
exultingly point to the Message as a document of
more importance to the welfare of the people than
• any that has been promulgated since the days of
the celebrated veto of the United States Bank by
General JACKSON. Speculators may rail at the
Governor for thus spoiling their calculations, but
the great body of the people will sustain him. Let
him but continue the course he has commenced,
firmly and fearlessly, and his administration Nail
redound •to his own fame, and to the prosperity o
the Commonwealth.
Death of Judge Coulter.
Hon. RICHARD Couvr.r.n., one of the Judges of
the Supreme Court of this'State, died at his resi
dence at Greensburg, on Tuesday evening last, after
a brief illness of a few days. He had left Phila
delphia (where he had occupied his seat on the
Bench during the entire winter) about two weeks
ago on a visit to his family. It will be recollected
that Judge Coulter had the longest term, and had
nearly fifteen years to serve.
The vacancy On the Supreme Bench will be filled
by the GovernOr, until the next General Election,
at which time the people will have to elect a Judge
to fill the balance of the term.
It is rumored that the Governor has tendered
the appointment, to supply the vacancy, to Hon.
THOMAS S. BELL, late of Chester county, but now,
we believe, a resident of Philadelphia.
The Temperance Question.
We have all along been of the opinion, and have
so expressed ourself repeatedly, that any attempt to
promote the cause of Temperance by legislative
enactment, would, in the end, result in more harm
than good. In other words, while it would not pre
vent drinking and drunkenness, the effort being
made to coerce the community into a total absti-
nence from all intoxicating drinks would react with
tremendous effect, and thus counteract to a fearful
extent the proper and legitimate efforts of those
who are sincerely desirous of banishing, by an ap
peal to the reason and, moral sensibilities of the
people, the vice of drunkenness from amongst us.
Nor are we alone in this opinion. It is entertained
by hundreds and thousands of our sober, respectable
and intelligent citizens, not only 'in, Lancaster
county, kit throughout the entire country. The
following article, from the St. Louis Signal, on th e
subject of legislation for the suppression of the li.
quor traffic, is so appropriate to this meridian that
we cannot retrain from giving it a place in our col
limos. That paper of the 9th inst., says:
We published, on Saturday, an appeal to the
friends of Temperance in the ,State of Missouri.—
Among such we would wish ourselves to be reck
oned; but we must deprecate any attempt made,
whether in this or any other State, to prohibit the
sale of liquor, by legislative enactments. Let in
dividuals exert themselves to the utmost to pro
mote the cause of temperance; let ministers of the
gospel preach it from the pulpit, and let lecturers
demonstrate its beneficial influence before large
gatherings of men; but let no Legislature, whether
local or central, meddle with things beyond its le
gitimate province. Governments have nothing to
do with prescribing the course of individual action
in such things. If it be made criminal to vend li
quor, it should also be so to abstain from going to
church on the Sabbath. No such interference ever
did or ever will result in good. Compulsory virtue
and compulsory religion are worth nothing. . The
great aim of social reformers should be to elevate
the habits and the character of men, by teaching
them all that is great and noble in individual ex
istence, not in compelling them to seem decent peo
ple, whilst they have yet latent within them
all the dispositions of vice. The world has had
enough of shallow and superficial morality. Is it
yet too late to make an effort for a soul-raising of
the people? That is the great question before
which all else is trivial. Let our ministers of re
ligion, our poets and our journalists, our philoso
phers and our philanthropists, otii judges and our
statesmen, set ilsis before them as the one grand`
aim of their lives, to make greatness of character
the distinguishing characteristic of an American.
citizen.
'v. By reference to our advertising colums it
will be seen that W. H. SPANGLER has received the
long sought for "Queechy," by Miss Wetherill, au
thor of the " Wide Wide World." More than '7OOO
copies of this book were sold, previous to the day
of its publication.
Mn. BONHAM'S SPEECH:Me have. read with
much gratification the able and masterly anti-Bank
speech of this gentleman,.in, the House of Repre
sentatives.
Mr. BONHAM deserves the more credit
for his firmness, for the reason that one of the In
stitutions whose charter was pending is located in
Cumberland county, and we happen to know that
every sort of influence was attempted by its friends
in that quarter to swerve him from his duty as a
faithful Democratic representative. His speech is
an elaborate production, occupying twelve of the
broad. columns of the Harrisburg Keystone. It
should be'published in pamphlet form and distrib
uted throughout the length and breadth of the
4 Commonwealth.
LEATHER INSPECTOR.-W. M. ARMSTRONG, has
received his Commission as Inspector of Leather
for the city and county of Philadelphia, from Gov:-
enter Etor.Eß; and has appointed ANDREW NOBLE,
of the Northern Liberties, and WN, FLAKE, of the
city, his deputies,
Public Sentiment.
Horn's U. S. Railroad Gazette, a weekly paper
of large size, devoted :mainly to a description of
the various railroads, water courses, arrival and
departure of vessehi, trains of cars, &c., has run up
the flag of TAXED BUCHANAN to its mast-head; and
accompanies the act with the following article:
"We have run up to our mast -head the name of
Hon. Jiarzs Buena:mar, of Pennsylvania, for Presi
dent of the United Statenot that we ~ intend to
devote our columns to' the discussion of political
subjects, but that we wish to show our preference
for a man, under the auspices ol.Whose talents, pa
triotism and guidance, we believe the interests of
our country would be better eubserved than by that
of antother gentleman whose name stands promi
nent before the country for the highest office which
it is in the power of the people to bestow.
"In Jearzs Nice/Naar we recognise an officer
who has ever been zealously alive to the interests
of our own country in preference to that of any oth
er throughout the globe; and his talent for diplo
macy, which has been fully exemplified under the
Polk administration, gives assurance that the desti
nies of this vast continent could not for a time be
entrusted to better hands."
This is the third paper in the city of New York
that is now advocating The claims of Mr. BUCHAN
AN. First, the Sunday Alas, a large and ably edited
weekly sheet, which, for the last twelve months,
has been warmly urging his nomination. Next,
the Mditting &ar, a spirited little daily, has, for five
or six weeks past, been advocating his claims with
great ability. And now, the Railroad Gazette has
taken the same position. .They are all professed
ly neutral papers, politically speaking, but with
strong Democratic tendencies, and are perhaps more
correct exponents of the wishes of the Democracy
of New York than papers thoroughly partisan. It
is•certain that for some time past, there has been a
strong current running in favor of Mr. Bucnix&N,
not only in the City, but throughout the State of
New York, and we should not be at all surprised
that, next to Governor MARcT, he will be found to
be•the choice of a large majority of her delegates
in the National Convention.
IIJMr. HOLBROOK has retired from the Lances
series, and is succeeded by Mr. WAN. B. WILES, for
several years foreman in the office. The last paper
contains the valedictory of the retiring editor, and
the salutatory of the present editors, Messrs. MY
ERs & WILE!. The paper is reduced in size and
price; but judging from the tone of two or three
of the editorials, there is to be no change in its
course. As usual, we suppose, it is to - continue its
assaulis upon Mr.BUCHANAN. We would not, how
ever, pre-judge the probable course of our young
• friends, and shall, therefore, patiently await further
developernents.
Book Notices.
BEAGEwoon's MAGAZINE, for April, from the
press of Leonard Scott & Co., New York, has been
on our table for several days. We have only had
time to glance hastily at its contents, but that is
sufficient to justify us in saying that it is a more
than usually interesting number, and fully sustains
the high character the work has long since at
tained.
THE RCHOOL JOURNAL, for April, is a cap
number, and we are glad to find, from the remarks
of the. Editor, that his success so far fully equals
his most sanguine anticipations. The number be
fore us is equal to either of the preceding ones in
matter and appearance.
MEnrorns or ANNE BOLEYN.—We are indebted
to the courtesy of Mr. Wrn. Spangler, of the Book
store, for a copy of this excellent work just issued
from the press, and published by A. Hart, Phila.—
It is a handsomely bound volume of 342 pages,
and contains a highly interesting biography of the
beautiful, but ill fated Queen of Henry the Eighth.
It is written by Miss Benger, an English authoress
of some celebrity, and is a lull and, no doubt, cor
rect account of the subject of the memoirs. The
work is embellished with a portrait of Anne Bo
leyn. •
For sale at SPANGLER'S
THE SHEKIA.MI.—We have received the 3d num
ber of Vol. 1, of this Quarterly Review, published
at Bridgeport, Ct., by S. B. Brittain, at $2 per ant
num, in advaace. Each number contains an en_
graving and about 100 pages of reading matter,de
voted chiefly to an enquiry into the Laws of the
Spiritual - Universe --embracing treatises on the
Philosophy of Vital, Mental, and Spiritual Phe.
nomena. The following are the contents of the
present number; viz:
" Lives of the Seers, The Instinct of Progress,
The Transition Age, Elements of Spiritual Science,
The Life Beyond, Laws Tending to improve Soci
ety, God's Perpetual Inspiration, Tho Gallows Mir
acle, Personal Experience, The Morning Star, Win
ter, Psychometry, Rationale of the Manifestations,
Death, Spiritual Manifestations, Mystical Manu
scripts, The Memory of John Robinson, The Spirit
Land."
The Floods.
PITTSBURG, April 21.—The freshet in the rivers
here is the most disastrous since 1832. From
eight to ten lives have been lost, and a much larger
amount of property has been destroyed than at any
previous flood. However, the river is now falling
fast, so the greater danger is over. -
It will be some days time before we will be able
to tell the actual number of lives lost, or amount
of property destroyed.
The steamboat navigation on the liver is entirely
suspended, as the boats cannot pass under the
'Wheeling Bridge, owing to the high stage of water.
The lower part of the point of this city and the
%rater front 01 Allegheny city, are both under wa•
ter.
The little towns of Birmingham and Temper
tanceville, have suffered much damage, and are par
tially water.
The damage in the interior must have been very
great, judging from the vast quantity of drift stuff
-which floated past the city.
It is estimated that from three to five hundred
:rafts have been carried away and broken up by the
:flood.
The towns :of Rochester, Bridgewater, Sharon,
and Fallston, on the Beaver river, thirty miles be
low this city, are underwater to a great extent.
The accounts from all directions show that the
flood-has been most disastrous on its course.
The western cars, on account of the freshet, have
suspended running this week.
'I he Pennsylvania canal, as far as known, is not
injured.
The engine of the city water works is under
water.
. -
WASHINGTON, April 20.—The water in the
.Po
tomic river has risen during the past night to a
great height, and this morning the greater portion
of the Long Bridge, which unites this city with
the Virginia shore, was swept away, and floated
down the river. The remaining portion of the
bridge is'entirelY under water, and will no doubt
be also swept away.
SECOND DESPATCH
WASHINGTON, April 20-8 o'clock P. M.—The
freshet in the Potomac to-day has been most de
structive, sweeping off an immense amount of
property near the wharves in Georgetown, and
along the line of the city. There has also been a
great destruction of flour and sugar by the floating
of the warehouses, which will prove ruinous to
many merchants.
The chain bridge at the little falls of the Poto
mac; above Georgetown, was carried away, and in
its downward descent, caused the destruction of
that portion of the long bridge opposite this city,
between the further draw.and the Alexandria side.
As the bridge is now impassable, we are cut off
from communication with the. Ancient Dominion,
except by water.
Immense quantities of drift lumber, wood and
barrels, have been floating down the river all day,
which the wreckers have been capturing.
It is universally believed to be the greatest flood
ever known here,—exceeding that of 1847.
TRIED DESPATCH.
It is just reported that an additional section of
the Long Bridge has been carried away, together
with six persons who were upon it, and who are
supposed to have been lost. The remaining por
tion of the bridge it is thought will also be swept
off, as the river is still rising.
An immense amount of lumber has been carried
o@ by the rushing tide, and the loss from the same
will prove very heavy to some of our lumber mer
chants.
DESTRUCTION OF THE NATIONAL THEATRE AT
Borrms.—Boston, April 22.—The National Thea•
tre, of this city, an immense modern structure,
caught fire this morning about 3 o'clock, and was
entirely destroyed. It was owned by Wm. Sohier,
Esq., and under lease to Wright & Fenno. The
origin of the fire is not known.
The Ntate CeritraCCAimmittee.
The State Central Committee met on Saturday,
the 17th inst., at the Merchant's Hotel, in Phila..
delphia.. Present, Mr. HIRST, Chairinan; Hon. W
Dock, of bauptin ; Mesirs. Fernon, Chrtis, Knees;
and Badger, of Philadelphia . ; Mr. Stambaugh, of
Lancaster"; Mr. Parke, of Harrisburg; Mr. Mix
of Northampton; Mr. Welsh, of York; Mr.
Clarke, of Westmoreland; Mr. Marshall, of Leba
non. Mr. Nevin, of Susquehanna; Mr. Leisure, of
Greene; Mr. Lamberton, of Venango, were repre
sented by other members of the Comniittee.
Wm. Coarse, of Philadelphia, and Was. HENRY
WZLSH, of York, were appointed Secretaries.
Several communications were received, and res
olutions were adopted requesting the officers of the
Committee to call on the Democratic Electors and
Delegates for the usual pledges for publication.
The Chairman sulimittted the folloWing address,
which v,•as read and unanimously adopted :
To the People of the U. States.
FELLOW Crx.rzzsrs:—The Central Committee of
the Democratic - party of Pennsylvania appointed
by the Convention which assembled at Harrisburg,
on the 4th of March last, have thought it due to
their constituents and to their brethren throughout
the Union, to address you on a single point relating
to the question of the next Presidency.
The choice of the party in this State, has been
very emphatically expressed. Pennsylvania is now
as she has been for ten years past, in favor of James
Buchanan. Some of the Whig presses, however,
and a few of Mr. Buchanan's personal enemies,
have endeavored to create the impresssion abroad
that he is not popular here. Some have gone so
far as to assert, fiat if nominated he could not car
ry the electoral vote of this State.
The purpose of this address, is to givethat as
sertion a distinct and emphatic contradiction. In
our own names and in the name of the great party
which has made us its representatives, we pro
nounce all such statements wholly false.
The present attitude of the Democratic party in
this State, is of itself, when rightly considered, a
standing and most eloqiient proof that the allega
tion referred to cannot be true. Mr. Buchanan has
not been brought forward as a candidate by his
enemies. The earnest and sincere attachment of his
fellow citizens, who are urging him, will not be
doubted. Is it likely, that with such feelings, they
would seek to expose him and themselves to the
mortification of a defeat? Still more absurd would
be the op,inion, that a people as true-hearted and
zealous in the, support of Democratic principles, as
those who comp6e the great body of his friends,
would be willing, to endanger the success of the
party by the nomination of a weak candidate.—
When has the Democracy of Pennsylvania been
wanting in fidelity to their brethren? When have
we tried to destroy the hopes of our political asso
ciates,'or attempted to impose on them by any false
pretence whatever? We feel that we can confident
ly, if not proudly, claim for our party in this State,
a character too high to be suspected of uncandid,
double dealing. Besides, our motives for desiring
the nomination of the strongest man in the Union,
are as powerful as those which operate on other
minds. We are embarked in the same ship with
you, and have as deep an interest as any of you in
choosing a pilot who will take us safely through
the perils of the voyage. It is because we believe
that Mr. Buchanan's availibility is greater than
that of any other man (though not for that reason
alone) that we urge his nomination.
If we are entitld to the credit of sincerity, it re
mains ably to show that we are scot mistaken in our
' judgment. We claim to know what the state of
public feeling on this subject is. It is not possible
that nine-tenths of the party can be laboring under
a delusion about so plain a fact, as the popularity
of one of our own cifizens, who has been the sub
ject of more or less discussion in public and private
for a quarter of a century. To say that three
fourths of a Convention, fairly chosen from among
the people, and coming together from all parts of
the State, misrepresented their constituents in mere
ignorance, is only a little less degrading than the
assertion that they have done so by design.
Again: it is known to every tolerably well in
, formed man in the country, that there is tie reason
to be found in Mr. Buchanan's history or character
which would have the least tendency to make him
unpopular.,. His great great talents are acknowl
edged. He has been faithful to every trust with
which he has been charged. His private integrity
is unsullied, and his walk and conversation blame
less, while his public career has excited universal
admiration. It is true he has been the subject of
some vituperation and abuse. But this has been
the fate of all distinguished democrats. Those who
have been the people's greatest favorites have been
the most calumniated. It is "the - rough brake
which virtue must go through." To say that the
people of this State will be at all influenced by the
petty slanders which personal malice or political
hostility can coin so easily is an insult upon their
intelligence and justice so gross, that we have a
right to repel it with indignation. We have yet to
learn that any of Mr. Buchanan's competitors for
the nomination have escaped this universal fate --
But when we do ascertain that either of them has
passed through life unassailed by detraction, we are
prepared to express our conviction, that such a
man is unfit and unworthy to be the candidate of
the democracy for the office of President; "Wo
unto him of whom all men speak well." Among
the many elements of popularity which Mr. Buch
anan combines, not the least is the character of the
opposition to him. It is not based on any charge,
which if true, would prove him to be wanting in
honesty, ability or fidelity to the Constitution, and
shows only that he has been fearless and faithful
in the performance of his political duties. It is ab
surd to believe that a man cast in such a mould,
could fail to enlist the enthusiastic support of a
people like ours.
Thus far we have dealt in arguments a priori—
. .
in reasons which show how utterly improbable it is
that our candidate can be other than the most pop
ular man among us. But the history of Pennsyl
vania for the last twenty-five years, proves it as an
incontestible fact. He was five times chosen to the
House of Representatives, in Congress, the last time
under circumstances which made his election a
triumph to the friends of Jackson, such as no other
man in the State had achieved. No appointment
which President Jackson made gave more pleasure
to the people of the State than that which showed
his confidence in Mr. Buchanan by making him
Minister to Russia. He was three times elected to
the Senate of the United States, an honor which
Pennsylvania has never conferred on any other
man. His appointment as Secretary of State by
Mr. Polk, was well known to have been made with
the warm concurrence and approbation of General
Jackson, and if any thing could have increased our
affectionate regard for the hero and statesman of
the age, his uniform endorsement of Mr. Buchanan
would have had that effect. But better and more
direct evidence than all this of Mr. Buchanan's
standing at home is afforded by the action of the
people on the very question of the Presidency. Mr.
Buchanan's friends in Pennsylvania have three times
presented him as a candidate for that great office,
and each time they were sustained by the full tide
of public approbation. The greatest and best men
of the nation have been set up against him, and
vigorously pressed by their supporters. But in the
primary meetings mf the people, and in the County
and State Convention's, no name has stood for a
moment before the competition of his. We fear
lessly assert that since the days of Washington,
there has lived but one man in any part of the Un
ion who could rival Mr. Buchanan in the affections
of his own State.
We have not addressed you for the purpose of
proving that his claims to the Presidency are enti
tled to your respect. If you doubt his talents, his
patriotism and his honesty, our appeal at this time
of day would be in vain. If his life of labor in
your cause and ours, has made no favorable im
pression on the country, it is too late to create a
reputation for him now. He comes before you
either with something better than a manufactured
character, or else with none at all that is worthy of
your attention. We ask you to subject his life to
the severest inquisition that justice will allow, and
if he does not sustain it, reject him. But we de
mand that he shall not be struck down by paltry
slanders and, least of all, by the absurd falsehood
which charges him with: want of popularity.
If the National Convention shall decide against
our candidate, we cannot promise that our people
will bear the decision without bitter mortification;
for their State pride is thoroughly aoursed. If the
Man - they now offer is set aside, they have no hope
of succeeding at another time. If Pennsylvania
must wait until she presents a more unexceptiona
ble man than Mr. Buchanan, she must wait forever.
Still the Democracy of this State will be true and
faithful to...their party, and their country. It will
not be their fault if the rule of our opponents is to
be perpetuated. Whatever the Convention may do,
the Democrats of Pennsylvania will be at their
posts ready to perform their whole duty; and to
present, as they always have presented, a living
rampart between the Constitution and its foes. But
if they are permitted to do battle under the leader
ship of their own fellow citizen—the well tried
friend, whom they know, and trust, and love—it
will energize their efforts, and add thousands to their
majority.
His nomination would give them an opportunity
not only to vindicate him, but to demonstrate how
false is the dishono'ring charge against themselves,
of being so ignorant, so unjust, or so ungrateful, as
not to appreciate a man whose merits are acknowl
edged by all the world besides. 4 Their hearts will
throb to meet the encounter on such terms., There
will be a rapture in the strife which is to be
crowned with a victory like that. •
Adopted by the State Central Committee of Penn
sylvania, on the 17th April, A. D. 1852, and
published by order of the Committee.
W. L. HIRST, Chairman.
Wit: Curets, •
W. H. Wiase.
A resolution was passed requesting the Delegates
elected to represent Pennsylvania at the Baltimore
Coniention, to issue au address_to their fellow mem
bers of the Convention and to the anion.
The Committee ! resolved to meet at Barnum's Ha
tel, in the city of Baltimore, on the !Ist day of June
next, at 9 o'clock,;A. M.
City and County Items.
IrrThe Rev. Rnwan C. Jouss;_of Philadelphia,
will deliver a Leciure upon Typography, or the Art
of Printing, at the Mechanics' Institute, on To-
Monaow (Wednesday) Evsurso r at 7i o'clock.
Admittance 25 cents. •
Mr. Jon es has' ust. concluded a series of Lectures
on various subjects, at the University of Pennsyl
vania, in Philadelphia.
lErThe Borough of Mount Joy, in this county,
contains a populition at the present time of 1228.
Of this number 1168 are whites, viz: 584 males and
584.temales. Of the colored persons 32 are males ,
and 23 females.
113 The Court of Quarter SessiOns, on Monday
of last week, confirmed the license of Mr. JAMES
C. EWINII, to keep it public house at Quarryville.
At the danuarrseseions the license was actually
granted, but owing to some inforinality in the rec
ord, and by reason of a violent opposition from a
portion of the citizens in that section of the coun
ty, it was not hoed, and an attempt was made to
have hint indicted for to-Islet's:A Tippling House, at
the present term, The rharie, however, Has
withdrawn by the platelet Attorney, there being no
sufficient cation Abell : pied for lie preferment, and the
Court unaniniottely confirmed hie license.. •
117 - 011 Wednesday lust, as the workmen were
engaged in tearing down the old German Reform
ed Church, in this city, a portion of the wall fell on
three men, slightly bruising two, and crushing the
right leg of the third, Patrick Brady, so'as to ren
der amputation necessary above the knee, which
was skilfully performed by Dra. Ebler and Rich
ards, in• whose vicinity the accident occurred.—
The wounded man is doing as well as could be ex
pected, and it is thought will recover. Being a poor
man and havMda family dependent upon his labor
for their support, makes his case a peculiarly dis
tressing one. We are pleased to record the fact,
however, that a handsome sum has been raised
amongst our citizens tor their relief.
N. B.—Just as our raper was being put to press,
on yesterday, we heard a report that the wounded
man was dead.
ErThe Jurors who were absent itt the opening
of the Court last week were fined $lO each.
11:7 - The Ladies connected with the Presbyterian
Church, in Marietta, design holding a Fair on
Thursday and Friday next, for the sale of useful
and fancy articles.
113' A heavy thunder gust passed over this sec"
lon of country on Sunday night last between 1 and
2 o'clock
Grand Jury Report.
The Grand Jury Report, submitted to the Court
at the close of their labors, states that the number
of bills acted upon by them was unusually large,
embracing indictments for crimes of almost every
grade. Several of the bills were ignored, and the
Prosecutors made to pay the costs.
Their visit to the new County Prison was satis
factory so far as the arrangement and discipline of
the Institution are concerned; but, upon a close in
spection, they found some of the interior work and
material of the buildingdefective, which will require
considerable expense to rectify.
They strongly recommend to the County Com
missioners to erect such a Court House as will, be
a credit to the county, and large and commodious
enough to accommodate all who may attend the
sessions of the Court.
The Poor and House of Employment was also
visited, and the Jury speak in high terms of its
management, and the good order, &c., maintained
among its inmates. The apartments for the insane
are inadequate, and they recommend that, in order
to save the expense of erecting new buildings for
their accommodation, the poor insane only be ad
mitted hereafter, and that all 'others be sent to the
State Lunatic Asylum.
The Judges of the Court, District Attorney and
Sheriff are complimented for their kindness and
efficiency in the discharge of their several duties.
The above are all the principal points in the Re.
port. Its unusual length forbids its entire inseytion
in consequence of the crowded state of our col-
The Quarter Sessions.
We-had intended giving a full report of the crim
inal business transacted in the Quarter Sessions last
week—but the great length of the Governor's Mes.
sage vetoing the batch of Bank Bills passed by the
Legislature (a very important, able and interesting
document) and the Address of the State Central
Committee, also a very able production, both of
which are' looked for with much anxiety by our
readers, necessarily prevent us. We have, however
compiled the following synopsis of the most im
portant cases dispOsed of:
Corn. vs. Henry Lieber—Stealing an Umbrella
from Cooper's Hotel. Found guilty, and sentenced
to pay a fine of $l, restore the stolen property, and
be imprisoned for three months.
Com. vs. David Maxwell, Jacob Miller Won.
Jones (col.)—Stealing Flour from the Mill of Adam
Miller, Safe Harbor. Found guilty, and sentenced
to pay a fine each of $l,OO, and imprisonment for
eleven months.
Com. vs. Jacob M'Darr—Stealing a board raft,
valued at $6OO, the property of Dr. Blexly, of Co
lumbia. ' Found guilty, and sentenced to pay a fine
of $l, and imprisoned for one year.
Com. vs. Abram M'Coy (col.)—For the murder
of W. Shriver, (col.) near ReamstoWn. It appear
ed from the evidence that they had
,a quarrel, both
being intoxicated, and that M'Coy stabbed Shriver
in the neck which caused his death. Found guilty
of Manslaughter, and sentenced to pay a fine of $l,
and be imprisoned at hard labor in the Eastern
Penitentiary for a period of six years. M'Coy is
only about 16 or 17 years of age. • -
Com. vs. Henry Franck—Selling Lager Beer on
the Sabbath in violation of the new law. The
main point of law involved in this issue was, wheth
er the Defendant was liable to pay the fine for each
and every drink sold during the day, or whether the
one fine covered the aggregate number of drinks
sold during
the day. The Court decided that he
was liable for each drink. Found`guilty, and sen
tenced to pay the fine of $2O. His counsel, Mr.'
Stevens, then stated that they would ask for con
viction upon another indictment for a similar of
fence, and then take out a plea of moire fors convict,
and carry the issue before the Supreme Court for
final decision. In this the Court and Distriq At
torney concurred.
Com.'vs. John M'May—Assault and Battery with
intent to commit a Rape on Mary Gibson, near
Safe Harbor. Found guilty, and sentenced to $1
fine and 2 years to the Eastern Penitentiary.
Comi vs. Philip Groth et. af—lndictment!Conspir-
acy arid Forcible Entry and Detainer'. - This was
an action brought 'by Rev. Mr..Dudas, some time
since officiating Priest of the German Catholic
Church of this city, against the Defendants (mem
bers of the Church) for conspiring together and ta
king possession of the Paisonage, carrying out his
property into the yard, and preventing him from
occupying the premises. This was done in conse
quence of his Priestly functions having been re
voked or suspended by the Catholic Bishop of this
Diocese. Verdict not guilty, and county for costs.
The! above are the prineipal cases tried during
the week. There were O„ number of others dis
posed of, but generally of a more trifling nature.—
Two or three, however, mere for Fornication and
•
Bastardy.
Twenty-six cases. were continued over until the
next term. •
Lursasa.—The Susquehanna river is now in fine
rafting order, and large quantities of lumber corn.
ing down—twice the amount, it is stated, that had
arrived by this time last year.
County Meeting,
lELOPEOSITIO3 TO THE SONDAT LIQUOR LAW.
Two 'very large county meetings were held in
the Court House last week in opposition to the
Sunday Liquor Law. Mr. Maness:, of Conestoga,
presided at the first, and ZuarEt SWOPE, En., of
this City at the second. At the latter, on Saturday
evening, the following . preamble and resolutions
(reportWl by a Committee appointed at the former
meeting, on Wednesday evening,) were unanimous
ly adopted:
Whereas, a law has recently been enacted by our
Legislature, prohibiting the sale, within the city or
county of Lancaster, of spirituous, vinous or malt
liquors; for any other than medicinal purposes, on
the Sabbath day, under a penalty of $2O for each
and every ' offence.
And !Dhereas, in and by the provisions of said
law, one halt of the penalty imposed is given to
the in'briner, thus holding out, irresistable induce
ments to evil-disposed persons to commit perjury.
foment litigation and disturb the peace, confidence
and well-being of the community. ;
And whereas, the means taken to tlecure'the pas
sage 01, said law"were so secret, insidious and un
derhand, that the first intimation we, who are to
be bound by its provisions, receive of its enactment
is the arrest of one of our Most respectable citi
zens, who is called upon to. answer no less than
seven indichients, for as many infractions on the
some day, of a law the existence of which could
only be known to those who procured its passage.
Therefore Resolved, That we are fully satisfied
that the laws already.in existence, prior to the pas
sage
of the recent enactment, are, if enforced, in
themselves quite sufficient to secure the becoming
observance of the Sabbath day.
Resolved, That the industry and energy eviden
ced by the- wealth, comfort and prosperity of our
citizens; the integrity and moral worth which
stamps thecharacter of our people, both at hofne
and abroad, and the.comparative absence of crime
from our midst, are no fitting reasons why Lancas
ter county alone should be singled out for special
legislation, and that, too, on a measure to Which
a very large majority of her citizens opposed.
Resolved, That we protest, in earnest but respcc
ful terms, against the passage of any law holding
out bribes, profits and perquisites as inducements
to informers and others, who, through an apparent
desire to advance the public interests, only seek
persOnal gain, and, more frequently, the indulgence
of malevolence and revenge; and that we look up
on the law lately enacted as more calculated to
open wide the doors for perjury sow discord and
distrust among neighbors, and spread abroad a spir
it of Petty litigation and annoyance, than to further
the cause of temperance or secure the proper ob
servance of the Sabbath.
Resolved, That we feel assured the members of
the Legistatnre were imposed upon by false repre
sentations of the tone of public sentiment on the
measure in question, and that had they been aware
that a large majority of our zens were opposed
to it, the law would not havir geen enacted.
Resolved, That the Senators and Members of the
Legislature from this county, be instructed to
take immediate steps and use all means in their
powe'r to procure the repeal of said law.
Reiolved, That Francis Keenan, Esq., of Lan
castei city, Israel Reinhart, Esq., of Warwick, and
Dr: Benjamin Kendig, of Conestoga township, be
appointed a committee to proceed to Harrisburg,
forthwith, to present these proceedings to our said
Senators and Members of the Legislature, and to
take 'such further measures as may be deemed ne
cessary to secure the desired result; and also be
authorized to fill any vacancy that may occur.
Resolved, That these proceedings "be published
in all the newspapers in this city and county.
The Sunday Liquor Law.
The law recently passed by the Legislature pro
hibiting the sale of liquors on the Sabbath Day, in
Lancaster county, meets with Much opposition
amongst nearly all classes of our citizens—especi
ally because this county was singled out, from
amongst all the other counties of the State, in which
to try the experiment, and because it is alleged
that the bill was smuggled through the Legislature
at the request of some person or persons unknown,
and against the wishes of at least nine-tenths of our
people. Why was not the law made general? It
is in effect saying that the citizens of this ancient
county are such consummate drunkards and sab
bath breakers, that a restrictive law of the kind
was necessary' in order to civilize and christianize
the people. What were the Senators and Repre
sentatives from this county about, that they per
mitted this law to go upon the statute book—a law
that holds out strong inducements to petty inform
ers and busy bodies? Had they resisted its passage,
as they should have done, if it was not in accord
ance with the wishes of our people, the act never
would have been passed, as their fellow members
from other counties would not have forced a local
measure upon them contrary to their wishes.
It will not do to throw the blame of this law
upcin the Executive. The Governor approved the
bill ! because he no doubt supposed, from the fact
tha l t the Senators and Representatives of Lancaster
county made no opposition to it, that it was in ac
cor j clance with public sentiment here ; and as it was
1
a mere local act, without affecting the rights of
°flier counties or the general interests of the State
at ilarge, he did not feel free to interpose the - Veto
Without any knowledge that such was the desire
of l our citizens. No—no—let the “saddle be put
upon the right horse," and let the people of Lan
caster county hold their Senators and Representa
tives accountable for the passage of the Act. They,
and they alone, are to blame, if blame is to rest
any where, and they must not be permitted to shirk
out, by endeavoring to saddle the responsibility
upon the Executive. M.
• For the intellisoncer.
The Maine Law
CAST. SANDERSON — Dear Sir:—ln last week's
Intelligencer I had expected to see the close of my
articles upon this subject. You may therefore judge
of my surprise, in finding myself again attacked
and brought before the public, by a new opponent,
who after handling "X. X.", pretty freely, propo
ses, with the greatest coolness, to discuss the
question upon its merits, without appeals to preju
dice or personal abuse.", Had this proposal came
out when the "question" was in agitation, when
our views and arguments might have been of some
service to the public at large, I should have met
him very cheerfully. But now, after the Legisla
ture has settled the questicht, I would consider any
thing further, perfect folly, and the only reason to
be assigned for our course would be a desire for
"newspaper notoriety," of which we have both
had our full share; and my vanity being thorough
ly satisfied upon that score, I am free to leave the
field to any person anxious to occupy it in that po
sition.
However, should the question ever come up again
as one of public importance, and not of private or
local issue, I am ready and willing to meet it any
time. Yours, very truly, "X. X."
A Bra Frsu.—A catfish was caught in the
Schuylkill, a few days since, with a set-net by Rich,
and Swaincott, of Norristown, which measured
20i inches in length, 4} inches between the eyes,
and weighed 41 1 pounds. This is not quite so large
as the cat-fish used for towing fiat-boats on the Ohio
river, but is a very sizeable article for the Schuylkill.
, 11-7" The next Whig National Convention is to
be held at Baltimore, on the 16th of June.
.11 Reward a/ $500.,-The Bank of Virginia, at
Portsmouth, offers the above reward for the arrest
of Jelin Stevens, who broke jail at that place, on Sat
urday night week. He was confined on suspicion
of being concerned in the robbery of the Bank ih
January last. -He is thus described =ls about five
feet six inches high, is slightly built, of fair, ruddy
complexion, blue , eyes, with a scar about three.
fourths of an inch long over one of them, with dark
brown hair straight and cut short.
$2OO Reward—This reward is offered' for the ar:
rest of Awo prisoners who escaped from the New
Jersey Prison, at Trenton, on Sunday the Ist insti
The True American thus describes them :
One of themohe baker, named Augustus Winans,
the other, the cook, Abraham Haycock, alias Hay,
, alias Williams. The former was 5 ft. 7,1 in. high,
22. years of age, is slim built, with light sandy hair,
blue eyes,
and two large scars on his forehead, has
two teeth out in front, and came from New Hemp
, ton, Orange
.county, N Y. The latter is 5 ft. 3 in.
high,. aged 61 years, hair thin and grey, (lark corn-.
plexion, his hands much scarred, the big toe of his
right foot has 'been cut off, and he came from Pat
erson, N. J., where he has a wife living. One hun
dred dollars will be paid by the Keeper for the re
covery of either, or.two hundred for both.
Sale of Cows.—Some two dozen mitch Cows, of
good blood, were sold by auction in Washington
city, on Saturday week, as follows: Two Cows, the
purchaser having the choice, sold for fifty-eight dol
len; each; the third, fifty-four - the fourth and fifth,
fifty-three each; the sixth, fifty y
seventh fifty
three; the eighth, fifty-four; the ninth, fifty-one dol
lars; and the r emainder, brought, relatively lower
prices.'
- "Veto Message.
To the Senate and House of Representatives of the
. .
Comnionwea/fir of . .Penrsyivania
Garrxxxicasr:—Bill No. 590, on the files of the
Senate, entitled " Ari Act to incorporate the Mead
villa Bank," with a capital of $lOO,OOO, has been
presented for my Consideration, together with oth
ers, providing for the establishment of sundry new
banks, to be located as follows, to wit: one at
Pittsburg, with a capital of $300,000, another at
Allentown, Lehigh county, with a capital of $l5O,
000, another at Erie, with a capital of $150,000 -
another at Carlisle, with a capital of $lOO,OOO, ant
other at New Clistle,,Lawrence county, with a cap
ital of $lOO,OOO, another it Tamaqua, Schuylkill
county, with a capital of $lOO,OOO, another at
Mauch. punk, Carbon county, with a capital of
$lOO,OOO, another at Phoenixville, Chester county,
with a capital of $200,000, another at Mononga
hela city, Washington county, with a capital of
$lOO,OOO, also, another, to add $150,000 to the
capital stock of the Southwark Bank, in the county
of Philadelphia.' t
Since the General Assembly has thus indicated
to me their views on the subject of increasing the
banking capital of the State, I have given the ques
tion, in all its bearings, my most anxious consider
ation—have contemplated the probable effects of
this proposed measure upon the interests of the
whole people of the State—upon the laborer, me
chanic, farmer, merchant, and manufacturer, and
bringing to the aid of my judgment, the lights fur
nished by the past experience of the country, I
have arrived at the conclusion that it is my solemn
duty, however unpleasant, to differ with you on
this subject. To dissent from the wishes of the
representatives of the people, on a question of pub
lic policy, is painful to me in the extreme, but to
shrink from the responsibility of performing a con
scious duty, would be cowardly and criminal.
In returning so large a number of the bank bills,
without my sanction, for the reconsideration of the
General Assembly, I deem it right that I should
present my reasons for so doing at length, in one
message, and have reference to this as applicable to
these measures severally.
On assuming the duties of the Executive office, I
distinctly announced, "that, in my opinion, no pre
text can justify the creation of a superabundant
amount of paper money, and that it was with pain
ful alarm'l have witnessed a growing disposition in
the entire country to increase the use of this medi
um on a small specie basis, regardless of the inev
itable effects of the large accessions of coin which
California is fdrnishing to this country and to the
world. Every people should have a circulating
medium as a matter of convenience, and should
have whatever amount the transaction of whole
some business affairs may demand i but unfortu
nately we are too unwilling to stop at the proper
point in the creation of the medium. That as coin
becomes abundant it should supplant and render
unnecessary the use of paper, is to my mind, the
plainest teaching of common sense. Such practi
cal effect is demanded by the true interests of the
people."
The sentiments thus announced, I have long en
tertained, and their correctness is the more confirm
ed by every day's experience and reflection. I
should, by assenting to these bills, agree practically
to reverse this doctrine and maintain that as coin
becornes abundant, the paper medium should be
increased. This position would be so manifestly
unsound that argument is not necessary to refute
The proposed new banks would add to the pres
ent banking capital of the State an aggregate sum of
$1,500,000, or over ten per cent. on the active
capital now in use, and thus swell the present
amount of our paper circulation to the extent of
four or ftvillions.
Whilst Jam not prepared to say, that at the
proper time, a bank might not be useful, if prop
erly managed, at some of the points named, 1 have
had no difficulty whatever in satisfying my mind
that there is, at this time, no real necessity for such
an extensive increase of paper money, nor that if
such increase were permitted, no effect would be
prejudicial to the true interests of the mass of peo
ple, and that it would exercise a demoralizing in
tluence'upon the business affairs of the State. The
immediate effect would be, I have no doubt, to en
hance the nominal prices of all kinds of goods and
property, by the depreciation of bank paper, stim
ulating thereby a spirit of wild and fanciful specu
lation, begetting prodigality and idleness, the legit
mate fruits of an inflated currency. All violent
movements on this subject are unwise and especi
ally injurious to the unwary citizen. Experience
has demonstrated that all sudden expansions and
contractions of a paper currency, exercise a preju
dicial influence on the real prosperity of the coun-
try. Such sudden convulsions, it is true, are some
times turned to the advantage of the shrewd capi
talists, but the unsuspecting farmer or mechanic,
enticed fromhis safe pursuit by the fair promises of
the expansion, is crushed in his new experiment, by
tto violence of the contraction.
If it be true that "experience teaches wisdom”—
and none will doubt this—the people of Pennsyl
vania should be wise on this subject, and a mere
reference to that experiment, it seems to me, should
be sufficient to aWaken them to the danger of the
measure in question.
The conseqUences of a similar policy, adopted in
1814, regardless of the admonitions of the saga
cious and patriotic Snyder, are still remembered by
some who participated in the scenes of those days,
and are known to all of us as a dark page in the
history of the State. • Let no man flatter himself
with the belief that the same cause will not pro
duce the same effect in the future that it has done
in the past. The country, it is true, is now inhab
ited by a new generation, but the nature of man
has undergone no change since the days of Snyder
—his impulses and objects are the same, anti the
laws of trade remain unaltered ; and assuredly, if
we rush into the errors of that day, we may justly
anticipate a similar retribution. Nor is this the
only practical demonstration of the danger of the
proposed policy, to be found in our history. Who
does riot remember something of the condition of
affairs that existed through the whole extent of our
vast country during the years 1834-'35-'36. Who
has forgotten the warning voice of the patriotic
Jackson, admonishing the people against the con
sequences of an inflated currency and an unre
strained system of credit, which then pervaded our
business circles, and affected deeply domestic ar
rangements. But his warning was not heeded un
til it was too late to arrest the evil. The great
bank expansion of that period engendered a spirit
of desperate speculation and habits of prodigality
which distinguished alike the career of-States, cor
porations and individuals. And who can contem
plate, without regret and shame, the disgrace and
misery which followed as a legitimate consequence.
The imaginary fortunes of individuals were dis
pelled as fog before the rising sun, and the meshes
of the speculator were rent asunder as cobwebs
before the torrent of revulsion that ensued: States,
corporations and individuals were prostrated be
neath its weight—their plighted faith became a by
word and scoff, and their credit was hawked about
in the market and offered for a mere fraction of its
nominal value. Whilst the unwary citizen who
had been misled by this artificial state of affairs,
including widows and orphans, whose means, un
der the force of the delusion, had been invested in
schemes purely speculative, found themselves
thrown houseless and penniless upon the charity of
the public. Nor is this all. The effect of extend
in-, the banking capital of this State, in 1836, by
the charter of the United States and other banks,
from a little over , fourteen to exceeding fifty mil
lions, and its sudden reduction, in a few years af
terwards, to an active capital of less than nineteen
millions, were scarcely less disastrous: The con
sequences to our State credit, to the trade and com
merce of our metropolis, to the interests of all
classes of our people, and to the honor of the Com
monwealth abroad, are topics too unpleasant to be
discussed at this day, and I only allude to them as
so many admonitions against the tendency of the
effort now making to increase the amount of bank
ing capital, evidently calculated to produce a some
what similar state of affairs.
These expansions are delusive and unprofitable,
and as shown 'by their past history, clearly inimi
cal to the rights and interests of labor. From an
able, report made to Congress on this subject, in
1840, I have gathered some very interesting facts,
which speak a language that cannot be misunder
stood. They are to the effect that, from 1834 to
1830, the increase — of paper currency in the United
States was near 48 per cent.—that the advance in
the price of that kind of real estate, which was
constantly in the market, was over one hundred per
cent.—in stocks, real and fancy, about one hundred
and twenty per cent.—in flour, pork, corn, &c.,
I about sixty per cent., and in the price of labor, the
source of all real wealth, but a little over sixteen
per cent. But not so when the contraction comes,
for then labor bears the first shock, and depreciates
mosyseverely. In every view, therefore, is a fluc
tuating currency prejudicial to the interests of the
laborer. Labor is the last thing to rise in price,
and does so least, with an inflation of the currency,
but suffers first and most severely under the con
traction.' Besides, during the times of such infla
tion, the laborer is forced to receive his wages at
the standard price of a sound currency, in that
which is depreciated, and purchase his necessaries
at the high prices consequent upon such depression.
Such expansions, in addition, are adverse to-the
real prosperity of country—retards rather than ad
varice it. The artificial growth produced by the ex
pansion is more than counteracted by the paraly
zing influence of the contraction, and the aggregate
prosperity is less than it would be were. the coun
try left to its steady natural advance.
But how clearly impoverishing is the effect of
an inflated currency upon all our Stat a nation
al interests, now closely pressed by for e eign nd
compe.
tition. It virtually opens our ports to invite suet
rivalry against all these pursuits, and no rate of
tariff that the wisdom of Congress can devise,
within any reasonable limit, can counteract its in
fluence. It greatly enhances the nominal prices of
goods
and commodities in this, above what they
will bear in other countries, whilst at the same
time it retards rather than f icilitates their produc
tion. It thus gives the foreign producer the op
portunity of manufacturing 'at the low rates of his
own country, and selling at the inflated prices of
ours; for he receives his pay not in our depreciated
paper but in gold and silver. It is this state of the
currency, more than any other feature in the policy
of this country, that-enables the foreign manufac
rer to compete, if not to undersell the American
producer in our own market.
But where is the evidence that so large an in
crease of the banking capital is required? and why
authorize such increase all at once? During the
official service of my two last predecessors, cov
ering a period of nine years, but lour new banks of
issue were created ; and when has Pennsylvania
been more prosperous than during that time?—
When since first injured by her heavy debt, did her
credit stand higher, and when did the labor of her
citizens reap a better reward? She has, during that
whole time, stood erect, and maintained her faith,
and by the proper exercise of her new inherent el
ements of wealth, has been steadily extricating
herself from the embarrassments brought upon her
by a spirit of prodigality, transfused throughout the
whole country as the consequence of two expan
sions of paper money, to which I have already re-
ferred.
There is now near nineteen millions of banking
capital in the State, of which about four and a hall
millions of dollars are invested in stocks, bonds,
Vic., a business not necessarily connected with bank
ing, nor contemplated in the creation of banks.—
This fact furnishes some evidence that at times
there had been more banking capital than the le
gitimate business of these institutions seemed to
require, and certainly there is nothing in the pres•
ent condition of the country to justify so large an
accession to our paper medium.
The present period is one distinguished for the
great abundance of coin. The mines of California
and Australia have recently been contributing to
swell inordinately the usual supply which other
parts of the world still continue unabatedly to fur
nish. Money is unusually plenty in this country,
and has not been so much so. nor so cheap in Eu
rope, for many years. The Bunk of England now
contains the enormous sum of near ninety mil.'
lions of gold and silver, whilst in France and Hol -
land there is an evident excess above dern`ands of
business. In the United States we have a full sup
ply, which is now being rapidly augmented by
new receipts. These receipts, as I learn from re- .
liable, though unofficial sources, by importation
and coinage, for the months of January, February
and March, amounted to over thirteen millions and '
a half, leaving in this country, after deducting all
exports of specie, for the same period, a balance of
near seven millions of dollars. This ratio of in
crease
would soon double and treble the whale
capital of the country. And it is worthy of re
mark that this great increase of gold coinage is be
ginning to awaken the inquiry as to what is to be
the effect upon this great standard of value, as com
pared with other coins or circulating mediums.
The effect of this superabundance of money on
the business affairs of the country is already being
made manifest. The signs of the times, it seems
to me, indicate very clearly that we are approach
ing a period of more than natural prosperity, re
sulting from this excess of money. The mania
which prevails for all kinds of business and pro
jects of improvement, which require the invest
ment of large sums of money, is the evidence of
such a tendency in our monetary affairs. II then,
we are to take counsel from the past, and the in
dications of the present, we must believe that this
abundance of currency will, of itself, produce an
inflation of prices and lead to speculation and prod
igality. But such artificial prosperity will be of
short duration. The re-action will as certainly
come as that the sun will continue to rise in the
east and set in the west ; and, unfortunately, when
it does come, the innocent and unwary who have
made least in this game, are forced to stiffer most.
Is it wise then, in full view of such unmistakable
indications, to hasten this state of affairs, and ag
gravate the evil by an improvident increase of pa
per money? Shall we so far forget the severe les
sons which have been heretofore inflicted upon this
noble State/ I must not. I do no not say that itmay
not be proper at some future time to charter new
banks at some of the points in the State, where it
is now proposed to locate them ; but I most sin
cerely believe, and I express this belief, with the
utmost deference to the views of the General As
sembly, that the present is not a propitious period
for an increase of banking capital. Let us first see
rebut is to be the eflect -of the increase of gold
coinage and the abundance of money to which I
trace already alluded. It is prudent,at least, to re
main on the safe side of this question. There is
no danger of the real prosperity of the State being
retarded for the want of paper money; and I have
never known the people to suffer from puck cause.
Our currency is now as sound as at any otrer pe
riod in the history of the Commonwealth, and her
prosperity and growth resulting from the energy,
industry and enterprise of her people, equal to that
of any of tier sister States. Artificial means to
improve this fair condition, might readily produce
the reverse result.
I think the aggregate banking capital of the
State large enough, and that of th whole country
too large—much too large for the welfare of those
pursuits closely pressed by foreign competition.—
But the great monetary movement, which, at this
time, would seem wise and necessary, is not within
the control of a single State. If this were so, and
Pennsylvania were that State, I have no hesitation
in saying, that I should not, during my official ca
reer, sanction the charter or re-charter of any bank.
It should be my purpose to reduce rather than in
crease the paper circulation. But a single mem
ber of this confederacy can do but little more than
show a good example and invite imitation do the
part of sister States. Situated as we are, therefore,
vve can only make the best of of the circumstances
which surround us—restrain the evil and promote
the good, so far as the influence of the State may
go.
I have not been insensible to the force of the
reasoning in favor of establishing banks in partic
ular localities, as a medium through which to con
duct heavy business transactions, and I should not
object to institutions for this purpose with all the
attributes of a bank, except the right to create pa
per money. It is urged, also, that certain locali
ties need what are called banking facilities, that •
are now without such accommodations, and that
some, or all of these bills, are only intended to af
ford to such place, that which has been already
extended to others. lam free to admit that there
are locaities thus situated, and that it is intended,
by the bill in question, to supply some of these and
were it practicable to afford to them these facilities
without increasing the present amount ofpaper mo
ney; or in otherwords, if this end could be accom
plished by taking from localities thnt now mani
festly have too much, the evils of an increase of
banking capital, which 1 have suggested, could not -
apply. But it cannot, to my mind be justified, that
any inconvenience suffered by certain localities,
should be regarded as paramount to the important
considerations that seem clearly, at this time, to
weigh against any increase of the paper medium '
of the State. This complaint may be gradually
set at rest hereafter, should the considerations
against an increase of capital continue, by refusing
to re-charter banks in localities where there is an
excess of such. facilities. and distributing them in
other quarters. But in this the utmost care will
be necessary, for we have learned by sad experi
ence, that it is a dangerous policy to locate these
institutions in a region of country greatly deficient
in capital. I need not call to mind the numerous
instances in which banks, thus located, have misled •
the business community, by their promises to pay
without a dollar in their vaults, and then exploded
to the vast injury of the people. These are so many
arguments to sustain the truthfulness of this posi
tion, and nothing but my unwillingness to exhume
unpleasant recollections, restrains me from pointing
out the particulars of some of these occurrences.
But I trust they may' not, on that account, escape
your reflection. A bank created for the use only
of those who desire to bec2me borrowers, will not
answer. The mere corporate franchises cannot
give it all the elements of a good bank. The pa-'
trons of such an institution must put money into
its vaults, before they can draw any out. In other
language, if a particular locality be poor, it will
not be made rich by the possession of a bank, pos
sessing no better qualities than the right to make
paper money. There must be not only a necessity
for such institution, but legitimate business and
wealth in such locality to sustain it, or the proba
bilities are that the result will be disastrous. It
is riot always a good argument in favor of locating
a bank at a given point, to say that it is difficult to
get money in such place. That may be the very
reason why public interest and safety, would forbid
such location. Besides, it is to this difficulty, to a
great extent, that this commodity is indebted for its
value. lam quite sure that it it were made suffi
ciently abundant to answer the views of some po
litical, economists, it would neither be valuable nor
useful. The advantages resulting to particular lo
calities in which these institutions are found, are ae
a general principle, greatly overrated. I can bring
to review in my mind a vast district in the State,
embracing some eighteen contiguous counties, all
flourishing and prosperous, in which these is hot to
be found a single bank of issue, anti yet I do not
see that these are less prosperous than counties fa
vored with many banks: A number of the coun
ties, within the range to which I refer, were at on,