SAetos from all iiattcus.
—Another slaver has successfully cTearpd
rom New York. She is a fine clipper bark, called the
Griffin.
—There is a house in Union, Conn., tenant
ed by three families, where three births happened in one
ni gUt last week.
—No less than $1,500,000 are invested in
bcc culture in Ohio.
•—The Territory of Utah is knocking at the
door of Congress for admission into the Union as a
State. Thus even in these secession times, new States
sie coming in almost as fast as the old ones are going
out.
—A robin was seen flying among the trees
In Bellows Falls, Vermont, a few days since. Even the
birds scorn and shun the ungrateful South.
—The usual weekly export of cotton from
New Orleans is 20,000 bales. From January IS to Jan
uary 22 the actual export wa3 172,185 hales, worth near
ly $3,000,000.
—A freshet is feared by the residents and
mill owners 011 the streams in Northern New England.—
The snow is more than three feet deep, and the river has
ice more than a foot thick on it 3 surface.
—The oyster packing trade of Baltimore
for the year 1860 reached the sum of three and a half
millions of dollars in value. The home consumption was
estimated at a million. 0
—The St. Louis Democrat of the Ith says:
" Several hundred United States troops reached this city,
yesterday, and proceeded to the Barracks and arsenal."
—There is a young man now in Chicago en
gaged in the highly respectable, hut not very lucrative,
business of hill-posting, who was worth $70,000 two years
ago. Rum was his ruin.
—There is a tree in Williamstown, Mass.,
bo situated that it draws nonrishment from Massachu
setts, New York, and Vermont. It stands on the spot
where the.-e three States join.
Kentucky is determined to resist aggres
sion and maintain her rights, but she does not see in the
conduct of the Northern States auy good cause for her j
making an ass of herself.
—The students of the Nashville Medical
College have presented a gold headed cane to Gen. Jo.
Lane. Pity the General's own head isn't of as much ac
count as the cane's.
—The Fredericksburg JTtirs suggests the
name of" Seeessia" for the Gulf States Confederacy just
formed.
—The Sewicklev company of Venango have
a 264 feet well, from which they are pumping two barrels
per hour, on the old fcrgc tract, French creek.
—A great machine for penetrating the rock
for oil had just arrived at Franklin, in Venango, all the
way from 80-ton, and is so n to be tested on a site near
that place. It is to be driven by a strong engine, and
■will bore a hole eight inches in diameter, thirty to forty
feet a day. Should these promises be realized, this ma
shine will be a great institution in the oil region.
—Five spans of the long bridge which
crosses the Susquehanna river, at Dauphin, were blown
away on Thursday night. Each span contains 2.50 feet,
making 1,250 feet of the bridge which has been destroy
ed. The loss to the company is $lO,OOO.
—The United States forts built in South
ern waters have cost the country needy $19,000,000. All
in the reft of the Union cost the country a little over $ll,-
000.000. Congress this year has as yet made no appro
priation for fortifications. But if every State is to seize
and hold the public foils whenever it chooses to secede,
it would he better to let each State build its own fortifica
tions, and then it could have an honest claim to them.
-—Any man desiring to bo a martyr need
only vote to protect slavery in the Territories by Coneti
tutioaal amendment. The people will never submit to it.
Just mark the prediction.
—We see it stated that the Baltimore
which, from the start, has snstained Gov <
Hicks, and fought the secessionists, has more than doubL
ed its circulation in the iast eight weeks.
—An enthusiastic patriot, while viewing
Kane's Arctic Panorama the other evening, at St. Louis,
was so overcome by a sight of the tattered flag which
Kane planted on the most northern point rivm ever reach
ed, that he stepped forward, asked permission to take
tne flag, and reverently kissing it. pressed it to his heart.
The electrified'audience rose to their feet, and endorsed
the action with three hearty cheers.
—On Tuesday evening about seventy-five
voting Republicans of Cincinnati gave a supper -lathe
ladies' ordinary of the Burnet House, to Mr. Robt. Lin
coln, eldest son of the Pre-ldent. Gov. Morgan, of In
diana, sat at the head of the table, his vis a vis being
Gen. Sara. F. Carey, of College Ilill. A committee was
deputed to hear an invitation to the President. lie re
turned with an apolbgy for not coming himself, and say
ing that " Bob may be put through.'" Toasts were drank,
and speeches made, and sentiments uttered. After thus
ependiug several houre iu this pleasant way, the compa
ny returned home happy as princes.
—The New York Herald now uses the term
" poor Buchanan. - ' The tune is changed as Mr. B. is
Boout to leave the White House.
—Almost every day, says the Altoona Tri
bune, we notice cannon of the largest size, and any quan
tity of shot, shelf, &c., goisg east over the Pennsylvania
ltailroad, from the manufactory at Lawrenceville, near
Pittsburg. These guns are intended for forts in the East,
■where they are being mounted as rapidly as possible
While we cannot bring ourselves to believe that we are
about to he plunged into a civil war, yet these things
looks considerably like it, and make us feel uneasy.
—Matters are getting brisk at the Norfolk
Navy Yard. The Portsmouth aud Grrmantcncn are being
rapidly prepared for commission. The premises are lit
erally filled with coal, which seems to make the Virginia
people expect that Gosport will soon become a great
coaling place for United States bteamers.
—We saw yesterday at the passenger station
of the Pennsylvania Bail road, at Eleventh and Market,
a number of wrought iron cylindrical vessels, which we
were informed contained compressed gas. Upon further
inquiry we learned that Mr. Williams, who had fitted up
the cars on the Pennsylvania Central ltailroad for burn
ing gas. had also taken a contract from Hathaway &
Leach ot this city, for fitting out a number of cars to be
used on the street railways in Ixmdon. These cylinders
had been sent to the railroad work shops in Altoona, to
be filled with gas by means of the company's apparatus
there ;so that before long we may expect to hear of
American street railway-cars in London, lighted with gas
made at the foot of the Alleghany mountains.— Phila.
Gazette.
—A story rather difficult of belief is told
by the Albany papers. A lady from Troy went to that
city a few days since, and failing to reach tire stage in
season to return, was compelled to stay overnight. She
retired to rest at the usual hour, but her friends were sur
prised to find her mUsing in the morning. Their aston
ishment was not diminished the next day at learning
that some time during the night she had got up in ber
sleep, wrapped a cloak around her, and walked all the
way to her residence in Albany, without awakening.
—The Chicago Times states that on Friday
last a Chicago Commis-sion House received on consignment
from Louisiana, a sample of seventy-five hogsheads of
sugar. " Heretofore," says the Timet, " our merchants
have Invariably gone down to Louisiana to purchase their
stock of sugars, and we under.stand that this is the first
instance, in the history of our trade with the Southwest
that sugar has been sent lien without being previously
purchased or sent for."
§iibforiiU))orter.
E. O. GOODRICH. ) rnw-nnT
R. IV. STURROCA',] EDITORS
TOWANDA :
Thursday Morning, February 21, 1861.
——■
MR. LINCOLN AT PITTSBURG.
The President in the course of his progress
to Washington, addressed the people of Pitts
burg, on the 15th inst., in which the revelation
of his political views become more apparent.
In his speeches in Indiana and Ohio he gave
satisfactory evidence of the Grmness and dis
cretion which be would bring to bear in the
adjustment of our national difficulties, and in
this the same is indicated, though the princi
pal portion of his address relates to a subject
of the highest local and national importance
—the tariff—to the examination of which sub
ject he proposes diligently to apply himself. —
The following is Mr. LINCOLN'S speech :
MAYOR WILSON AND CITIZENS OE — I
most cordially thank his Honor, Mayor WILSON, and the
citizens of Pittsburg generally, for their flattering re
ception. I am the more grateful because I know that it is
not given to me alone, but to the cause I represent, which
clearly prores to me their good will, and that sincere
feeling Is at the bottom of it. [Enthusiastic applause.]
And here 1 may remark, that in every short address 1
have made to the people, in every crowd through which I
hare passed, of late, some allusion has been made to the
present distracted condition of the country. It is natural
to expect that I should say something on this subject,but
to touch upon it at all would involve an elaborate discus
sion of a great many questions and circumstances, requir
ing more time than I can at present command, and would
{icrhaps, unnecessarily commit me upon matters which
lave not yet fully developed themselves. [lmmense
cheering aud cries of" good," " that's right."] The con
dition of the country is an extraordinary one, and fills
the mind of every patriot with anxiety. It is my inten
tion to give this subject all the consideration I possibly
can before specially deciding in regard to it. [cheers,] so
that when I do speak, it may he as nerely right as possi
ble. [Lond and continued applause.] When Ido speak
I hope I may say nothing in opposition to the spirit o!
the Constitution, contrary to the integrity of the Union,
or which will prove inimical to the liberties of the peo
ple or to the peace of the whole country. [Vociferous
applause.] And furthermore, when the time arrives for
me to speak on this great subject, 1 hope i may say noth
ing to disappoint the people generally throughout the
country, especially if the expectation has been based up
on anything which i may have heretofore said. [Applau
se.] Notwithstanding the troubles across the river—(the
speaker pointing southwardly across the Monongahela,
and smiling)—there is no crisis, but au artificial one
[Applause.] What is there now to warrant the condition
of affairs presented by our friends over the river. Take
even their own view of the questions involved, and there
isnothingtojastifvthecour.se they are pursuing. [A
voice—" That's so.'] I repeat, then, there is no crisis,
except such an one as may be gotten up at any time
by turbulent men,aided by designing politicians. My ad
vice to them, under such circumstances, is to keep cool.
If the great American people only keep their temper both
sides of the line the troubles will come to an end, and the
question which now distracts the country he settled just
as surely as all other difficulties of a like character which
have originated in this Government have been adjusted.
Let the people on both sides keep their self-possession,
and just as other clouds have cleared away in due time,
so will this great nation continue to prosper as heretofore.
[l.oud applause.] But, fellow-citizens, 1 have spoken
longer on this subject than 1 intended on the outset.—
[Cries of, " Go on."]
It is often said that the tariff" is the specialty of Penn
sylvania. Assuming that direct taxation is not to he
adopted, the tariff question must he a- durable as the Gov
ernment itself. It is a q net ion of national housekeeping.
It is to the Government what replenishing the meal-tub
is to the family. Ever-varying circumstances will requ
ire frequent modifications, as to the amount needed and
the sources of supply. So far there is little difference of
opinion among tne people. It is as to whether and how
far the duties on imports shall he adjusted to favor home
productions. In the home market that controversy be-
One party insists that too much adjustment oppresses
one clans for the advantage of another, while the other
party argues that with a!! its incidents, in the long run
ail classes are benefitted. In the Chicago platform, there
is a plank upon this subject which should be p general
law to the in-cming Administration. We should do neith
er more or less than we gave the people reason to believe
we would w hen tlu-y gave us their votes. That plank is
a- I now read (the 12th resolution of the Chicago platform
was here read). As with ail gensral propositions, doubt
less there will be shades of difference in construing this.
1 have by no means a thoroughly matured judgment up
on this subject, especially its to details ; some general
ideas are about all. 1 have long thought to produce any
necessary article at home which can he made of as good
quality and with as little labor at home as abroad would
he better made at home, at lerst by the difference of the
carrying is demonstrably a dead loss of labor. For in
stance. labor being the true standard of value, is it not,
plain that if equal labor gets a bar of railroad iron out of
a mine in England and another one of a mine in Pennsyl
vania each can be laid down in a track at home cheaper
than they could exchange countries, at.lea.-t by the cost
of carriage.
If there be a present car -e way one can be both made
and carried cheaper in money price than the other can be
made without carrying, that cause is an unnatural and
injurious one, abd ought gradually, if not rapidly, to be
removed. The condition of the treasury at this t'mc
would seem to render an early revision of the tariff' indis
pensable. The Morrill tariff hill now pending before Con
gress may or may not become a law. lam not posted as
to its particular provisions, but if they are generally sat
isfactory, and the bill shall now pass, there will be an
end of the matter for the present. If, liowever.it shall
not pass, I suppose the whole subject will be one ot tee
most pressing and important for the next Congress. By
the Constitution the Executive may recommend measures
which he may think proper and he may veto those he
thinks improper, and it is supposed tlmt he may add to
these certain indirei t influences to affect the action ol
Congress. My political education strongly inclines me
against a very free use of any of these means by the Ex
ecutive to control the legislation of the country. As a
rule, 1 think it better that Congress should originate as
well as perfect its measures without external bias. I
therefore would rather recommend to every gentleman
who knows he is to be a member of the next-Congress to
take an enlarged view and inform himself thoroughly, so
as to contribute his part to such an adjustment ot the
tarifT as shall produce a sufficient revenue, and in its oth
er bearings, so tar as possible, be just and equal to all
sections of the country and all classes of the people.
COOLING OFF. —Intelligence has been received
in Washington, which is considered reliable,
to the effect that Forts Sumter aud Pickens
will positively not be attacked uutil after the
inauguration of Mr. LINCOLN, —aud not even
then, unless the inaugural address foreshadows
coercion, or an attempt shall be made to rein
force the garrison of those posts. The Gov
ernment i 3 now in possession of advices direct
from the sonth, through the arrival of the
special messenger recently dispatched thither
by the Treasury Department to make an effort
to save the revenue cntfer3 from seizure. He
is of opinion that all the States which have
seceded, with the exception, perhaps of South
Carolina, will soon be back again in the Con
federacy ; aud even Sonth Carolina is likely to
return in the end. The whole action cf the
Convention, at Montgomery, looks to a recon
struction.
A WANT OF CONSISTENCY. —If there is one
prominent BRECKINRIDGE Democrat who stands
squarely up for the Constitution as it is and
for the laws as they are, we have not yet beard
of him. There are plenty who express their
readiness to Enpport the Constitution after it
shall have been altered to conform to their pe
culiar notions and so as to promote selfish
designs to make slavery the controlling ele
ment in the politics of this couutry. These
same Democrats are eager to enforce the Fu
gitive Slave Law and all other statutes where
by slavery can possibly be aggrandized, bat
they are not inclined to execute the laws
against Treason nor eten against the whole
sale plundering of the Federal Treasury by
Buchanan's Cabinet
A HASTY TRIP TO TWO CAPITALS.
The hills of Bradford, on Monday, the 11th inst., were
covered with snow, and though the severe weather of
the previous week had moderated, yet there were still
evidences enough remaining to show that Winter reign
ed. As we progresscdjisouthward, the snow iay thinner
and thinner upon the earth, until finally as we entered the
State of Maryland, the last snow-drift vanished, and the
bare earth, under the warm sun-shine gave speedy pro
mise of bursting buds and sprouting bulbs.
The well-cleared fields of York county, and the sub
stantial stone-barns, betoken thrift and good farming,
while the numerous lime-kilns, and the ever recurring
evidence of its application,show the secret of the frutili
ty of the soil. At Baltimore the traveler may " take his
ease in bis inn," by stopping at BARNIU'S " City Hotel.'
As I paid my bill, (and was not a deadhead), I am at
liberty to say that BAB.MM'S is tbe best kept hotel, in
all its appointments, I have ever met with. The founder
of the house, was originally from Northern Pennsylva
nia, and oue of the present proprietors took his first
lessons in keeping a hotel,'' in Towanda.
From Baltimore to Washington the most striking fea
ture is the barrenness of the soil. The land seems worn
out and worthless. Stunted pines and scrub oaks, strug
gle for a puny and precarious ex'stence. Slavery has
cursed the soil with its blasting presence, and what was
once a fertile and rich country, now lies almost useless
and worthless. Occasionally, however, occurs a farm,
wbieh shows evidence of skillful cultivation. The land
has been reclaimed, at a large expense, by virtue of in
dustry and white labor. But oftencr are seen barren
fields, with barns and buildings tumbling down, and as
a fitting accessory and illustration, a few lazy looking
negroes, whose chief occupation is to watch the passing
trains.
As we draw near Washington, the hills begin to show
that tbe Capital is near. In every eligible spot neat
dwellings are situated, occupied by citizens of Washing
ton, who reside there during the summer months. The
railroad runs through Bladcnsburg, celebrated as the
Congressional duelliug ground, and after passing through
a low marshy country and by straggling dwellings, ends
near the Capitol buildings. The first impression upon
tlie visitor, is the unfinished state of everything he sees.
The Capitol is not half-finished, and is surrounded by
piles of rubbish, and innumerable blocks of marble,
while the dome is surmounted by a huge derrick. It
will take ten years to finish the Capitol, at the rate
which the work has progressed within my recollection ,
and the expenditure of millions of money. As of the
Capitol so of the other public buildings. The prevailing
idea apparently is, that Uncle Sam has unlimited amount
of cash, and should be spending it at Washington, and
to do this, it is necessary to tear down and build up con
stantly. I should like to see Washington city finished—
but that gratifying sight is several generations in the
future.
Just now, the display of bunting at Washington is pro
digious. The Star-spangled banner floats in the breeze
at every step. Hotel keepers and merchants testify their
devotion to the Union by the National flag. At every
step it stirs the blcod of the friend of the Union, and
appropriate mottoes of " The Union Now and Forever,"
Ac., show the feeling of the citizens. The fact that
nine tenths of them live directly or indirectly upon the
treasury might depreciate their patriotism with some.—
And I learn that a decided change has taken place in the
sentiments of the people there, since it has become evi
dent that the National Capital was not to he allowed to
go into the hands of the secessionists.
The two great objects of public interest at Washington
were the two Congresses—the National, and the I'eace,
or "Old Gentlemen's" as it has been irreverently called.
The latter meets at WILLABD'S dancing hall, and was not
in session while I was in Washington, having adjourned
to allow its Committee to report. Judge WRIGHT of
Ohio, dying on Weducsday, also delayed the business of
the Peacemakers. This Congress sits with closed doors,
so that I could not hae attended the deliberations.—
Judge WII.MOT is in attendance, stopping at WN.CARD'S,
and his friends will be glad to learn, much improved in
health.
My business was with the National Congress. In com
pany with my fellow travelers, I had come down to see
OI.DABK counted in. The ceremony of counting the
electoral votes, and declaring the President elected, oc
curred bylaw, on Wednesday, 13th. There had been ru
mors that this was not to be allowed ; that violence was
to prevent, and if that was not tried, that technicality
was to be reported to, to prevent LINCOLN from being de
clared the President. On the day previous, a rumor pre
vailed in Washington that a portion of the Electoral re
turns had been stolen.
We, however, had full faith that Oi.n ABE was to be
declaied elected, and to witness the ceremony, we seated
ourselves in the gallery, in an eligible spot at 10 o'clock,
two honrs before the convening of Congress. For two
mortal honrs we sat there, watching the entry of the
members below and the filling up of the spacious galler
ies. The latter were packed long before the hour arrived,
and hundreds went away, unable to get in a seeing posi
tion. For this occasion an extra chair had been placed
beside Speaker PENNINGTON, for the Vice President, and
arm chairs in the vacant space in front of the desks for
the "grave and reverend Senators, About one-balfthe
galleries are reserved for the ladies. They were filled to
overflowing. 1 have not room to dilate upon the attract
iveness of the scene, because I wish to keep this letter
within due limits. Many of the foreign ministers were
present with their families, I am Informed, but as I have
not the honor of n personal acquaintance, I can t speak
positively upon that point.
At precisely 12 M. Speaker PENNINGTON ascended the 1
Clerk's desk and called the house to order. He was ac
companied by Rev. Mr. STOCKTON, who addressed the
throne of Grace, in an eloquent prayer. The white locks
and pallid face of the Reverend gentleman made the in
vocation still more impressive. Taking his scat, the
Speaker decided all business to be out of order, except
ing the counting of votes. So after informing the Senate
that the House was ready, a pause was made, until the
Senate was announced, when the members of that body
entered, preceded by Vice President BRECKINRIDGE, and
their Secretary DICKENS, who carried the small box con
taining the returns. Following were the Senators, who
took the vacant chairs in the area. The Vice-President
briefly announced the business of the joint meeting—
He then proceeded to break the seal of one of the pack
ages before him, which he handed to the teller, saying
it was " The returns from the State of Maine." The tel
ler read the certificate of the Electoral college, that the
members thereof had met at the proper time, and in the
proper manner cast the votes of that State for ABRAHAM
LINCOLN, of Illinois, for President, and a similar certifi
cate giving the vote of that State for HANNIBAL HAMLIN,
of Maine, lor Vice-President. Another telier then read
the tally as he kept it. The same ceremony was gone
through with the returns of all the States. When South
Carolina was handed to the teller a suppressed titter ran
round the hall. It was a manifestation of the ludicrous
inconsistency of the vote, considering the position of
that seceding State. The returns from every State were
read and the total given to the Vice-President, who de
clared ABRAHAM LINCOLN, of Illinois, elected President
of the United States for four years from the Fourth of
March next, and HANNIBAL HAMLIN, elected Vice-Presi
dent. The Senate having transacted the business for
which it came, the members took their way back to their
Hall. If we except the slight South Carolina episode,
there was nothing but intense interest manifested during
the ceremony. The process of reading the returns was
necessarily slow and tedious, but the attention and inter
est of the audience never flagged for a moment. There
were probably hundreds, from all parts of the North,
drawn to that Hall, to witness the imposing and inter
esting ceremony, and when it was successfully perform
ed, there was a general feeling of thankfulness that one
threatened danger, at least, had been safely passed.
There is not the slightest doubt, that in the first stages
of the secession movement, the idea was entertained by
the traitors of seizing upon the National Capital and
preventing the conuting of the Electoral votes, and the
inauguration of LINCOLN and HAMLIN. AS a part of the
scheme, Secretary Floyd had ordered all the XL S. troops
to distant points, so that by the Fourth of March the
Capital would have been utterly unprotested and at the
mercy of the mob. The movement of Col. ANDERSON
into Fort .Sumter and the defalcation of BAILY precipi
tating matters, ending in th# disgrace of Floyd, disclos
ed the plot and the steps already adopted for ite consum
matlon. Gen. BCOTT being entrusted with tbe defence of
the Capital, went to work with his accustomed energy
The telegraph summoned troops from' distant points, un
til nearly one thousand effective men are now quartered
in the city. The •' army in Flanders," were never as
profane aa the Secessionists, when speaking of General
SCOTT'S precautionary measures. The few troops in
Washington are a source of great annoyance. They de
nounce the old General, as a military usurper, and the
Government as a military despotism.
On the occasion described above, although there was
no great reason to fear disturbance, yet no precautions
were omitted. The Capitol police had instituted strict
search in the subterranean regions of the building to
make sure that no modern Gcv FAWKES had made ar
rangements for blowing up the " marble halls" with gun
powder. The flying artillery were under arms, their
horses harnessed and everything ready. It was said that
so perfect werejhe precautionary arrangements that in
three minutes time tlie streets could have been cleared,
and the Capitol invested by military. The wisdom of
these precautions may be legitimately inferred from tbe
order which prevailed. A company of flying artillery is
a wonderful pacificator. It takes the bluster out of a
Secessionist in a remarkable maimer. The celerity which
it wheels and fires in the faces of an enemy, is anything
but pleasint to the party most interested. It dispenses
a sort of " grape " which is not the kind the Southern
braggarts are accustomed to—their chief delight being
corn-whiskey. MAGRCDZK'S company came galloping
down the Avenue, giving me an opportunity of seeing
a specimen of this arm of onr National defence. The
display was very fine, and I could not help thinking in
view of the past, that they were the best Peace Commis
sioners. Their presence at Washington has wrought a
wonderful change there. At one time, when there was
a possibility that the Capital might be seized, the Seces
sion feeling prevailed. Now, when it is made manifest
that the Capital is to be protected the Union feeling is
predominant.
It is expected, of conrse, that in a three days tarry at
Washington everything may be learned, bearing upon
the state of the Union. 1 must confess that I could not
discover that such is the case. That city is unquestion
ably the political head-quarters of the Nation. The
newspaper correspondents, however, are indefatigable,
and if a political item ran be learned, they do not miss
it. lam sorry to be obliged to believe, that they some
times fabricate sensation items, when there is a dearth
of news. The reader of a daily paper enjoys better fa
cilities for acquiring information, than if we was in
Washington.
I shall not therefore endeavor to gain any credit for
wisdom by announcing what will be done at Washington.
My judgment is that no one knows certainly. The pre
vailing impression seemed to be that no measure would
be passed, until LINCOLN'S inauguration. I was gratified
to learn that the Northern breezes had a stiffening influ
ence upon the weak-barked. A firmer feeling prevailed,
notwithstandinfi the enervating influence of Washington
circles, and the demoralizing example of prominent men.
The futjre however, is not without its clouds, as regards
the Republican party—which will be speedily dissipated
unless the public estimate of A incoln's firmness and in
tegrity is misplaced. If the incoming administration
stands by the proclaimed principles upon which the bat
tle was fought and gained, all will be well. Should it
unfortunately, listen to timid and compromising counsels,
the Republican party is gone beyond hope of redemption.
I have hope for the country—but my hope lies in the in
tegrity and pertnenancy of the Great Party which is
about to assume control of tbe Government.
TFIE STATE CAPITOL.
On entering the House of Representatives of this State j
on Friday afternoon, the crowded lobbies evidenced that ,
some question of magnitude was engaging the attention j
of the honest, upright and intelligent Representatives. !
Pausing a moment, at the entrance, I recognized the .
voice of our Representative, Mr. TRACT, indignantly and
earnestly opposing the measure before the House. A j
few inquiries, and I learned that the Sunbnry and Erie '
and the Pennsylvania Central had matured their plans, !
and were now steadily and certainly pushing their con- i
summation. The bill first taken up was the Sunbury !
and Erie, now under discussion. In vain the opponents
of the bill sought to defeat its passage. The trained
bands of these two great monopolies steadily voted down |
all amendments and all motions, and by holding an even- j
ing session, prolonged until midnight, passed to second
reading, both bills.
In the morning, the iniqnitons work was again com j
menced, and the Sunbury and Erie passed third reading I
in the House by a vote of 72 yeas and 26 nays. Inline- j
diately the twin abomination was taken up and passed j
by a vote of CO yeas and 38 nays. These measures were !
not adopted without at least a show of determined oppo
sition. WILLIAMS, of Allegheny, exhausted the legal
and constitutional arguments against the bills in speech
es of great ability and power. TRACY was terribly se
vere upon both measures, aid thundered his denuncia
tion of the corrupt means used to carry through the
scandalous swindles, and of the instruments by which it
was effected. I felt proud of our Representatives as I ;
saw the determination with which they opposed the ,
measures at every step. As I left the Hall, to make
ready for the journey North, I heard the voice of TRACY j
showering invectives upon the fraud perpetrated upon
the Commonwealth. The Sunbury aud Erie he designa- |
ted as the " lean snake," and the Pennsylvania Central j
at the " fat snake," and declared that they had wound ,
their huge coils around the Pennsylvania legislature.
More corrupt and monstrous schemes were never con- |
cocted, than those which passed the House on Friday
and Saturday last. That they were bought through,
the people need no evidence to believe. How long shall
the Pennsylvania Legislature be a by-word and reproach?
Shall the Republican party be held responsible for this
legislation, which fritters away the proceeds arising from
the sale of the State canals, and worse still, releases a
giant and wealthy corporation from the payment of a
justly imposed tax, which was a source of great revenue?
If the Republican counties endorse their Representatives
who have proved so recreant, the party will be justly
obnoxious to the stigma.
The Sunbury and Erie bill recites in detail the circum
stances under which the company came before the Leg
islature ; changing the name of the company to that of
the Philadelphia and Erie Railroad Company ; authoriz
ing said company to issue 5,000 bonds, not exceeding in
amount the aggregate sum of one million pounds sterl"
ing, or five millions of dollars, all of which may be issu
ed lor £2OO, and any number or all of which for $l,OOO
each, payable in 20 years, and bearing 6 per cent, inter
est, payable semi-annually ; the bonds to be free from
taxation, and the proceeds to be used by said com
pany for the purpose of completing and equipping the
road, and in payment of debts contracted and scrip issu
ed under the act of 13th of April, 1860 ; and as security
| for the payment of the principal and interest of said
bonds said company shall execute a mortgage of the
whole line of its road, and its locomotives, cars, and
5 other property, which shall remain the first mortgage on
all the property described until fully satisfied, (except
j that part of the road between Sunbury and Williarasport
| upon which there is already a mortgage of a million.)
I The company is authorized to execute forty bonds of
$lOO,OOO each, payable in forty years, and bearing, after
i 1872, six per cent, interest, and secure the payment of
i the same by a mortgage to the Commonwealth of all the
j road finished, or that may be finished,and all other prop,
erty of the company, said bonds and mortgages to be
delivered to the commissioners of the sinking fund of
the State as collateral security for the payment of
the three and a half millions of five per cent loans of
the . company now in the Sinking Fund ; and the
! State Treasurer shall thereupon cancel and surren
der all the bonds of the company now deposited fn bis
| office, under the provisions of the act for the sale of the
j State canals. The time for the payment of the principal
J and interest on the bonds for three and a half millions
J now in the Sinking Fund shall be extended till the ma
! turity of the bonds for four millions to be given as col
lateral security as aforesaid, 'and the payment of these
' collateral bonds, with the interest, as they shall become
due, shall be full satisfaction erf the three and a half mil-
I lions already existing, and all the conditions thereof.—
On the surrender and cancellation of the five per cent.
| bonds of the company, the trustees of the existing mort
gage for seven millions now held by the State shall enter
satisfaction thereon, and the lien of said mortgage shall
therenpon be forever discharged.
Tbt proposition to relieve the Pennsylvania C'antigl is
nailed A commutation of the Tonnage tax, in considera
tion of which the Itoad proposes tosubecribe to the stock
of certain lateral roads, the amount of tax which haa
been accumulating unpaid since 1857—these roads being
branch roada and contributing to swell the traffic on the
Pennsylvania Central. They agree to pay taxes upon
their property, whenever any are provided for—they
agree to reduce the rates of local freight, and to pay their
indebtedness to the State earlier than they are now obli
ged to. These are the main features of the bill, for wliicb
it is proposed to {tboiish a source of revenue bringing
about $500,000 yearly to the State treasury, and increas
ing.
To expect that a Pennsylvania Legislature can with
stand the indncements presented by two such immense
corporations, is expecting too much, and it may be set
down as certain that hereafter whatever legislation they
desire, will be spoedily "put through.'' Let us give due
credit to those few, who "faithful among the faithless''
have endeavored to preserve the reputation of the State,
and protest her interest, not the least worthy amongst
whom are our Representatives Messrs TRACY and BLISS.
The President elect is expected at Harrisborg on the
22d. Great preparations are making to raise the Nation
al flag upon the Capitol on that day, a flag-staff having
been erected. A large crowd will unquestionably be
present.
The legislation during the session has generally been
devoid of public interest. It is hoped that having wrought
enough evil, they will speedily adjourn, and go home to
receive at the hands of their outraged constituents, the
reward of their misdeeds.
[For the Bradford Reporter.]
AIR. EDITOR ; I attended with many other
Republicans of this county the "Grand Union
Meeting," advertised to come off at the Court
House on Monday evening the 11th inst. It
was not mere idle curiosity which led me there.
I thought with my neighbors, that if anything
could be done to restore peace to our distract
ed country, we ought without reference to par
ty predelictions to do it. I will freely ack
nowledge that I could see no way in which I
could act in the character of peace maker dif
ferent from the action of those who had failed,
aud I candidly confess, in advance, that I was
entirely opposed to any sacrifice of principle
or honor. But to the call fur a union meeting
were appended the names of gentlemen, whom
I knew in private life to be honest and honor
able, and in public, patriotic. Jf tlcry knew
of any measure which honest men might sanc
tion, I was willing to embrace it, and give it
my hearty cooperation. With such sentiments
I listened to their speeches and resolutions, —
not doubting in the least, that the reporters
of the resolutions, aud orators of the eveniug j
were actuated by the same considerations of
general good as those 1 felt myself. And now,
Air. Editor, after reviewing the speeches, and
the resolutions adopted at the meeting as pub
lished in our county papers, 1 atn forced to dis
sent entirely from their purport. Mr. ADAMS
was truly eloquent iu regard to the danger in
which the union was placed,—but it is not
from glowing, thrilling periods or burning
thoughts that we in this crisis deduce convic
tion. His apostrophe to the stars and stripes
—the symbols of American natioualiiy, was
highly patriotic, and 1 honor the man who
could utter such sentiments. Rut alas for con
sistency and national pride. The stars and
stiipes, the emblems of our sovereignty and
honor, were we, read, forty eight hours before ;
the delivery of this speech, dragged through 1
the streets of Charleston S. C\, tied to the tail
of an ass, and "none so poor as to do them j
reverence," arid a few weeks before these same |
stars and stripes were fired upon by traitors j
while they were waving over a national vessel, ,
charged with a national errand, and carrying
out a national purpose. And th;s orator whom
we honor so much for his ability oud patriotism
was on this occasion, stretching his arms across
the Alleganies—across Alason and Dixon's
line—across the Potomac, to shake hands with
those who perpetrated the treason ! Ought
not those who lead and direct the public
thought, to insist ou the preservation of onr
own self-respect ?
But in his exhortations to compromise these
difficulties, he was no happier—no more con
vincing. "What is a compromise? If two par
ties differ, a compromise is a mutual yielding
of extreme points,—a settlement ou a middle
ground. But npou what middle ground is the
North to stand in any of the schemes of com
promise, yet submitted to the nation. Every
plan yet presented, whether the Border plan, j
Crittenden's, Douglas's, Adams's, implies— j
commands a surrender, entire, total and uncon- :
ditional ou the part of the North, of its dear
est cherished principles, of its vitality as an
integral part of the union, of its honor and
character, and its moral sense. How different
were the compromises of other days. In those
of 'B7, '2O, '33 and of '5O, the North was to
receive substantial good—something was ac
corded to its moral^conviction —to its sense of
right, but now in the schemes presented by
the orator of the evening in his allusions to
the various propositions of compromise, and in
the resolutions he reported, not a single sacri
fice of the South was implied, not a solitary
abandonment of an extreme Southern position
was hinted at. The North must, aud should,
adopt the Southern platform, and consent to
nationalize slavery, to protect it in the territo
ries, to accept the Died Scott decision as the
true exponent of constitutional law, or meet
the alternative of war aud disunion. What
patriot wants union on these terms. Suppose,
Air. ADAMS, that the South in 'B7 had submit
ted a programme on this basis. Would the
North, think you, have accepted it ? Would
there not have been one universal acclaim of
indignat dissent from so preposterous and hu
miliating a proposition ? And to-day, is the
North less moral, less patriotic, less acquaint
ed with the iufernal brand which slavery affix
es upon all interests with which it comes in
contact? Who is so base as to emasculate
himself, his party, his country,—to turn traitor
to the cherished principles of a long life, to
the promptings of a free conscience, as to har
bor a thought of a compromise on terms that
reduce him to the condition of a vassal, —a
slave. Better war, with its ten-fold curse,
i than dishonor ; better extermination than ex-
I istence, when existence is coupled with shaine.
The Republican {party is to day, a nullity, a
stench in the nostrils of all honest men the
world around, if, in the hour of victory it sur
renders to its enemies, like the cringing, spirit
less, imbecile slave, who knows not his rights,
nor dare maintain them.
There are many classes of politicians in our
land at this moment, —bnt bow tew there are
who take an enlarged and intelligent view of
human nature, who, acquainted with the se
cret springs of human thought, predicate their
line of political action in harmony with the
mental constitution of our race. And yet, this
is the true theory of statesmanship,—the true
secret of political success. Some politicians
adapt their plans to the cupidity, some to the
ambition, some to the religious prejudices, and
some to the patriotism and eer.se ot justice of
the world. The universal voice of history af
firms to the success of this latter class, for
truth will always vindicate the right. Mr.
Seward ia his whole life, has been & Dr); ,
trimmer. He came into political ijfa
Anti mason. When this wus no longer H
able he became a Natioual Republic I? *'
then a Whig. While Governor of N ew v*'
he demoralized the Whig party by p aQ( j .'
to the religions prejudices of a portion ,7r
constituents, and by abolitionizing anotl'
When his term closed, his great party
a hopeless minority. Thrown into the w''
al Senate by an accidental concnrrenc
events, he is seeking the ruiu of that
principle of political action or ethics |;' T
has given him the power of acting at all
made him what he is. Whether he SncC( J
will depend npon the virtne, intelligence
patriotism of the masses. °
To convince us how eminently proper it
to accept one of the schemes of eoraprotnu e "
a scheme which nationalized slavery in th e
ritories, an extract from Air. Seward's "
speech in the Senate was read at the men,'*
This extract presented the experience of twtV
years, where (if I recollect right , hot 1'
slave for every 48,000 square miles of terri*
ry had been introduced into New Msjj. "
and this was represented as the sum of a ; 7
slavery propagandists had been able to tff.'
during that long period. The
such an argument WBS a sorry cornpli meii; ,
the intelligence of that audience before wh-
Mr. Seward spoke. Did he know, and j -
not every man know who heard the argunn- j
repeated in our Court House, that in man?
parts of the United States where slayer?
protected by law it has increased in no greitp
ratio than in New Mexico ? Look at wes; e -
Virginia, and Hurt has been no greater in!
crease Emigration of slave owners for
years past bas been diverted to Texai, t ■
the returns of slave population io suchpp a
as Virginia and New Mexico have exhibited?
diminution. And if in addition to this, we find
that in these places there has been no extra,,
dinary increase of white population or emigrv
tion, the wonder resolves itself into no wonder
at all. Mr. Seward's cyphering is a poor JQ>
stitute for manly argumeut, and we are not
such inevitable idiots as to give it any serinu
thought.
It wants bat a few days before a new*],
miuistratiou will be inaugurated Letnsr?.
serve our compromises till rhen. Mr. Lincoln
during the trying times of the last few monthj
has given unmistakable indications of prudeoct
aud forecast. We are not entirely in tbe dan
in respect to the line of policy he will paraoa
and judging from the signs in the political ho
izon, that policy will he entirely success!,
and that too without a single sacrifice of pr;,
ciple, or a cowardly surrender of right. .No
statesman, since the days of JACKSON, has baa
so glorious an opportunity of vindicating tie
" truth of History" and winning an immor
tality of fame,, as the one into whose baai
will be committed the administration on tin
4th of March nest.
In all that is written above, I mean no re
flection on the motives of the movers of tbt
meeting. They, as far as I saw, were centie
manly and fair, and although I entirely dissec;
from their views, yet I can, and do, apprccutt
their ability and patriotism. A
fleT We respectfully ask the attention 3!
our weak-kneed Republicans, (if we have w
such in our county), to LINCOLN'S speech 1:
Pittsburg, which will be found in anotherw/-
uran. The President elect, while he does not
think it uecessary to proclaim what the action
of the incoming administration will be in re
gard to the seceding states,does deem it iocus}-
bent to say emphatically that he does not intend!
to be a party to any fraud, and that tobtf
honest the Republican party must carry 05;
in good faith the professions made in the la>
cauvass. Honest OLD ABK, does not appn
to see as plainly as some of our politicians
necessity or consistency of winning a bata
upon principle, and then in the flush of vie'. 1
ry, surrendering everything for which the ct
test was waged. He utters a noble sentiflwi
when he says : '"We would do neither o
nor less than we gave the people reason W
believe we would when they gave us their
votes." We have faith in believing tbitn
are not to see the Republican party d"gracd,
betrayed and compromised by LISCOVS
Those who have so poor an opinion of ton
are welcome to it.
MCCORMICR'S PATENT.—The inTentor ot
McCormick Reaper has been liberally paid fc
his labor. Three million of dollars, it is iai£.
have been poured into his coffers as the prf
duct of his skill. Yet his agents have bee
busy urging upon the commissioner the further
extension of bis monopoly, and nothing be:
the prompt action of Congress prevented it
The patent docs not expire till fall, vet tin
most indecent haste has been manfested in ti
Patent Office Department. The ordini"
time for allowing couuter testimony to 1*
taken has been cat off, and the present c<®
missioner was about to act on a question th*
by rights belongs to his successor, in order
secure Mr. McCormick's 6eveu years' mo"
profit at the expense of the farmers of W
country. Congress has however delayed v
tion on this question, and there is DO* W
chance of having justice done.
A NEW CURRENCY.—Out in California tbert
has been a new currency introduced to
the place of the more cumbrous gold, *•"
cently in San Francisco, a gentleman w "
called upon for a contribution to some ren
table object. He subscribed without be*;*
tion $l,OOO. When the day for the co -->•
tion came he promptly tendered a cer l^4 "
of ownership of 100 feet in the "Pig 1
you'll find it" claim of Esmeralda Thi'
; of paper is called " Utah wild cat." There
no limit to its amount, and no bolder
grumble at the security ; for all he has to _
is to go to the ledge and get the g o ' d 1
himself.
PIKE'S PEAK.— A gentleman, who for™"J
1 than a year has been out in the Pikes
gold region, writes to a contemporary as
! lows:
"Very few know that there is a ,
tion of nearly sixty thousand at the b fISC
j in the gorges of the Rocky M° onWlD ' a;! .
j Pike's Peak ; that there are over three
dred steam quartz mills at work ; that - [
is a town of seven thousand inhabitant
taining large biick blocks
schools, supporting three good h'
ably edited daily ntwspapfs, where
ago nothing was seen but wild auicoal 6 *