The Columbia Democrat. (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, April 29, 1843, Image 2

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    t.
re in fad, the pooplo'bf; Pennsylvania',;
when it' too often happens theynre qiitto
difTeicnt things. Unfair "apportionment
bills accidents APOSTACY or decep
tion may fill the legislative seats with mem
bers who do not represent the wanta, and
opinions offlhe people.'
Sir. what Governor o( Pennsylvauia.ever
before charged the representatives of the
people with usurpation? It has been reset v.
d for tho ignoniinous closo of David ft.
Porter's administration. Usurpation!
would, that for the dignity of his station he
had reserved .that word, If this Hall be not
the niece to carry dut tho popular will
alien sir, where is it? In the Executive
chamber? The Executive sits in his cham
ber and lo retain his political ineiwmenis,
charges 4ho peoples lieprcsenlaiives with
usurpation impugns.ll;eir motives i Yee,
sir.and in language that cannot be mistaken.
Who, sir that is familiar with English His
tory does not know thai the .corrupt the
.imbicile the weak the .degenerate King
.John was forced by ihe commoners of En- j
gland to sign the great charter of English
liberty, whin he was encroaching on the
popular rights and usurping power to him
self? What, sir; are we to look for next?
What will bo the next step towards popular
encroachment? Does the Executive mean, .
that by this course we arc to understand. that
he,is"o protect the rights oj the people.''
God save the people from such protection.
It is tobbing them of their fieedofi. We,
the immediate Representatives of the peo
ple charged with being t'usurpcrs."
Is this all? No, sir; we are charged with
apostacy' that's the word ! Let us see
who is the apostate. Let us see who has
deserted the cause, and is carrying on con
traband trade villi the enemy. Let us see
who has dragged the great (lag of democra
cy in the dust, end deserted tho principles
of the parly. Sir, on the 11th day of last
February; as I have before said, I occupied
this floor. I then charged the administra
tion with a coalition with John Tyler.
Since then, most, if not all of my pre
dictions, have been most fully verified.
A new paper has been .established here
James Madison Porter made Secretary of
War and the Uovemor. of Pennsylvania
of democratic Pennsylvania gone over lo
the enemy's camp! Who, then, is the a-
poslalesl The people, or the man. they
ive clothed with power? Sir, they have
reniMned (inn and undaunted bv the brinci
pie's ofShe. party, while the Executive has
ueserted his post.
I hold. in my hand ths 'Keystone the
executive organ the organ, or the demo
xsralic parly. Look sir, atits columns!
What do they disclose? An, attempt bv the
liXeciltlVe Ursu&m?jJia, .prflni--. in. kcU.
and transfer the democracy of the State to a
man; who, by accident, holds the exalted
station of President of tho Union( but who
jirrfot one impulse of feeling with the
great democratic party of the country,
What was the price of this breach of faith
and desertion of principle? Let the tenant
of the Executive chamber speak. Who is
-the apostate? David R. Porter or the pco
pie's representatives in these halls? Here
js the evidence (holding up the paper;) it
speaxs in tones 01 inunu.er, and U the JSxe
cutivo has. one spark of feeling about him
he 'will quake at the prospective indignity
-that the people will hurl back upon him. 1
read from the paper.
We shall continue lo support that ad
ministration in an its democratic measures
but we wilt lepel all efforts to make the
-columns of the Keystone teem with TY
LhKlbJl! Communications glowtn with
the beauty, and power and majesty, and
glory, of John Tyler, have been presented
to us iu manuscript; directly by the hands
of David ItfUenhousc Porter, which we fell
.called upon, by eveiy consideration of duty
.and of patriotism, to reject from our columns
.Although we were teady to serve his excel
lenuy, in every thing which would advance
4he cause of democracy, we never could
submit to having our paper used as a vehicle
lor distracting llio democratic party, with a
view of making capital for President Tyler.
If wojiad done so, our press would, indeed
have been subsidized, and wc would have
been regarded as traitors and minions of
Executive power. Cut that the democracy
of PennsylvamVand of the Union may
judge for themselves, we publish below one
ot the communications relerred to, which
communication cime lo us directly from the
hands of the Executive of this Common
wealth. We do not charge him wi)h being
tho author of it, as it was not in his writing
and we arc not able to say who was the
author, but we do charge him with attempt
ing to lead us astray from the beaten track
of democracy, with a view doubtless of
binding as to the desperate fortunes of Presi
dent Tyler. Our position is such, and the
position of tho party is such,that )he whole
truth is demanded at our hands, and we
lay it before the public regardless of conse
quences, We place ourselves at the bar of
public opinion, and will abide the unerring
decision of that tribunal."
'Dear Sir: I see with pleasure thalsev
cral of the leading journals of the day have
hoisted the name of John Tyler as a candi
date for llio next Presidency, and have as
sociated with him some of the most distin
guished names in the democratic party for
Vieo President.
"I cannot but with pleasure look lo these
movements in favor of a man who deserves
in an high a degree, not only the confidence
but Hit dmp trrsiilude of a free and inde.
unidtui people. I am hero at (he seat of
e'nvnrhmehl. fiom.rtio northern counties of
rennsyivania,,aua n pieases.me loooscrve
that even the hot POITICIANSprc,
sent assembled at llarrinburg, cannot deny,
to President Tyler that respect which liis'
ntetn and unflinching patriotism has a right
to claim. Pennsylvania doubtless feels a
preference or her 'favorite ssn,' and will
most assuredly cast her first vote in liis
favor; but I hope the democracy of Penn
sylvaniu will cheerfully cast her vote for
Kir. Tyler, should Mr. Btudianan fail lo
receive the support of any oilier State be
sides his own.
The very attachment to the person of
James Buchanan, is a strong pioof of the
high esteem in which Pennsylvania holds
iho Ptcsidenl. The similarity of mnnv
traits of character between the Senator and
the President with which I will prove the
truth of my assertion, there is the same pri
vate honesty and virtue, tho same spotless
character as gentlemen and chiistians, the
same noble spirit of kindness and fiicndship
so familiar with the sous of Virginia and
Pennsylvania; the same esteem and rover
mice fur our constitution and of the rights
of our citizens, and the same Ipve for coun
try and honor, not stained with unbecoming
desires for party strife, and exclusive party
elevation. (No impartial man can der.V tho
(act ofsieli being the case, and for their vc
ry similarity of character both geiitlenion
nic. beloved jnd esteemed in Pennsylvania.
IJul there are other reason, a, Hi far more
mnortunt ones why President J tiler
should be elevated by the people lo the
place which he now holds by the wise
commands ot a never emne provi
dence."
Here we have it sir. The democratic
Governor of ihe old Keystone loud in his
professions of democracy ardent in liis
attachment to the men who elevated him to
power and place if we are lo believe the
loctrinc ot his (stale papers, hamuli? articles
lo the organ of the parly the democratic
ptess commending John' l yler to the peo,
pie "f Pennsylvania's their second choice
Next lo their favorite son? bit; when 1
first read this article the blood boiled in my
veins. 1 o see ttcason 10 me cause 111 me
executive hand- To see the evidence in
letters not to be mistaken moving on the
executive a coalition with whom? An ad
ministration with Daniel Webster its great
High Priest. Moved sir, by the men who
disgraced the country in the Ashburton Irea
ty. An administration sir. that yielded up
to Great Britain in that treaty, the right of
British cruizers to enter American vessels,
protected by the American flag. An open
concession of the, very principles which led
to the last war. i hat yield, to Great un
tain an imposition on the American Govern
iTiient, to Support aufi ' malnbtif an armed
fleet on the A mean coast, to a heavy dram
on our treasury, and the exposure of the
health and lives ol American seamen. A
t.icaly that leaves the question of the right
of jurisdiction of the territory of the Oicgou
open. This sir, is the administration t0
which the democialic Governor of'Pennsy
vonia, joins allegiance and these ac some
of its measures ! Let the world decide who
is ihe 'apostate,' ihe House or ihe Govern
or. The message charges us we bring
home the charge on the Governor
Sir, the old 'Hero of ihe Thames,' has
some menus in this House. 1 call on
them lo vindicate his claims against this
transfer and sale. Where is the gentleman
from Bradfpril, (Mr. Elwell,) and where
the gendeman from Crawford, (Mr.Lowiy,)
his champions in this House and defenders.
Will ihey sit bv and hear ihe evidence of
the coalition, Ss not me in their places with
honest indignation, or will tiiey abandon
the hero, and kneel to the executive wili?
Wilt they see their candidates and princi
ples sold lor a mess ol pottage, and not
resent il. I spoke of this transfer of the
Johnson party on another occasion, and
was not understood by the rouniry. Let
me now explain. In the transfer of the
Johnson party ol Pennsylvania, and to
which I alluded, I never intended that the
people who were the friends of the gallant
colonel, rould be assigned and set over to
John Tyler. No sir. I know their honesty
their paltiotism and virtue. They cannot
be bought; but some of 'their meteenary
leaders may be. This was the sale in
which I alluded, and so desire to be un
derstood,- 1 am fully convinced of the
honesty of the gentleman from Bradford
and Crawford in their attachment to John
son, and it is this reason why,I now call on
them lo defend their candiduto from the
contract, They cannot be made Tyler nien.
And I know loo well that the Johnson men
ol the Stale, who are honestly so, cannot
be.
Mi. LOWRY. Is the gentleman favor
able to Col. Johnson now?
Mr. WRIGHT. I have Mr. Sneaker
lime and lime again, defined my position of
the presidency. I am lor Buchanan. Be
cause I admire the Statesmen and more
than this he is Pennsylvania's son. Stale
pride sir.wottld have directed me toward his
nomination, Anu tuts would make me a
friend of his, if no other reason. And
what lil'lo influence I have, shall be vigor
ously used lo promote his interest. After
an honest, and impailial trial, I will then
join hands with the friends of Colonel
Johnson. He; sir, would be my second
choice and in tho elevation of him, I
would regard it as doing service to my
rouniry; because ho has served her in the
cabinet and the field a bravo soldier, and
en honest statesmen. And if I lie not rnis
taken, I did more service for him in bus
taimng the eautus nomination for printer of
tne House wan inougn i uau casimy.TOio i
for Peter Hay & Go who. it is said here,
are In the Tyler Interest. But as lo this, I
have no doubt oh' the part of my friend from
.Crawford, (Mr. Lowry,)lhat in voting for
Peter Hay & Co he was not even aware
that there actually was such a firm in exis
tence. So he says, and he Is a man of
honor and irulh,
15 ut sir, lei me come uack to the provi-
sions of the bill. If I reeded aright when
the Governor vetoed a similar bill to this
one, in the session of 1641 he then put it
on the ground of tlio expediency of the
measure, and said nothing about his con
stitutional scruples.
Mr. KL.WEI.Ii: Ho did,and I refer the
gentleman lo (he veto.
Mi-. WRIGHT. It may be so, sir; I
speak only from recollection: but I do
know that llio question of expediency was
the theme of debate in the House when the
veto was under consideration. What was
the vole oimIic final passago of this bill? In
the House, "j02 ti 32; in the Senate, 20 lo
100. In all, 82 gentleman vole, for the
bill, and 42 against it. One would suppose
that this should have some influence. But
the 82 gentlemen who were the friends ol
the bill may all have been mistaken, and
the Executive light. Their will is a small
matter, if it happens to conflict with the
Governor's own views of'Whai ho is nleas-
cd lo call constitutional scruples; and the
fi lends ol the bill might have been content,
il that veto had not al'eged legislative en
rroachmcnts or. the people's risht, and
spoke of iheir sovereign will being defeated
through apostacy anil other causes. Sir.lot
Iho people decide between us. The Gov
ci nor knows of no reason why the Com
missioners, should be removed;ihey have
done nothing worthy, of it, in his view
The records of the country shew a different
stale of things. The contract oil the Co
liimbia railroad shews a loss of some fifty
thousand dollars in the manner of ihe allot
ment of ihe passenger cats the Easlon
dam and basin as' iiiu;h more: and if the
worthy incumbent of the executive ohamber
had but turned his constitutional eye to the
journals of the day, he would have fouud
what he prolcsses to, be ignorant of the
popular will clearly and .positively defined
1 know, sir, il lhc bill had met his approva
a few Tyler1 props would have fallen from
tne new.'coaiiiion. uul, sir, 1 suppose,
with ins. jcxpelleiicy the saving ol some
hundred of thousands to the peple, was a
small matter indeed, compared with the
splendid prospect abroad in the election
of John Tyler. The three public journals
of this place, are no index of the popular
sentiment? No, 110; if his Excellency
donH rind th3t.thev.JiaveanJnrluen.ne befcje
lie 1 eli res from office, the numbers of the
last week ale no evidence of the rotlencss
of the tunes. Poor prostrate Pennsylvania!
Forty three millions of debt! Is there 110
project of legislation by which she can be
. -i : 1
icueveu. i-ennsyivauia, .wild her moun
tains of iron and coal her fertile fields
het commerce and manufactures doomed
lo ihraldom by the misguided aod selfish
vipws of the man who holds her destiny 111
then hand. Who first thought of ihe veto
power! Well enough, pet haps, if used, by
the dictates of a sound and discriminating
jiiugmcnt, out 10 ne made the vehicle lo
1 , , . . o
carry out parly views and political advan
cement.it is intolerable. How humiliating
to an already tax-ridden people, that their
lepresentalivps are not permitted to carry
out their views and wishes, because (he
power lodged in the Executive must first
be ade subservient to his notions of noli-
'i''2' advantenient.al their cost and expense.
1 he people, represented in these halls.
coutu ue served, unless the combined in
ttuenco of John Tylei's and David R.
Porter s adminisliations did not defeat it,
1 he power of ihe Geneial Admistration
alone defeats reformjtlie Slate Administration
has become loo weak and imbecile to be
dreaded; but let il alone, and crumbles lo
alomsj I he Wave, the mountain wave of
popular opinion well sweep over it, and
there will be no honorable trace lo lell of
lis farmer existence.
oir, mis uiii is nie. oili ot the session
O ' .I,,,. j.
Pass this, and ihe millions of Executive
power will be hushed. Tho hanoers on
ot the treasury will be banished, and better
nays win be at hand. It is hue thai John
1 ylcr will nol be served, but the people
win. J.et me take this bill in one hand,
.. .1 ......... . . . .
ouu huh veto 111 tne other, and annear at
Toe bar of public opinion and see which' of
1110 iwo, will be sustained. 'Corruption
stalkp abioad at noon day iis citadel is
ihe public tieasury.' The snbslanre of the
people is eaten out; and the name of the
hungry brood of official patronage is
'legiiin.' If the representatives arise their
voice, it U treason. How often, sir, is it
treason. How often, sir, is it proclaimed
in this very hall, that time is a want of
of moral woith in this body. That the
character of this Legislature is debased,
Ilardlw a day passes, but that we arc re
minded of onr own weakness, and baseness,
Where uors 1 us come from! I hope not
from the Executive chamber. The legi
latiire must be stigmaiizeil, nay disgraced,
thai the iLxcctitivc may be glorilicil
How long is il since a member of this
body, was offered a fcn'iic lo sustain the
sinking and desperate fortunes of the Ex
ecutive? A man high in office, and who
claims for himself the proud title of re
spcctabiiuy ana honesty, approaches a
member of this House, with a bribe on his
tongue, ihat if he would help him out of a
tieht place, and sustain the veto of this bill
I by his vole he might name a man for pre
letmeni, or lane omciai uauon nimseii., is
this the mode and'mannor of sustaining tho
nnwo'rof the administration! ' Arrainst such
an usurpation of power, I ihrotv 'myself as
he shield between my constituents and the
Executive I will never yield lo Ins prom
ises, or be intimidated by the threats of his
friends. I have planted my foot against
Executive encroachment, and there it shall
remain firm. Sir. if I know my own
heart.and in all 'sincerity I- lay my right
hand upon it, il 13 in this great mcasuro of
refdim 10 serve the people. To save if
possible, some small portion of iho four
millions of revenue, raised out of, their
hard earnings. What do I care about such
men as Levi Kevnolds and William Over-'
field? I would not do those men a personal.
injury, if it were in my power. No in
deed? far from il. Bui . in putting them out,
il w-ill make room for men of abiluy and
who may have the public confidence. It
will be the means of closing up a huge
avenue that now leads lo the tieasury, and
is always open. Il will be the means of
placing, agents on the public works who
will serve the people more and j yier,tess,
Il will be the means of creating anew stale
of things, and throwing money into the
treasury, in place. 01 draining it out.
I hope gentlemen will vote on this bill
with Indcpendence.and will obey the public
will when so lotidlv proclaimed throughout
'litis Commonwealth! This legislature has
done 'much in the way of reform; but more
remains, to ue done; and., why s:r, 1 ropcal,
shall the public expectations bo thwarted
bv the Executive? We are told in the
vein that psccious document thai the
veto of the Canal Commissioners
bill of 1S41, was submitted to the peo
nle and that was the issue, aflinnod
bv a mniorily 0123,000 of the Democracy
of the blate! Who, prav, ever hcaid of the
veto at 'the- polls in 1841? What public
journal ever adverted to lit SSo, sh, the
majority in thai' campaign, was a contest
for the, supremacy of ihe republican do
t lines.
The voles were not polled for David R
Porter or his Canal Commissioners! But for
thepaily tho success of the Democratic
party! What arrogance to assume on the
party of the Governor. He knows that
party organization and discipline, elevated
him to the post ho ow holds not foi the
love of the man; but for the maintenaucc
of principle! Why should he abandon the
men who lought his uaiilesi Why attempt
to transfer them to a President, who holdi
the vast paltonage ol the station up io pub
lie auction When will the people of this
Stale and the Union, witness two such
administrations? I am tnld his excellency
denie's any nari'cjpa(ion or lot in the
"sncrai auniinisirauon. 11 ere is the evi
uencc (putting ins linger on the article in
lie Keystone, (&1 can direct his notice to his
own letters on the file in the office of the
Posi Master General at Washington, inter
lering 111 the appointment ot a I tile post
office in the borough of Wilkes-Banc! The
gentleman who rcorcsenis my district in
Congress told me he saw the Governor's
letter on file, iu the Posi Master's depart
in cut. Why did the Executive deem it hjs
duty to condescend, to interfere in this
local appointment 111 which the people of
mat place were only interested! It w
to assist to carry out the establishment of a
line of outposts (0 strengthen, John Tyler
now mil eh that appointment will slrcngll
en him or John Tyler, remains to be seen
These mailers I allude lo, show that there
is a 1 ojlition and thai coalition i brought
to bear on the bill under consideration. Sir
I care but litt'o whai the vole may be.
have done what little I could lo redress ihe
wtong the people have sustained and
when ihe next legislature shall convene here
these seats 'will 'be filled with men who
will date lo express their own opinion, and
on that question they must be elected. I
hope there is moral courage enough left in
this House to pass the bill, and as for one
1 shall tegcru that day a proud day in my
history, in which, I fought ngainsl Execul
tive usurpation,and contended for the lights
of the people. When in the pursuit of
measures ol rclorpi.l did nol not hcsiiaic to
expose the cobweb reasons ofa Governor of
Pennsylvania, who attempted to retain now
er in his hands at the expense of an cx
hausled tieasury, Here sir, I leave ihe sub
ject, it is the last effort I shall probable ever
make in this hall. As 1 have nut the re
motesi idea of again being a candidate for
seal on this floor, and I can assure the
tiouse ana tne country, mat i l have nnl
been pursuing the true policy for the public
gouu men inueeu nave i ueen IIHSlaKcn.
Proper investigation. A resolution
authorizing the Governor to employ George
M. Dallas and William M. Meredith, as
counsel for the of investigation 'the Brod
head corruptions of 1840. passed linth
houses of the legislature on the last day of
ihe session. In the House, where it oigin
aled, by a largo maioniy and in the
Senate by an unanimous vote. Willi
counsel as able as the gentleman authorized
to he employed by this reiolution, there
may exist some degieo of probability, that
the deccived and plundered people of Penn
sylvania will now have this mailer fully
impartially and satisfactorily inves'tigated
in defiance of 'conversations in the In
d,an language ' or 'arguments' of any soil,
from persons high in political or financial
- 1 office, or any of their corrupt employees.
sjirvnnjiY, Jivnxi, 20, lsis.
' FOnrilESiDENT, ,,.
JAMES-.BUCIXAiVAIC.
(Subject to the decision of a National
uonveniion.j
PAY THE PRINTER,
We have a large sum due us for papers.
advertising and job work, and we would
lake il as a gieat favor if those who owe
it would givo lis grain and paper, or some
thing lo buy ihem with. Wc could mako
use of a few bushels of potatoes. Lotus
hear from you
As the Removal Question has again
been dofealed in the Sciiaie.by.llie treachery
of our Senator, lis friends must now again
bilckle on their arm 0111, and sound the ba
le of war, for another contest. Mr. Sny
der lias twice procured the passage of the
removal bill through the house, and both
times, had our senator fulfilled his solcilm
pledges and sustained what he knew to be
the requirements of his constituents; it
would have passed the senate. He bas no
longer a vote in that body, and being con
necicd, as we are with Luzcme,for senator.
wo shall hereafirr Inive a friend there.
rhen all thai in tc(it'ned,is for the friends of
removal lo stick together ay a parly, without
tegard irpol licoli association, and victory
will soon crown our efforts. Our enemiea,
will attempt. to sow (he seeds of conten
tion among u,by creating a jealous feeling
here, and a jealous- feeling there; well
knowing that if the friends. of removal are
united, that they must sooner or later suc
ceed in their righteous cause. Then let no
consideration divide us. .So fur as. we had
a representative who was-true to us, we
have been heard, Trust 110 man then.
hereafter, unless you know him to be trnc-
to your nttcres'. 1 lie Danville faction will
bring out their candidates, and they will be
men whom they can use, none other Mill
they touch. Let the tho friends of removal
profit by their example, sustain thosor
whom you know, will sustain your eatiser
and all will be well.
SENATOR S. F. HEADLEY,
Willi the lalo term of the Legislature
expires the senatorial duties of Sunucl
Hcadley. He procured his election through'
deception and false-hearted promises, and
his whole courscln the senate, has been
that of a treacherous and ungrateful officer
to his constituents. In every instance
where they were concerned he has allowed!
self to conirol all his actions, without any
legard to their interests, as expressed or
implied; lie has opposed removal and ad
vocated division He has opposed such
senatorial and congressional districts, as
Were aslied lor by nine-tenths qf his constit
uents He has opposed and defeated eveiy
lnol liill tliil ,t.na nnl n.l.n.l Cn.!... ll.n ft,.
u. u i t,ut iiu, iju uqittu IUI uy llio xsuij
villefrfction,or thai was not for the benefit of
Berwick village oven descending lo defeat
the election of election districts, and bills
creating, streams public highways, lo die
passage of which there was no opposition
from those interested, but were intended
wholjy for public benefit. ' By these, and
oi'hc? acts.he lias forfeited all the confidence
that was reposed in him, bv those who sus
tained his election; and he retires fiom tho
seriale.as' politically disgraced for hi.' ticach
cry, as ever Benedict Arnold was by Id'
irailorism to the American cause. He will
hereafter be heard of, and remembered as a
politician, only l6 be shunned and avoided
as an object neither to be tasted or tottchti
Sic transit gloria mundi.
Thanks to Col. Wright, of Luzerne, and
our Representative, Mr. Snvder, the o
erecting (lie new county of Madison It"
been defealed in the house of Represent"
live. On Friday the 13lh insl. a molioit
was made to proceed lo its consideration,
which was defealed by a vole of 20 lo i0
On Monday following, another tiDsuccess
ful auempt was made, the vole being 26 lo
51. JThus has been consigned to llie tomb
of ihe capulels this monTler, in the sliap
ofa new county, conceived in sin, brought
iortlt in iniquity, and sustained during
fhort existcnce.by treachery and infidelity
tel its authors be long remembered by ttt
viiwh9 vi wviuiuuia vuuuiy