Raftsman's journal. (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, January 16, 1867, Image 2

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    JjUftemans Journal.
9 -
S. J. ROW, EDITOR AS PROPBIETOR.
CIJEARFIELD, PA., JAN. 16, 1867.
Gov. Geary's Inaugual. We publish
to-day. Gov. Geary's Inaugural Address in
full enabling our readers to peruse it in
advance of receiving the city dailies. It is
a firm, plain, and statesman-like document.
But we have neither time nor space to give
a more extended nctice of the inaugural at
this time. Let all read it.
A Black Democuat Defeated. The
Boston Post, the leading Democratic paper
.of New England, in noticing the result of
the recent municipal election in t bat city, says:
"We regret to record the defeat of the
democratic candidate in Ward Three, Mr.
Brown.a most respectable colored gentleman.
He was firmly supported by democrats and
conservatives, but the radical element in
that locality severed his political jugular
without any compunctions whatever"
Verily, the world moves ! Here is a col
ored man "firmly supported by Democrats,"
and only defeated by the numerical superi
ority of the radical ! Ourueighbor, George,
should promptly rebuke this "amalgama
tion" of black and white Democrats, lest his
party friends in this county imitate the ex
ample set them and nominate for office their
"patron baint" John Johnston, whose like
ness they carried on their banner a few years
ago !
A BadEoo. The Doylestown Intelligen
cer gets off the following: One Charles
Dougherty, of Luzerne county, was recent
ly appointed Consul to Londonderry, by
President Johnson. Just as he was ready
to start, his bail had him arrested as a de
faulter, he having been tax collector in the
county. For a time he was forced to sojourn
in a public instituiion at Wilkesbarre. We
have not learned whether matters have been
so adjusted that this uew favorite of the
President can enter upon his duties, but it
is not liVely, that a small affair of this kind
will cause much interruption.
TERRIBLE. A Washington copperhead
dispatch says : The fact that negro suffrage
is now indubitably established in the dis
trict of Columbia, has caused quite a panic
among property holders. Many have con
ceived the idea that real estate is bound to
decrease in value by reason of the exercise
of impartial suffrage. Several of the real es
tate agencie declare thac within the last day
or two they have been ordered to sell, even
at a sacrifice, handsome old family residen
ces, whose owners refuse to abide the new
dispensation of radicalism.
Couldn't See It. The ae"t of Congress
providing for the election of United States
Senators, declares that they shall be elected
"on the second Tuesday after the meeting
of the Legislature." Senator Wallace pro
posed to the Senate that they should construe
the second Tuesday after the meeting to
mean the first Tuesday, and bring on the
election of Senator on the 8th instead of the
15th. It is needless to say that the Senate
adhered to the old fashioned system ot arith
metic. Mexico. Another batch of news is re
ceived from Mexico, relating to the abdica
tion of 3Iaximillian, the successes of Juarez,
and the ups and downs of Canales, Ortega,
Mejia, Escobedo, Berizzobal. and other no
tables with jaw-breaking names; but jt
would certainly be a uew feature in Mjxieau
intelligence if the reports should remain un
contradicted until the printer could get a
paragraph like this in type.
Spirits, not Ghosts. The story going
the rounds of the papers that Mrs. Surratt's
house in Washington City, is haunted by
her ghost, turns out, as every person not
given to superstition would naturally sup
pose, to be untrue. It seems that the house
is occupied by a jolly Brigadier, named Bul
lock, who allows none but 'good spirits,'
which be keeps well bottled, to be about the
premises.
"S. vow. Sufficient snow for sleighing
would be most acceptable just now." Td.
As we have a superabundance of the arti
cle in this region, if the editor of the Tele
graph will come here, he can sleigh to his
heart's content, providing he has the "spon
dulix" to foot the bills.
The Democrats of Ohio, whereof Yallan
digham is the high-priest, at their recent
State Convention, gave the Supreme Court
their special indorsement, coupling it with
Mr. J ohnson, for w hom they expressed al
most equal admiration. The fact needs no
comment.
The number of lumber yards now in Chi- f
cago is ioi, Bgaiuai mis ume ixsx year;
and the estimated amount of lumber now
piled up in the yards is 150,000,000 feet,
against J 34,000,000 at the same time last
jtar.
. Inaugural Address of
GOVERNOR JOHN W. GEARY,
Delivered Jan. 15, 1867.
Fellow Citizens : Honored by the se
lection of the sovereign people of my native
State as their choice for Chief Magistrate
of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, it
is with mingled feelings of humility and
gratitude that I have appeared in the pres
ence of my fellow countrymen, and before
the Searcher of all Hearts, to take the sol
emn obligation prescribed as a qualification
for that exalted station, "to support the
Constitution of the United States and the
Constitution of Pennsylvania, and to per
form my official duties with fidelity."
Profonndly sensible of everything that is
implied by this manifestation of the people's
confidence, and more deeply impressed with
the vast importance and resposibilhies of
the office.than elevated by its attended hon
ors, let it be our first grateful duty to return
fervent thanksgiving to Almighty God for
his constant providence and unnumbered
blessings to us as a people, and especially mine
to im- plore His aid and counsel in the dis
charge of civil trusts, who has been my shield
and buckler amid scenes of peril and death.
In addressing you on this occasion, in ac
cordance with a custom originating with the
Republican fathers, I propose briefly to ex
press my opinions on such questions as con
cern our common constitnenoy, and relate to
our common responsibilities.
Like countries of the Old World, our na
tion has had its internal commotion?. From
the last of these we have scarcely yet emerg
ed, .and during which "War's desolation"
passed over our land, leaving its b'ighting
influences principally upon those unfortu
nate States whose people rebelled against
the government, and notwithstanding the
ngonizins sacrifices of a great civil war, the
States that maintained the government and
determined that the Union should be pre
served, have constantly advanced in honor,
wealth, population and general prosperity.
This is the first time that a change has oc
curred in the Executive Department of this
State since the commencement of the war of
the rebellion : a brief reference, therefore,
to that conflict, and to its resnlts, may not
be inappropriate.
We have the consolation of knowing that
thecontest between the North and the South
was not, on our part, one for ambi'ion, for
military renown, for territorial acquisition,
nor was it for a violation of any of the rights
of the South, but it was for the preservation
of our own rights and privileges as men,
and for the maintenance of justice, liberty
and the Union. The object of the South
was avowedly the dissolution of the Union
and the establishment of a confederacy based
upon ''the cornerstone of human stavery."
To have submitted to this on our part, and
to have .shrunk from a manly resistance un
der such circumstances, would have been
deeply and lastingly degrading, and would
have destroyed the value of the priceless
legacy bequeathed to us by our fathers, and
which we are obligated to transmit unim
paired to future generations. The patriotic
and Union-loving people felt that the alter
native was iliat of lite or death to the U
nion ; and under the auspicious guidance of
Abraham Lincoln, that virtuous and patri
otic Chief Magistrate, with the blessing of
Him who directs the destinies of nations,
after open action and arbitrary violence on
the part of the South, the nppeal to arms
was made. We had a just cause, an 1 our
citizens approving it with a degree of una
nimity heretofore unknown, in this or any
other country, left their various employ
ments, their homes and all that was dear to
them, and hastened with enthusiasm to the
scenes where duty and danger called, and as
the surest pledge of their unswerving love
and fidelity to the Union, they unhesitating
ly offered their lives for its preservation.
Nor was any other tribute withheld in pro
viding the means necessary for the support
of our fleets and armies. Nearly two mil
lions of soldiers entered the field from time
to time on different terms of enlistment.
The citizens generally exhibited the highest
decree of patriotism in the prompt payment
of taxes, in their lilteral contributions in the
shape of loans to the government ; and the
world was astonished by the amount expen
ded in their benevolent care for the sick and
wounded, through the agencies of the San
itary and Christian Commissions tnd other
charitable associations. More than six hun
dred sanguinary battles and skirmishes were
fought, in which nearly three hundred thou
sand of our heroic defenders laid down their
lives in their devotion to the nation "for
God and Liberty."
In every phase of this terrible conflict,
Pennsylvania bore an honorable and conspic
uous part. She contributed three hundred
and sixty-six thousand three hundred and
twenty-six volunteer soldiers to the rescue
of the nation ; and nearly every battle
field has been moistened with the blood,
and whitened with the bones, of her heroes.
To them we owe our victories, unsurpassed
in brilliancy and in the importance of their
consequences. To the dead the thrice hon
ored dead we are deeply indebted,for wit h
out their services it is possible our cause
might not have been successful.
It is natural and eminently proper that
wo, as a people, should feel a deep and last
ing interest in the present and future welfare
of the soldiers who have borne so distin
guished a part in the great contest which
has resulted in the maintenance of the life,
honor and prosperity of the nation. The
high claims of the private soldiers upon the
country are universally acknowledged, and
the generous sentiment prevails that the
amplest care should be taken by the govern
ment to compensate them, equally and gen
erously, with bounties and pensions, for
their services and sacrifices.
I desire that it may be distinctly under
stood that I do not speak of myself, in con
nection with this subject ; but I am happy
to avail myself of this opportunity to speak
kind words of Pennsylvania's gallant private
soldiers, and the noble officers who com
manded them.
The generosity of the people of Pennsyl
vania to the Union soldiers has been imita
ted, but not equalled, by other States.
1 here is something peculiar in the loyalty of
1 ennsylyania. She seemed to feel, from the
tirst, as it upon her devolved the setting of
a superior example. The fact that sheear
ried upon her standard the brightest jewel
of the Republic, that in her bosom was con
oieved and from her commercial capital was
issued the Declaration of Independence,gave
to her contributions, in men and money,and
her unparalelled charitable organization's, all
the dignity and fores of a model for others
to copy. The rebel foe seemed to feel that
if he could strike a fatal blow at Pennsylva
nia, he would recover all hj3 losses, and es
tablish a resistless prestige in the old world.
But thanks to Divine Providence, and to
the enduring bravery of our citizen soldiers,
the invasion of our beloved State sealed her
more closely to the cause of freedom.
The result of the battle of Gettysburg
broke the rower of the rebellion, and al
though the final issue was delayed, it was
inevitable from the date of that great event.
That battle rescued all i he other free States ;
and when the arch of victory was completed
by Sherman's successful advance from the
sea, so that the two conquerors could shake
hands over the two fields that closed the
war, the soldiers of Pennsylvania were equal
sharers in the glorious consummation.
No people in the world's history have ev
er been saved from so incalculable a calami
ty, and no people have ever had such cause
lor gratitude towards their defenders.
And here I cannot refrain from anexpres
sion of regret that the General Government
has not taken any steps to inflict the proper
penalties of the Constitution and laws upon
the leaders of those who rudely and fero
ciously invaded the ever sacred soil of our
State.
It is certainly a morbid clemency, and a
censurable forbearance, which fail to punish
the greatest crimes "known to the laws of
civilized nations ;" and may not the hope
be reasonably indulged, that the Federal au
thorities will cease to extend unmerited
mercy to those who inaugurated the rebel
lion and controlled the movements of its ar
mies? If this be done,treasonic7be "r?n
dered odious," and it will be distinctly pro
claimed, on the pages of our future history,
that no attempt can be made with impuni
ty to destroy our Republican form of gov
ernment. soldiers' ori-hass.
And while we would remember "the.sol
dier who has borne the battle," we must not
forget "his widow and his orphan children."
Among our most solemn obligations is the
maintenance of the indigent widows, and
the support and education of the orphan
children, of those noble men who fell in de
fence of the Union To affirm that we
owe a debt of gratitude to those who have
been rendered homeless and fatheriess, by
their parents' patriotic devotion to the coun
try, is a truth to which all mankind will
yield a ready assent; and though we cannot
call the dead to life, it is a privilege, as well
as duty, to take the orphan by the h ind,
and be to him a protector and a father.
Legislative appropriations have honored
the iiving soldiers, aud entombed the dead.
The people, at the ballot-box, have sought
out the meritor ous veterans, and the noble
spectacle is now presented of the youthful
survivors of those who fell for their country,
cherished and educated at the public ex
pense. Even if I were dilL-rently constitu
ted, my official duties would constrain me
vigilantly to guard this sacred trust. But
having served in the same cause, and been
honored by the highest marks of public fa-,
yor, I pledge myself to bear in mind the in
junctions and wishes of the people, and if
possible to increase the efficiency and multi
ply the lnmetits of the schools and institu
tions, alroady so creditably established, for
the benefit of the orphans of our martyred
heroes. - -
FREEDOM ASD 8LAVEBT.
The infatuation of treason, the downfall
of slaver', the vindication of freedom and
the complete triumph of the government of
the people, are all so many proofs of the
"Divinity that has shaped our ends," and
so many promises of a future crowned with
suet ess if we are only true to our mission.
Six years ago the spectae'e of four millions
of slaves, increasing steadily both their own
numbers and the pride and the material and
political power of their masters, presented
a problem so appalling, that statesuien con
templated it with undisguised alarm, and
the moralist with shame. To-day these four
millions, no longer slaves, but freemen, hav
ing intermediately proved their humanity
towards their oppressors, their fidelity to
society, and their loyalty to the government,
are peacefully incorporated into the body
politic, and are rapidly preparing to assume
their rights as citizens of the United States.
Notwitht uiding this unparalelled change
was only effected after an awful expenditure
of blood and treasure.its consummatijn mav
well be cited as the sublimest proof of fitness of
the American people to administer the gov
ernment according to the pledges of the Dec
laration of Independence.
We have but to estimate where human
slavery would have carried our country, in
the course of another generation, to realize
the force of this commanding truth. And
as we dwell upon the dangers we have es
caped, we may the better understand what
Jefferson meant when, in the comparative
infancy of human slavery, he exclaimed, "I
tremble for my country when I reflect that
Uod is just !
A simple glance at what must have been
our fate had slavery been permitted to in
crease will be sufficient. In I860 the slave
population amounted, in exact numbers, to
three millions nine hundred and fifty-three
thousand seven hundred and sixty. Taking
the increase, 23.39 per cent., from 1S50 to
1860, as the basis of calculation for' every
ten years, in 1900, they would have num
lered at least upwards of nine millions.
What Christian statesman, as he thanks
God for the triumph of the Union arms,
does not shudder at the terrible prospect
presented by these startling figures?
But while there is cause for constant so
licitude in the natural irritations produced
by such a conflict,ie is but a gloomy proph
et who does not anticipate that the agen
cies which accomplished these tremendous
results, will successfully cope with and put
down all who attempt to govern the nation
in the interests of defeated ambition and
vanquished treason.
The people of the conquering North aud
West have comparatively little to do but to
complete the god work. They command
the positiim. Th3 courage of the soldier and
the sagacity of the statesman, working har
moniously, have now sealed and confirmed
the victory, and nothing more is required
but a faithful adherence to the doctrines
which have achieved such marvelous results.
EDUCATION OP THE PEOPLE
The overthrow of the rebellion has chang
ed the whole system of Southern society,
and proportionately affected other interests
and sections. Demanding the enlighten
ment of millions, long benighted, it fomoa
uoon the North and West the consideration
of a more perfect and pervading educational
poliey.
Much as we have boasted, and have rea
son to boast, of our common schools we can
not deny, when we compare them with those
of New England, and contrast them with
the preparations for' the education of the
Southern people of all classes, that we have
much to overcome, if we would equal the
one, or stimulate the other. The recent con
vention of County School Superintendents
of Pennsylvania exhibits some startling facts,
which deserve the attention of the people
and their representatives. Yet it is not by
legislation alone that any people can be
brought to understand their relations to each
other as citizens. Their best instructors are
thems'elves. However liberal the appropri
ations may be, if these are not seconded by
that commendable spirit which impels the
parent to impress upon the child the neces
sity of a sound moral and intellectual train
ing, your representatives are generous, in
vain. Every thing depends upon the peo
ple ; hence the great complaint, preferred
by the convention of teachers, of shortness
of terms in some districts, of the small at
tendance of enrolled scholars, of the em
ployment of unqualified instructors, and of
the want of proper school houses, results
unquestionably not so much from the indif
ference of the State, as from the negligence
of those who are invited to share and to en
joy the blessings of a cheap and admirable
system of popular education. If my fellow
citizens will only recollect the difference be
tween the opportunities.of the present gen
eration and those of their fathers, and how
much is to be gained by a cultivation of
modern facilities they will require little ex
hortation to the discharge of duties which
relate almost exclusively to themselves and
to those nearest and dearest to them.
The importance of common schools, in a
republican governmemt, can never le fully
estimated. To educate the people is the
highest public duty. To permit them'to re
main in ignorance is inexcusable. Every
thing, therefore, should be encouraged ttat
tends to build up, strengthen and elevate
our State on the sure foundation of the
education of the people. Every interest and
industrial pursuit will be aided and promo
ted by its operations ; every man who. is ed
ucated is improved in usefulness, in propor
tion as he is skilled in labor, or intelligent
in the professions, and is in every respect
more valuable to society. Education seems
to be essential to loyalty, for no State in the
full enjoyment of free schools, ever rebelled
against the government.
Pennsylvania should be the vanguard in
the great mission of education. She should
remember that as she has been the mother
of States, she should also be the teacher of
States. "The great problem of civilization
is how to bring the higher intelligence of
the community, and its letter moral feel
ings, to bear upon the masses of the peop'e.
so that the lowest grades of intelligence and
moralsshall always be approaching the high
er, and the higher still rising. A church
purified of sujerstition solves part of this
problem, and a good school system does the
rest."
THE STATE MILITARY.
Nothing, after the education of the peo
ple, contributes more to the security of a
State than a thorough military system.
The fathers of the Republic, acting upon the
instinct of pre pa ring for war in lime of jeace,
embodied this knowledge muonr the prima
ry obligations of the citizen. Vet the rebellion-found
us almost wholly unprepared.
Our confidence - in our institutions was so
firm that the idea of an attack upon them
from any quarter, much less from those who
had been the "spoiled children" of the gov
ernment,was never believed possible, howev
er threatened. The first clash of arms found
us equally undeceived and unorgauizod, and
we very soon experienced that the contriv
ers of the great slave conspiracy had not on
ly strengthened themselves by the stolen
ships, arms and fortifications of the govern
ment, but had been for years designedly in
structing their youth in the science of arms ;.
and when the bloody tempest opened upon
us they were ready to spring at the heart of
the Republic, while the citizens, in whose
hands the government was left, were com
pelled to protect themselves and their coun
try as best they could.
When we reflect upon the terrible sacri
fices we endured to maintain our liberties,
and anticipate that glorious period of our
country when the whole continent will be
dedicated to human freedom, and when the
despotisms of the earth will construe our
example into a standing threat against their
tyranny, we cannot disregard the considera
tion of this important subject.
As before remarked, Pennsylvania con
tributed over'three hundred thousand troops
to the national cause. Deducting the loss
of nearly thirty thousand by wounds and
disease incurred in the field, what an im
mense army has leen left to circulate among
and to educate the mass of our population !
Properly comprehending this thought, we
have at once the secret of our past success,
our present safety and our future power. It
would be easy to create an emulation in the
science of arms among the youth of the
State, by proper organization, and to dis
seminate, in all our schools, that loyalty to
the whole country, without which there can
be no permanent safety for our liberty.
In their late report, the visitors to the
West Point Military Academy laid a signifi
cant stress upon the necessity of such pre
ceptors, in the future, as would teach the
students of that institution their first and
unavoidable obligations to the principles
upon which the government itself reposes.
The neglect of th s kind of instruction was
felt in almost every movement during the
recent conflict ; and it is not going too far
to say that many who disregarded their
oathst and who drew their swords against
the government that had educated and
nourished them, found a meritriciouscorso
lation in the fact that they were permitted
to cherish an allegiance to the State i i which
they were born, which conflicted with and
destroyed that love of country which should
be made supreme and above all other polit
ical obligations.
If, in our past and recent experience,
there has been exhibited the valuable and
splendid achievements of our volunteers in
the national defence, there has also been
shown the necessity for military skill, and
that knowlcdgj of, and familiarity with the
rules of discipline so essentially necessary
in their prompt and effectual employment.
In order, therefore, to make our military
system effective, we should have particular
regard for the lesson, that to prevent or re
pel danger, our State should always have a
well disciplined force, prepared to act with
promptness and vigor on any emergency;
nor should we forget that it is impossible to
tell how soon our warlike energies may
again be required in the field.
ROYK RESOURCES AJTD DOME LABOR.
In nothing have our trials during the war,
and the resulting triumph to our arm?, been
6o full of compensation, as in the establish
ment of the proud fact we are not only able
to del end
ourselves against assault, but
what is equally important, to depend upon
and live upon our otcn resources. At the
time the rebellion was precipitated upon us
tht whn! Hlliinf.e anil ro.la tV rim ti.i'inn
was paralyzed. L,orn in the est was useci
for fuel, and the producer was compelled to
lose not only the interest upon his capital,
but the very capital he had invested. La
bor was in excess, and men were everywhere
searching for employment. Mills and fur
naces were abandoned. Domestic inter
course was so trifling that the stocks of a
number of the most important railroads in
the country fell to, and loug remained at, an
average price of less than fifty per cent.
But the moment that danger to the Union
became imminent; aud the necessit of self
reliance was plainly presented as the only
means of securing protection, and the grad
ual dispersion of our mercantile marine by
the apprehension of the armed vessels of
the rebels, the American people began to
practice upon the maxims of self-defence
and self-dependence. From having been,
if not absolutely impoverished and almost
without remunerative enterprise, depressed
by unemployed labor and idle capital, all
their great material agencies were brought
into motion with a promptitude, and kept
in operation with a rapidity and regularity,
which relieved them from want, their coun
try from danger, and excited the amazement
of civilized nations.
Protection to the manufactures of the
country, when rightly viewed, is merely the
defence of labor against competition from
abroad. The wages of labor in the United
States is higher than those in any other
country, consequently our laborers are the
more elevated. Labor is the foundation of
both individual and national wealth; and
those nations that have best protected it
from foreign competition, have been the
most prosperous. It is clearly, therefore,
the interest of the nation to foster and pro
tect domestic industry, by lelieving from
internal taxation every sort of labor, and
imposing such heavy duties upon all impor
tations of foreign manufactured articles, as
to prevent the possibility of competition
from abroad. Not only should iudividud
enterprise and industry be thus encouraged,
but all public w orks, a liberal and properly
restricted general railroad system, and inter
nal improvements of every kind, receive the
fostering care and most liberal aid of the
government. We are .rich in every thing
necessary to meet our wants, and render us
independent of every other country, and we
have only to avail ourselves of our own re
sources and capabilities, to progress contin
ually onward to a degree ot greatness never
yet attained by any nation. Our agricultur
al, mineral and manufacturing resources are
uucquallcd, and it should be our constant
study to devise and prosecute means tending
to their highest developetnent.
Why, then, should not the wisdom of
government make available the teachings of
experience, and at once legislate for the
manifest good of the people ? Why permit
our manufactures to beg that they may live?
The government of Great Britain has, by
her protective system, " piled duty ujion
duty," for more than one hundred and fifty
years, and hence upon protection is founded
her manufacturing supremacy. Yet her
emissaries come to this country, and for sin
ister purposes, extol "free trade," speak
scoffingly of " protection," and endeavor to
persuade our people to believe and adopt
he absurd theory, thi t " tariffs hinder the
development of iudustry and the growth
of wealth."
The great Republican party, in the Con
vention which nominated Abraham Lincoln,
in Chicago, in I860, as if preparing for the
very war which most of our statesmen were
at that period anxious to postpone, adopted
a resolution, " which," to use the language
of an eminent Pennsylvanian, "declared
that the produce of the farm should no lon
ger be compelled to remain inert and losing
interest while waiting demand in distant
markets; that the capital which daily took
the form of labor power should no lonc-er be
allowed to go to waste ; that the fuel which
underlies our soil should no longer there re
main to be a mere support for foreign rails ;
that the power which lay then petrified in
the form of coal should everywhere be
brought to aid the human arm; that our
vast deposits of Irou ore should be made to
take the form of engines and other machine
ry, to be used as substitutes for mere muscu
lar force; and that all our wonderful
resources, material and moral, must and
should beat oncwdeveloped." Suchwasthe
intent and meaning of the brief resolution
then and there adopted, to be at the earliest
practicable moment ratified by Contrress, as
proved to be thecase when the Morrill tariff,
on the memorable 2d of March, 1 SCI, was
made the law ot the land. To that law,
aided as it was by the admirable action ot
the Treasury in sunplyimr maehinerv of
circulation, we stand now indebted for the
fact that we have, in the short space of five
years, produced more food, built more houses
and mills, opened more mines, constructed
more roads than ever before, and so greatly
added to the wealth of the country, that the
property of the loyal States would this day
exchange for twice the quantity of gold than
could five years since have been obtained
for all the real and personal property, south
ern chattels excepted, of the whole of the
States and Territories of which the Union
stands composed.
If the principle of protection proved to
be such a talisman in the time of war, shall
we reject it in time ot peace It an answer
were needed to this question, reference
could be had to the repeated concessi jns to
this principle by the recent free-traders of
the South. Scarcely one of the ambitious
men who led their unfortunate people into
rebellion, but now freely admits that if the
South had manufactured their own fabrics,
on their own plantations, and cultivated
skilled labr, in their great cities they
would have been able to prolong their con
flict with the government ; and now to en
joy substantial, instead of artificial prosper
ity, they must invok3 the very agencies they
had so long and so fatally disregarded.
Words need not be multiplied upon this
important theme, either to make my- own
position StrODSfer-or to imnrm nnnn tha
people the value of adhering to a system
wuiuu uas provcu itselt worthy of our con
tinued support, and of the imitation of its
former opponents.
FI5A5CES.
The exhibit of. the finances of the Com
monwealth, as presented in the late annual
message of mv nredeeessor. and the renort
01 tne atate
e Treasurer, is certainly verw
. .
gratify ing ; and the flattering prospect of
the speedy extinguishment of the debt
1 l : i . "
dark cloud over the prospects of our .1
uis oeeu nancimr. ior so manv i-,
wimwncu iiD me uujw mat a reasorjalu
reduction will be made in our hl.;f,..i
nual expenditures, will cheer the peoD'e10
I w.trrl in tli. n.tl,t.nn r-w 0C-
Among the mo.a delicate and important
obligations required of those ir official tos
tions, is a strict and faithful manageuienuf
the public revenues and expenditures of tV
Commonwealth. Taxation should be aj!
plied where its burdens may be least r?"
and where it is most just that it should U
borne. Every resource should be carei'u''
husbanded, and the strictest economy pf
tised, so that the credit of the State fan
be maintained on a firm and enduring 1
and the debt surely and steadily diminished'
until its final extinguishment. Unneeea
delay in this would, in my opinion, be" 'uj.
compatible with our true interests.
That these expectations are capable of
speedy and certain .consummation, has !
ready been demonstrated. The public im.
provements, the cause of our heavy debt,
which seemed to be an incubus upon the
prosperity of the State, so long as the;
were managed by her agents, have beta
sold ; the tax on real estate has been bgj.
ished, and considerable reduction havt
already been made on the State debt.
This important branch of the admiuUtri.
tion shall receive my constant and zcaloui
attention.
EXECCTIOX OF THE LATf8
The general and essential principles ofi
and liberty, declared in the Constitution of
Pennsylvania, shad be watchfully guarded
It will be my highest ambition to adminis
ter the government in the true spirit of that
instrument. Care fchall be taken "that tbe
laws be faithfully executed," and the dis
ions of the courts respected and enforce.!,
if within their authorized jurisdiction, lu.
fluenced only by considerations tor the pub
lic welfare, it is my imperative Jury to see
that justice be impartially adminU-d
That merciful provision, the pardoning jn-.
tr, conferred upon the Executive douLile.
ly for correcting only the errors of criminal
jurisprudence, and securing justice, bhalinot
be pei verted to the indiscriminate protec
tion of those who may be justly sentcDcci
to bear penalties for infractions of the law
made for the security and protection of so
ciety. Those "cruelly" or excesivc''
punished, or erroneously convicted, are a-,
lone entitled to its beneficent protection. a::j
only such should expect its exercise iu thsir
behalf.
Whenever the people deem it ex pcdii-nt
or necessary, from actual experience, tj ij
terthe laws, or to amend the Co;istiti!,i i,
it is their undoubted right to do-so-, act
ing to the mode prescribed within itself. I
here repeat, what I have said elsewhere,:!. jt
"so long 'as the people feel that the potto:
to alter or change the character of the p
ernment abides in them, so long wi!! ilr-y
be impressed with a sense ofsecuri:v and uf
dignity which must ever spring from i.ie
consciousness that they hold within th. ir
own hands a remedy for every puUtieal evil,
a corrective for every governiKentul u!.u.
and usurpation. "
THE RATIONAL SITC ATIOM.
We are confessedly in a transition state.
It is marvelous how prejudice has periled
in the furnace of war, and how, fiom tb
very a.shes of old hatreds and old j .arti-,
the truth rises purified and triumphant
The 'contest between the Executive and
Coi-gress twice elected by substantially iLe'
same suffrages, a contest so anomalou i
our experience as not to have been antiei
ted by the trainers of the National
tution, has only served to develop the n
markable energies of our people, and
strengthen them for future conliicts. That
contest is virtually decided.
The victorious forces, physical and mora!,
of the patriotic millions, are simply paus
ing before they perfect the work of it
construction. Twenty-six States have n't
only been saved from the cotifiagntbnof
war, but have been crystalized in the saT
ing. The unrestored ten, still disaffected
and still defiant, seem to be Providential1'
delaying their return to the Union, so thai
when they re-enter upon its obligation wi
its blessings they will be. the better aMew
fulfil the one and enjoy the other. Their
condition is a fearful warning to men and
na.ions, and especially to ourselves.
Until slavery fell we did not fully undrf
stand the value of Republican in?tituuii
Accustomed to tolerate, and in many a&
to defend slavery, we did not feel that i
clo e proximity, so far from assisting, w
gradually destroying our liberties; and it
was only when rebellion tore away thenit
that we saw the hideous features of the mon
ster that was eating out the vitals of the Ke
public. If we are now astonished and shot-led it
the exhibition of cruelty and ingrat itude
among those who, having inaugurated w
prosecuted a causeless war against a gener
ous government, and having been permits
to escape the punishment they deserve,
once more arrogantly clamoring to as-un
control of the destinies ot this great natioo.
how miicli rrrttfr rniKi would we have DM
i for surprise had slavery been permit!!
increase and multiply
Boast as we may of our material and off
moral victories, yet is it not true that there
is no such thing as a Republican govern
ment in the ten States that began and car
ried on" the war? There is not, to-day,
d-spotic State in Europe where the ruzM
of the individual man are so defiantly tram
pled under foot, as in the sections wM
were supposed to have been brought
full submission to the eovernment of tw
United States. But the disease has s
gested its Providential cure. - .
The abhorrent doctrine, that defeated trea
son shall not only be magnanimou:.y P.
doned, but introduced to yet stronger Pn'
s, because of its guilty failure, n
have been insisted upon, as if to s,r.en?,
the better and the contrasting doctrine, t
a nation, having conquered its frecu'?ro,!"eie
own best guardian, and that those vb o
defeated in honorable battle should w
t-tpiined to submit to all the terms ot
quror. -
The violators of the most solemn obi
tions the perpetrators of the most atn ? i
crimes in the annals of time, the mu'?le'
of our heroic soldiers on fields of battle,
in loathesome dungeons and barbarous f
ons, they must not, shall not. Te',ni
the council chambers of the nation, to
in it? legislation, or control its destinies,
less it shall be on conditions which wm ij
serve our institutions from their D ,
purposes and influence, and secure rep
". can forms r.f covprnment. in their
and vigor, in every section of the country-