*Mir" • - $:-.1 - ••••• - t'***ittpifitast, - .-:-.1-.1-o**-tri.' VOL. 6--NO. 21.] BIOGRAPHICAL. SKETCH OF THE LIFE, CHARACTER AND PUBLIC:SERVIOES JOSEPrfi JUT NE R. To trace the rise and progress of individ. uals, who, by native strength of mind and the force of their own merits, eing L rged from obscurity into public notice and sMurinl gen eral esteem and respect by their abilities and services, is at all times an interesting and inviting etnnloytnent. The aniversal prev alence oft his curiosity respecting the earlier personal hi-tory of distinguished men, has given to biographical sketches and memoirs that attractiveness and popularity which have invariably attached to them in all civil ized 6mill - unities and in every age. Such publications are useful as conveying intbr. il l ation pleasing and gratifying to every class of readers; hut they are of fir more value and importance, as embedving and preser ving facts connected with the history of the country in which their subjects flourished, and as elucidating the spirit of the times to which they relate. They serve also to incite to emulation and to infuse a desire for hen orable fame, such as ever rewards a career or integrity and virtue, sustained by talents adequate to emergencies as they ck.cur.— They moreover teach the young and the lowly, by the example of those who preceded them on the stage of action, the means by which a laudable ambition may elevate them to similar notice and distinction. They show the necessity oflabor, and application, and perseverance for the attainment of ex cellence, eminence, and reward. They hold Lath hope end encouragement to the poor, the humble, and the obscure, from whose mi.let the far greater number of distinguish ed and really useful men have in all sprung. And they admonish those who, at the outset of life, have the advantages of wealth and influence to aid them in the race, that it is unsafe to rely on such fortuitous circumstances alone for permanent success and'perpetuity of fume. The annals of foreign countries, whose institutions secure privileges and preferences to birth and descent, and oppose powerful obstacles to the rise of lowly worth, are yet crowded with examples of difficulties over come and distinction attained, by men who had to contend against the frowns of fortune, the prejudices of caste, and the repressions . of unequal laws. But. it is only in a republi can land, like ours, where equal privileges aro extended to all, and the highest stations and honors are within the reach ()revery one and objects of patriotic competition, that these biographies of worth, and genius, and talent,cim exert the most extensive and bene ficial influence on the public mind and the character of individuals. And it is here al so that we find, most thickly clustering on the record of the past, the names of nit n in debted to no adventitious aid for the success and renown which tewarded their etfirts and perseverance. Here we may already boast of a Frunklin,a Sherman, a Putnam, a Knox, a Wayne, a Rittenhouse, a Snyder, a Fulton, an Evans,a Perkins, a 1V hitney,and a West, with a host of other selkaught men, who, whether in the work shop, the closet, the study, the firm, the cabinet, or the field, won their way to eminence among the eminent. and now justly rank in the world's esteem among the most valuable benefactors of the human family, the most distinguished orna ments of mankind. PENNSYLVANIA has not been inferior to her sister States in the production of this class of usefill citizens; and they in • return have reflected high honor on her name, and benefited her by most essential services.— To note their rise and record their struggles against adverse fortune, was a duty which has been hut too inadequately performed by their friends and survivors, though the neg lect was perhaps only the natural conse quence of their unobtrusive habits and un pretending u el'ultiess.' Modest worth seeks nest for fame, though it earns and wins it.— But when real merit has advanced an indi vidual to notice, and made him an object to which the attention of his fellow-citizens is strongly drawn; when public interests of vast and vital importance may be dependent on a 'correct knowledge and just apprecia tion of his character; and when ho is so con nected with a particular principle or mea sure of public policy urged on the peogle for their sanction and support, that he stands as it were its representative before them; there is an additional propriety and necessity for promulgating the leading facts m the history of his life. Such is the case with the sub ject of this brief biographical sketch. A numerous and res,rectable party, consisting principally of the substantial yeomanry of the Commonwealth. contending for the sup pression and eradication of an Institution whose oatles and practices conflict with the supremacy of the laws and the just rights of the citizen, have selected one of their mvn number, in whose name and person they are labouring, with every prospect of success, to make their principles triumphant. The life . and character of the individual thus se lected, can consequently nut be objects of indiflerence to the freemen of the State. JosEvii RITNEri, the candidate of the Anti-Masonic patty for the office of Gover nor ofPennsylvnniu, was horn on tho 25th of March, 1780, in Alsace township, Berks county. Both his parents were also natives of Berks, whither his ancestors emigrated from Cs'ermany about a 'century ago. His lather was a weaver by trade, tend had the "I WIN NO OTHER HERALD, NO OTHER SPEAKER OF KY LIVING ACTIONS, TO KEEP MINE HONOR FRC.M. CORRUPTION." reputation of being an honest, industrious and prudent man. When J o seph was about three yearsold, his parents removed to War• wick township, in Lancaster county, anti fixed their residence on the banks of the Conestoga, near Carpenter's mill. In this vicinity they continued to dwell durire , the greater part of the time that the family re mained in the county. It was here that Jo seph, when of suitable age, acquired the ru diments of an english education,undar the tuition of Jacob Carpenter, who was then well known and is yet remembered as a teacher, in a large section of the county.— But long before this period the young pupil evinced a disposition and desire to learn, and by his application and progress gave proof at once of his capacity for mental im provement, and that he possessed the dili gence and perseverance requisite to insure advancement by study. While he was yet too Noung and too small to attend the school, which was at the distance oft wa miles from his father's dwelling, he prevailed on his eldest brother (John) to bring his spelling book with him in the evenings and on Sun days, and thus by the regular and diligent application of the hours usually wasted by children, he made hirnselfinaster of what his brother had acquired at school. His moth, er steadily aided his eflarts by encourage ment and instruction; and at the end of six months he could read the german language with facility. He then kept himself in the course of improvement by frequently read ing to his mother in the evenings, until he grew strong enough to attend school. As his parents entertained prejudices against the english language, it was their design that their son's time at school should be devoted exclusively to the german, and mainly in perfecting himself in reading and learning to write; as they considered it un• necessary that he should be taught anything besides those branches. But the represen• tations and arguments of the teacher, Mr. Carpenter, at length overcame their oppo- sition, though it was with great difficulty that he succeeded in persuading them to permit Joseph to use Dilworth's spelling Vok instead of the german bible, on his en. trance into school. His diligence continued uuremitted, and his progress in his english studies wus as rapid as it had been in the german, so that he soon attained a respecta ble standing among the scholars. To a lad or german parentage, the acquisition of the english language, was, in those days, 'atten ded with greater difficulties than it is at present. At the - School very few of the scholars were then studying it, and it was of course little used among theril conver. cation or during play hours. Even in those german families whose members had be come tolerably conversant with it, it was seldom spoken. It was consequently not easy for a learner to become familiar with its structure and acquire a readiness in the use of it, combined with that accuracy of pronunciation which the fastidiousness of an english ear so imperiously exacts. Young Rimer was wholly unacquainted with the ' language when he commenced studying it; and though he soon learned to read it with ease, he continued unable to use it in conversation for some years thereafter. Indeed he had reached his fifteenth year, before opportunities and practice enabled him to speak it readily and well. Meantime his fondness for reading and study remained unabated; and his application, in so far as he enjoyed leisure and means, was unremit led—striving all the while to understand thoroughly whatever he rend. His eager ness to comprehend all that he had an oppor tunity to peruse in english books and news :tapers, induced him to procure a dictionary at a very early age, to which he regularly referred in every case of doubt or difficulty. He never permitted himself to t ouess at either the meaning or the pronunciation ofa word; and whenever he was not fully satisfied as to either point, an appeal to the dictionary had to determine. This was his invariable practice, and by these means—by such un. tiring assiduity and diligence—he ultimately succeeded in surmounting the obstacles which his situation and the circumstances of the country threw around him. So close and precise were his investigations, that— as his familiar friends have heard him re mark—he never knew the meaning of an english word that he could not spell-- There are certainly few Englishmen, nut professed writers, whatever were their ad vantages, whose orthography is more nem]. rate, or whose style is more perspicuims, vigorous, and pure. His success is an ad ditional proof of what may be accomplished by untiring industry and a determination to improve, amid the most discouraging disad vantages; and his example might foster in others a laudable ambition to excel, and conduce to lead them onward in that career of intellectual improvement which will ren der them valuable and estimable as citizens and as Men. Joseph's parents designed that he should learn his father's trade, and he was required to work at it for some time, before he was fifteen years did. His dislike to the business was such, however, that he frequently sought permission to make edaagements with the neighbours to do farm-work suited to his age and strength, and finally prevailed on his llither to let burn hire himself permanently to a respectable farmer (Jacob Meyers, who is yet living near Newville,) in Cumberland county, whither his parents. had now re. moved. For his services he received eighty dollars a year until be attained the ago of twenty, when his' compensation was advan• ced about fifty percent. His mother died a short time belln-e he felt home; and for sev. 1-10MITEVI" Vv"ZI2'ZI IIII)=1.13T011, ZZZTO.7.,Zta:EriMP• AVM 1 5 •7•0.7.7717.7117 3 0"% • cos..wwltazawama e cau)ccrindi stu oral years thereafter. lie annually gave his I father at least half of his earnings, to as,,ist him in maintaining a family ofsmall children Ile : continued in the employment of Mr. Myers, and resided in his family happy and contented, until May, 1902, when he mar ried—his employer having,in the meantime, removed from cast of Carlisle to t he neigh borhood of Newville. He was uniformly treated with great kindness and a ffection, so that few, even of the neighbors, knew that he was a hired boy, until he reached his eighteenth year. when he was enrolled in the militia. He at all times enjoyed free and welcome access to good society in the vicini• ty of his abode; and the young people-of t he best classes ever evinced a fondness for his comp my, treating him with the cordiality and respect which his amenity of manners, correct deportment and intelligence were calculated to inspire. Cheerful, conciliato ry and frank, yet sedate and prudent in his disposition, he was a favorite in every circle he chose to frequent; and many who then became attached to him as a companion, have remained his steadliist frierth through life, often indulging with pleasure and pride, the recollection of their intercourse and in. timacy with him in former years. Ina re• cent conversation, Mr. Myers bore cheerful testimony to his industry and fidelity duriii . o the term of his engagenaf-nt, and declared that he was one of the best men lie had ev er employed on his farm. On the same oe casino, another respectable citizen, who, within that period, had been his frequent asaociate in the personal performance of ag ricultural labors,- said he had been uniform ly active, diligent and punctual, and had proved himself to be a first rate farmer. In the year 1802, he married . a daughter of Jacob Alter, Esq. of Cumberland county, who was then a member of the State Legis lature. His wife's maternal ancestors were among the earliest settlers of Lancaster county, where many branches of the family still reside. Her grandfather, Henry- Lan dis, owned and occupied ri flirm,which is yet in the possession of his descendants, about three miles from the city of Lancaster, on the Reading road. He was one of the first Mennonist preachers in Pennsylvania; a man of strong mind, gentle manners, generous' and hospitable. In consequence ofhis marriage, it became Mr. Ritner's duty to apply himself to busi ness with additional industry and economy. He now procured a loom, intending to labor as a weaver, to secure an adequate support fir his family„ but was unable to endure lone this confined and sedentary mode of life.— In good weather, and during• the summer season he sought and obtained dut•dnor em ployment, and worked at the loom only when the weather was bad. As soon as the pro ceeds of his earnings enabled him to pur chase a wagon & a pair of horses,he emigra ted to the western part of the State, and set tled in Allegheny county. This was in the fall of 1805. He rented a farm there,which he continued to occupy and cultivate until the spring of 1809, when he removed to Washington county, where he bought the tract (Aland on which he now resides. This tract contains about 150 acres, and is ofgood quality, though like most of the land in that county, it is somewhat broken. When M r. Ritner purchased it, nearly the whole was in a wild and unimproved state. Only about twenty-five acres were under fence, ar.d the trees on this portion had been killed by gird ling; but not an acre was cleared or fitted for the plough. The dwelling house was a small cabin, suited merely for the tempura ry accommodation of a family. By personal labor and judicious manage ment, he has greatly improved this property and brought it to an excellent condition.— One hundred acres have been cleared; and these are well inclosed with fences, and in a fine state of cultivation. He has built a roomy and substantial house, and erected an adequate number of outbuildings adapted to farming purpoSes. His fruit trees likewise are numerous, and among them are sonic of the most choice and approved kinds. In short, his farm exhibits that appearance of substantial comfort,neamess,order and meth od, which point out the hothestead of a har dy, hardworking, frugal and judicious Penn sylvania htisbandman, who prides himselfon the excellence of his products and the solidi. ty of his improvements. To produce this change—to convert the uninviting wilderness which he found there at his arrival, into a land smiling with plen ty, the labor of his own_ hands contributed by regular and steady application. There is no part of a farmer's business which he has not personally performed. The ferest has bowed beneath the sturdy stroke of his axe; he has guided the plough, handled the scythe and the sickle, wielded the flail,,and for many years drove his own team. He has maintained himself and his family by daily industry; eaten his bread in the'sweat of his brow; and thriven by honorable toil. His system of management was not that or the theoretical fancy farmer; but that of the practical man, who participate* in all the varied and laborious operations of husband• ry, to assure himself that they are perform ed in the best manner and at the proper sea son. The man who, from such small Le ginnings and by such praise-worthy means, has worked his way upward to competence and prosperity—who, obedient to the crav ings of an active and inquiring mind, has improved his faculties by voluntary Self-ap plicatien while struggling against disheart ening difficulties, is precisely the man best qualified to enter fully into the feelings of the mass of his feltow•citizena and appreciate the circumstances of their condition. lie is emphatic- Hy one of the people; during his whole career :iti mingled among them and acted with them; !here eannot be is his ho. som one sentiment alien to their hearts, or a wish focign to their best interests. On the commencement of hostilities be tween the United States and Great Britain, in 1812, Mr. Rimer was found ranged on the side of his country against Cireign insults and aggression. He had been drafted in the spring, previous to the declaration of war, and was called into active service for a six months' tour. Although his means would have enabled him to procure a substi tute, and his situation as the head of a Young Niftily, as also the example of others, would have seemed to justify him in so doing, he patriotically determined to obey his coun try's call and render pet sone! service. The detachment to which he belonged rendezvoused at Pittsbure,On Dunlap's plains, on the 2d of October, where the General andi field officers were elected. His friends, knowing his fearlessness and firmness of character, prevailed on him to be a (moth. j date fin. the of fi ce of Colonel, of the first re-1 grim n; of the brigade which the detachment constituted. The regiment was composed of the troops from Washington and A Ile,rhe ny counties. At the election, Mr. Ritner had two competitors from his own county,l while there were but two candidates from Allegheny. Had there been no more than two candidates from Washington, he would undoubtedly have been elected. As it was, Joel Ferree, of Allegheny, was chosen, who died at Zanesville on his return, after serv ing the full tour. It is a fact worthy of no tice that those of his competitors on that oc casion who are yet living, have ever since been Ws sincere friends and are now among his warmest supporters. When the detachment advanced, Mr. R it • nor marched :Ise private soldier in the ranks, carrying his musket and knapsack. On their arrival at Mansfield, in Ohio, (then on the verge of the frontier.) the time of those who were hired to drive the public teams, conveying ordnance, small arms, and cloth ing for the regular troops, expired, and they refused to re.engage. Sixteen of t hese teams were destined to proceed to Franklinton, where Gen. Harrison's headquarters then were. Col. Ferree, who had-just returned from a visit to that place, represented the road as the worst that could possibly be tra velled by a team and loaded wagon. Quar ter-master General Piatt,of the North West ern Army, who had accompanied the public stores to Mansfield. desired the officers of the brigade to recommend such of their men as could be confided in, to drive the teams in question to head quarters. Col. Ferree personally requested and strongly urged Mr. Ritner to drive one of them, alledging that unless some one Went along who was of a persevering disposition and felt an interest in the service, the supplies would never get to Franklinton. Mr. Ritner complied, and very soon found that the bad condition of the road and the attending difficulties had not been misrepresented or exaggerated. A great part of it passed through a wilderness, interspersed with swamps and otherwise scarcely passable. By arduous exertions and untiring perseverance, however, the task was ultimately accomplished and Gen. Har rison's headquarters reached. But those who were in company on this occasion, have frequently been known to assert, that if Jo seph Ritner and Joseph Haines had not been with them, the teams would never have ar rived at the place of their destination. Mr. 12 it tier was retained in the Quarter master's department, to the end of his tour ofduty. He left home on this service on the 28th of September, 1812, and returned again about the 20th of April following. His health was materially impaired by the exposure, hardship, and fatigues inseparable from a wit.ter campaign; and nearly two years elapsed before it wa4 again perfectly restored. It has been deemed proper to state thus minutely the nature and extent of Mr. Rit oar's services in the army on the northwest ern frontier, because recent attempts have been made to misrepresent them and palm on the public garbled and partial statements in lieu of the truth. Any . candid inquirer, however,w ho will examine the "certificates" alluded to, will quickly perceive that they were carefully and designedly prepared fur the purpose of deception. By the use of a little falsehood and the suppression of mate rial truth, the contrivers of those "certifi cates" have given such a shape and hue to their account of his services, as might mis lead the Incautious and unwary, if the delib erate ik black-hearted malice that prompted the attempt were not so legibly impressed on the performance. It is obvious that those concerned in this dishonorable transaction, were anxious to avoid stating the whole truth with plainness and sincerity ; and the most charitable construction that can be put on their conduct, is the supposition that they were actuated, not by private giudgeS or personal ill•will, but by the bitterness of party feeling, or the depraving influences of secret obligations, which disregard alike the common charities of life, the cherished courtesies of civilized society, and the para mount duties of human nature. Ever since Me. Ritner fixed his residence in the Vest, he has steadily devoted him self to agricultural pursuits, as the chief 'employment of his life; and except when driving his team to the Philadelphia market, ; as is customary with his brother farmers, or when called by public and official duties, he has very seldom been east ortiria, moun tains. Closely and sedulously as he up. Lilted hunselfto his buisneso, his general =IMMO intelligence and superior goal ifications could not long remain unknown to his neighbours, who frequently availed themselves of his services on occasions which contributed to make his worth more generally rimmed, and aoracted public attention to him. This I soon brought him into public life In the fall of 1821, he was elected a member of the State Legislature, where he _quickly distinguished himself by his ability and apt itude for business, and acquired a degree of influence not surpassed by - that - enjoyed by older members. His conduct as their rep• resentative was so satisfactory to his consti tuents, that .they re.elected him annually during the five thllowing. years. - In ; t , 25 when the Legislature met, he was chosen Speaker of the House, by a vote which pro claimed, in a flattering manner, the progress he had made in his previous legislative ca reer, in winning the confidence and 'esteem of his colleagues. His deportment as Spea. ker was exemplary, dignified, and impartial, while his attention to the business of his constituents and the public, was . devoted and unremitting. On his re.appearance in the House, in the following winter, ho was again honored, and by a unanimous vote, with the arduous and responsible office of presiding over its deliberations; and he failed not to confirm the expectations which his previous discharge of its duties had justified his friends :n entertaining. Few that ever held the station acquitted themselves more credita bly. Prompt, active, and diligent; thorough. Iv conversant with the rules and forms of legislative porceedings; nquainted with the local and general interests of the State; ardently devoted to the public good; and bringing to his aid a mind richly stored by reading and reflection; he was well prepared to exercise a sound judgment and exert efficient action on the various topics which claimed his consideration as a legislator. ' 1 He mingled freely iii debate, speaking as fro. quently as important subjects appeared to demand, And expressing himself with readi. ness and fluency, while his remarks and Teas oiling were always clear, cogent, and crier acne. Whenever he had occasion to ad. dress the House, ho relied not upon notes and memoranda previously prepared, but upon the spontaneous shorts of his fertile mind and well furnished memory; and never failed to engage the respectful attention of his hearers. It is from the services ore* men in her public counsels, that Pennsylvania derived the character for stabillity and solidity which has long been her pride and het beast; and deterioration and degeneracy will rapidly follow any change that would place her des tiny permanently in the hands of more pompous and imposing, but less patriotic and staid statesmen. A special & minute reference to Mr. Rit ner's acts and votes in the Leaislature, would extend this sketch to an un d ue length; nor is there any necessity for such retiffence. The filets that he was six times in succession elected a member of the House and twice chosen its Speaker, are the best evidence that could be adduced, that his legislative conduct was approved by his immediate constituents and his fellow citizens in gene ral. It will however be proper to advert specially to his course on one important occasion, as furnishing an illustiation of his sound judgment, prudence and foresight. It was during the last term of his mem• bership, that he was required to act on a subject of State policy, deeply ntlbcting the interests of the people, and largely involv ing the prospects of the Commonwealth. The adoption of a system of internal im provement was then warmly urged on the Legislature. A very decided exprtssion of public sentiments in favour of such a course, appeared to have been made, by public meet ings, at the ballot box, and through the medium of the newspapers; and it was hence argued that duty required from the Legis• lature a conformity to popular will, and cor responding action. An improvement mania had seized a large proportion of the mem bers, and in their blind zeal they were ready to rush headlong onward, sanctioning the wildest projects and authorizing the most lavish expenditures. The friends of a ra tional and substantial policy perceived the impending danger, and laboured to avert it. When the matter was under discussion in committee of the whole, Mr. Ritner (then Speaker) availed himself of the opportunity to explain his views in regard to it. He was, in common with a majority of the people, in favour of an enlarged and liberal system of improvement; but like them also, he was anxious that it should be both judi. cious and economical. The following ex tract Flom the speech which he then made, will show that he treated the subject Tike an intelligent, nradent,.practical man—that he was desirous that the Great Farm of Penn sylvania should be improved, not with im prudent rashness and thoughtless extrava gance, but as the provident farmers who own her soil improve their priVate property, with prudence, judgment, and rational econ. ()my. He was not for plunging heedlessly into a crude and uninatured enterprise, of unmana °able magnitude; but for proceed ing gradually, with caution and care—be. ginning at the right point, labouring to the proper end, doing one thing at a time, and that well which it was determined to do at all. He saw that a different course must inevitably lead to disappointment and delay,- to profligate extravagance, to enormous debt and onerous taxation. This he fore. saw; and this he laboured, but laboured in vain, to prevent. Let his own words now speak for him:— am in favour of the amendment proposed by my colleague," said Mr. lUFNER, "not because I are [WHOLE NO. 281., particularly partial to the Juniata, to the exclusion I the other routes; but because law I n failor 01 making that canal FIINT, which is rcroint,,entlyd by the I Board of Canal Conanissioners as the tote t lavorablo L: one, to council the eastern and wi•stern waters, It must be obvious to ull, that publ,c opidice in the State has declared in favor of a canal which will re tain that portion of the miter!' trade, which is still carried on betweeu Pittsburg and Tbilad• !Oda, and also bring to us again thatportion has hit WI and gone to New York and Baltimore. • • • In advocating the amendment, I do not wish to he understood as bein g hostile to the other tinned in the bill as reported by the Clan/mince on Inland Navigation and Internal Improvements Ido not wish.to be understood.as_contruvotting tt sin gle• positioa,that has been taken withrregard to the Utili ty of either the north or the westhranch canals; that is not my purpose. All that I intend to cr . :wafer is this, that the TRUE POLICY for us to mime is TO UNDERTAKE ONE CANAL AT A TIME, unit COMPLETE IT BEFORE WE UNDEIZTAEE ANOTHER; and to select that one which the Board of Canal Commissioners have recommended as the. most likely to accomplish the most important purplise. Had the Board of Canal Commissioners rcconmesial ed the west branch route as the best to etainect the Susquehanna and the Allegheny with the Ohio and Lake Erie, I would as cheerfully support it as I uow support the amendment of my colleague.. 111 favor of my position I would urge a few ronside tions. In the first place.' believe there is GREAT DANGER IN GOING TOO FAR AT THIS TIME. The whole project may he defeated by UN.. OMIT/IEINa TOO MUCH. It is . or the- utmost illipor+ tance in the prosecution of this great work, to have the great mass of public opinion with us. We cannot force 'public opinion into any measure; lan public o• pinion can and will dictate measures to the Legisla ture. We know Wet the great body of the peopio of Pennsylvania are a prudent, calculating, industrious and economical people ; they must be convinced that whatever is undertaken by their reptcsentatives in the nature of public improvements with th/: public money,is a reasenablem rational undertaking, or they will withhold their sanction and their approbation..-. The public will mug be obeyed; it ctain , c: be disregard... cd long. The construction of a canal of such magnitmle,is no ordinary undertaking. It will require all the wis• dom, energy and resources of the Commonwealth to coMplete it, in time to accomplish the desired end. I am not, as I said before, opposed to the construction of the other canals provided fur in thebill i as reported by the Committee on Inland Navigation. I must hOwever be permitted to...say, that I'deem it IMPRUDENT and INEXPEDIENT to commence the con struction of them simultaneously with the one which is to connect the Susquehanna'', Allegheny, and Ohio rivers, with Pittsburg and Lake Erie. Let us adopt the amendment. We can then apply all our skill,en ergics and resources to the construction of this great Work, until it is completed,which can be done (accor ding to the opinion of those who have more experi-, ence titan I have,) in two or three years. We can THEN commence another—the one which stands next in rank with regard to usefulness• ' complete it also and so on,until all the canals which the public benefit may call fur, arc made. By proceeding in this way, we will reap the full benefit of a whole line, in the shortest time possible. The tolls that will be paid into the treasury of the' State,will enable us to go on f VITHOUT RESOR TING TO TANA TTONi-in any way that will be felt by the farmers or zaechanicks, or any portion of the laboring community. This course will enable us to make all the canals asked fur on the Susquas henna and the Delaware, much sooner than if we di vide our forces by undertaking snore /ban can be ad vantagemisly attended to. No good reason has been given, why the bill should pass in the shape it was reported; none can be given. There is another consideration that ought not to be overlooked. In undertaking only one canal. we Wilt have public opinion to sustain us. In undertaking knits canals,we tun the risk of defeating the whole project. By commencing only anealic excitement will tie kept up; and in a few years immense benefits will be seen resulting from it. Take the other course, and many years will roll round before any commercial advanta ges can result and tolls be collected ou the hum nso sums of money expended. Several geutleinen have delivered their sentiments on this subject since I spoke yesterday; but had these gentlemen not told us that they were intended to re fute the arguments which I waged in favor of my col league's amendment, I should not have considered them as replies to what I said. What object gentle- , wen may have in view by assailing mein the man ner they have done, instead of applying their ohser vations to the points in controversy, I know not. But it sometimes happens that wlien gentlemen who are oven ZEALOus can find no arguments to support their positions, they resort to personalities, and assail the motives of those to whom they are opposed. It I have during this discussion, said any thing that was calcu lated to wound the feelings of any gentleman, 1 can only say' that I did not intend to hurt the feelings of any one, Attacks to hurt the feelings of gentlemen, aronot weapons I am fond of using in the discus sion of important questions." Such were the views,such the sentimeats t and such the foresight of Joseph Ritner, at the commencetnent of this important and costly workl Who is now :Guild hardy enough to say that experience has not demonstrated the soundness of his judgment and the ex. cellence of his counsel? His sagacity in dis. cerningqhe true pointy of the State, was e qualled only by his clearness and coolnes iu debate, and the decorous and dignified man ner in which he rebuked the rudeness of his opponents. It will here be in place to remark that s though nearly all the gentlemen who have held the office of Governor since the adop tion of the present Constitution of Pennsyl. vania, had, previous to their election, serv. ed in the State Legislature, there is nano who, in that capactly.gave higher and clear• er proof of the possession of a vigorous mind and matured - judgment, in relation to kcal interests and State policy, than Joseph Ittt• nen Leto fair and candid investigation and comparison he instituted, and the result will in no instance hcrdisadvantageous to him,but in most cases clearly and -strongly - in his favor. Taught by experience the necessity and benefit of education, Mr. Rimer has always been assiduous in his attention to schools in his neighborhood, and placed within the reach.of his own children all the literary and scientific advantages in his power. A school house was erected on his Farm many yea's ago, in which all the common branch , es of learning have been regularly taught, and for the support of which he ever mani fested the liveliest interest. He has also acted during a long period, as ono of the Trustees of Washington Collego,---an insti tution which is deservedly ranked 'among the best and most efficient in the Middle and Western States. In his political sentiments, he waa always a . democratic republican, and his action in reference to public 4uestions was uniforrnly in accordance with his convictionsead prin. ciples. Ho never stood aloof from .thellia.. cugsions which agitated and consalixid , the country, since he arrived at.therrireiil7,rian. hood. Ho voted for Jefferson, Mud* girorid Monroe; and gave to the measures tof:l,*ir administration his decided . and cordiallop. port. Even after the old party- diblitte*m. had ceased co exist, he concurred with the
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