The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-10-03
GOVERNOR PORTER'S REILLY.
HARRISBURG, oath August, 1910.

GOVERNOR PORTER'S REILLY.
HARR1sBURG, oath August, 1910.
GENTLEMEN -
Previously to my departure from Pitts
burg, had the honor TO receive yours Of
the 18th inst, inviting Inc on behalf of
" the great mass OF my democratic fellow
citizens of Pittsburgh and vicinity, to par
take Of public entertainment to be given
in testimony Of their respect and personal
esteem, and of their confidence in me as
the Chief Magistrate of the common
wealth." l regret that prior engagements
and absence from the seat of Government
for considerable period prOcluded the poss-
ibi!ity of my remaining longer in Pittsburg.
| have been indeed SO pressed for time that
| have not had an opportunity OF ackuowl.
edging the receipt of your letter, until my
arrival at this place. l beg you 10 accept
my sincere thanks for this manifestation of
appreciation on the part Of my democratic
fellow citizens of Piltsburg and its vicinity,
and to assure those whom you represent,
how gratifying to my feelings, is their fa-
vorable opinion of my public conduct.
You have not overrated, gentlemen, the
difficulties with which have had to contend.
took occasion, in a late letter to my dem
ocratic trends of Philadelphia to refer TO
them, and | cannot Gorbear now TO repeat,
that those difficulties called on me for the
exercise of all the ability and all the firm
ness with which it has pleased God to en-
dow me. Surrounded on all sides with
embarrassments, was constrained by cir
cumstances to adopt that course which SEEM
ed to be beset with the least; and ! am sor-
ry to say, during the darkest period Of those
embarrasmens, there seemed TO be a want
of cordial support, and manly assumption
of responsibility on the part of the oo-or-
Glnate branches Of the Government, to
whom as well as to myself, the people had
entrusted tho management Of their public aG-
fairs.
Every rational man knows that you can
not elect, or change governments in day.
Mistake and abuses Of half century in tax
ing root, cannot be eXtirpated at single
blow; and when intimately blended with
our business and public interests as the
banking institutions Of this Commonwealth
have been, the evil must bo examined and
corrected with great caution and skill. Rem
edies are often suggested, that first glance
appear sound and complete, but upon a
more thorough consideration, are quite as
bad as the evils they are designed 10 cure.
When men are responsible TO the public for
all the results of measures that they recon-
mend or approve, it is doubly incumbent on
them not to be mlsled by hasty couns sci, or
false appearances. They are S1UOrn to
aoeigh things ,Ceil, and to act according TO
the dictates of their best judgment perfectly
fearless of all that human power can do a.
S"AhSt thSh' III PlCsoCu WIN lulsJ dS lu6
paramount obligation of my official duty, l
have both done and refrained from during
various things on which diversity of SEN
,iment prevailed, among my political friends
and supporters; and frankly and fully sub
hitting my reasons to my fellow citizens,
have relied on their candor and sense of
justice, to vindicate my conrse. My conf
dence in my fellow citizens has been more
than realized. They have appreciated the
obstacles in my way, and have made am
pie allowance for the peculiar circumstances
in which the people of the commonwealth
and its Executive have been placed. am
sure there is but little real difference of opin-
ion among the various members of the de-
mocratc party on the great subjects ofpub-
lie policy that have occupied the attention
of the people for several years past There