The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1841-03-20

~ hdu never oeen heiu. 10 carry Ou
this scheme false aud fraudulent return.
were deposited among the archieves of the
state, and the true ones suppressed--to the
end, that the representatives of the people
should be prevented from taking their seats
in the legislature, and spurious ones occupy
their places, I'LL such laws could be passed
in violation Of the constItulion--and carry
nnl plan of operations, which if success.
fnl, would haze spread ruin through the
land, and di"es.ed the people of theil dear.
rs. rights. The peaceful citizens Of the
commonwealth, aroused at this gross at.
tempt to trample their rights under foot
and usurp their powers, assembled in mum.
hers al the capitol 10 see if it were possible
that such things could be-and their frowns,
and decided by peaceful disapprobation Of
such conduct their determination to
maintain their rights, awed these violators
OF ,he laws and compelled them 10 abandon
the halls of legislation and seek Tor a new
theatre TO carry out their plans,
With the executive power still in their
hands, Qcr the executive power was never
under The executive controD the duration Of
which had been prolonged by the provs-
ions Of the amended constitution, they then
sought to secure by military force, that
power which they could not attain by the
peaceful operations Of the law. Armed
men were ordered TO the capitol, and the
quiet routine of old fashioned legislation
gave place 10 martial music and military
parade. The measured step of the senti-
mel was heard in the stiffness of the night,
and glistening bayonets reflected back the
first rays of the morning sun. Yes, armed
men were ordered TO the capitol to force the
people into that Submission by buck shot
and ball, which could not be effected by
other gross schemes and devices.
But it was all in vain. The indomita-
BILE irmness of the people and their repre-
sentative was proof even agains, this attempt
---and on the Sd Tuesday of January Da
vid R. Porter was inaugurated the demo.
cratic Governor Of Pennsylvania, at your
capitol. amid the cheels of thousands of
your assembled citizens, and an end put to
the attempted reign of terror.
In his inaugural address, he set forth in
clear and calm and explicit manner, the
principles on which he would endeavor to
administer the government of the common
wealth. II contained sound doctrines, and
challenged and received the admiration of
the considerate men Of all parties. We
may safely refer 10 it as containing an ep..
tome Of those principles which have ever
made up the items Of our democratic creed
in Pennsylvania, and we may also proudly
refer to its author as having at all times car
] ried out and redeemed the pledges therein
tgiven. When Gov. Porter came INTO pow
er. he not only found the treasury exhaust
/ cd, but deb. of more than 80 millions fast.
ened upon the people, no portion of which
! he had created, or assisted in crealing.-
& The preceding administration, instead of
providing resources for meeting the interest
of tho dett created by them and their pre-
decessors. had gone on with a wasetful hand
in borrowing money from the banks, or OBJ
taining it by unjust grants OF chartered privi-
and approprialing the same on the
&most extended scale of prodigali,y, to works
(which were denominated under the general
sname Of internal improvements, but which,
i'm reality, were reward to the services Of
Political partizsns.
With scarcely dollar in the treasury,
without the means of discharging the inter-
lest falling due on the pnblc loans-the
state credit impaired and general bankrupt.
Icy staring us in the face. Gov. Porter came
into power. With an energy of character
peculiarly his own, he sough. ou. and OBJ
tanned correct information as 10 The true
state aud condition Of the commonwealth,
and the means Of restoring her exhausted
credit, and renovating her exhausted ener.
gies. In his attempt to do SO he was me,
by the opposition Of a political Senate
placed there by an arbitrary and unjust and
unequal apportionment of the state, and by
which the people were literally robbed, in
whole counties, of representation il thai
body.
Fellow citizens-when di a Governor
pf Pennsylvania enter upon the discharge
pf his duties, surrounded by all the emtar
Easements and difficulties that David r
Porter did! Not in the annals of govern.
fneui; and TO the energy and nerve of the
man, this commonwealth owes a debt o
leep and abiding gratitude.
With manly fortiude he has assumed hi.
positions and maintained them--pointed ou
he evils of corrupt Legislation, and exposes
10 the public eye what had been the con
taut ard untring attempt Of three year:
preceding mlsruie 10 conceal
II was lie who first raised the curtain ant