Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-06-02

dom and patriotism OF PRESIDENT CHOSEN oy
Pennsylvania itself, we confidently But
the Governor was not one of these. He relied
on the efficacy of state Legislation directed by
mere party impulses; he shared in none of ouI
expectations of action at Washington; he never
expressed and probably never felt any share of
the confidence which the reason and good feel
ing of the people reposed in the wisdom and
patriotism of the lamented Harrison. Now we
ask YOU to mark the results. On the 18th OF
January lS41, the Banks resumed specie pay
ments-on the first of February the Governor
negotiated loan of nearly $780, 900 with the
Banks and mainly with the Bank of the United
States-on the 4th of February the Banks again
suspended and in state of almost hopeless
prostration have they remained ever since
On the 9th day of February the intelligence
Of the calamity reached the seat of Government
through private channeIs-The Legislature af-
ter pausing to give the Executive an opporlu-
nifty of presenting his views at this crisis, pro-
ceeded without further delay to do its duty and
legislate for the crying necessities of the peo-
pie. To enable the Executive to suggest his
remedy for the evils then impending was due
alike 10 him and to ourselves-we waited but
we waited in vain. The executive functions
were paralytic. No word fell from the lips
of the Governor, and so far as we or the public
are apprised of his views as voluntarily express
ed, content with the present state Of things, ir-
redeemable currency, hopelessy irredeemable
for the suffering people, he wrapped himself in
mysterious silence and made no effort, gave no
sign that promised relief.
Not so your Representatives-una un-
counselled by the Executive, they assumed
the responsibility and measures of relief were
originated, matured and enacted. Mixed how
ever with the prayer for relief, there was an
emphatic demand for reform-and it was with
steady view TO the coincident ministration of
relief and reform that our measures were pre-
pared.
1t was not long before measure of Bank re-
form and popular relief was enacted by both
Houses. 1t was rigid in its enactments to the
Banks. 1t was generous and <benefcent !or
the people. 1t limited the powers of Bank Of
fcers and directors-it checked inordnate bank
ing operations 1t was not the extravagant
privilege of disregarding law. 1t was the priv
ilege which necessity exacted and it was moth
ing more. But with that privilege were con-
nected vital measures of reform which the Peo-
pie had long demanded So far as the Legis-
lature was concerned their duty was promptly
and faithfully performed.
Nor was it till the Legislature had thus acted
that any Executive intimation was made 1t
came as usual in the form of peremptory re-
fusal TO acquesce in the views of the Repre-
sentatives of the People, and it left the Legis-
lature to mature its measures again, and guess
ing at the varying opinions of the Executive TO
try 10 enact laws which might conform to them
and at the same time be consonant with public
policy and Constitutional requisition.
With what an axious desire to regulate our
course by wise and disinterested views-to do
what peculiar exigency required and no more
Ito conciliate our political adyersaries and for
once 10 unite with them or persuade them TO
unite with US in a common effort to relieve the
suffering community, those who were immedi-
ate spectators Of the scene best can tell One
of the undersigned representing the feelings of
us all, on the floor of the Senate expressly ten
dered 10 the friends of the Executive the as
surance of an earnest desire TO bury mere par
ty feeling, and cooperate cordially in meas
ures at which no party evil could be uttered.
But it was in vain. The only answer was de-
rsion at the offer, and scornful denial of the
existence of all distress among our constituents
Not discouraged by the failure of all these
efforts, the undersigned again matured meas
ure Of relief designed to effect the great object
in the attainment of which we believe the hopes
of our suffering constituents were involved
Would our constituents have seen what we
have seen, and known what we have known,
they would still more highly appreciate our
reasonable anxiety to give relief. Not only
was the community generally agonzed, but on
certain classes the pressure of the times fell
with peculiar severity. The contracts on the
unfinished lines of the public works were made
on the faith of the Commonwealth SoIemnIy
and sacredly pledged by agents who, however
lalthless 10 their trusts were still the agents of
the Stale. After the adjournment of the last
Legislature the Canal Commissioners holding
their Offices at the will of the Governor, aware
that the appropriations were expended or in
sufficient, prosecuted the public works. of
this action we do not feel disposed TO speak
further than TO say that the executive who
would thus willingly incur debts OUGHT to be