Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1841-04-21
ADDR ES s,
Or THE Hon JOHN BANKS. BEFORE THE "WIL.
LIAM PENN INSTITUTE" AT READING, Pa.

II On reading your resolution, by which the
honor of addressing you was assigned me, the
first thing that attracted my attention was the
name by which your Society is designated.
Societies are generally called by some name,
and it is always desirable that this name should
be appropriate TO the objects and purposes Of
the association. Sometimes the name of the
particular object to be promoted, is adopted In
other instances the name of the place in which
the members reside, and the society located, is
the one used. Not unfrequently the name of
some great and good man, whose public and
private virtues have eminently distinguished
him as a philanthropist, patriot, a christian,
and man, is selected. This has been done
in your case, and that mind which is at all fa-
miliar with the early history of Pennsylvania,
is at no loss 10 find very satisfactory reason
/ why IL has been done.
WILLIAM PENN, clothed with almost unlilit-
ed power by royal charter from Charles the
Second, 10 all lands within the Province of
Pennsylvania, was governed by more pure
morality, and more wise, and just policy, than
to assert and vindicate his right by force. His
religious principles, and proper sense of right
did not permit him TO drive from the soil of the
Province, by violence, that people to whom God
had given it. Although he was mighty in plen-
titude of power by royal grant, yet he did not
wish to establish his right in blood. He chose
rather more justly to settle his right, and quiet
all adverse claims by treaties, held with the ma
tives, under the shade of some lofty forest tree,
and to have them solemnized by the smoke of
incense ascending from the pipe of peace
This just, friendly and peaceable manner of
Ind for
and his people, their extraordinary and lasting
love, and esteem. Indeed they ever after en-
tertained the most pacific intercourse with the
Quakers, in Pennsylvania.
He, himself, framed fundamental constitu-
ton for the Province. In this plan of govern
ment was found a generous spirit of liberty
and prudent religious federation. This, with
the peculiar moderation and amiable and invi-
ting manners of the early settlers in the Pro-
vince, an unexampled rapidily in its improve
ment and increase of population. In the early
history of Pennsylvania, we have most striking
ly illustrated, the unparalleled advantages, and
happy effects of the peaceable reign of Justice,
forbearance and moderation, over force and COM
pulsIon IN the government of public affairs
Even in the infancy of our mighty republic, our
civil institutions were most distinctly marked
with free enjoyment of religious opinion
with honesty and fairness IN dealings-with
humanity, and an ample provision for the ne
cessties Of the poor-with industry in all occu-
pations, and prudent frugality, which discards
all superflultles ss Inconsistent with republican
plainness, and that christian meekness which
the people profes,ed, Nor were they silent, or
Indifferent 10 the education of the young. Ed
ucation was then most strongly urged, and most
faithfully attended 10. These great principles
formed the ruling elements of our provincial
government, Il was under the influence of
these same, and other kindred principles, that
our country has hourlshed, and that now on our
hills, and in our valleys are seen villages, man.
ufactories, meadows, wheat-felds, and all the
comforts and elegancies of civilized life. To
these sacred principles we owe The fame of this
great and powerful state, with all the distin-
gulshed blessings which we so richly enjoy
Liberty and peace smile in grandeur and abun-
dance In this land, where tyranny and oppres-
sion ale unknown. In the enjoyment of inde-
pendence and self government we behold our
flag proudly waving in peaceful triumph-the
TAR metaphor OF freedom, and equal rights, un-
folding the American Stars and Stripes, on ev-
0Iy s0d, anu III every CLINE Inat commerce has
known, Or civilized man has visited.
The bold and energetic spirit of William
Penn, devised and proclaimed independence to
this Province This virtuous and patriotic man
has been blessed by his country---honored by
the world, and his memory is embalmed in the
veneration of mankind His virtues and SER
vlces---hs life and history, are the history of
liberty and the rights of man. He fed from
oppression, and persecution, and here triumphed
over both--haying founded in this Province
rising and lasting empire on the broad founda-
ton OF the peoples will, and the independence
and happiness of the governed.
These reflections naturally and unayodably
crowd upon The mind, at the mention of the
name OF William Penn. His name NAV well
be adopted as that of this "Inslitute, whose
members live in land consecrated by his vir-
tues, and enjoy that civil and religious liberty
which he SO eminently proclaimed in all his IN
stltutlons, and SO forcibly ncucated by his life
and practice.
The object OF all societies, such as this is.
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