Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1842-01-19

law and i believe wisely. 1t has been my lot,
rs we'll as that of all my predecessors, believe;
on several occasions, to exercise the power thus
conferred l-have always done so with due de-
libe fation, and only when the exi9encies ol tie
occasion furnished to me very satisfactory Tea-
sons for so doing. Itis however, power which
/ have never heSitated to exercise. when duty
required it at my hands During the last ses-
sion of the legislature, | was obliged to eXer-
else this power 0ftener than therefore. ! did
SO at a time, when my conduct was about to un-
dergo the ordeal OF public opinion, and there
seemed TO be a disposition to make the exercise
of this power, an important issue before tie peo
pie. That issre was had, and the result has
expressed The voice of the public upon it, n
way not easily misunderstood.
Had the duty, thus enjoined by the cOnstitu-
ton upon the Executive, been freely and fear
lcssly performed, IN the eary legislation upon
the subject Of our internal improvements, we
should not be involved in debt 10 the extent we
are and there would not have been millions of
dollars expended uponworks of doubtful utility,
or Of minor public Importance. Our main and
leading avenues of Intercommunication alone,
would have been Constructed and the State
saved from all danger of being dishOnoured by
failing 10 meet her engagements. Far be it
from me to reflect on my predecessors, but it is
Cur duty to gather wisdom from experience, and
to avoid, as much as possible, the repetititiou
of error.
In the months of June and August next, tie
commissions of the militia officers Within this
Commonwealth viii expire by their own liInita-
ton. 1t would, therefore, seem 10 be fit time
to take upIhat very important, but much abused
subject. One of our most important duties is to
cherish and encourage the true military spirit a
rnong our citizen soldiers. 1nwar, and in all Try
ing emergencies on them we must RELY, chiefly
to protect our homes and fresides from aggres-'
son--Our national honour from insult--and our.
liberty from destruction. Ii is too much the
habit of some, who should know better, to
decry and underrale our milliiT and volun-
teers. Those who remember their services
in the revolution and The late " ar, with Great
Britain, entertain a very different opinion.
Let the organization of volunteer companies.
be promoted, - let them Ee furnished with
arms and ''acCOutremen!s,- Jet them devole
all the Time they can spare 10 the acquisition
OF military d.. ,lpI &c, aud ihey will soon ST.
lence the voice of censure and OF prejudice,
and strengthen The arm Of our national de-
fence -
A convention as held within the last sea-.
son for the purpose of devising and recon-
mending more effective military system,
and the result of their labors will shortly be
laid before you; in relation 10 which | take
occasion 10 say, that the opinions Of that
convention, combining as il does much OF the
talent, experience and military knowledge
of the country, will be entitled TO, and doubt
less will receive at your hands, the most Te-
spectful consideration. American freemen
should never lose sight of the solemn iniunc-
tion of the father of our country, in time of
peace prepare for war"
The geoIogicafsurvey of the State is near
ly compleled,- the past season having bro1
the exploration to a close As soon as the
field work can be reduced to shape, the Stale
geOlOast will, this winter, enter. upon the
preparation of his general report, intended Ia
embody The results of the whole survey
While the final report is in progress, tbs en-
craving of the maps and drawings, which
will require tine, and the arrangements of
the State cabinets. as far as they are in rea-
dineNs, migat De advanageousIy commenced
as e orion o. re woIk can be put to press
belple The meeiins Ci the next legislature, il
seems a@vlsable that provision should be now
made, lor preparing and publishing the de-
tails. This very important survey, develop
ing the nature aud extent Of our immense
mineral resources, having been prosecuted
sleadfastly 10 its completion, sound policy
and economy certainly require that the re-
suit should be embodied and published with
all possible despatch,
The enormous amount Of capital invested
in our various works Of internal improvement
TO render them productive. There is one
matter connected with this subject, to which
| desire 10 cali your earnest attention. The
experience OF every year proves more clear
ly the necessity Of our action upon it. al
lude TO the removal of obsrucuons from lie
channel oil the. Ohio river. The eerer:I
government has several times directed it, IL
quiries iaio this measure, but has never Va
undertaken the effectual execution of the Iio-
Ject. L is measure in which Pennsylya-
niaiis most deeply, but nol alone interested
The great and growing western and souil !
western states, emhk2cing nearly the entr.
valley of the Mississippi and its tributaries,
have direct and abiding interest in its spee.
dy completion, as we'll as Pennsylvania Fo.
the important national purposes ,sof transport
lngIhe mail, for transferring armies, and con
veying the munitions Of war, it is of quii6