Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1844-09-14
! fatigabe zeal and industry in examining every
question, and in answering every inquiry.

Perfection IN the science OF government rs
like everything else--it must be acquired by
close application and laborious study. Tc he
well governed, the people must, and generally
do, select Chief Magistrate, and Representa-
tives who have made the Constitution their
study, and have a general knowledge of the
laws which regulate society, and guarantee Sc
curity to life, liberty and property A know
ledge ofthess prerequisites to official stations
is not acquired by intuition. 1t is the result of
close reading, intense reflection, and practical
experience. A Statesman is not the child of
an hours or a days creation Years OF study
and official service have made the whole civil
ized world acquainted with the names of Jeller.
son, Madison, Monroe, Jackson and Van Bu-
rem !; and to the untiring devotion of these men
to the political condition of the Union, we are
indebted for preserving us from the grasp OF
ambitious demagogues, whose only aim has been
since the institution of our government, to build
up an aristocracy not less dangerous to the H.
bertes OF the people, and perhaps more intolc-
rable, than the iron sway of monarchy. 1t can
candidate of the Democratic party, that he has
been in Office but rather exhibits, in bold re.
lief the necessity, at this period of financial
! perpleSty. of elevating him TO the Chair of
State. His unsurpassed and Intimate acqnaint.
ance with the resources of the State, acquired
by long experience, will enable him to recon-
mend to the Legislature such measures as will
tend TO tighten the burdens of the people, by O.
quallzlng and reducing the pecuniary exactiuns
necessary to the preservation of the pledged
public faith.
! In private life Mr.. Skunk has been proverbal
for his household economy. AS public officer
no man has dared (vindictive and malicious as
party spirit makes the human hearth to impugn
his reputation for strict economy, and an honest
discharge of the duties devolvng upon him. In
every department Of the government in which
he has been employed, he mas been distinguish
ed for the same probity intelligence. and uni
! form urbanity. For the truth OF all we have
stated, we may confidently appeal to every citi-
zen whohas had intercourse with him as pub
lie officer and there are few men in the Com
monwealth who have had intercourse with more
of lis citizens His general knowledge and ac.
Gnaintancc with the details Of the affairs of the
State, always enabled him to anticipate what
was wanting, and to furnish required iniorma-
ton on all subjects in the most satisfactory torn.
His talents and his skill added dignity to every
other station he occupied, and have placed
him in a prominent and cnviablc position as
| general tayor!te before the people of this Com
monwealth. The remark may be made with
great truth, that the trusts reposed in him were
such as required skill and industry, and that
! he has been literally working man in office
! aud few uen have performed so much labor for
1 a compensation small.
/ His political principles have been uniformly
and decidedly Democratic. In early life he
adopted for his guide, and has ever since strict.
/ ly adhered To, the political landmarks which
were established by jefferson, the great Apos-
tie Of Freedom, With entire confidence in the
capacity of the people to govern themselves he
has been uniformly opposed to the creation Of
powers in the government independent of their
control, and has been associated with the great
Democratic party in maintaining the integrity
OF the Constitution, and the unquestioned and
pnquestionabc right Of those who are to be
/ governed, TO establish, control and regulate the
! powers Of government, and to mould them ac-
cOrdng to their will.
/ HIS decision of character and political firm
ness were cxempIfed by the manner in which
| he performed his duty as Clerk OF the House of
/ Representatives, during the memorable Buck
shot War. When treason was abroal-whcn
/ for the first time in the history of our Con-
monwea'th, the monarchal dogma that the ma.
;oriry should yield to the will of the minority,
was openly vindicated and attempted to be cs-
tabllshed by violence when the powers of Ie-
| gisation were about to be usurped by pretend
ed representatives, and the Hall OF the House
was filled with the mnlons aud agents oflbese
political desperadoes- the minority, by a
public mockery, was organizing a House Of
Representativcs-it was then that the admira-
bic coolness, firmness and decision Of FRAN.
CHS r. SKUNK were manifested, and the i'm.
mortal 56 members elected their officers, and
established their rights, under his supervision
preserved the powers of government from
PROCLAMATION, and secured the confidence and
warm support ofthe law and order and peace
loving people of this Commonwealth. In this
n A