Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1845-02-27
FOR THE JErFERsoNIAN REPUBLICAN.
MILFORD. Feb. 20 1916


last evening, was an occasion OF more than
common interest. Though The weather was
uniavorable, and The streets alnos, impossible
from mud, the Presbyterian Church was filled
with large and attentive assembly.
The lecture was delivered by the Hon. JAMES
M. PORTER, of Easton his topic, Pennsylvania
her Institutions. and her Great Men The
address evidenced research and thought sub
servent 10 comprehensive intellect. 1t is
with no small degree of pleasure that we be-
hold man of Judge Porler's talents, and ur-
gen. professional avocaions, ready 10 do his
part in fostering the interests of literature.
On subjec, of such extent, it was, Of course,
impossible for him to do more than touch, in
the briefest manner, upon The great variety Of
interesting points presented in the discourse.
Glancing at its early condition, the speaker re-
marked the difference between the unbroken
wilderness, two hundred years ago, and the
present state of Pennsylvania, is owing 10 lis
institutions and its grea, men. He gave rap
id, but highly lucid and graphic view Of The
physical resources of the State in the course
of which he justly remarked, ,ha, tho coal and
iron beds of Pennsylvania are TO her better and
surer sources of wealth, than The boasted mines
of gold and silver Of Mexico aud Peru. The
early settlement and subsequent history, the
constitution and laws, and the men who have
raised themselves into notice in almost every
department Of public life, found place and
brief review in the course Of the address :;
shelving that Pennsylvania thus far, though
negligen, in pressing their claims on public no.
lice, has furnished her full quota Of men of tai
ent and enterprise, Of scientific attainment and
moral worth. He touched upon the state Of
internal improvement, and the present and pros.
pec,ive population, computing from data based
on the facts of more than half century, that
in forty-eigh, years from the present, we may
expec, to see our 900, 900, expand 10 7,6oo,-
900 souls.
could no! but inquire Of myself, as reflect
ed on the probabilities Of this mighty increase.
and the vast resources, the means Of intelli-
gence, refinement, education and grandeur, the
intellectual and moral power which must be here
concentrated what shall be the future course
of this no,c grea, and future mighty common.
wealth. Al no distant day-wilhin half GEN.
tury-its population will exceed the highes,
and mos, visionary accounts we have ever re.
ceved of the Inhabitants Of old Rome herself,
separate from the provinces on which she rest
ed her iron heel What then must be the gran
deur, and above all, the mighty influence of this
Stale, in the day fas, approaching, when its
means and resources in other respects shall
have been propor,ionably developed
| We sometimes call her from her intrinsic i'm
poriance, her situation between the northern
and southern portions of The national confedera-
cy, and her central position in the whole Union,
the Keystone State. The political importance
of Pennsylvania is great; so great that as she
goes, i, is perhaps not hazarding loo much to
say, the Union mus. also 60. II she fail in ac-
compishng great and noble ends if she rises
10 power only 10 misuse it, her proud surname
mus, only be an emblem of The mischief of her
example and as certainly as the fall of The
keystone. when knocked from the arch, will
ensure The downfall of the fabric, so will her
failure TO meet the demands of high and hon
orable career, be the wa,chword for national
mIsruIe, anarchy and ruin.
| We say this no, to excite dependency, but
TO arouse TO wa,chfulness, and 10 spur on 10 ac-
tioh all who aim TO do good 10 their State, their
country and the human race We shall do
most wisely to steer between the extremes OF
presumption and dependency, neither hoping
for prosperity withou, exerlion, nor desparing
of success if We do our duty.
Whatever we can do to make men think and
10 think and feel right; whatever will excite
and foster the spirit of intelligence and virtue,
or nigh, say intelligent urtue, will tend to the
great and desired result before u.s.
We should never forge, that mere mental cul.
lure is insufficient 10 truly elevate and bless
since The copucity to do great things, undrected