The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1845-02-05
From The Philadslphia Iaq,Iirsr'
OUR STATE DEBT.
THE PAYMENT OF THE INTEREST "A SA-
Lutte AND CELEBRATION

every part oil the city yesterday, ON account Oh inc
payment of the interest the public debt, and the
consequent restoration Of the honorable character oil
the Commonwealth.
At IL O'Clock, salute of 100 guns was fired from
Bush Hill. by two Of our artillery companies, who
went through the gladstone duty with great precision
and effect.
II being known that the Hon. David X. Porter,
Ex. Governor of the State, in the city, number
of citizens resolved TO wait upon, and congratulate
him on the suspicious event Shortly after o'clock,
they arrived at the American Hotel, Chestnut street.
the head quarters Of the Governor accompanied by
a detachment Of the National Artillery, Capt }. n
Murphy-Lieutenant Ward commanding. The band,
which, by the way, was capital, played several pa
trotic and military airs the military and citizens
approached aud entered the private apart oil the
Ex-Governor.
The citizens were received with great urbanity
by Mr. Porter, who was accompanied by Ovid y
johnson, Esq., late Attorney General, and several
friends.
The band having played the Star-Spangled Ban
ner and the military being arranged 10 lne-a body
OF citizens came forward, headed by his Honor Peter
Mccall, Esq, Mayor, who addressed the Ex-Goy-
ernor TO the following effect
Mr. Mccall said that be felt exceedingly happy in
being the organ Of his fellow citizens, IN expressing
their deep emotions Of JOY and Qualification, in rels-
ton TO the glorious event which had been commemo-
rated this day-namely, the payment of the interest
Of the State Debt. With regard TO the gentleman he
addressed, (Goy. PortGr,) his fellow-ctlZens were
aware how much they indebted TO his exer-
tionS. We all felt, in Philadelphia, that this was
one OF the brightest days in the history OF Pennsyya-
MIA. There was not citizen who did not breathe
irserwho did not hold his head higher-not only as
a pennsy lyanIan but also as an American. We had
come here without distinction Of party, To interchange
congratulations on event which was far above all
party considerations. Pennsylvania was herself
again. She stood erect, regenerated and redeemed.
BY this event. the character of the people of Anne
eleyaIed-and NV The and stripes
might float through the ports Of Europe in their Prs
tine glo-y. We had been told that we were able and
not willing to pay our State lnterest-but the event
OF this day would nobly refute the SANDER. The
cannon which we bad heard, would echo across the
Atantic-carrying in its sounds, the glorious news,
that the free States of America mil ht he trusted and
would be honest. Philadelphia had always stood
foremost in this State in her advocacy Of paying the
interest We had been taxed, heavily taxed, but we
had ever been ready to submit TO whatever burden
was necessary to restore the credit of the State aud
we had now the happiness to perceive that she stood
once more on the pedestal of honor. Such were our
feeliDgs-and we desired to express thanks to all
who had any any fundamentally In bringing about
so glorious result To the members of the Legs-
laure who had unanimously voted To pay the State
Interest, we desired particularly to express our
thanks-their names ought 10 be written in letters Of
gold when they retire from the halls Of egisla
ton to their constituents each will be hailed with the
exclamation of Well done, thou good and faithful
SERVANT U lnt uls'ltBulSneu lnulNluudl VINO nON
filled the Executive chair, Gov Shunk) we desired
also TO return our thanks, for the prompt submission
OF his own opinion TO the will of the representatives
of the people.
To Governor Porter especially, Mr. McC. address
ed himself, observing that that gentleman, in his Off
cia station, had ever looked with single steady eye
towards redeeming the faith and honor of the State
by the payment of the interest the public debt.
That in times Of deep gloom and embarrass-
ment he had honestly aud steadfasty strven for the
result in which we now rejoced The payment of
the State interest would fill the eyes of many wi
dow and orphan with tears of joy-whlle it would
have the effect of restoring public confidence happl-
ness and prosperity. Mr.. Nee. then concluded, by
congratulatng the Governor and all present, on the
high stand which Pennsylvania once more occupied
among the nations of the earth.
Governor Porter, in his reply, observed that the
honor conferred upon him unex pected, that
he was wholly at loss in what language to return
his thanks adequately to the citizens who had thus
manifested for his conduct, in relation to the State
finances, so much regard and respect. He was high
y gratified that any portion of his public conduct
should have received the appreciation of The citizens
OF Pennsylvania and particularly so, that It should
have been approved by the enlightened citizens of
Phladelphi This, to him, was gratifying in the
extreme. He did not consider that he was entitled
to these distinguishing marks of kindness-for he had
only done his duty. He had sworn, on being install
ed into office, to do his duty to the people, and to
the best of his ability he had endeavored so to do
When he entered upon the GubernatoraI Office he
found that about 81 900, 600 due from the State
TO aburers and other domestic creditors, who really
could not afford TO be kept out of their money. Eve
ry week of his life at that ume he was assailed by
with tears in their eyes, who stated that their
little property was about 10 be sold TO pay the few
debts they had contracted for the necessary support
Of their famiestha their property thus forced into
the market would bring but fraction Of its real
value-and all this they should suffer, because they
could not obtain payment of their just dues from the
Commonwealth. He rejoiced at the event which had
been brought about--the payment Of the State int
ret In his Messages he had presented facts in rela
ton to the financial condition of the State-what he
knew to be facts. And he free TO say, in refer
ring to the Treasurer OF The Commonwealth Mr..
Job MANI that the department had never been more
ably faithfully filed, than by the gentleman who
had ociaed during the latter portion of his admin
istratlon But this was not all. The tax payers
would now be convinced that the taxes would be de-
voted to the purposes for which they we're levied
and should find that from this day, the taxes
! would be cheerfully paid.
The Governor then spoke in the most cheering
terms Of the condition Of the farmers and agricutu
ralsts Of the State and after expressing the heart
felt pleasure which the happy and suspicious event
OF the day, and the congratulations OF his fellow
citizens afforded him--he addressed himself to the
Mayor, and concluded by saying" thank you, sir
i thank you, and the gentlemen with you, for the
manifestations OF regard and respect, which l have
this day received at your hands,
The speeches Of both gentlemen were received
with acclamation-the band playing " Hail CoIum
ba" and Yankee Dood e"-and both the military
and citizens, having partaken of a cold collation., the
party separated highly pleased with the proceed
lngs
ILLINOIS CANAL.-The report of the Illinois Canal
Commissioners states the actual cost of the Illinois
Canal thus far to be as follows:
Sum actually disbIrsed IS 039,24s
Liabilities Of the Canal 1903 ,945
Cost of the Canal al this time SO 1903 1913
Sum required to complete it 100000
Cost when complete under the new law S7,703, 1913