State journal & flag. [volume] (Tuscaloosa, Ala.) 1843-1846, 1846-10-30
Pennsylvania.

| \ O wings, niouShout Tue Union, pre-
dicted Waterloo defeat to the democracy
of Pennsylvania. They were 10 be routed
horse, foot, and Dragons" Even Mr..
Wilmot, the free trade member from an
agricultural district, was rot exempt from
the general destruction that was to over
whelm democracy. But these predictions
are not verified there is still something
left Of democracy in Pennsy lyania. Al.
though the wings have acquired temporary
strength, in the recent elections in Penn.
sylsania, it will, in future contests, leave
them, until the natural lines Of division are
again drawn, as they'were drawn during
Gen. Jackson's administration. between the
democratic and federal party. The local
influences now controlling the public affairs
Of Pennsylvania, date back in their origin
many years; and are of easy explanation.
Twenty five years ago the leading interests
of the State were agriculture, and com.
merce. Vast fortunes were made in those
days by the merchants of Philadelphia
and an aristocracy Of wealth, was as well
known. then in that city, as it is now known
among the manufacturers of Boston. The
greater portion of the wealth then accumu.
lated, passed into the hands of men who
constitute the active portion of the manu-.
facturers, and Merchants of eastern Penn.
sylynnia. The sons of most of the old mer.
chants, who had accumulated fortunes, on
receiving their portion, embarked in min.
ing, iron making, or in the manufacturing
of cotton or woollen goods; and as their
wealth and numbers increased, the charac-
ter of Pennsylvania was gradually changed
from an agricultural and commercial, to an
agricultural and manufacturing State. The
Bank of the United States, in its day, was
powerful agent, in the facilities it then af-
forded The manufacturing capitalists, to build
up an influence which has aided them in
obtaining the controlling power they have
now gained. Other causes aided in Civ.
ing manufacturing, and mining, perma-
nent influence over commerce in Pennsyl-
vania, but these were among the principal.
The great body of the voters of the State
have always been democratic; but nearly
all the politicians have bowed to protec.
t;on--the idol Of whiggery''; and, although
the people on The question of the tariff are
really ahead of the politcians--yet the
wings, and their democratic allies, who favor
protection-have succeeded in carrying the
State. If the issue had been made during
Gen. Jackson's administration, the demo-
cratic party could have maintained through
out the State the doctrine of free trade.
But now, the battle has 10 be fought from
the beginning. The interests and preju.
dices created during the last quarter Of a
century have TO be commended against; but
we are confident OF the result,--the inter.
est of agriculture is still the controlling
interest in Pennsylvania, .and farmers can
be convinced that protective tariffs are at
variance with The public good, and vic.
lat:on of the constitution.
But what in reality have the democals
lost in Pennsylvania They had but one
free trade member at the last session: all
the other democrats were with the wings on
the tariff question. Now they have too
flee trade democrats-and they have lost
three or four districts heretofore represented
by tariff democrats. In addition 10 this
the vote of the State, according to the
Pennsylvania, has fallen off some $4,000
mostly democratic. We do not see there
ore. that the wings have any thing to boast
Of They will have power for one year,
just as they had under tho administration
Of Ritncr; but Pennsylvania has never
cast her vote, twice in succession, for the
federal purity; and we have confidence
that she never will. The candidates for
office, who have acted with the democ ratio
party, and at the same time advocated
protective tariff, and are deleated-wi
learn by this, tina. they have nothing to ex.
pect from the wings and that it is better
to 60 wherever democracy leads, than to
temporise with principles, for the sake of
Office. This defeat will stimulate the de.
democracy of Pennsylvania to act with
increased energy and two years hence.
the oId keystone will be certain to vote
for the democratic candidate for the Pres.
dcncy.
The Montgomery Journal contains
communication on the subject of our militia
system. The writer notices the fact that
whilst Alabama was the first State to re.
spond to the call of Gen. Gaines for troops,
that she has had no partin the victories of
Gen. Taylor. He attributes this to the de-
ficiency Of our militia organization, which
rendered our men "unft" TO take The field.
Somehow'Alubama has been unfortunate