Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1848-01-13
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House Of Representatives,,
Of the Commonwealth Of Pennsylvania


GENTLEMEN No ordinary reasons for thank
fulness TO the Great God, crowd themselves up
on the Representatives OF the people, at this an
Dual meeting. Abundance during the past year,
has been the reward OF honest industry, in every
pursuit of the citizens. Animated with health
and encouraged by success. they have steadily
progressed in the Accomplishment of their desti-
ny, and while enterprise has been highly favored
In the development of cur great resources, the
elevating purposes and life of social organization,
religion, morality, education, refinement and cl-
vilzation, have been cherished and advanced.
Although peace and tranquility have reigned
within the borders of this State, we are identifi-
ed with, and deeply interested in the war with
Mexico, in which the nation is engaged-a war
with which the prudence, torbearance, and de-
sire of the people to retain friendly relations,
could not avert; and which was eventually forced
upon US, by the duty that rests upon every well
regulated Government, to protect the rights. of
It's citizens, and maintain the honor of the na-
ton.
Our religion, our interests and our institu-
tions, are essentially peaceful. The people hold
IN their hands the sovereignty of the nation, ana
exact from their rulers obedience TO their will.
By their controlling influence, they sanction and
preserve the cardinal policy Of maintaining ami
cable relations with all other nations. By them
the rights OF American citizens, In all parts OF
the world, and the honor of the nation are held
sacred. Violations Of these national rights and
national honor, appeal to the Justice, and invoke
the power of the whole people for their vindica-
ton. The war of 1872 with England, and the
existing war with Mexico, are illustrations of,
this distinguished feature in the character OF the
American people: Patient of injury while
wrongs are sufferable, and reasonable hopes Of
a return to amicable relations upon equitable
principles, can be entertained, yet no nation
may, with impunIty, violate the obligations Of
treaties or break faith with the United States
In defence OF these just rights, the power of
this people is resistless. Every citizen, holds
himself responsible, and the army springs into
existence not by conscflptlons, or contracts for
enlistments, but by the voluntary impulse of in-
dependent freemen animated by patriotism and
urged onward to deeds of heroic vaor by the
appreciation of the whole nation. This invinci-
bic spirit, guided by the science and skill Of the
officers, has led our armies in Mexico, from one
victory to another, and from one great triumph
to greater, and will lead them still onward,
until permanent and honorable peace Is secur
ed While the honest pride of every American
is gratifed, by the great achievements of our
soldiers, his confidence in free institutions,
aud in the means to defend aud preserve them,
is strengthened.
In the support and prosecution OF Tire war in
which we are engaged, Pennsylvania has given
token Of her ancient and uniform fidelity to lIO-
erty and the honor of the nation. Her volUn-
teers were among the first to tender their servi-
ces, ard in every encounter with the enemy,
have magnifed the military fame of the Com
monwealth, by deeds of romantic chisalry and
noble daring. In these great achievements,
many of our heroes have fallen in a foreign land.
The means of the winds of Heaven, Ia passing
through the long grass on their graves, are re-
echoed by the sighs of their friends IL the father
land, and the sad requiem is Just tribute to their
sufferngs and their valor
The finances and credit of the State-the
amount and condition of the public debt, and the
means of reducing it, are among tie objects
which claim the first attention of the Represen-
tatives of the people.
The amount of the public debt, on the 1st De-
cember, lS46, was $40, ,169,577 90
On the lst December, lS47, it
was, according to the Report
Of the Auditor General, as
follows, viz
FUNDED DEBT
6per cent. stocks 81, ,752, 1886 06
1926, 800 81
az {" 200,00000
Relief issues in
circulation, 93I.664 90
Interest certif-
Gates outstand-
ing. 353,956 43
Interest certf-
Gates unclaimed, 4,44S SO