Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1849-10-06
39oltttcal.
Whig Meeting in Philadelphia.
SpEECH on GOV. JOHNSTON

A large and enthusiastic meeting was held in
Independence Square, Philadelphia, on Monday
evening of last week. Among those who adj
dressed the vast assemblage was his Excellen-
cy Governor Johnston, whose appearance on
the stand, We informed, was hailed with
most tremendous cheering, and ever and anon
during his patriotic and heart-stirring speech, a
spontaneous outburst Of enthusiastic cheers
eVinced the admiration which his frank and
open-hearted expressions could not fail to eli
cit. We find brief sketch of the Governors
remarks in the North American, which we
give below.
GOVERNOR JOHNSTON was then introduced by
the President, and the whole assemblage seemed
tossed with excitement, and we have rarely
witnessed so cordial welcome, so generous and
unreserved an outpouring of feeling. Returning
thanks briefly for the favor and kindness done
him, he said he did not know how it was-but
he could assert il as fact-that he had gained
the confidence of large body Of the people of
the city and county of Philadelphia, and through
that confidence, large majority at the polls
lie did not know why it was, for he was per-
sonaliy unknown, and when he came among
them year ago, it was with no special claim
upon their regard. True, he had endeayored to
serve the people faithfully as representative
from his District in the Legislature, but he new
er was representative of partizan views but
always the earnest and faithful supporter of such
measures as were calculated to bring the great.
est good to the greatest number. When the
question was presented to him, he advocated the
bill for fostering universal education in the be-
lief that IT was wise and salutary-and because
he felt in his own heart the want of the adyan-
tages OF early education. He wished to bring
the Common school house to every mans door
He felt, also, that he was right in giving
hearty and Jealous support to Institutions for
the alienation OF misery and the correction Of
error, and he sustained by his vote the institu-
tions of benevolence and learning in this city
because he believed that its citizens were do
ing credit to themselves and Justice to the un-
fortunate. He advocated system of internal
improvements, because he was assured it would
aid in developing the rich internal resources of
the State, to the advantage and prosperity of
the people at large, and pour their fruits into
this great city, where of right they should come
In all his legislative career he had done no act
he was not bound TO do by a sense of Justice to
the people of the State.
He came here about year ago. and found
the people disposed to cherish him. Perhaps
that arose from the fact that he presented him
self IN an unusal manner-that he entered upon
a novel mode of conducting the contest. 1t was
lnslnuated that II was wrong--that it was in
delicate to present himself before the people
and personally solicit ofiice-but he felt that
our government was based on different princi-
Pies and that he who would seek preferment at
the hands of the people, should come be fore them
and state his opinions. If they approved them
he had a right to ask their votes but if not his
duty was submission TO their will. (Great ap-
plause.)
During the previous year he had traversed
the extent OF the State, and in the course of his
tour he made no promises. He referred all who
listened to him to the history of the past, and
told them that if they placed the mantle of
Governor on his shoulders he would to the best
of his ability, strive to bring back the institutions
of the State to the broad and simple basis upon
which they were originally placed. He assured
them that under no other circumstances would
he presume to exercise his solitary vote against
their voice and will, and his endeavor should be
to relieve the burden of taxation by paving the
public debt, and reducing the onerous and I'M
wise expenditures of the government. He was
in favor of the Ten Hour Law, because he wish
ed the operative to enjoy the opportunities of
leisure. and to DE able to fit himself for the in
telligent discharge of his duties as a citizen.
These were his declarations a year ago, and he !
would ask if they had not all been faithfully
carried out.
He had not come there to give support to par
tisan action. His object was to give aid and
countenance to the uniformed volunteer system
The old law was wrong. II was mockery in
itself, and a burden upon the treasury of the |
State He felt sure that the new law would
DO beneficial one, and that it was his duty to
attend every military meeting, while, by so do
ing, he did Lot interfere with more important
official duties 1t was that which brought him
into this section of the State.
But there were certain things which might
be talked about without being charged with an
attempt to influence partizan politics OF these |
was the duty which men owe to themselves and
TO their country. According to his mode of
reasoning, and his convictions, every man was
bound to cast his ballot whenever be was Of .
fered the opportunity, He who does not, does I
n wrong to the country. Ii is an omission .
which suffers opponents to PROSTATE what IN his !
opinion is right. In government based on the I
popular will, any one who refuses 20 discharge
the duties such government imposes on him,
Is guilty of gross wrong, which eanscarcely be .
calculated. Our country cannot be subyerted I
by brute force, but the omission TO vote offers .
an opportunity which some day or other will be +
taken advantage of by demagogues, to ruin the /
beautiful fabric we have raised. We have rea-
son to be proud of our institutions, he said, and
with great force and beauty of thought, he /
urged that our institutions should be kept pure,
because it was to them the lovers of liberty in !
all lands turned for encouragement to their |