Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-03-29
Governor Johnston's Message.

The States of Virginia and Georgia
having transmitted some strong slavery
resolutions and complaining of certain al
legged violations of the constitution of the
United States, Governor Johnston sent in
message TO the Legislature last week,
which, strange to say, the locofoco major
lily in the House refused to print. We
make room for as much of this document
as We can:
Persuaded that there exists no unkind feeling
among our citizens, to any other portion of the
coniederacy, and that cordial love for the ma
tlonal constitution and Union, pervades our
entire population il is deemed u pleasant duty
10 transmit those resolutions to your honorable
bodies, that the necessary measures may be
adopted, after a candid consideration of the
whole subject to give decided negative 10 the
complaints Of our sister republics, If they have
done people and government Injustice in
these charges and if otherwise, to offer the
amplest assurance that the speedIest rcIped le s
Will be provided to redressan just grievances.
This action is necessary IN order that no truth
ful accusation Of a wil!ul and wanton breach OF
the Constitution, infdeiiy 10 the national Union,
or Invasion Of the rights of others, shall stain
the social history OF Pennsylvania.
The wrongs alleged may be classified as fol-
lows
First. That the people Of the non-slsvehold-
ing States have encroached upon the Constitu-
ton Of the United States.
Second That they have done acts hostile TO
the peace and qerpetuty of the national Union.
Third, That they have unjustly, dangerous
ly, and InJurlousIy tresspassed upon the rights
oil other portions Of the confederacy.
These are grave charges against the faith
and honor OF this sCommonwealth-and hence
the necessity OF d careful examination OF their
Justice and truth.
Questions connected with the slavery of the
colOred race, have given origin to these COM
plants.
Ii is not necessary TO discuss the abstract
question Of slavery. IF it were noD 10 be es-
tabIlshed-if the footprints Of the bondsman,
were noD for the first time to mark the soil OF
our common countTy--if the Constitution were
now 10 be formed, it would be our duty TO enter
our solemn protest against its introduction or
recognition. We should ieel pleasure in the
adoption of different policy from that imposed
upon US by our British plogenitors. Where
they forged and rveted, we would strike the
chains Of bondage from human limbs.
The Constitution of the United States how
ever having guaranteed to a certain extent, the
existence of slavery; and recognised the rights
Of ihe people of the sayeholding States, in
their peculiar property; all such discussions in
reference to the institution as 1t exists IN those
States, are properly precluGed by just sense
Of constitutional duty. With slavery there
fore, IN the several States, there is not now,
and never has been, any disposition on the
part OF The government Of Pennsy yIvania to In.
teriere.
Let us examine how far the general charges,
made against the people Of the free States, ap.
ply to our citizens. To do SO with more clear
ness, a recital Of the events preceding, aud at
tending the formation OF the Constitution, is
deemed necessary and proper
Pennsylvania had been slaveholdng State.
The introduction and use Of servile labor, and
the moral and political dcgredations OF the col
ored race had been engratted upon her liberal
institutions, by the cupdity OF our British an
cestry. While the revolution and the separa-
/ ton of the colonies from the mother country
were in progress; and before the recognition
of their independence by the government. Ct
Great Britain, her Legislature, by the act OF
the lst of March, 1880, abolished slavery with
in her borders. copy of that statute is hereto
annexed.