Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1850-01-10
he general prosperity.

States into the Union, the subject of the extension
OF slavery, will claim the attention of Congress-
Our Southern brethren, united by long association
and habit with this institution, and depending nm.
on it in large degree for their domestic comfort
and commercial advantages, will not willingly al
low OF its exclusion from territories belonpno l.,
! the General Government. No disturbance is ron
iemplated of their relations Herewith. in States
where it now exists. Holding their slaves bv
compromise and concession, it would involve on
our part preach oil faith. and interference with
the sovereignty of sister Republics, to n,ermeddle
with the social policy to controvert the egali-
ty OF their domestic relations. Whatever injury
may be inflicted on Northern interests from the
Jealousies incident to the existence Of the nstitu
Hon, and the effort to PROSTATE free labor sa.
cred regard for our pledged faith admonishes us 10
suffer, rather than attempt reformation where our
| authority will not be acknowledged. The extern
sion OF the evil beyond its present limits dscloses
very different feature. The consent of the free
States of the Union to its further progress would
ernce an ignorance of their true interests of the
nights OF justice and humanity, and an Indifference
to the character and dignity of their common coun
try Where these are implicated, it is an aban-
donment OF duty to compromise So fully were
the views of the Executive expressed on the SUBJ
Ject OF the Tariff and the extension of slavery, in
former message, that reference to them here
as embracing his present sentiments thereon
would appear to be sufficient.
The dissemination among the people of infor-
nation affecting their peace and prosperity, should
oe regarded as measure OF sound wisdom, and
should be shackled by no unnecessary exactions.
10 give to The citizens of one section Of a com
mon country, correct knowledge of the wants
the opinions, and general condition of the people
OF other portions thereof, should be the aim of all
wise legislation on the subject Nothing would
tend more strongly to dissipae sectional ealouses
and dlShkes, and to unite in sentimens of neigh
bory kindness, every part of this great confeder-
acy. Intercourse, whether produced by the agen-
cy of Railroads or of Telegraph; by personal or
written communications is an agent to heal dis
sentlons, and 10 foster social charities. more po-
tent than national laws. To tax beyond the ne
cessities of government, the intercourse of our
citizens, creates barrier to the dissemination Of
knowledge; and assists in estranging the affections
OF the different portions of the Republic In this
view OF the subject the Rates of Postage charged
by the National Government, becomes question
of deep importance, and sound wisdom would die
tate reduction of present charges.
1t cannot fail 10 be perceived that the observa-
tionS In relation to postage, as connected with ma
tional intercourse, applies with equal force to i'm
provements in the mode Of travel between remote
sections of the country. Whatever facilitates free
communication among the citizens, strengthens
the unity government. Whether from the char
acer of the country and the nature OF its surface.
it is practicable to construct great national thor
oughare from the Mississippi TO the Pacific Ocean,
has not been fully ascertained but it must be ev
ident, that such an improvement would be OF Inc IS
timab!e value TO every portion OF the Union. In
addition 10 The opportunities it would afford of an
interchange Of hospitalities between the people of
remote sections, would not fail to be loaded with
trade, as profitable to the county, as it would
be important to different localities. To Pennsyl-
vania, its benefits can scarcely be imagined The
Improvements already made, and those in progress
in this State connecting with The Public Works OF
other States, Will soon form one unbroken chain
OF communication from the Atlantic TO the MlSsis-
sippi Were this gigantic WORK completed, no
man can estimate the solid and social advantages
which must ensue TO every section OF country uni
led Herewith; and in no place would its salutary
results be more efectual, than within our own
borders. The subject is eminenty worthy the Sc
roua attention of the Legislature.
In faithful adherence to the National Consti-
tuition, as the same has been expounded by the
Sages and Patriots of other days, the people OF
Pennsylvania rely for the perpetuatlon of their po
litical, social and religious liberty. Although in
its provisions may be found the acknowledgement
of principles they do not approve. it is esteemed
by them the fundamental law OF the country,
and they reverence it as the consummation of |
wisdom and patriotism, devoted to the general
welfare. When sectional interests and jealouses
contend Tor supremacy, and sectional rights are
to be determined; when questions between States !
are controyerted, and disregard of national laws is
in peace and war, in prosperity and
adversely; in foreign domestic difficulties; the
citizens of Pennsylvania turn with abiding conf |
dence to the National Constitution. Neither the /
thirst for power, nor the phrenZy of party, the
prostraton of their peculiar interests, can shake |
their allegiance to the National Government, or
raise with them the traitor cry of disunlon. The /
sentiments expressed, and the language used on /
he subject, by the Father of his Country, are so
appropriate to the period III which we live, tnat | /
nave deemed it proper to call your attention TO the
following brief extract from his farewell address :
"The unity of government which constitutes yon I
,ne people, is also dear TO you 1t is justly So
or it is main piler in the edifice Of your real in
dependence; the support Of tranquility at home; /
your peace abroad; of your safety; of your pros
1eritY; of that very liberty which you so highly
oriZe. But as it is easy to foresee that from diff
erent causes and from different quarters, much
pains will be taken, many artifces employed, TO
weaken in your minds the conviction of this truth;
this is the point OF your political fortress, against
which the batteries of internal and external enc
nies will be most constantly and actively Ghongh
ften covertly and insiduously) directed;-it is of
infinite moment that you should properly estimate
he immense value of your national union to your
collective and individual happiness that you
hould cherish a cordial, habitual, and immorable
to it, accustoming yourselves TO think
nd speak OF it as the palladium OF your political
N xuotchinu for It's /