The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1850-05-09
HARRISBURG, April %, 1856.

HARRISBURG, April %, 1885,
Genfiemen:-I have received your let
ter of this date, inviting me on behalf of
the democratic citizens of the seat of gov
eminent, and members of the Legislature
OF Pennsylvania, TO public dinner. For
this mark of your kindness, and the ap-
probation you have expressed of nv pub
lie course in the Senate of the Union, and
in The Treasury department, be pleased to
accept my grateful knowledgements,
and terven! thanks.
In advocating, during the last twenty
years, the Remuneration of Texas, dona-
lions to settlers of the public domain, the
specie receiving and specie circulating
constitutional treasury, the extension of
our boundaries to the Pacific, and the
great cause of commercial freedom, l sus-
tame measures and principles believed
by me 10 be best calculated to advance
the honor, interest and glory of my be-
loved country.
In passing through this State, there is
now presented, rywhere, abundant evil
dence OF great prosperity. Agriculture is
blessed with good harvests, remunerating
prices, and enlarged markets, commerce
and navigation flourish, labor finds ready
employment, and generally good wages,
whilst nearly every branch of manufac-
lures prosper. If there be any depression
In any one pursuit, it is but limited, par
tlai, and temporary, and in very short
period there will be no exception to the
general success in every department of
American industry. Here, at the seat of
government of this State, located on the
beautiful Susquehanna, upon whose banks
was born, new and extensive factories
are going into operation, and there is eve
ry evidence OF increasing wealth and pros
perily.
ihe credit of the government has risen
70 the highest point, and our revenue from
customs this year reaches forty millions
OF dollars. Never had any nation such
cause for gratitude and praise to that be-
nignant Providence, which has carried US
through so many trials, in war and in
peace, to such height of greatness, pros
perity and power. By adhering strictly
TO the rules of equity and justice, by
maintaining peace and enlarged commerce
with all the world, by adjusting all our
domestic difficulties In that wise, patriotic,
American, and Christian spirit, of mutual
concession and compromise. in which the
Constitution was framed, and all its pow
ers should be administered, we will bound
forward IN career of increasing wealth
and power, eclipsing in the next half CEN
tury even the glories of the past. Let us
never forget that it was the UNION that
gave us freedom, that crowned our arms
with victory in every contest, that floats
trlumphantly in every sea the honored
ensign of our great republic, and is now
advancing us to height Of prosperity and
power upon which the world will soon
gaze with surprise and admiration. If we
could destroy such a union, so fraught
with blessings to ourselves and cheering
hopes to mankind, we would Justly merit
and surely receive the retributive chas-
tisement of offended Heaven, and through
scenes Of internal strife and civil comlno-
ton. through fields of war and carnage,
laid desolate, amid the ruins of agricul-
ture, commerce and manufactures, our
retrogade movement, towards a semi bar
barian state, would be far more rapid for
the future, than has been our onward ca
reer for the past.
rejoice to believe that Pennsylvania,
my native State, will stand by the Union,
by encouraging that fraternal spirit which
animated her own immortal Franklin,
when the government was first estab-
lished.
In accomplishing this high and holy
purpose of preserving the Union, let us
all remember, that it was the constitution
that made the Union, that the constitution
and the Union are one and inseparable,
and that in destroying the constitution,
we would surely overthrow the Union
which rests upon it.
| regret extremely that circumstances
beyond my control forbid my acceptance
of your kind invitation, but this mark OF
your regard and confidence will be ever
most gratefully remembered by your
Obliging friend and fellow citizen.
r. ]. WALKER.
To the democratic citizens of Harrisb'g g
and Members of the Legislature.
CoNuNDRUMs.-Why is a restless man