The mountain sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1844-1853, 1851-01-16

,rol of the National Government, has long
formed part of the annual messages of the
State Executives, and the custom has
found favor not only by its consonance
with the peculiar relations of the States TO
the General Government, but in the deep
solicitude felt by individual citizens in the
action of the latter on questions of perva-
ding and direc, interest to all. From the
resolves of their Representatives in the
councils of the States, the opinions and
wishes of the people are often well col
lected, and hence your action is frequen'-
ly of great moment. In obedience, fhere-
fore, 10 custom, and in order that the sem
timents Of our common constituency may
have expression either through the Exec :.
u,ive Message or the action of their rep
resentatives, il is proper to refer TO some
Of those questions of general interest, the
disposal of which more especially belongs
70 the National Government.
A revisionn.. and alteration of the Reve-
nue. laws, so as to give adequate and per-
manent protection TO the industry of Inc
country, are demanded by the PROSTATE
condition Of the mining and manufacturing
interests. The propriety of affording full
protection to domestic industry, in the
fully discussed, that mere reference TO
former views. is deemed necessary at this
time. In late effort TO amend the pres
ent Tariff, its failure may be fairly attri-
buted TO the omission Of the last Legisla-
ture to give expression to the perfectly
well understood wishes and expectations
Of the people. II is confidently hoped no
such omission will mark the conduct of
she present assembly,
reduction in the rates Of postage, and
the construction of railway cOmmunica-
tions, to the Pacific, were urged heretofore
as worthy of friendly regard. Repetition
OF the views then presented is unnecessa-
~, as time has only strengthened the con-
rIctIon OF the propriety and usefulness of
the proposed measures.
In relation to the extension Of Slavery
and the duty Of faithful observance of her
Federal obliga .,ions by the Commonwealth
he views ey. oppressed in former messages
remain uncl langed. There is nothing, in
nay Judgn tent, in the history of the past,
nor IN the: warnings Of the future, to JUS
'!fy the abandonment of the principles,
sacredly regarded from the foundation Of
aha Sta tie, of non-intervention in the do
mestic policy Of other communities, and
OF re solute determination OF permitting no
inter ference with our own. Fidelity In
she discharge of Constitutional duty has
dist lnguished our government and people.
anf if an opinion exists within, or has
be en- mischeviously propagated beyond our
b orders, that such is not the fact, it is con-
c eived in error Of our true history. Penn
sylvanis, her people, and and her authori-
ties, always have been loyal to the Con-
stitution. They wish it neither 10 be eva
ded or amended. They will not permit it
10 be resisted.
II has been intimated that no questions
connected with the institution OF Slavery,
and the rendition of iugitives from labor,
,here have been indications of disregard
of her constitutional obligations. TO the
clause Of the Constitution relative to fugi-
,iyes from labor, and the Legislation under
IL, there ever has been in Pennsylvania
with all her avowed aversion to domestic
slavery, implicit obedience. With al
earnest desire that, by free interchange
Of moderate nd rational opinions, obedi
ence to the law may be made, not only
implicit, but cheerful, it is proper to refer
to some of the difficulties in relation to
the subject now existing in the public
mind.
The clause of the Federal Constitution
relative TO fugatives from labor involves
these propositions: l. That involuntary
service or slavery may exist in the States
of the Union by constitutional recognition.
2. That the escape of the person SO held
shall not operate as discharge from such
service or labor. 8. That on the claim OF
the party to whom such service is due
there must be rendition of the fugitive.
To interfere by legislative enactment
or otherwise, to destroy or in any way
affect the right of property recognized in
the first proposition, would be daring
violation of the clear obligations of the
Constitution. No human being can pre-
ssnd that by this Commonwealth such an
in,ericrence has ever been attempted
Whatever may be the feelings Of the peo-
pie in oppositicn to the further extension
of Slavery, and tie consequent increase ol
anti-republican and sectional representa-
ton in the National Legislature, no effort
has ever been made to disturb or destroy
the vested rights of cinzeHs OF other
States; and when those rights NAV be en-
dangered by the escape OF a slave beyo
the limits of the State, where the relation
is acknowledged, our citizens have acted
on the principle, that no sympathy with
individual suffering ought ever to weaken
their sense of duty to the plain require
ments of the organic law.
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