The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-04

Governss Johnsss0 and ths CosAPsoIAiso Measures.
II will be remembered that the legislature its recent
session repealed the Objectionable session OF The
act Of lsa7 which that iorbdding the Jals OF the
Common 10 be used for carry ing out the provision
OF the Of Congress with reference TO the detention Oh
persons escaping from service or soor 10 otner STATES
This was done in unison with the spirit that dictated the
compromise aci. aud for the same andabe and praise.
worthy objectto put stop TO the constant and wicked
agitation OF the slavery question: and thus restore peace
and tranquility TO all sectras OF our country
ThB was measure that was urged as constitutional
duty BY the democratic party IN the Stale and naion and
in obedience to this principle that the repeal was
brought forward and pressed upon the early attention OF
the legislature But while the wings party loudly
professed their attachment TO the constitution and the
Union, and through their papers claimed to be the espe
cal friends of all that looked, in the most
degree, TO the final and speedy settlement OF this
yexed question: still they threw all the mpedments in the
way OF the passage OF this most just and righteous law
that ingenuity and cunning could suggest
But while this was the game that was playing in the
State. by which the people were TO be cheated into be-
lief OF the real and attachment OF The governor
and his friends TO the compromise measures, letters were
and visits made the national capital for The pur
pose OF defeating the measure extending helping hand
to the free-so agitaors, and supporting such
Seward. Hale, and other kindred agitators The move
bold one. and consequently the to be used
for eGecting it be desperate. In Congress the
chney OF the general government resorted 10, and
in this State the executive interference called into
uison 10 arrive at the perfection OF their wishes In
obliged deliberate upon, this poison infused
until the whole atmosphere OF The State capital pest
lental with This wing treason In the distance was the
aurng prize OF second term, and that the charm
before which faded all that high and nice sense OF honor
and patriotism that should distinguish the chief magis
trae OF such State Pennsylvania. II the bill passed.
the question OF its fate assumed shape that the governor
did not wish 10 meet. II it signed he would lose
the support OF the free soil portion Of his motley party
If was vetoed, the Union partysmall though they
be-in addition TO the abolition party whose influence
and support he trafckng for. would give him the
cut direct; and thus he like Actaon pursued by his
own hounds and, like him, doomed TO perish for his
lmprudence
Owing TO the exertions of the democratic MEMBERS
however, the bill finally passed, and the gov
enor for his signature, and there it still remains. awaiting
his excellencys pleasure while the honor OF the Com
monweah and the attachment OF her people to the plain
requirements OF the constitution daily subjected
the msconstrucon OF the citizens OF our sister States
of wing assertions whea they proclaim their devo
ton the country II it had been bank charter by
which few thousands were to be put INTO the pockets
speakers name would have scarcely been dry before il
would have been honored BY that OF his excelency but
was merely measure 10 redeem the lair Torn, OF the
old Keystone from the faint of treason to the Union that
had been put upon it, and there is no need OF hurry 1t
is thing to make speeches at public dinners full of
sounding phrases and laud TO the skies the compro
mise measures, and all who voted for them-that is in
tended Tor the public ear and mere decoy for the
thinking and the speculative; but il is far different mat
ter 10 show their sincerity to the doctrines BY acts that
will live upon the impershable record when the present
age with all It'd interests shall have passed away.
But from all sides the inquiry. Why has not this
act been signed And to this there can be but one sens
Bile reply The governor and the party 10 which he is
ached fact, opposed TO the compromise
and anxious TO throw all the hinderances in the way
Of their successful operation aihey This is fairly
to be argued from Tire fierce and bitter fight that the
peal bill in The Legislature. and also from the delay
there is the part OF the in attaching his sig
nature it, that may 60 into immediate effect If he
thinks that such course will win him friends in the
State of Pennsylvania. his mistake will be fatal
The spirit of the olden times fully awake in this Com
monweal,h. and all minor questions will be forgotten in
the Justification OF the character OF The State, and the
Of her devotion to the principles OF that
stuton which she helped TO form, and which she has
slways taken the lead to defend. The people demand
know why the bill is moi sgned Tor upon this great
question OF national and State honor they not to be
trihed with.