Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-06-13
The pennsylvanla Democratic Convention.


The unanimity displayed at Reading in the nomi-
nation Of Colonel Bigler the democratic candi-
date for governor and Mr.. Clover for the Office of
canal commissioner, is cheering to the hopes of dem
ocracy not only in Pennsylvania, but throughout the
Union and it is equally cheering to see that the
sentiments of the Colonel in the speech he made on
the occasion, and the resolutions adopted by the con-
vention, inspire the same confidence and hope. This
speech and the resolutions subjoined:
From the Philadelphia Pennsylvania.
Between the fourth and fifth ballots for canal COM
missioner, Colonel Bigler was introduced by the
committee, and received by the convention and au-
dience with every demonstration Of enthuiasm and
respect. When the applause, which lasted several
minutes, had subsidized, Colonel Bigler and said
You have designated me as the democratic candi-
date for the Office of governor of my native State.
For the manifestation of your distinguished conf
dence and high regard thank you most sincerely
and through you my tellow-citizens of the entire
State whom you represent here. The evert and the
manner of its consummation alike grateful to
my feelings The signal unanimity which has
characterized your proceedings on this point has ex
cited in my mind the lyeliest sensations of gratitude
and delight, and inspired me with the highest hopes
of the future. accept this distinguished honor
gentlemen, in spirit of most profound gratitude
and humility sensible-deeply sensible-that it has
resulted far more from the liberal confidence of my
fellow-citizens than from any merit on my part, or
from any evidence to be found in my past humble
career that am competent to discharge the duties
of the exalted station for which you have named
But while am thus gratifed with this event, and
deeply grateful to you as the agents of the people
in bringing it about, T am not nsensible of the
possibility, labor and anxiety of mind which it must
necessarily entail upon me in the canvass for an
election unmindfu of the fact that, should
your action be endorsed by the people of the State
shall find myself but lily prepared for the high and
important post that will thus be confded to me un-
der the constitution nor can forget that many of
my citizens, whose rights and interests would
be committed to my charge, more deserving of
the honors and better qualified to fill the duties of
the station than myself. 1t is these considerations
more than any other that impress with the deep
est humility and their strongest distrus of myself
in approaching the responsibilities of the canvass
before the people. But have resolved to enter up
on the ordeal of contest for the election and if
elected upon the duties of the Office with firm de-
termination to deal justly towards all men, and to
act in accordance with the dictates of Judgment and
conscience, relying upon the guidance of Heav-
en-, and the indulgence and forbearance of my fell
low-citzens for support.
May not congratulate you, my acknowledgements,
on the evidences of unity and good feeling in the
!. democratic ranks which presented in nearly
everJ county in the Commonwealth, and nearly
every State in the Union? These are the signs of
better and brighter days for party and princi-
pies. 1t shall be my constant aim, as ! have no
doubt we'll De the desire OF every democrat within
the hearing of my voice. to extend and strengthen
this unity of feeling until it shall have restored the
democracy of the State and Union to "power and
place. it shall have raised our flag and our
principles from their present temporary prOstraton.
For my own part, have enemies to punish all
that was unpleasant and painful in the preliminary
steps of the party in reference to the action of this
body is forgotten and forg iven by me. shall know
no distin ton among democrats-no disunon or
fraction of party-but recognise one common,
hapD nd mt fIn in
spired by patriotic determination to maintain and
carry out the great political truths which constitute
the basis of the democratic creed, expounded by
jefferson and Jackson.
No public service could be so grateful to my feel
; ings as that connected with my native State-now
more than ever the keystone of the federal arch
the home of my ancestors-the centre of all my
hopes and attractions. Since first observed politi
cal events. | have watched her career with deep
anxiety, and have noticed her rapid growth, the
tension of her political power and influence, the i'm
provement of her surface, the development of he1
agricultural and mineral wealth, and the extension
of her commerce, with feelings of profound gratifca
ton. She has, too, kept pace with her sister States
in advancing the arts and sciences and in the con
struction of public improvements for the of hel
citizens But admire her, above all, for the gen
eral prosperity and happiness which she affords t.
the toiling masses of her people; but still more i
possible is she to be admired for her patriotic anC
unfaltering devotion to glorious national Union
She has not, it is true in this brilliant career, beer
9 without her days of trouble she has come ur
= through many tribulations; she has, more thar
one occasion, within the recollection of the younges
@ man in this convention encountered the storms 0
3 financial adversely But the fidelity of her people
has thus far as will in future preserve her homo
3 untarnished. Through the want Of experience anC
accountability the part of her agents, and
my in the Of her means, her debt was swelleC
far above the necessary cost OF her improvements
The facilities for borrowing money about the peroc
she most deeply engaged in the construction o
these works contributed largely towards the produc
ton of this result. The exercise of an unlimited
system of credit in the individual transactions of thu
u country-n the transactions between banks, corpo
d rations, and communities, engendered by period
n cal emission of paper money-constituted the ele
/, ments and laid the foundation of financial hurri
cane which shortly after burst upon the country
e with unequalled violence, Frustrating indscrimnate
y the innocent with the guilty, robbing the labor
e er of his hire, and filing the land with distress
~ misery. Before this storm Pennsylvania, fer
10 time, compelled to give way. vain atternp
l. was made in this crisis it is true, to supply be
wants by resort to mere expedients, the only efec
y of which to postpone the evil day and to aggra
yae the disease and in 1843 she lay Frustrated be
e meath funded debt of S38, 100000, with million
:, of unpaid interest and three millions of do
, nestle debt demandable at the treasury every day
That she could have been honorably extrcated from
such vortex seams almost incredible. But it wa
n accomplished and to have had the opportunity O
e an humble participation in this laudable work will
a ever be to "reminiscences full of interest ant
r. qualification. If elevated to the high trust TO
u which you have named me, it will be my specia
pride and ambition, as it will be my duty, as far a
in me lies, to relieve our good old Commonwealth o