Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-07-17
GOVERNOR JOHNSTON.
Sketch Of his Speech al Lancaster

MT. FreSedent, gentlemen OF the CoHDentao7
/ and FelLoao- Citizens:
Il have no language sufficiently strong to ex.
press my cordial thankfuness for the renewed
manifestation of your kindness and confidence
implied by the unanimous denomination ten
dered me for the office ofChief Magistrate oi
the State.
In accepting the honored position which
has been assigned me, can only pledge my
honest intentions to discharge, if elected the
duties of the Office with fidelity and ZEAL
To this work l should feel bound to bring my
whole energy ofmind and body. have no
disposition to claim exemption from error,
but should endeavor to act in such manner
as to give my fellow-citizens assurance, that
to want of capacity, and not lack of WILL,
should be attributed over-sights and mistakes.
might here close with another expression
of thanks for your kindness, if did not be-
lieve that this large assemblage ofmy fellow
citizens expect from their candidate, an ex-
preston of his views in relation to many ques-
tions connected, with the results of the ap-
preaching campaign
Your proceedings remind me that the peo-
pie will, this fall elect Governor, Canal
Commissioner, and five Judges of the Su-
preme Court of the Commonwealth.
The Supreme Court of the State is Tri-
bunal armed with almost omnipotent power,
if | may use SO strong an expression in refer
ence to an institution of mans creation. 1t
is the mightiest authority in our State, and is
clothed with powers unknown to any other
branch of our government. 1t is the last ex-
FOUNDER and expositor of our laws. The Ma
ker and Executor of the law may, by its un-
swayed and unalterabe decision, be made to
conform to its degrees. 1t holds within its
sphere of action the lives, reputation and
property of each citizen. Although, control
led by written constitution and by written
laws, it still possesses the power of expound-
ing and declaring the meaning of each. In
the control of incompetent or bad men, Su-
preme Court may prove the most blasting
curse which may befall a nation, while in the
direction ofpure, faithful, competent and cour-
ageous Judges, it may be made the surest
guarantee of Constitutional Liberty. An
incompetent Judiciary is a fearful tyranny in
any country.
A distinguished politician once said in
Congress, on question connected with the
Federal Judiciary, that the book of Judges
Immediately preceded the book of Kings"
The remark was justly true when applied to
incompetent or corrupt Judiciary The Sc
lection CT the members of this Court thus in
the necessity of things, clothed with large
powers, rests with the people at the next e.
lectn. Each man who fails in the discharge
of this solemn duty to make good selectins,
is faithless TO the Constitution, to his country,
to himself and posterity.
What are the qualifications essential to
the incumbent of a position vested. with such
delicate trusts! would say profound learn
ming, unbending integrity, moral and physi-
cal courage, pure patriotism, kindness and
gentleness of heart, singleness Of purpose,
and devoted attachment to republican institu-
tions. The pathway of good Judge is
marked by the evidences of a religious trust
in the governing control of the Supreme Au-
thority, and by walk and conversation a.
mong men, which can give none an occasion
of offence.
OF the Canal Commissioner need say but
little. All know the immense responsibility
connected with the Office. The annual dis
bursement of one million, or one million two
hundred thousand dollars, is necessary to keep
the vast machinery of our public improve
ments in repair. The Canal Commissioner
annually selected to assist in the expenditure
Of SO large sum, should be no ordinary man.
A dishonest officer might use his position
to plunder the Treasury and aggrandize him
self An ignorant officer would be incompe-
tent to see that others, subordinate or equal
to him in office, discharged their whole duty
with honesty and fidelity. Checks in such a
body as the Canal Board are desirable and
necessary. They cannot be too numerous or
great. One of the most effective is, repre-
sentation in that Board of each of the politi-
cal parties of the State. Such an arrange
ment would destroy much of the opportuni-
ty for wastefulness, and would result in the
saving Of large amounts to the State Treas
ury.
Having thus briefly referred in general
terms to the other offices, | come now to
speak of that with which nay name has been
associated.
Upon my accession to Office in le48, found
the State debt exceeding forty millions of
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