The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-08-07


ciples, would undoubtedly have done had
his competitor been the nominse. In The
course Of the ensuing summer, however,
Mr. Muhlenberg, by sudden summons oi
Divine Providence, was taken fiom this
scene of trial 10 his reward on high. All
hearts mouned this sudden taking off of
their selected Chiet; but all eyes turned in
stinctvely to Skunk as the man to take the
place of the lamented Muhlenberg, and 10
be the standard bearer Of the Democracy in
the approaching contest. The same Con-
vention met again, and placed MIR. Skunk in
nomination and the friends of Mr.. Muh-
lenberg yielded TO him the same generous
supper: which had been accorded 10 their
favorite.-Thus, in one and the same cam
paign, occurred two beautiful illustrations,
one by each section OF the party: OF sincere
devotion to the usages of the Democracy,
and of unqualified submission to regular
nominations.
The Whig party had for their candidate in
1874, worthy and distinguished citizen,
who combined in himself the elements of
popularity in an eminent degree but nei-
ther the popularity of General Markle, nor,
the repugnmce which was felt TO Mr..
Shunk's radical opinions on various sub
iecls by men who were his personal friends
and admirers, could avail 10 defeat his elec-
tion. His hold on the affections Of the peo.
pie of Pennsylvania was too strong-he had
been tined too long, and was too well known
as an upright man, sagacious Statesman,
and faithful public servant, TO render his
election doubtful. His majority was decl'
sive.
On the 21st of January, 1915, in the Cap.
ital of our ancient Commonwealth, before
the representatives of nearly two millions of
people, and in the presence of many of that
people, stood Francis r. Shunk-,he poor
boy of the Trappe-to take the oaths pre-
scribed by the Constitution of the United
States and of Pennsylvania, and 10 assume
upon himself the duties of Governor of this
great State. Behold the man. Survey him
well; his majestic form-his benevolent
CONFERENCE.-The commanding mien. He
comes not 10 an inheritance Of hohors won
by The brave hearts and strong aims of a
feudal ancestry. He boasts no patrician
blood. He bears on his manly person no
miserable baubles as insignia OF royal rank.
But there he stands, plain, simple, repub-'
liran cirizen-sprung from lowly life. Injured
TO toll, tried in public trusts, and always
fo und fai,hful-and now about 10 assume
the high office TO which the free sufffages Of
his admiring countrymen have called him
On, it was a spectacle on which men ahd
angels rejoicedto to look! And it was scene
tha illustrated the beauty of our institu-
tions, which open up pathway for the hum
blest cottager, from the obscurity in which
he was born to positions OF distinction and no.
nor. No where else in our ILL. governed world,
only in this beloved land of ours-can such
scenes be Witnessed. In other lands, the
cot,aeer must toll on i'll his cheerless aud
hopeless obscurity-thankful if 1.-THE and
tax gatherers--if church, and State, and
Stewards Of princely landlords, leave him
daily bread fol himself and his little ones.
If aspiring thoughts rise up in his mind,
which God stamped with Immortality, he
must stifle and subdue them as it they were
the suggestions of an evil spirit. Let him
not think of place and power-of honors
and renown--these belong, he is told, to the
rich ard we'll born-his only solichudes must
limit themselves TO daily bread. To him
the motto "raise YOURSELF" is an uhmeaning
are no steps for him. But ii is
the glory of our institutions that they repress
no soul, and quench no Promethean fires.
May they be as enduring as the race OF man!
Having traced the more prominent pas
sages in the life of Governor Skunk, from
his boyhood to his elevationao Gubernalori-
al honofs, I'shall not detain you by follow.
ing him through his administration and his
re ELECTION by greatly increased majority.
This is not suitable place for discussing
the measures of his administration. His
State papers are all marked with great abii-
ty and a thorough understanding of the civ
il and political history of the State, and they
exhibit the highest regard for the public mo-
rails and the general welfare. You all know
with what solicitude he guarded the public
credi,--wi,h what sternness he resisted the
tendency of capital to opptess labor aud
with what energy he rebuked the rage for
corporations which prevailed amongst us.
In reference 10 our covenant obligations TO
sister States, no man was more sound than
Governor Skunk Regarding the institution
of domestic slavery as political evil entail
ed upon us by the power of the mother
country, whilst we were subject colonies, he
reioiced in It's extirpation from the soil OF
Pennsylvania, and was content TO wait until
other States, in the exercise of their sover-
eigu and exclusive jurisdiction, should see
fit 10 expel il. from their borders. He under
stood the rights of the States too well, and
he felt the force of our constitutional COM
pact loo sensibly 10 countenance the sedi-
tious movements that are sometimes made
in the northern States for the abolition of this
institution i States which choose for the
present to retain it.
On the whole, his administration OF the
government was highly satisfactory to the
,,.o,,la md craditahle IN himself He sur-