Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-09-04
Gov. Johnston. speech at Erie.

ston at Erie, which we would be glad to pub
iish at length, did our limited space permit it,
but we have only room for the concluding
portion of it,
81 have thus, fellow-citizens endeavored.
in frank and candid manner, to express to
you my opinions on the questions bearing
most directly on the next election. | have
| given you my views freely and fully. Hav-
ing, as before stated, no eoncealments, could
not do otherwise. | am, in word, in favor of
OF the reduction and gradual extinction of
the Public Debt by means of sinking fund
of an economical and judicious administration
of State affairs, and of wisely framed pro-
! tective Tariff, such as the interests of Penn
! sylvania require.
| had supposed, fellow-cItizens, that these
were properly the questions connected with
the campaign, but our opponints tell us there
are others. distinguished gentleman, whose
longing eyes have for many years been fixed
upon the. Presidency, has taken it upon him
self to make other issues, and to aledge that
/ if L am reelected the Union is virtually dis
solved! If such is the result, fellow-citizens,
honestly tell you do not wish to be cleo
ted think too much of our admirable sys-
! tenn Of government, too much Of our glorious
Union, to be instrumental in producing such
catastrophe. think too much of the noble
State in which live; State in which was
born, and ont of which have no interests, to
lend myself, either directly orndirectly, to the
work of dissolving the Union. Suppose the u
nion to be dissolved, what would be the condition
of Pennsylvania? She would be the Belgium
upon which the beligerant parties would meet;
would be the border of the State: the ground
upon which the battle of brother with brother,
and father with father, would be fought. Can
it be that man who has no interests beyond
the limits of the State, would consent to be
the efficient agent of thus deluging its fields
and cities with human blood, and making it
the scene of war and desolation! The idea
i is preposterous, and unworthy of a moment s
consideration.
| But very different object is had in view
| in making the charge. He whose aspiring
blood would reach the Chief Magistracy Of
this Union, but cannot reach 1t save upon the
basis of some palpable humbug, gave express
sion to it in order that he might introduce an
issue which would enable him to crafty his
ambitious longings. But he is DOOMED to
disappointment. He must reach the Presi-
Q ny SOulG OIilCI lOOp-uOlC vi ave-
nue. through which to gull and humbug the
people. Very few, if any, will believe the
silly charge. He may go to the bosom ci
his own party, and find scarce six men who
will not laugh at the idea of the Union being
dissolved by the result of a single State elec-
ton.
/ Why is the attention of the "aspiring
House of Lancaster" thus directed to ne 3
I Why does he not look to and deprecate the
consequences attendant upon the success of a
political friend now in nomination in Missis-
sippi as the Secession candidate for Governor!
Why does he not make the charge general
against his Secession friends in the South!
Why does he single out me. who never since
God gave me breath entertained a thought
or uttered a sentiment, giving semblance and
support to the charge! repeat-he has SC
done with hope to manufacture some capi.
tai in Pennsylvania, to aid him in gratifying
his Presidential aspiration. A vain hope il
will be-
No Pennsylvania is in favor Of the disso.
luton of the Union. No Pennsylvania
would sustain candidate for office, of either
party, who had expressed, or would dare ex-
press, single sentiment favoring so drefu
result. l. have mingled freely with the
people, and never found one whose loyalty
whose devotion to the Union, could for a
moment suspect. Why there is vastly
more difference of opinion respecting oul
common Religion. Men may differ and dc
differ, upon that subject; but in regard to the
question of maintaining and perpetuating oul
glorious Union, all agree-all are pnited-all
stand together, and, if needs be, will fight
together.
! One of the arguments, felloy-citizens, bro't
forward in support of my alleGged hostility
to the Union is based upon law refusing our
State prisoners to Fugitive Slaves, passed in the
session of 1s47-a law which has remained
upon the statute book for the space Of full -four
years without affecting the integrity ofthe u
MON in the slightest In the month of March
last, bill passed the Senate repeating this
law, and Immediately went to the House,
where, through the action of its Democratic
majority, a vote upon it was not taken until
the last day ofthe session. II was then passed.
and presented to me for my signature about
one hour preUioats to adjournment, after vote
of thanks had been returned to the Speak
er, after the Committees had been discharged,
and after the general business of both branch
es had been disposed Of! The Constitution
secures to the Executive ten days to examine
and decide upon the enactments of the two
Houses, ,and believing that in the instance refer
red to the object was to interfere with clearly
defined Constitutional right, ] of course, un-
der proper sense of selfrespect and prop.
err appreciation of my privileges and duties, did
not feel myself bound to act upon the bill
within the limited period assigned, particu-
larly when other engagements of more press
ing Importance claimed my attention. fur.
thermore, could not discover occasion for any
particular haste. The law had been in force
four years, and still the Union stood in all its
original glory and grandeur; and Judge Por-
ter, one of the advoce tes Of its repeal, had pro-
nounced it Constitutional, though discour-
teous enactment, so that the National Com
pact could not be considered in any very I'M
minent danger from little delay in the dis
posal ofthe question. Well persuaded ofthis
L., I aofta