The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-24

Governor Johnston, Of Pennsy wanna has been making
speech Columbia. Lancaster county. in the Of
which he descends to the lowest personal abuse Of
Mr. Buchanan. and says that no means to talk it all
the Stale" Such vituperaion can have no effect
the good people OF Pennsylvsni They have long
known James Buchanan. and will not place much faith
IN the stump assertions OF whg candidate who seeks
by misrepresentation TO be continued governor OF dem
ocrac State, Governor Johnston is a lhoroughgoins abo-
onist OF the Garrison stamp and delighted in usng
all the cant phrases of the abolition sgslos of the North
But this course will have little effect il is not only
dishonest IN ITSELF bat is in very bad taste Neither Mr.
Buchanan nor the democracy the old Keystone State fear
TO be talked about" All the democracy wants an open
field and fair hight to consgn lis opponents 10 meritsd
contempt The Governor (who was elected by ma
jory OF few voes) appears TO have lost all self
respect and 10 have descended to the position of
mere politician. Let him go to his hearts content.
Let him continue his mpotent attacks upon the de.
mocracy OF Pennsylvania. The people will come
to the rescue II will be remembered. when the lesis.
aure of Pennsylvania passed law to repeal the in
famous notification act OF ls47 at the last session. that
Governor Johnston gave silent and cowardy veto by
putting the bill in his pocket. He now openly avows
that the constitution gave him the right SO to do. Sup
pose il did what then II he had the constitutional
right keep this bill in his pocket and to give it the 60
by without assigning his to the Legislature, il
would still have been frank and manly for him to have
given his to the people for the Veto But he chose
the ignobe OF defeating the law without
suming the responsibility of the act Was this candid
il manly Far otherwise. Indeed, q man Of
candor, he had no excuse for this procedure. While
the bill progress for many days in the legislature.
he had ample time and opportunity to examine ito
provisions. He knew all about the BILL and knew that
| it but act of justice 10 the South, 10 the
Union, and in all respects constitutional and expedient
And yet with all this foreknowledge, he shrinks from
procaimng his sentiments. and giving lis Official advice
to the legislature In fact without showing the indie
pendence Of statesman, the resolution of man, he
skuks behind his constitutional right TO keep the bill in
his pocket and thus defeat good rather than
show his hand. Who would expect such pusilIanimty
from governor oil the great State Of Pennsylvania
The motive is apparent, and clear as the noon.
day sum- The wing governor non.commiita II
he signed the BILL he was fearful Of offending the abo-
tion fanatics if he gave his reasons against it. be
was fearful of disappointing the true friends OF the
constitution and the Union. He shrunk from having
his reasons criticised His ignoble course was to
avoid all responsibility, by pretending that he had
not time 10 examine it. But this subterfuge shall not
shield him. He had ample time 10 examine it, From
its first inception he knew much about it's provisions
as any member of either house who voted for il. Why
should not he be willing to responsibility
any member OF the Legislature Oae would suppose
that the governor OF the State better prepared
than the members of the legislature TO give opn.
ion any But il seems, while
beers Of both hou wide awake and prepared to
record their votes that the whg governor asleep
and knew not was going on. He alone is taken
by surprise at the eleventh hour and not prepared
to act, if arctic credit his apologiss Nevertheless
i, is probable that he anxious avoid bringing
this matter issue the election. which must occur
between the time when he pocketed the bill and the time
for the OF the next legislature when his
reasons must be forthcoming. This the subtefuge
which he practsed the people of Pennsylvania and
trust that they will hold him responsible for his
ardy commalism Let justice be done 10 the
chief magistrate who has gnaly abused his trust
II