Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1851-10-02

subject, and laid down platform to guide the
action of their party, which was sent forth 10
the world, and has since been repeatedly pro-
claimed by their candidate as their acknoWl-
edged policy in the event of success. Ihese
two great questions then are to be settled oy
the result of the October election. III the
ma aiority of the citizens of the State are sat
is6ed that matters so directly affecting their IN
dustry and their pockets are to be SO decideo'
they owe it TO their country and to their own
interests to enter into the contest with the
same determination as he who now addresses
vou-a determination never to cease their ef-
forts until they shall be crowned by success.
Great applause.
II has been said that another and very
important question is to be decided by the re-
sult of this election. | allude to the preser-
vation of our National Union. ltthis is to be
thus effected | admit frankly that 1T over
rules in Importance all others. IL would be
of small moment to you whether your INDUS
try was protected or not; whether your pubic
debt was paid or not; whether your taxes
were increased or decreased; whether your
children received the benefits of education or
remained in ignorance, if the Union were to
be dissolved.
! But, fellow citizens, how is it possible that
a state election in Pennsylvania can affect
the preservation of the national Union =
Your constitution guarantees to you the right
TO hold an election. The constitution guar
rantees to the majority to select whom they
please to be the Chief Magistrate ofthe state
for three years TO come. The constitution guar
rantees this to YOU without the impertinent
of tbnr ctnfn M other
If it does not there is no State sovereignty
at all. Suppose for a moment, that you should
elect-a majority of you-acting IN true obe-
dience to the State and National constitutions
William F. Johnston to be Governor for
three wears. Would that dissolve this Union!
Who is to complain Who is wronged by
this action of the popular majority! But |
think if you permitted an interference from
without with your elective franchise IN the
choice of your Chief Magistrate, you would
be submitting to gross wrong, and TO vio-
laton of the very constitution which gives
you protection and gives you liberty. Who
has the right to say to the people OF Penhsyi-
vania that they shall not make choice OF who
soever they see fit to elect! Surely no State
in thissconfederacy has right to complain.
That certainly Will not be pretended by those
who are the advocates OF the old Democratic
doctrine of State rights and State sovereignty.
Why the very principles upon which our lnstl-
tutons, if understand them, are based, is
that the powers vested IN the National Gov
ernment shall be executed by the National
Government, and all the powers not given to
the National Government by the National
Constitution, are reserved to the States, or
to the people. Among the rights reserved
to the people, is the regulation OF their
own domestic affairs, the regulation OF their
own legislation, and the regulation OF
their own State elections. Who then, has
the right 10 interfere with US! Any one out
of this State acts in viola tion ofthe very prln-
ciples upon which our confederacy rests, by
interference in a question belonging exclusive
ly to the people OF this State Can any one Sc
rously pretend that the choice of an eXeCu-
tive magistrate, would, under any circum-
stances, put in jeopardy the union of these
States!
do not believe your Union would be dis
solved if you elected no Governor al all. In
nv judgement the Union is not matter to
be lightly talked about as easily dissolved
On this point probably differ i'll opinion from
some statesmen who have stood eminent be-
fore the country; but it is an honest difference.
differ from some of my fellow citizens on the
question whether this Union is in danger or
not. While would not say they were IN er-
: ror, | maintain the position which have all
ways held, that this Union has never been
and never will be in danger. (Great ap-
plause) | say so, because ] never met a
man in Pennsylvania who had ever heard OF
any body else, who ever heard of any third
person, who had heard any other body say he
was in favor of dissolution of the Union.
never met man who was not ready to pour
out his hearts blood in defence of the consti-
tuition and the Unon.-(applause) | never
yet heard a man declare that there was any
| party in this country in favor of a dissolution
of our National Union. | maintain that the
? love of the Union is planted in the breasts and
t in the hearts of the people of Pennsylvania
and it is so fixed there, that no man, and nc
/ set Of men, could, under any circumstances
t remove it.
If | am wrong in this belief am erring or
r the safe side. Is the man who contends that
there is party in Pennsylvania opposed tc
f the continuance of the Union of these States
! as true TO the Union as he who contends thai
= the entire body are in favor of it Here yor
5 have man who claims to be a special friend
Of the National Union, and yet he tells yor
: that large portion Of the citizens of his owr
: State, if they vote in particular way, vii
f be lending their aid and their countenance t
a dissolution of the National Government
4 There can be no safety in following such ;
lead. | will admit that the results of the e
: lection may lay some demagogues on the shelf
g Perhaps the word Cemagogues is too harsh ;
f term. Il will lay some politicians on thu
0 shelf, and lay them there safely for a long pc
!, riod of time.
: 1t has been alledged that there are som'
D questions of national policy that enter int
4 this contest. | do not concur in that opinion
: and fortunately our political opponents ar
materially divided in regard to it. 1t is sai'
: on the one hand that the question of SLAYER.
1 directly enters into the contest, while anoth
= portion of the same party alledge that 1t doe
not. Which of them are we to believe =