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


education within the reach ofevery child
within the free borders of this Union
(Applause) 1t is to place within the
heart Of each of the rising generation the
love of our Institutions, and the love of
freedom. When you shall have accom-
plished that, and Pennsylvania has her
share and her part to perform in the great
work, you viii have made for yourselves
destiny, which had almost said might
be envied by the angles themselves.
Is this system for the reduction of the
public debt to be persevered in, or is it
to be abandoned? | take it for granted
that the result of the next election will de-
termine that question. On the one side
you have presented candidate, who,
however unexceptionable he may be per-
sontlly, is yet pledged to carry out the
former practices and doctrines of his par
ty, and that party has uniformly levied
taxes upon the people; when in power;
has made but feeble efforts for the reduc-
tion of the public debt The party with
which | act while it has had charge of
the State Government has not increased
the public burthens, and has in no single
instance, failed to use its best endeavors
for the reduction of the public debt. The
party in opposition, through its represen-
tatives in the last Legislature, made an
effort to increase the debt of this Com
monwealth, byproposing to borrow $780,
600 at > per cent interest, to be applied
to the avoidance of the Inclined Planes
on the mountains, project which may
cost 81 800 900 before completed. Isay,
then, that it is for the people at the com
ing election so settle the great question
whether they desire the continuance Of
that policy which is reducing the public
debt, or whether they desire to return to
the old state Of things, when it was an
nually increasing. Whatever decision
they may make on the subject, will be
entirely satisfactory to me.
Another question of Importance, in my
judgement, to be affected by the result of
the next election, is that connected with
the policy of the National Government, in
either giving or withholding protection to
the industrial pursuits of the country.
believe that the question of a protective or
non-p protective tariff will be settled for
years to come by the action Of the people
at the ballot box on the 14th Of October
next If your decision be IN favor OF that
party which adyocatez the policy of the
present tariff law, | takeit for granted that
your recorded verdict will be received as
the deliberate expression of your oplon
on this subject If on the other hand,
YOU should decide in favor ef that party
which has always maiEtained the policy
of giving protection to the domestic indus
try of the country, your voice will be re-
spected. 1t will be respected because the
influence of Pennsylvania in National e.
lections and in National contests has al
wavs been felt and always regarded
You will remember that without the vote
! of this State no man ever was elected
President of the United States. You viii
also recollect that no tariff to protect the
industry of the country ever was passed
without the assistance of Pennsylvania,
and regret to say that no tariff law that
took away protection from the industrial
pursuits ever was passed unless 1t was
through the agency Of some recreant
Pennsylvanian. Youwill remember that
on late occasion, when an effort was
made to restore to the people of Pennsyl-
vaina some slight protection upon the
great branches Of Their industrial pursuits,
the desertion of four Pennsylvania MEM
bers of the lower House of Congress was
found necessary to defeat the hopes and
the wishes of the people of the State.
The people of Pennsylvania are an in
dustrious and a Woodworking people.
Ninety-nine out of every hundred OF her
citizens are men who rely upon their Ia
Dor for the very bread which they eat
We are a nation of workmen. The Co
vernment belongs to the people 1t was
intended to be under their control, and
administered for their advantage. Why
then may they not ask-why may they
not demand afthat Government protection
for their industry. (Appladse.)
Let us look to the condition of the
working classes-and in this expression
working class, include every man who
earns his bread by the "sweat of his
face" Our institutions require of them
the performance of Important public
trusts, the execution by themselves, or
the selection of those into whose hands
is to be committed the care of the gov
ernment. They are called upon at the
ballot box to exercise rights, which, II
properly exercised, mu,tresultin thepres-
eryation of the Consultation and the laws
The genius of our institution expects OF
that portion of our people thai they should
perform these duties with intelligence and
fedEty. What then does that citizen re-
ouire horey He requires time to i'm
prove his mind, that he may fulfil those
important trusts; and he requires to re-
oei5e for his labor such compensation as
will enable him to dispense with the labor
of his children, and to give to them such