Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1854-09-30

II. "NNI N.I N.''' WV .''I 'N'. ''
hn.rHuig nom ehHNyrt D0HnIIY lhri
INNS hs,0 ram. ani Whru,tr nniIng 10
lh. continent uh.'hotm f.yull'h Rock
otl0uu..uNm vrtr vuFecs lUm ulpi.
uug persecution. escaping nom 'hn bl11it
scruc9 wm.h mark Goo datkcsi ragfs lu
modern history Nor should vo forge.
that whom Wm Penn, Roror Williams oud
Loud ll1Ilmou--a Qu1kct % Baptist, md
q CnhoIc-ogrccd upon terms OF perfect
religious tolerance, that twas % sound ora
ol "good will 10 mn on earth" II was
The greatest triumph Of Christianity since
the days of Constantine, Il has been tho
source Of the greatest good to mankind
It's bcuigninnucuccs have been worldwide,
aud Il has strengthened the cause Of civil
liberty and christianity in all countries
Has It occurred TO those who would eclipse
this great Characteristic Of American in.
sttuiions, that The dirc1l inhucnco Of a
relrogude action on this subject could not
be confined 10 the limits Of our country
That MS its adyoeules they could not be
justified for temporary Inconvenience or
selfish end, in entaillng so great an evil
on the cause Of Christianity and civil Iib.
eriy in other countries. This principle OF
Christianity, bcneyolenco and love for the
rights Of man, knows no geographical lin.
its. 1t is as widespread as the human
race. The Christians in Heather lands
point 10 the American Institutions rs an ar.
gument in favor Of liberal views The
advocate o? the civil rights Of man under
tyrnnnical and oppressive forms orgoyern.
ment, also draws his arguments from our
example. The American example has
been the beacon.light which has guided
the political mariner wherever struggling
against the waves Of oppression. To the
Christians in Heathen lands, and the Prot.
estants in Catholic countries, it has fur.
nished the largest share Of their arguments
and their hopes
But TO suppose-which is simply an ab.
surd dea-that there be reason to appre
hend encroachments upon our civil insti.
tnions by any class or sect Of citizens,
where would all good citizens rally for
protection against such an evil They
would be found to cluster around the con.
stllutIon; they would gather about it like
the faithful at Mecca, and hold itup as an
impossible barrier 10 such cncroachment.
There | should be, in such an event, 10
maintain this instrument for the benefit OF
all classes and all denominations Of Chris.
tians. But how idle is it in those who
pretend that there may be danger 10 the
civil institutions ofthe country, TO announce
as remedy, the destruction ofthc great.
est safeguard which our institutions afford.
So long as The people have confidence
in the paramount law Of the land and rev.
erence It's principles, so long will it afford
ample protection 10 all but ifthat ins.ru.
n1eni be oycrridden BY the power Of com.
bnaton-ir it be thus demoraized and
weakened, and the confidence Of The peo.
pie aIenated from it, and eucroachmenis
should then be attempted, there might be
cause for alarm, fCr those resisting such
inyasions would be in the attitude of an
army with the fortress torn down and the
ordnance dismanlied. Bot enough oflhis.
| trust that | have succeeded 10 making
my views knownio you upon this grave
subject
have said none Of these things from
prejudice, for am myself a Pennsyya.
man by birth, and Protestant by rcli.
gious belief as were my parents before me
but | simply declare principles which
believe are consistent with the best inter.
ests, the dearest rights, and highest hope.
ofthe people Of my native State. Nor dc
| intend 10 speak unkindly of individua
citizens, who for any reason may have
connected themselves with the association,
to which | have been referring. car
readily perceive how, clothed with nov
IeIiy and secrecy, the approaches of sucl
an institution would bo oinsidious and Sc
ductlve and how a citizen Of the best in
tcnIions mightbe drawn within its meshes
But all such have a plain duly to perform
and that is, 10 withdraw from the order
to renew their allegiance to the Constitu
ton, and to assert the dignity of free anc
Independent voters, and vote for whomso
ever they please for political office.
| have now, fellow citizens, said al
that the limits OF communication of thi
kind will permit, and trust | have mad,
myself understood on oil subjects rela
ting TO my official dulies. The issu,
must be with you. am confident tha
in passing upon my acts, you will no
test them by standard Of perfection
for that is what humanity cannot attain
In conclusion, let me assure YOU, tha
whatever your decision may be, it shal
not weaken my attachment to the princi
pies | have declared, nor lessen my zeu
for the welfare Of my native State, no
my admiration for you as a people.
Very respectfully, your fellow citizen
WIN. BIGLER.
Remember Democrats, that You Fygh
for Liberty Your Enemies for None.
and Rolcer.-YOU fight for the preserya
ton of your free and Glorious constitution