Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1854-11-02
Gov. Bigler's Address to the People
Of PENNSYLVANIA.

largely into the campaign-the whig
nominee endorsing the sentiments of
the new organization while Gov.
Bigler disapproved Of them; and it
will also be remembered, that while
the two candidates were canvassing
the State Gov. Bigler was taken i'll,
and his recovery dispaired Of for
many days. But at length he re-
covered his health, and addressed a
letter to the people Of tie Suite, ex-
planning his views upon the princi-
pies entering into the canvass. The
following is but an extract Of his able
address, and would its length allow,
we should be pleased to insert the
address entire. We ask that the ex-
tract may have a thoughtful perusal,
and the sentiments therein contained
candidly weighed He says:
l am opposed to all secret socie-
ties to accomplish political ends, l
believe, in the language Of George
Washington, that all such associa-
tons "are likely in the course Of time
and things to become potent engines
by which cunning, ambitious and un-
principIed men win be enabled to
subvert the power of the people, and
usurp for themselves the reins of
government, destroying afterwards the
very engines which lifted them to
unjust dominion.
| believe in the wisdom and JUS
tice Of the language Of the Consti-
tuition Of the United States, that de-
clares mo religious test shall ever be
required ASA qualification to any Of
fee or public trust under the United
States; and in the declaration of the
bill of rights of our own common
wealth, that "all men have natural |
and indefeasible right to worship Al
mighty God according to the dictates
of their own conscience. That "no
human authority can, in any case
whatever, control or interfere with
the tights of conscience, and no
preference shall ever be given by law
to any religious establishment or
mode of worship; and in the further
declaration that no person who ac
knowledges the being of a God, and
a future state of reward and punish
ment, shall on account of his reiig- |
ious sentiments, be disqualified to
hold any Office or place of trust or
profit under this commonwealth" i
Ibelieve these instruments of fun
damental law as they are, should be ;
maintained and justly administered {
by all men in civil authority. In
deed, it is difficult to imagine how
any one sworn to administer these
paramount laws could feel warranted s
in stepping over the bounds Of their t
distinct terms, and establishing rules ,
of action in direct violation of the
guarantees and immunities which
they secure to every citizen. Cit, g
zens, according to the terms of the t
Constitution, are all alike-they are i
entitled to equal protection--to equal
equal immunities land no
man who preiends to just admins t
tration of the laws should attempt c
the high handed usurpation of con- c
stituting citizens to suit his own en-
price,and to lay down as rule Of ac- :
ton that the accident ofsbirth should !
deprive an American citizen of the
enjoyment of the full immnnities and o
guaranteed him by the Il
A more unjustifiable .
dea never entered the mind of any
American statesman. | would not "
Jay this because | believe any class 81
# people, wherever born, or whatey- n
II their religion, have any right, as Il
lass, or religious denomination, to Y
Iemand office or honor, or distinc- :;
ion in the civil government. The
of this country never g
ave nor never viii recognize such Sc
emaBd. Pr
But taking the Constitution as Ill
uide and rule of action, they will
laintaiu the just rights of all citi-
ems, learning each TO depend upon tll
is own merits and qualifications for al
lice. emoIuments and honor. This re
hold to be the true doctrine en- w
lis question, If the conditions up N,
/ WHICH the people Of other coun- re
les can l;ecome citizens Of the Uni N,
d states, and enjoy the benefits of WI
II fred institutions be wrong, that is RAJ
If fault, IT WIS not the German, rel