Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-04
GOvERNoR BIGLER's ADDRESS TO
THE PEOPLE or PENNsYLvANIA.


GoyERNoR BIGLER's ADDRESS TO
THE PEOPLE or PENNsYLvANIA.
We have inst read the recent address Of
Governor Bigler, Of Pennsylvania, to the peo-
pie Of that State. 1t viii be recollected that
some two or three weeks ago the public jour
/, nails were filed with gloomy forebodiugs con-
corning the enfeebled and dangerous condition
to which the health Of the Governor was re-
duced He was then on a tour through the
State, in compliance with call from his polit
ical friends, and a challenge from his adversa-
ries, to render, not only an account of his ex-
ecutive stewardship, but to let the people hear,
from his own lips, his opinions on all the great
questions which are now agitating the country.
Cheerfally responding to the peoples require
ments, he left the seat Of government, and
whilst health and strength permitted him to
mount the stand, he boldly and fearlessly
ayowed his principles and opinions upon all
subjects of discussion, and ably and trium
phantly indicated the great principles upon
which the Democratic party is founded, and
!, every measure brought into existence as its off
spring. at its sfga
!. But disease reached him on the northern
border of the State, and his career was checked
on his route, at the town Of Waverly in New
York, near the Pennsylvania line. From this
point, in his sick room, he penned the letter to
which we have adyerted, addressed to the peo-
pie he could not visit in consequence of his en-
feebled health. His address breathes the true
and genuine sentiments Of the statesman, the
patriot, and the honest and enlightened politi-
clan. 1t is written in strain of mastery elo-
quence and marked ability, and deserves the
attentive perusal of all classes-the politician,
who boasts Of enjoying learned profession;
the plain farmer at his country home the in
dustrious mechanic, in his workshop, the whole
industrial community, the "bone and sinew"
Of our country and its glory.
If we could find room, we would desire to
spread the whole Of this admirable paper be-
fore our readers but we can only extract
portion Of that part Of it which rings such
solemn truths into the ears Of !" Knoacno-
Mingism,n as should cause all good, but i'm.
pulsive men, who have been thus far led
astray, to pause and reflect, before they are in
volyed in that terrible gulf from which there
will be no retreating. In this relation he
says: gre So
am opposed to all secret societies to nc
c0mplish political ends. believe, in the Ian
guage of George Washington, that all such as
sociations "dye likely The course Of time and
things TO become potent engines by sohich cum.
ming, ambitious and unpriacipled men sciU be
enabled 10 snbreYt The posoer of the people, and
TO usavp for themselves the reins Of government,
Destroying afterwards the pe,y engines iohich
lifted them 10 unjust dominion" cir
alal believe in the wisdom and justice of the
language of the Constitution of the United
States, that declares " no religious test shall
erer be required as qualification 10 any office
or public trust under the United States; and in
the declaration Of the bill of rights Of our own
commonwealth, that "au men hare natural
and ndeteasi6le right 10 soorship almighty God
according TO The dictates Of their o,cn con-
SCIENCE That mo human authority can, in
amy case ,chateper, control or interfere Nth the
rights Of conscience, and no preference slGtcrer
be qipes by Idsc to any religious establishment or
mode of ,corship; and in the further DECLARE
ton that "no person scho acknowledges the
Z being of a God, and a future state Of Teicard
and punishment, shall on account of has re
ligioas sentiments, be disqualified 10 hold any
office or place Of trust or profit maier Ibis COM
saonsoeafth. ~ 81 ss1gf s9ff 3
lS. believe these Instruments Of fundamental
law as they are, should be maintained and
Justly administered by all men in civil author
ity Indeed, it is difficult TO imagine how any
Zone sworn. 10 administer these paramount laws
could feel warranted in stepping over the
bounds Of their distinct terms, and establishing
rules OF action in direct violation Of the guar
anfees and immunities which they secure TO
every citizen. Citizens, according TO the tyms
Of the Constitution, are all aliko--they are en-
titled TO equal protection--to equal rights-to
equal immunities--and no man who pretends
TO Just administration OF the laws shonld at
tempt the highland usurpaiion Of consti.
tuting citizens 10 suit his own caprice, and TO
Law down as q rule Of action that the accident
of birth should deprive an American citizen OF
The enjoyment Of the full immunities and pri-
9 viIeees guaranteed him by the Consultation.
A more uniusti6able idea never entered the
mind Of any American statesman. ! would
not say this because / believe any class Of peo
4 Die. wherever born, or whatever their religion
have any right, as class, or religious demons
nation, TO demand Office or honor, or disinc-
ton in the civil government. The democracy
of this country never have nor never will re
cognize any such demand. SIT 4 VA 3.
But taking the Constitution as guide and
rule OF action, they will maintain the just
rights Of all citizens, learning each 10 depend
upon his own merits and qualifications fol
Office. emoluments and honor. This / hold "a
be the true doctrine on this question. IL the
conditions upon which the people OF other
countries can become citizens of the United
z States, and enjoy The benefits Of our free'insti
4, tutions be wrong, that Is our fault. ~ was moi
the German, the Wechman, the Englishman
the Irishman, OF the Polander, who made these
10 conditions. They are the work Of American
statesmen. They stand sanctioned by George
Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and other illus
trious fathers Of our republic. We held out
the alluring invitation TO the people Of Other
countries TO come here, accept our conditions
= and become American citizens. Wt
2 Nor we're we slow to Impress upon the world
(. the peculiar benefits Of our institutions In
" = q -