Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1854-07-06

has eYInced throughout a devotion to the III |
terests of the State and a degree of wisdom, |
integrity, and of warm regard for the true |
welfare of the Commonwealth in the highest !
degree commendable?
Aside from the general tenor of his admi- !
nistration there are certain distinctive features
in it that in themselves deserve the highest de-
! gree of praise, and which entitle him to the
| public gratitude We allude to his rigid ap-
/ plication of the Individual Liability principle
to all corporations, and his complete destruc-
ton of the omnibus system of Legislation.
| In regard to the individual liability prin-
ciple the justice of its application to all bank
! ing institutions is now generally recognized,
and the same reasons which render il wise,
just, and necessary feature of their charters,
apply with equal force TO manufacturing, me-
chanical, mercantile or other companies In
! all cases where it was ommitted in acts of in
corporation for business purposes, Governor
BIGLER has interposed his veto, and has thus
entirely destroyed that system by which in for
mer times spectators have engaged in pursuits
by which, ii successful, they profited and the
losses. of which, IL unsuccessful, were unjust
ly thrown upon those in their employment or
with whom they had made contracts BY the
operation of the individual liability principle
they are made to share the losses as well as
the profits of their adventures and it is just as
proper that hundred men combined should
do this, as that one man should be compelled
! to do it, when conducting business upon his
own account.
The destruction of the omnibus system Of
legislation was effected during the last session !
of the legislature by the determined manner
IN which Gov, BIGLER took ground against II !
IN his last annual message, and the people |
will find, when the pamphlet laws are publish |
ed that they will contain the noble and merit /
orious feature of each act embracing distinct |
subject clearly set forth in its title The ON |
nibus system has been the great course OF our |
legislation, under cover of which the most /
outrageous frauds have been perpetrated, and |
odious acknowledgement villainy sanctioned !
The most unjust provisions have repeatedly !
been lnsidlOusly inserted in bills whose gene
raj tenor was unobjectionable, and it is thus
that the legislative snakes which have often
proved so troublesome have been warmed into
life. Members have frequently been compel
led to sanction provisions they knew to be un-
just, because they.were attached 70 bills they
were deeply interested in, the passage of which
they feared to imperil. No reform was more
imperatively demanded than the destruction
of this iniquitous system, and boldly and sue
cessfully has our present Chief Magistrate ef-
fected it. In doing so we are aware that he
may have incurred the ire Of those who hoped
to profit by such opportunities Of perpetrating
Legislative frauds, but the great body Of the
very best men in the Whig ranks have deelar-
ed that for effecting this one reform he richly
deserved the compliment ola reelection.
No man can long take an active part in pub
lie life without making some enemies, but the
honest masses are always disposed TO rally
round and sustain those who honestly, faith
fully. and efficiently discharge their official
duties. That Governor Bigler has done so,
the history of his administration abundantly
proves. The true interests of the State have
ever found in him a Jealous and efficient friend.
Bya long and honorable public career he has
became thoroughly acquainted with her le-
gslative wants, her true policy, and intimate
" understanding the nature and character of
her resources, he knows what measures are
best calculated to develope them. He has
long and thoroughly studied every measure
affecting the welfare of our Commonwealth,
and has given innumerabe instances of Us
capacity and disposition to advance her inte-
rests The people Of all parties Will ponder |
long before to one thus versed in the whole |
system of our State Policy, TO one whose con- |
duct in many instances met the unanimous ap- /
proval of the public to one who has been the |
active friend and champion of some of the best |
and wisest measures ever adopted for the be- |
neft of our state, to one who has been tried |
and found eminently faithful and efhcient,-
they viii pause before preferring to such a man
who has never even been member OF our
State Legislature, who has never opportunities
of gaining complete insight into the works of
our State Government, and who Is almost as
much of a 'Know-Nothing" in regard to the
duties of the Executive of this Commonwealth
as rumor says he is politically
! With such candidates as Gov. BIGLER and
/ mis- associates, we feel than we can enter into
| this campaign with entire confidence as to its
results We are aware of the combinations
which willy tacticens are endeavoring to form
against us, and it is part of their game TO strike
! terror into our hearts at the very outset or the
contest. But to use homely though ex-
! pressive phrase, let them remember the les
! son which dear bought experience has taught
them on many occasions heretofore, that the
Democracy of Pennsylvania were not born IN
| the woods to be scared by an owl. As TO
| Gov. BIGLER's course in this campaign much
conjecture has already oeen hazarded, bu his
friends and foes may be sure of this, that he
will be found wherever duty calls him. If his
friends desire to meet him face to face, he will
| be ready to respond to their call. The phan-
tastes which our foes are seeking to conjure
up to fright the isle from its propriety," will
! fade away like mists beneath the summers
sun, before the light of reason and the power
of truth. The prejudices they are seeking to
invoke, they will find are two-edged swords
which cut both ways, and which if not very
carefully handled, may infict more wounds
upon those who WELD them, than those whom
they attack. If ever the Democratic party of
this State were firmly encased in the armor of
justice, right and reason, they are so now. IF