The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-22
The Pennsy lvania InsurI cetion.

The Pennsy lvania rIcetiOn.
In the teeth Of an cutlery that would have ap-
palled most factions our neighbors in Pennsyl-
vana are still pursuing their lawless career
and seeking yet further depths of infamy. We
recorded few days since the destruction of
several bridges by the modest and refined ladies
otErie We have now to draw public notice to
the passage through the Pennsylvania Senate
of the bill repeating the charter of the Frank
lin Canal Company. Should that bill receive
and the Governor it would deprive the railroad
company of the only authority under which
they are acting, and would definitely close the
contest by securing the. victory to the people Of
Erie Judging from the unanimous vote by
which the bill passed the Senate it would ap-
pear that little doubt con be entertained of its
reception by the other branch of the Legisla-
ture. The true PeDnsy lvanian spirit is obvi-
ously reused. and we must now expect from
thence SURPRISING efforts in the way of mean
ness and narrow-mindedness Like all races
which have aimed at being exclusive shutting
themselves out from their neghbors and
steadily intermarrying among themselves
there is no doubt that the last century has
effected very serious deterioration in the in
habltants of Pennsylvania. We should look in
vain to-day for any of that large and liberal
spirit which warmed the bosoms of their fore
fathers Of the Revolutionary era: petty, local,
selfish cravings after gain. have chOked it long
since.
Still. in spite OF the plain indications afford
cd by these facts. we are loath to be-
Iieve that the Legislature OF Pennsylvania
will yet cross the Rubcon, and declare
open war upon the United States, by
repeating the Franklin Canal Company's char
ter. Blinded as our neighbors seem to be By
prejudice, and eager as they have shown them
selves to injure New York. we can hardly bring
ourselves to expect that they will place on re-
cord so disgraceful mcmento of narrow-mind-
ed seliishness. We speak not on behalf Of the
company. nor seek to lay stress on the private
injustice involved in the sudden repeal of a
charter in full faith. on which large sums Of
money have been expended and large works
undertaken. The Franklin Canal Company
must bear the penalty of having relied on such
body as the Pebnsy lvania Legislature The
injury done to them is the smallest of the
wrongs involved in the repeal Of their charter.
1t is the principle embodied in that repeal which
we regard as an indellible stain of the Penn
.ylvanian escutcheon-a principle which states
in broad terms that the people Of the East AMI
the people Of the West shall have no thorough
fare through Pennsylvania unless they consent
to pay toll on their way. Like Rob Roy in his
Highland detle. the people OF Erie intercept
passengers on their journey, and refuse to Al
low them to proceed till the accustomed black.
mail is paid. In this attitude the pirates and
highwaymen are sustained by their government
The Senate approves the bold outlaws: and ere
long we may hear Of the Governor awarding
them the same protection which fcudal lords
for private reasons, used formerly to extend to
felons of a similar stamp. In plain words, the
Senate of Pennsy lvania will establish that the
people OF that State will not allow a road to be
built within their borders unless the predatory
propeIsties Of the people of Erie are cared for
in the act. This will, to our mind. be the first
instance in which State has refused to permit
private individuals to improve its internal CON-
muncations from sordid fear that rapidity Of
travel would diminish the consumption of vic.
tuals by passengers on the way.
Should the Legislature ofPennsylv ana how
erer, be bent on repeating the charter, the rest
of the country ought to look around at once
nsv,a 1alo
outrage would require us to take. An emphatic
declaration by Pennsylvania. " that the East
and West shall not communicate through her
borders without paying toll" clearly amounts
to declaration Of hostilities against the Union.
We expect no army to cross the border, and re-
commend no Notifications to be erected; but,
practically, the course pursued by Pennsylva-
MIA is an overt act Of war just as much as
refusal to allow our vessels to unload in her
ports would be- An absolute injury is inflicted
on the whole East and West-an injury probably
greater in its results than the effects of few
months war. These aggressions afford an am
pie justification tor stringent measures. Both
as an example for the future and a punishment
for Pennsylvania, it is but right that the United
States should rctaliatc upon their rebellious
sister. Two measures would probably effect
the desired end and bring Pennsylvania to her
senses. One is the removal of the Mint
from Philadelphia to New York; the other
the repeal of the. protective duty on iron.
The former has been long required by the
interests of trade; the inconvenience now
suffered by parties here who receive large