Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1854-08-09
Address of the whig State Committee.

The State Committee appointed by the Whig
Convention at Harrisburg, deem it their duty
to state to their fellow citizens of Pennsylva-
mia the principles involved in the approaching
contest, and by which it will, in their opinion,
be mainly decided. They mean to speak earn
estly and explicitly, and very few words are
needed to define their views. Never, in the
history of Pennsylvania, was there clearer
and stronger line drawn-never more distinct
definition of principle. Questions OF moral
and social responsibility, of infinite moment
to us and our posterity, have arisen, and the
opponents of the National and State Admins
trations in Pennsylvania are united on the COM
mon ground of resolute opposition to section
al strife, encouraged and stimulated as ii has
been by the policy and conduct of the Admin
istration at Washington, in the Interference of
the Government in controlling the legislation
of Congress to this end, and to the further eX-
tension of the institution of domestic slavery
in the territorial domain of the nation.
On these national questions, the Wing can
didates appeal to the people of Pennsylvania
with confidence. Their opinions are those
which Pennsylvania asserted in ancient times,
Those opinions have never been Extensively
expressed. Had the public mind been allow
ed to enjoy the repose which, less than two
years ago, existed throughout the land, or had
:: spirit of forbearance been manifested by
those who have the most reason to invoke it,
the contest which now agitates the country
would have been averted. The passage of the
Nebraska bill by Congress at the instance of
the Administration, and through its undsguis-
ed influence, and the repeal in express terms
of an ancient statute, plighting the nations
word of honor that the Western territory was
to be forever exempt from slavery and the do
mestic slave trade, COMPEL the Whig party of
the North, and especially the Wing party of
Pennsylvania, to break the silence they might
otherwise have kept, and to speak out again,
in language not TO be misunderstood, their an
cient and fixed opinions.
To the doctrines of the act of 1880, which
relieved US by constitutional means from a
grevious social evil-to the great ordinance
of 1877, in its full scope and all its benificent
principles-to resolute determination to ef-
feet the absolute and entire repeal of the ag-
gressiye portions of the Nebraska bilI-to the
protection of the personal rights of every hui
man being under the Constitution of PeHnsyl-
Fania, and the Constitution of the United
States by maintaining inviolate the trial by ju
~ and the writ of habeas corpus-to the
sertion of the due rights of the States, of the
North as well as of the South, and to the integ-
rity Of the Union. never so much endangered
as when a wanton wrong is inflicted-to these
ipIa he Ptyp of nSyIy and
its candidates are solemnly pledged. On this
strong ground they are content to stand, and
and TO the support of these principles we in
site the cooperation of every freeman in Penn
gyivania.
The Congress OF the United States, soon
about TO disperse, and the administration of
the general government have, in the passage
of the Nebraska bill, (the only measure of the
present session. and in their criminal neglect
of the great interests of the nation, and espe-
eialiy of Pennsylvania, made this single issue,
aRd oA 1t, till the viii of the people shall de-
eide it, we are content to meet them. 1t is
not an issue that we have made. 1t is forced
upon us, and we meet it calmly and resolutely.
We arraign the National Administration
aided and abetted by the present State Exeeu-
tiye-for in opinion and action they are iden-
tified-before the people of Pennsylvania
We hold them responsible for the revival of
sectional agitation. They have, by the abro-
CATION of the Missouri line, by which, north
of a certain parallel of latitude, slavery was
forever prohibited, aroused a spirit of resist
ance to aggression which ii may be difficult to
appease.. They have done this wantonly, and
on them rests the responsibility. We urge
upon our friends throughout the State, in eve
~ county and township, to organize, and,
waiying all minor differences, to elect such
legislature and representation in congress as
will give decisive rebuke to those who have
anew involved us in agitation.
Should such representation be secured, and
James Pollock be elected, Gas we doubt not he
viii be,) to the Chief Magistracy of the State,
we may look forward to the time when Penn
sylvania, her interests and cherished economi-
cal policy, will be no longer sacrificed, or post
poned, or made dependent on the aspirations
Of men alien TO her in heart and feeling, when
the improvement OF her navigable streams and
defence of her harbors and protection Of her
industrial resources can be no longer denied,
and when, at no very remote period, the adj
ministration of the general government will