The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-01-11

tlue-Ol SlSut5 uliillOuo IA toA'y
to come-and at one hundred millions at
the close of the present century but
mere numbers are of no moment, com
pared with moral elements, in nations
greatness. The vital strength and sta
bility of the United States, as people.
consists in the substantial interest which
each individual has in the permanency of
those glorious institutions, which were
baptized in the blood Of our revolutionary
struggle, and handed down to US as the
sacred legacy of our fathers. Peril, or
destroy these, and we peril or destroy the
share Of sovereignty and equality which
they were designed to secure, alike
TO the richest and poorest, to the high
est and humblest in the land. The
experience of more than three fourths
of century proves, | am persuaded, that
the American people, in the main, truly
appreciate the benefcent structure and
beautiful operation of our republican
system. We have been assailed by an
insidious and open hostility from abroad,
and have, at times before the present,
been encountered by both the conce aled
and palpable spirit of faction at home
yet the Constitution still stands as wide
" and firmly riSeted in the affections Of
the honest masses Of American frecmen,
rs at any former period of our history.
The more fruitful sources of our ma
tional prosperity, undoubtedly consist in
the freedom, industry and intelligence of
our people; ana in the rich natural re-
sources Of our country; united to an ad-
rantageous commercial intercourse with
n warning world. But there is one ele
ment which We should cherish as more
potent than all these: it is the protection
and cncoura cement afforded by the union
of the States, under an adequate and
stable government. To this and the vir-
tue of our citizens, under the smiles OF
Heaven, VIC are more indebted as a pco-
pie, than to any other circumstance or re-
lation No one who has studied our his
tory, ana marked the spirit in which our
union was formed, can avoid the conyic- |
ton that our government SO far as con-
Germs the stability Of this codfederacy,
must be one of opinion rather than force.
Born in compromise and conciliation, it
must be cherished in the same spirit; it
must present itself to every member of
this republic in the welcome guise of
friendship and protectiOn--not in over
bearing pride, or as welding the strong
arm of power.
We have before US the plain, written
compact Of our fathers, to which they re-
fectingly consented and subscribed, and
so bound US who have succeeded them
Its blessings and its benefits have been
felt throughout long years of unexampled
prosperity. If we would change any Of
its provisions, let US, with at least COM
mon honesty and manliness, pursue the
mode of amendment which is pointed out,
with dmirable precision, in the noble in
strument itself But until this is done,
those amongst US, who, from whatever mo-
tive, or under whatever pretext, either
openly repudiatc any of its plain provi-
sions, or, covertly retreating under the
cloak of secret organization, seek to vio
late its spirit, or avoid compliance with
its clear behests, diShonor the faith of
their fathers and and deny their own pal
pable and solemn obligations. Entertain
ing these views, how can any American
patriot regard, with the least degree of
complacency, the continued and embit-
tered cxcitment Of one section of the
country against the domestic institutions
Of another; or the more recent organiza
tion of secret societies throughout the L.
mon, based upon doctrines of exclusion
and prescription, utterly at war with our
National an1 State constitutions, and
obnoxious to the liberal spirit of Ameri
can republicanism! What admirer of the
venerated father of bis country, but must
now feel, with re>istlcss force, bis solemn
warnings against secret societies for po-
litical ends, as placing powerful engine
in the hands Of the selfish and desi gning,
and enabling them not only to acquire
power unworthily but also to sap and
destroy the most sacred principles of our
government
In these reflections upon certain polit-
ical organizations, if | rightly compre-
hend nv own motives, am actuated by
10 mere partisan hostility or resentment.
Were / to say less at the present moment,
/ shonld stife my clearest convictions OF
right and shrink from duty owe to
the people of Pennsylvania, who have so
generously sustained me in various pub
lie relations in the past. Nay, more: |
should, by silence in this ragard, fail
properly TO reflect that constancy and un-
swerying faith which our noble Common
wealth has ever evinced towards the prin-
ciples Of our national compact in refer
ence to the freedom of conscience and
universal religious tOleratiOn; and also to
the wise doctrines Of popular and State
sovereignty, and the inherent right of
self-government.
During the brief period which remains
of my official term shall readily and
cheerfully cooperate with the General
Assembly in all proper measures, to ad-
vance tie public veal; and | earnestly
invoke upon our labOrs, and the labors OF
those who may follow us in our public
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