Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1855-01-13

the substantial interest which each individual has
in The permanency OF those glorious institutions,
which were!baplized in blood in our revolutionary
struggle, and handed down 10 US as the sacred le
g,cy Of our fathers. Peril, or destroy these, and
we peril or destroy The share of sovereignty and
equality which they were designed 10 secure, alike
10 the richest and poorest, TO The highest and hum
blesi in The land. The experience of more than
three fourlhs ot century proves, am persuaded
that The American people, in the main, lIuly aPpre-
ciale The benehceni structure and beautiful opera
| lion of our republican system, We have been as
| sailed by an insdous and open hostility from
abroad, and have, at times before the present. been
encountered by both The concealed and palpabe
spirit OF faction al home YET the Constitution sill
stands as widely and firmly riveted in The afec-
tIons OF The honest masses ot American treemen as
al any former period OF our history.
The more fruitful sources OF our national pros
periIy, undoubtedly consists in the freedom, indus
| Try and intelligence OF our our people; and in The
rich natural resources of our country united 10 an
advantageous commercial intercourse with war.
ring world. But there is one element which we
should cherish as more potent Than all these il is
the protection and encouragement afforded by the
union OF the States, under an adequate and stable
government. To this and The virtue OF our citizens
under the smiles of Heaven, we are more indebted
as people, than 10 any other circumstance or re
lation. No one who has studied our history, and
4
can avoid the conviction that our government, SO
far as concerns The stability OF this conederacy,
must be one of opinion raher than force. Born in
| compromise and Cancellation, il must be cherished
in The same spirit il must present itself 10 every
member OF This republic in the welcome guise Of
friendship and protection-no, in overbearing pride
or as welding The strong arm OF power
We have before US the plain written compac! Of
our fathers, TO which they refeclingly consented
and subscribed, and so bound US who have sue
ceeded them. lis blessings and lis benefits have
been felt throughout long years OF unexampled
prosperity, II we would change any OF its pro-
visions, lei u.s. with al least common honesty and
manness, pursue The mode of amen lmen which
pointed out with admirable precision, in The no
bic instrument itself But until this is done, those
amongst US, who from whatever motive, or under
whatever prelext, either openly repudiale any OF
lis plain provisions, or, coyertly retrealing under
the cloak OF secret organIzaion seek 10 violate its
spirit, or avoid compliance with lis clear behests,
dishonor the faith of their fathers and deny their
own palpable and solemn obligations Entertain.
ing these views, how can any American Patro! re.
gard, with the least degree of complacency the
connuedand embittered excitement OF one sect on
OF The county against the domestic institutions OF
another; or the more recent or5aniZacn Of secret
societies throughout the Union, based upon doc.
trnes of exclusion and prescription, utterly al
war with our National and State constitutions,
republicanism? What admrer of the venerat.
ed taher of his country, but must now feel with
reslsiless force, his solemn warnings against Sc
cTet societies for political ends, as placing pow.
erful eng ne, in The hands of the seIishy Designing
and enabling them not on'y to acquire power un.
worlhiIy, buI also 10 sap and destroy the most sa-
cred pTircTl of our government
In these reflections upon certain political organ
zalion, i'll rightly comprehend my own motives,
am actuaed by no mere partisan hostility or re-.
sentiment. Were 10 say less at the present mo
ment, | should stiiie my clearesl convictions OF
right and shrink from duty owe TO The people OF
Pennsylvanl who have so generously sustained
me i,l various public relations in the past Nav,
more; | should by silence in This regard fail pro.
perIy 10 retiec that constancy AMI answering faith
which our noble Commonwealth has ever evinced
towards the principles our national compact, IN re
ference to the The freedom OF conscience and uni
versal religious toealion and also 10 The wise
doctrine OF popular and Sale sovereignty, and The
inherent right of self government.
During the bTiei period which remains of nv
official Term, shall readily and cheelfully COOP
crate with the General Assembly in all proper mea-
sures, 10 advance the public veal and earnest.
ly invoke upon our labors, and the labors of those
who may follow US in our public vocaions the
kindly care and keeping OF the Great and Bene6.
cent Being who holds The deslinies OF nations as
well as individuals, as il were, in the hollow OF His
hand, and without whose continued smile there
can be neither national or individual prosperity
VIM BIGLER
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
Harrisburg, Jan. 8, 1855.