The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1855-01-12
Goxernar,s Message. I.

be read with unusual interest. From II the people
will learn the condition of the public treasury
---the progress made in completing our public I'M
provements--tke operations of the finished lines Of
cauals and railroads belonging 10 the Commonwealth,
and their manag gement-the +tnpocy OF selling them
the condition OF the public debt-the settlement OF
claims against the statethe repeal of the tonnage
tax upon the Pennsylvania rallroadthe cancellation
of relief issaes-the currency-the manufacture and
sale OF Intoxicating llquors-the school system and
It's operations--various charitable and reiormatory
nstitutous-ag agriculture, aud the erection Of col
lege Tor its mproyement-omnbus Bills aud Special
Legislation-sale OF the State Arsenal PhiIadel-
phia-monumen of the Declaration OF Independence
and the proud position Of the old keystone as
member of the family OF States, and the general
prosperity of her citizens.
The following are the closing passages OF the Mes
sage, which worthy of being printed m letters of
Gold:
Having adverted TO various subjects Of con-
graduation, in regard TO the public affairs OF my
own State, may be INDUCED in brief refer
ence, also, to the happy aspect OF our common
country, and the elevation II has reached among
;he nations Of the earth, in the light OF liberty,
and through the workings OF It's benign lnstta-
tons. Who amongst us. and throughout this
broad land, does not experience at this moment.
and at every moment, in his own condition, and
the condition ofthoSe who surround him, the IN
fuence and benefit of our happy Union, and the
well considered compact by which 1t IS sustain
ed. A basis OF calculation, exhibited by past
experience, will give our country population
ofthirty millions in less than ten years from the
present tme-of eighty millions in thirty years
10 come-and of one hundred millions at the
close of the present century! But mere num-
bers are OF no moment compared with moral
elements, in a nations greatness. The vital
strength and stability Of the United States as a
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 10 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 We're designed to SECURE,
alike to the richest and poorest, to the highest
and hurnblest in the land. The experience Of
more than thrPe-fourthS Of a century proves, /
am persuaded, that the American people, IN
the main, truly appreciate the benehcent struc-
turp and beautiful operation OF our republican
system. We have been assaiIed by an tnsidl-
Gus and open hostility from abroad, and have, at
times before the present, been encountered both
by the concealed and palpable spirit of faction at
home: vet the Constitution still stands as widely
and firmly rvpted in the affections OF the hon
/ est masses OF American freemen, as at any for
mer period of our history
The more fruitful sources ofour national pros
perity, undoubtedly consist in the freedom, IN
dustry and intelligence of our people; and IN
the rich natural resources OF our country, united
to an advantageous commercial intercourse with
watring world. But there is one element
which we should cherish as more potent than all
these it is the protection and Encouragement
afforded bv the union of the States, under an
adequate and stable government. To this and
/ the virtue Of our citizens, under the smiles ol
! Hraven, we are more indebted as people. than
to any other circumstance or relation. No one
who has studied our history, and marked the
| spirit in which our Union was formed, can avoid
the coviction that our government so far as con-
Germs the stability ofthis coniedrracv, must be
one of opinion rather than fierce. Born IN COM
promise and Cancellation, il must be cherished
in the same spirit it must present itself to eve
nv member OF this republic In the welcome gulSe
of friendship and protection-not in overbrar-
ing pride, or as welding the strong arm OF pow
eT.
/ We have before us the plain written compact
! of our fathers, to which they refectingiy con-
sentcd and subscribed, and so bound us who
! have succeeded them. It's blessings and IFS
benfits have been felt throughout long years OF
unexampIed prosperity. II we would change
-anv Of its provisions, let us, with at least COM
! h.,tp 6p nj
amendment which is pointed out, with adnira-
/ bic precision, in the noble instrument ITSELF
/ But until this is done, those amongst us, who,
/ from whatever motive, or under whatever pre-
! text, either openly repudialr any of its plain
| provisions, or, covertIy retreating under the
cloak of secret organization. seek 10 violate its
/ spirit, or avoid compliance with its clear behests,
dishonor the faith of their fathers, and deny
/ their own pa pable and solemn obgatons.-
Entertaining these views, how can any Ampri-
can patriot regard, with the least degree ofcom-
! pacencv, the continued and embittered excite
nent OF one section of the country against the
domestic Institutions OF another or the more
recent organization of secret societies through
out the Union, based upon doctrines of exclu-
sion and prescription, utterly at war with our
/ National and Stat- constitutions, and obnoxious
/ to the liberal spirit OF American repubicanisml
( What admrer of the venerated father Of his
country, but must now feel, with reslStess force,
his solemn warnings against secret societies for
| political ends, as placing powerful engine in
the hands of the selfish and designing, and enab-
ling them not only 10 acquire power unworthiy,
but also to sap and destroy the most sacred prin-
cIples of our government!
In these reflections upon certain political or
ganizaions, il ] rightly comprehend my own
motives, | am actuated by no mere partizan hos
t;l;t, or raeapfr,opt Jar. 7 n ca, lac. ~ Tho