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


lions Of liberty, and changed The relations of people
and government, by teaching the one how TO resist
and conquer oppression, and The other the absolute
necessity to its own continuance, OF recognizing |
and respecting the rights oil humanity. From that
time FORTH new. vital and quicking spirit has |
pervaded The world Thrones have been shaken, |
empires have been overturned, society has been
convused, blood and carnage have desola'ed the |
earth but still The intelligence and souls OF the |
people Of all Chrs'endom have teen vivltied, |
elevated and expanded, TO comprehension OF
their rights. will never be oblteraIed or forgot
ten bu: will advauce enlarge and increase, until
thai mortal and social preparation Tor The aPprecia
ton and enjoyment of liberty shall be effected,
which, in the divine economy is so indispensable |
10 the permanence OF free institutions.
AS The third generation of that pos,eriy for
whom the men Of the revolution chiefly labored
and suffered and died. ii is peculiarly fitting that
we should erect such representations of their great
and controlling acls as shall speak TO hearts,
10 childrens hearts, and shall testify 10 God and
the world, that we appreciate snd reverence, and
wonld cultivate and disseminate The mighty truths
and principles which brought our nation into ex-
isence, which constitute lis very life, and ofwhich
IL seems designated by providence TO be--the
special defender and protector
| believe we should have monument 10 perpet-
pate The remembrance OF the great event, from
which such manifold and mestlmabe blessings
have sprung some imperishable memorial of our
gratitude 10 The authors OF the Declaration OF Inde-
pendence TO the heroes who participated in The
mighty Struggle; an enduring wi ness OF The great
things done amongst us and for us; an embodi-
ment of the origin and principles of our goXeTn-
meut; some distinguishing mark OF The place OF
| The nations birth; consecrated temple of liberty
| about which unborn generations OF America may
meet and renew their assurances of fidelity . the
principles of The Declaration and 10 their natural
ofspring-lhe Constitution and The Union | am
| for this work most earnestly: and trust that Penn
ssvania will not permit il to fail but that il may
be pressed upon the attention of the original thirteen
States until each and all shall evnce Willingness
and determination 10 participate in the erection of
| this glorious structure. To this end respectfully
suggest 10 The General Assembly, the propriey of
again calling The attention Of The original States 10
the subject by resolution or otherwise.
In closing my last communication to The General
Assembly, and terminating my official relations
with the people of my native Commonwealth,
may be INDUCED in brief and general reference
TO her present proud position as a member OF the
great fam IL of States, and TO The patriotism, neg-
rity, and general prosperity Other citizens The ad-
yantagecus geographical position OF Pennsylvania
with fire laIbor open 10 the Atlantic, and anolh.
er connecting her centrally with the magnificent
chain OF western lake navigahon-her long branch
ing rivers, spreading their arms and arier!es thro'
every p0r ion OF her ierriiory-all adding 10 her
fertile soil and exhausless deposits of valuable
mIneTas-presenls combination of The natural
elements OF greatness, scarcely equaed in our
or any oIher quarter OF the globe. These have
made her an attractive Held Tor the science, in.
| dusty and enterprise Of man and all her naural
advantages have been cherished and cultivated until
she has reached a condition OF varied wealth and
| positive prosperity. Her system of internal i'm
provemenls will safely compare with those of any
sister Slate, whether in regard 10 completeness in
| construction, or the extent of country which lhey
| ha thp nf
been dlsEegarded by our statesmen, ard the people
| al large as the liberal provisions for common
schools, Academies and Colleges, and our numer-
Gus crowded Churches attest: while, al the same
time, the various Asylums for The insane, and for
| The unfortunate of all classes and conditions, and
! Houses OF Refuge, for The reformation OF the way
ward and erring silently. yel surely, bear witness
tha, the cause Of bensvolence has always found
effective advocates within her borders.
In physical improvement and population her
| progress has been steady and rapid. In the days
OF Governor Snyder, The erection OF bridge over
| the Susquehanna river, and the construction OF
turnpike road was the subject of executive exulta-
| ton, and matter oil Congralulaon among the
people. Now her whole surface is checkered over
W tn railroads, canals and other highways. Then
the whole revenues of The State amounted 10 but
$3.50 600 Now they exceed five millions OF
the four large States her per cenlage of increase in
| population, since 1910, is the grea est and she has
| duciion OF wheat iron and coal. Her population
numbers not less than two and a half millions !;
nearly as large all the States al the lime of the
Revolution. The present value of her real and
| personal estates exceed $3.50 600 900. Her annual
| production OF coal is wor h IN The market over
twenty millions Her great interests OF agriculture,
| manufactures and commerce are rapidly extend.
| ing.
| She has, in addition, history, OF which we NAV
we'll be proud. Within her Limits is found the
| birthplace of lndependence-hat sacred spot
where was frs: declared those great truths which
| lie al the foundation OF American nationality In
the maintenance OF those truths, she bore glorious
| part Her contribution OF men TO the field, and
money 10 the reasury-of talent and wisdom 10
The Congress OF the Colonies, were not surpassed
! by those ot any other Stale. II was her sons who
crossed the Delaware in the dead of winter, under
| ihe lead OF w Washington, and for time turned the
ude OF war. Again, in the struggle OF 1872 for the
rights oi American citizenship, and in that OF 1916,
Tor American honor and progress she contributed
win proinse generosity. The contest among her
sons was 10 who should have the privilege Of
going into The field Bearing this honorable part
IN matters OF foreign war-she has had no less
envaole participation IN allay domestic srlles.-
| Whenever the exigency seemed TO require il, she
has sood firmly by the Constitution and the Union
and ever commended for the rights OF all sections of
| The country, and all classes and denominations OF
the people. Such is our Stale To live and die
within her limits, and TO have born even a very
humble part in her civil service and her history, |
shall ever esteem asa proud privilege-one that
as 1t draws nearer its close, swes my heart with
gratitude 10 her people, at the recollection of the
numerous proofs OF confidence have experienced
al their hands.
The uness of my exuat;on in the character
and happy condition ofour beloved Commonwealth
and OF The gratitude have expressed, leaves no
| room in my bosom for even lingering regret al
decision OF my fellow citizens, which is soon to re-
lIeve me from the cares and labors of public life
lis transient excilemen!s have already been forgot.
len, and lis alterations, if any, forgiven. shall
resume my place in The ranks of The people, with
calm consciousness of having always sought TO
| advance their besl interests 70 the eylenI of my