The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-01-12

struggle and handed down the sacred legacy Of
fathers Peril destroy these and peril destroy
the share Of sovereignty and equality which they were de
signed TO secure alike the richest and poorest 10 the
highest and humhest Ia the land The experience Of
than hreefourhs Of century proves persuaded that
the American people IN the main truly appreciate the
benehcent structure and beautiful operation OF epub
lcan system We have been assaed by insidous aud
open hostility from abroad and have at times before the
present been encountered by both the concealed aud pal
pabe spirit Of faction at home yet the constitution sti
stands widely aud firmly rveted in the affections OF the
honest masses Of American feemen amy former pc
riod Of our history
The more fruitful sources Of our national prosperity an
doubtedly consist in the freedom industry, and inte
genoe Of people and ia the rich natural
our country united TO an advantageous commercial inter
course with warning world Bat there Is one element
which should cherish potent than all these
Il IS the protection and encouragement afforded by the
union Of the States under adequate and stable
ment TO this and the virtue OF citizens under the
smiles OF Heaven we more indebted people than to
any other circumstance relation Nc one who has
studied history aud marked the spirit in which
Union formed avoid the conviction that gov
ernment far the stability Of this confeder-
aey, must be one Of opinion rather than force Born In
compromise aud Cancellation, IL be cherished In the
spirit il present itself every member Of this
republic in the welcome guse Of friendship and proec.
onnot IN overbearing pride or as welding the strong
arm Of power
We have before us the plain written compact OF our
fathers, TO which they reectngly consented ana sub.
soribed and bound who have succeeded them It's
blessings and It's benefits have been felt throughout long
years of unexanpe prosperity II would change any
Of its provisions let with at least honesty
manness pursue the mode of amendment which pointed
out with admirable precision in the noble instrument
self But until this is done those amongst who from
whatever motive, under whatever prctext either openly
repudae any Of It's plain provisions coverty
ing under the cloak OF secret organization ssk 20 ro-
late its spirit avoid compliance with its clear bchests
dishonor the faith of their fathers and deny their PAL
pable and solemn obligations Entertaining these views
how any American patriot regard with the least de-
gree OF compaeency the continued and emhered excite
ment Of one section OF the country against the domestic in
situations OF another the recent organization OF
societies throughout the Union based
trines OF exclusion and prescription, utterly with
national and State constitutions and obnoxious 10 the
liberal spirit OF American Tcpublicansm What admer of
the yenerated Father Of his Country but feel with
esises force his solemn warnings against secret socie
ties for political ends placing powerful engine in the
hands Of the selfish and designing and enabling them not
only acquire power unworthy, but also to zap and de-
stroy the most sacred principles of our governuient
In these reflections upon certain political organizations,
IL rightly comprehend my own motives, am actuated
by partisan hostility resentment Were | to
say less the present moment should stite my cleares,
convictions Of right and shrink from duty TO the
people OF Pennsylvania who have generously sustained
in various public relations In the past nay more
should by silence in this regard fail properly TO reflect
that consancy aud answering faith which noble Com
monweath has evnced towards the principles OF
national compact in reference the freedom OF conscience
aud universal religious ioeraon aud also to the wise
doctrines Of popular and State sovereignty and tho ne
rent right Of sefgoyernment
During the brief period which remains of my official
term shall readily and cheeriully cooperate with the
general assembly in all proper advance the
public veal and earnestly invoke upon our labors and
the abors of those who may follow in public
on the kindly and keeping OF that Great and ene.
Being who holds the desnes of nations well as OF
individuals, it were in the hollow of his hand and
without whose continued smile there be neither
tonal individual prosperity.