The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-01-25

be justified by every sentiment of human
ity, every consideration of philanthropy,
every impulse of pure and genuine pa
triotism. The history of intemperance is
written in tears and blood. Pauperism,
taxation and crime follow in its train. A
remedy should be applied; and public
sentiment, with the full force of its NOR
al sanction, will approve all prudent and
constitutional legislation on this subject.
The pardoning power-the harmonious
blending of mercy and justice in our Con-
stitution-will be exercised with a just
regard to both these important principles.
With every desire to extend mercy to the
unfortunate and repentant transgressor,
justice, in her stern demands, will not be
overlooked by the pardon of the vicious
and hardened criminal. This power has
been conferred on the Executive, not to
overthrow the administration of justice,
but to aid and promote it. 1t should be
exercised with great caution, and only
upon the most satisfactory assurance that
it is due to the condemned, and that the
rights and security Of the public will not
be prejudiced by the act. To prevent the
abuse of this power, and to protect the
Executive from imposition, notice of the
intended application should be published
in the city or county where the trial and
conviction took place.
Experience has demonstrated the i'm
policy of subscriptions by municipal cor
porations, to the stock Of railroad COM
panies. This is especially true in rela-
ton to county subscriptions. The prac-
tice should be avoided, or at least not en-
couraged by future legislation.
Legislation, so far as practicable, should
be general and uniform. Local and spe
cial legislation ought to be discouraged,
when the object can be obtained by gen.
eral laws. Its tendency is pernicious; and
general principles, and public good, are
often sacrificed to secure personal and
private benefits. "Omnibus legislation"
being improper in itself, and demoralizing
| in its influence, cannot receive my sane
ton. The views and practice of my i'm
mediate predecessor on this subject, meet
my cordial approval.
Pennsylvania, occupying as she does
an important and proud position in the
sisterhood of States, cannot be Indifferent
to the policy and acts of the National
Government. Her voice, potential for
good in other days, ought not to be dis
regarded now. Devoted to the Con>titu
ton and the UDiou-as she was the first
to sanction, she will be the last to en-
danger the one, or violate the other Re-
garding with jealous care the rights of
her sister States, she will be ever ready
to defend her own. The blood ofher sons
poured out on the many battle fields of
the Revolution, attests her devotion to the
great principles of American freedom
the centre truth of American republican
ism. To the Constitution in all its in
tegrity; to the Union in its strength and
harmony; to the maintenance in its pur-
ity, of the faith and honor of our country,
Pennsylvania now is, and always has been
pledged-a pledge never violated, and not
to be violated, until patriotism ceases to
be virtue, and liberty to be known only
as q name.
Entertaining these sentiments, and ac-
tuated by an exclusive desire to promote
the peace, harmony and welfare of our
beloved country, the recent action of the
National Congress and Executive, in re-
pealing solemn compromise, only less
sacred in public estimation than the Con-
stitution itself-thus attempting to cx-
tend the institution Of domestic Slavery
in the territorial domain of the Nation,
violating the plighted faith and honor OF
the country, arousing sectional jealousies
and renewing the agitation of vexcd and
distracting questions-has received from
the people of our own and other States oil
the Union, their stern and merited re-
buke.
With no desire to restrain the full and
entire constitutional rights of the States
nor to interfere directly or indirectly with
their domestic institutions, the people Of
Pennsylvania, in view of the repeal of the
Missouri Compromise, the principle In
yolved in it, and the consequences result
ing from it, as marked already by fraud
violence and strife, have re-affirmed theil
opposition to the extension of slavery in
to territory now free, and renewed theil
pledge "to the doctrines of the act o
1850, which relieved us by constitutions
means from grievous social evil; to th'
great ordinance of 1887, in its full scop,
and all its benefcent principles, to tn
protection of the personal rights of ever.
human being under the Constitution o
Pennsylvania, and the Constitution of tn
United States, by maintaining inviolat
the trial by jury, and the writ of habea
corpus; to the assertion of the due right
of the North, as well as of the South, AM
to the integrity of the Union"
The declaration of these doctrines
but the recognition of the fundamenta
principles of freedom and human rights
They are neither new nor startling--
They were taught by patriotic fathers Z
the watch fires of our countrys defend
ers; and learned amid the bloody snow
of Valley Forge and the mighty throes {
war and revolution. They were stampe
with indelible impress upon the grei