The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1855-01-11

| snail cVlnce d WiliiHpucsS anu ucteEmluo-
ton to participate in the erection of this
glorious structure. To this end I re-
spectfully suggest to the General Assem-
bly,, the propriety of again calling the at
tention of the original States to the SUBJ
ject, by resolution or otherwise.
} In closing my last communication to
the General Assembly, and terminating
J my official relations with the people of my
native Commonwealth, may be INDUCED
, in brief and general reference to her
, present proud position as member of
, the great family Of States, and to the pa
triotism, integrity, and general prosperi-
ty of her citizens. The advantageous
geographical position of Pennsylvania,
with fine harbor open to the Atlantic,
and another connecting her centrally with
the magnificent chain of western lake nav
igation-her long branching rivers,
spreading their arms and arteries through
every portion of her tcrritory-all add
inc to her fertile soil and exhaustless de-
4 posts of valuable minerals-present
combination of the natural elements of
greatness, scarcely equalled in our own
or any other quarter of the globe. These
have made her an attractive field for the
science, industry and enterprise of man;
and all her natural advantages have been
cherished and cultivated, until she has
reached a condition of varied wealth and
positive prosperity. Her system of in
ternal improvements will safely compare
with those of any sister State, whether in
r regard to completeness in construction,
or the extent of country which they trav-
erse. Nor have the higher hopes OF hu-
: manity been disrcgarded by our states
: men, and the people at large; as the lib
= eral provisions for common schools, a
cademes and Colleges, and our numcr-
Gus crowded Churches attest: while, at
e the same time, the various Asylums for
/ the insane, and for the unfortunate of all
: classes and conditions, and Houses of
J. Refuge, for the reformation of the way
J. ward and erring, silently, yet surely, bear
witness that the cause of benevolence has
always found effective advocates within
i her borders.
! In physical improvement and popula-
& ton her progress has been steady and
If rapid In the days of Government Sny-
der, tie erection of lridge over tire
n Susquehanna river, and the construction
J. of turnpike road was the subject of ex
( ecutiye exultation, and a matter Of con-
:. graduation among the people. Now her
4 whole surface is checkered over with rail-
i roads, canals and other highways. Then
of the whole revenues of the State amount
Ii ed to but $3.50, 900. Now they exceed
FIVE millions Of the four large States,
J. her per centage ofincrease in population,
y since 1910, is the greatest; and she has
e besides excelled the best of her sisters
"a in the production of wheat, iron and coal.
e Her population numbers not less than
J. two and half millions; nearly as large
as all the States at the time of the Revo
< luton. The present value of her real
y and personal estates exceeds $780, ,OOO,-
=, O00 Her annual production of cool is
: worth in the market over twenty millions.
- Her great interests of agriculture, manu-
70 features and commerce arc rapidly ex-
b. tending
She has, in addition, history, of which
g we may we'll be proud. Within her linn
OF its is found the birthplace of Indcpen
r dence-that sacred spot where was first
A. declared those great truths which lie at
of the foundation Of American nationality.
al In the maintenance of those truths, she
ID bore a glorious part. Her contribution
D. Of men to the field, and money to the
o. trcasury-of talent and wisdom to the
OF Congress of the Colonies, were not sur
h. passed by those Of any other State. 1t
o. was her sons who crossed the Delaware
O. in the dead Of winter, under the lead of
I'D Washington, and FOR time turned the
v tide of war. Again, in The struggle Of
e. 1912, for the rights of American citizen
h SHIP, and in that Of 1916, for American
n honor and progress, she contributed with
lg profuse generosity. The contest a.
ne mongst her sons was not as to who should
1T have the right to stay at home, but who
'e should have the privilege of going into
r the field. Bearing this honorable part
ID in matters of foreign war she has had a
h; no less enviable participation in allaying
ne domestic strifes Whenever the exigen-
SO cy seemed to require it, sho has stood
n firmly by the Constitution and the Union,
er and ever contended for the rights Of all
u sections OF the country, and all classes
at and denominations of the people. Such
p is our State. To live and die within her
III limits, aud to have borne even a very
BY humble part in her civil service aud in
OF her history, shall ever esteem as proud
priviege-one that, as it draws nearer
r. its close, swells my heart with gratitude
on to her people, at the recollection of the
it numerous proofs of confidence | have ex-
ct perienced at their hands.
nd The fullness of my exultation in the
yn character and happy condition of our be-
all loved Commonwealth, and of the graft.
p tude have expressed, leaves no room in
IT, my bosom for even lingering regret at a
hs decision of my fellow-citizens, which is
on soon to relieve me from the cares and Ia
ry bors ola public life. It's transient excite
by ments have already been forgotten, and