New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-10-21

The present is not the first great crisis in which
Pennsylvania, owing to ptiful internal dissensons
violent party spirit, and especially to dread aud
disrust on the part of many of her leading citizens
of the true principles of Democracy, has grievous-
ly disappointed the expectations entertained OF her,
and has greatly fallen short Of that leading part in
indicating the liberties of the country which she
was reasonably expected to perform.
While Washington, driven from New-York, was
retreatng with his shattered and diminished forces
toward the Delaware, the people of Pennsylvania
we speak not here Of the Tories and partisans OF
implicit submission, always so numerous, then and
now in that State, but those of the people of
PENNSYLVANIA who called themselves patriotism
stead of uniting to man to succor Washington
and to resist the approaching enemy, were quite
otherwise and much less honorably employed.
The State Constitution which had been framed
for Pennsylvania subsequently to the Declaration of
independence, was highly democratic, quite too
much so to suit the tastes Of large number OF the
leading citizens of Philadelphia, whose exceptions
to it might be compared in many respects-if we
had time to run the paralel-to the fault which
many of the same class Of persons of to-day find
with the Philadelphia Platform, upon which Free
mont now stands. While Washington was being
driven from New-YOrk, an election was held In
Pennsylvania for the organization of the Govern
ment under this new Constitution; but thOughtess
or careless of the danger of total subsection which
impended over the Safe, many Of the opponents OF
the State Constitution instead of deferng that ques
ton to some more convenient opportunity by a
faulty and wilfulness of which in the same State
we may see specimens to-day, plotted in some Of
the counties to prevent the Constitution from going
into operation by neglecting to choose the counsel
lors in whom under that Constitution the Executive
authority was vested; and these Vaccinations so
far succeeded that the Assembly which had met on
the day of Washngton's retreat across the Rartan,
was obliged to adjourn without organizing the new
Government
Such was the helpless, disorgsnized state of the
PENNSYLVANIA patriots when the news of Washing
toms retreat toward the Delaware, and of the
rapid pursuit of the British army aroused them
from their shameful and almost fatal deusions.
Washington, for want Of the aid which Penn
sylvana ought to have furnished, was obliged to
throw himself behind the Delaware. The State of
Pennsylvania seemed on the point Of being swept
by the invading army. The Tories, with whom
Philadelphia abounded, and the Tories so numerous
in almost all the Southern States, already exulted
in the idea that the rebels were subdued. Already
many of the Philadelphia Tories were getting ready
for the reception Of their British friends. But
these fond hopes were not destined to be gratifed
on this occasion. The Pennsylvania militia, called
out by the elOquence of Mflin and the evident
danger, focked in to help Washington guard the
passes Of the Delaware; and presently the battles
of Trenton and Princeton, planned and led BY that
Chief-coo steady, firm, persevering ever-watch-
full and anxious, but never discouraged and dis
heartened-repulsed the exulting enemy flushed
with victory, who, instead Of entering Philadelphia
as they had confidently hoped, were driven back
to environments in New-Jersey. from which also
they were speedily dislodged. Shall not the Penn
syvania of to-day accept the omen and initiate
the example, If she has but too much resembled
in the matter of organization, the Pennsylvania of
the Revolution, there is yet another battle to be
fought, and shall not new Trenton and Princeton
save both her and New-Jersey'