Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1858-01-22

now successfully producing the results Sc
ardently desired by the patriotic men who
have gone before US.
While our domestic affairs and policy
naturally will occupy most Of the at,en
tion of our Government and our people, il
is not to be forgotten that Pennsylvania
bears very interesting relations to the 9th
er States Of the eonfederacy, and looks
with an anxious eye to the proceedings
and policy Of the General Government
1t is both our duty aud our interest to cul-
tivate the most friendly relations with our
sister States, aud to frown upon all at
tempts to SOW among them feelings Of al
ienation. We should exert our whole in
fluence to keep the Government of the
Union in its true position, as the common
agent of the states and the people, exerci-
sing high powers in trust for their advan-
tage and welfare, and deriving all its pow
ers from the written constitution which
calledit into being. At this time We have
strong reason to confide in that Govern
ment; as we know that its administration
is in safe, able and patriotic hands; and
that it may be trusted to deal justly with
all sections Of the country.
Insubordination an utter disregard
and contempt of just and lawful authority
has heretofore produced difficulties in
the Territories of Kansas and Utah, and,
in the case of the latter, has now precipi-
tated state of armed hostility between
the Inhabitants and the General Govern
ment. In the former, the peaceful Amer
lean remedy for the redress Of political
grievances, real or imaginary-thc ballot
box-has been for long time abjured by
considerable portion of the population,
and a struggle between legal authority and
unlawful aud irregular combinations con-
tinued down to the present period. Mean
time, contributions of money and aid from
the States, have kept up excitement and
turbulence in the Territory, and enabled
designing men there to inHamc passions,
which otherwise would long since have
subsided. The judgment and opinion of
the country can not be too strongly con-
solidated in favor Of the laws, and against
all who rise up to oppose them by unau-
thorized means. Nor can the excuse for
resistance to the Territorial laws, and for
failing to perform the duties of citizen
ship under them, that wrongs and frauds
were perpetrated st elections, be a,lmi,tcd
as a justification. Where elections are so
frequent, and the right Of suffrage so lib
eral, as in this country, it is peculiarly
the duty of a good citizen to obey exist
ing authorities, and even Objectionable
laws, knowing that the former can be chan
ged, and the latter modified or repealed,
within a very brief period. And as to
disputed elections, they must be decided
by the proper legal authority, and not By
individual citizens, or irregular self con-
stitutcd assemblages.
Insubordination to necessary and right
full authority, instigated and encouraged
by unworthy men in the organized States,
who desired that discord should continue,
and were willing to contribute to that OBJ
ject, is the prolific fountain from which
the troubles in Kansas have heretofore
proceeded. twas natural, perhaps irev-
liable, that this conduct by party in the
shonla provoke an opposite par
ty to many uDjustifa5le acts, and to much
imprudent and unreasonable conduct.
Thus extremes act and react upon each
other, and when the laws are detied and
individual action let loose, wrong outrage
and violence are necessary results.
The last phase of the Kansas question,
which is upon the constitution framed by
q Territorial Convention, is peculiarly for
the judgment of Congress, to which the
power of admitting new States is coDfided
by the constitution of the Union. The
representatives Of the people and of the
States in Congress assembled, will meet
that question under all the responsible
ties which they owe to their constituents,
and which are imposed upon them by
their oaths of office and with full infor-
nation upon matters Of fact important to
the formation ofa final judgment. Events
are constantly occurring in the territory
which will afford matter for Congressional
debate, and may affect the ultimate deci.
sion.
To the people Of Pennsylvania the ad-
mission Of State into the Union-into
that confederacy OF which she is member
must be at all times subject of high
interest. And l believe l express their
sentiments as well as my own, in declar-
ing that all the qualified electors Of Ter
ritory, should have full and fair oppor-
tunity to participate in selecting delegates
to form constitution preparatory to ad-
mission as State, and, if desired by
them, they should also be allowed an un-
qualified right to vote upon such Constitu-
tion after it is framed. Of course those
who then fail to vote, in either case, can
not complain that the proceeding goes on
without their participation. 1t is to be
hoped, that Congress will make such
provision for other Territories that the
present difficulty will have no repetition
in the future.
In conclusion, permit me to observe,
that all experience and reflection prove
that the moral virtues form the only firm
foundation of public order as well as in
dividual character, and their support
should therefore engage the profound at
tention of Government, and the coopera-
ton of all good men. Frail indeed will
be any structure reared for the regulation
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