The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-09-15
10 the People Of Pennsylvania:

40 ihe RECIPE OIL pennsylvania:
The State Committee appointed by the
Convention of Delegates representing the
Peoples Party of this Commonwealth,
which uet at Harrisburg on the 9th day
of June last, make this respectful ad-
dress to you on the condition of the pub
lie affairs of the Country, and the ques-
tons which invite your deliberate con-
sideration in view of the approaching an
pual election The Ballot box il the in
strument through which the People exer-
else their sovereignty over the govern
tnents of the State aud Union; aud every
recurrence of an opportunity for them
to employ this power, and di-charge the
correlative duty which it involves, is an
examination of the course of conduct of
those to whom they have deputed official
functions, and 10 determiD alton respect
ing the principles and measures which
should be recos sBiEed and adopted in the
administration of their republican institu-
lions. These repose for their safety on
the vigi'ant supervision of the people for
whose benefit, and by whose authority,
they bave been ablished, and unless
the popular masses exercise over them a
constant watch and care, they are liable
to be perverted 10 the hands of self-scek-
ing and uDfaitbful agents, to the base u
ses of private advantage, or merely par
tiEan, and even corrupt designs. Protec-
ton is the great purpose fer which gov
ernments are instituted When men re-
sign part,of their natural liberty, and
enter into a compact, it is that they may
more fully secure the rights aud privileges
which belong to them, as members of the
State. 1t becomes, therefore, the frat
duty of those who are charged with the
administration of government, to guard
the rights, pfotect the interests, and pro-
mote the welfare of the great body of
citizens. Happily relieved BY the achieve
mepts of our ancestors from the oppres-
sion Of crowned mouarcbs protesting to
rule by divine right and from the impo
sition Of privileged classes, the people of
this country, occupying a position of e.
quality before the law, have the right to
require that the government Ct their OVID
Institution shall be administered with a
single reference to their advantage aud
benefit
Tho frst settlers Of America, for the
most part exiles from their respective ma
tive countries, who sought an asylum in
this, then western wilderness, in order
that they might enjoy the religious and
civil liberties which were denied to them
at home-poor in circumstances, and
strong only in their devotion to the fun
dsmental rights Of hum apity, which were
afterwards so eloriodsly vindicated amid
the tolls and suferings, and ca the battle
fields Of the Revelation, founded here a
civilized aud christian state, 10 the midst
of hostile savages, and subdued the for
est and waste places to cultivation, by
the strong arm of manuel labor, and the
Industry of freemcn then was, and al
ways has continued to be, the great pri-
mary interest of the people of this couB-
try-the basis of its prosperity, and the
only firm column on which cur popular
institutions rest for support. 1t it this
which has not only filed the fertile val
lies, crowned the verdant bills and a.
dorOed the rugged slopes of forest, cover
ed mountains with the happy homes of
rapidly increasing population; but
spreading over the prairies, crossing the
majestic rivers, and scaling the SUBMITS
of heights and peaks clothed 10 perpetual
snow. bss extended the boundaries of the
Republic to the margin Of the great Pa.
cifc Ocean, aud established there COM
munities of free men who proudly add
the new stars of sovereign State to the
constellation which adorns the American
Flag, aud gladly share in all the bless
ings and liberties which our political in
stitutions, if administered in their true
spirit, and on their real principles, confer
to an extent which no other goverDmen-
tai forms have ever bestowed upon those
who lived under them. There has, how
ever, always been an interest which has
arrayed Itself 10 opposition to free labor;
and of late years it has acquired an as
cendancy in the councils. and over the
action of that party. which has. without
just title, usurped the name of "Demo-
cratic" and by its co operation been en-
abled to obtain a control over the policy
of the Government, which has been inim.
ical to, and subyersise Of, the welfare and
prosperity of the productiSe industry of
freemen. This hostility finds its root and
its inducement in the system ofhereditary