The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1861-01-24

and fraternally in their letter and spirit
with unswerving fidelity.
The election of President of the Uni
ted States, according to the forms of the
Constitution, has recently been made a
pretext for disturbing the peace of the
country by deliberate attempt to wrest
from the Federal Government the powers
which the people conferred on it when
they adopted the Constitution. By this
movement the question whether the gov
eminent of the United States emeodies
the prerogatiVes, rights and powers o!
sovereignty, or merely represents, for spe-
citlc purposes, multitude of indep eut
communities, coBfederated in a league
which any one of then may dissolve at
will, is now placed directly before the A.
merican people UnhappiIy this question
Is not presented in the simple form OF po
litical discussion, but complicated with
the passions and jealousies of Impending
or actual conflict
There is nothing 10 the life of Mr.. Lin.
coin, DOR in any of his acts or declarations 5
before or since his election to warrant the
apprehension that his Administration will
be unfriendly to the local institutions of
any of the States. No sentiments but
those Of kindness and concilaton have
been expressed or entertained by the con-
stitutional majority which elected him;
and nothing has occurred to justify the
excite @ent which seems to have blinded
the judgment of part of the people, and
is precipitating them into revolution.
The supremacy of the National Govern
ment has been so fully admitted and so
long cherished by the people of Pennsyl-
vania, and so completely has the convic-
ton of its nationality and sovereignty di-
rected their political action, that they are
surprised at the pertinscity with which a
portion Of the people elsewhere maintain
the opposite view. The traditions Of the
past, the recorded teachings of the Faith
ers of the Republic, the security of their
freedom and prosperity, and their hopes
for the future. are all in harmony with
an uDfaltering allegiance to the Nation al
Union, the maintainence ID of the Constitu-
ton and the enforcement of the laws
| They have faithfully adhered to the com
promises of our great National compact,
and willingly recognized the peculiar in
stitntions aud rights Of property of the
people of other States. Every true Penn
sylganian admits that his first civil and
political duty is to the general govern
meut, and be frankly acknowledges his
obligation to protect the constitutional
rights of all who live under its authority
and enjoy its blessings.
l have already taken occasion to say
publicly, and | now repeat, that if we
have any laws upon our statute books
which infringe upon the rights of the Peo-
pie of any of the States, or contrayene
any law of the Federal Government. or
obstruct its execution. they ought to be
repealed. We ought not to hesitate to
exhibit to other States that may have eD-
scted laws interfering with the rights, or
obstructive Of the remedies which belong
constitutionalls to all American citizens,
an example of magnanimity and of impli
cit obedience to the paramount law, and
by prompt repeal Of every statute that
may esen By Implication, be liable to
reasonable objection, do our part to re-
move every just cause of dissatisfaction
with our legislation.
Pennsylvania has never faltered in her
recognition of all the duties imposed up
on her by the national compact, and she
will, BY every act consistent with her de-
votion to the interests of her own people,
promote fraternity and peace, and lib
eral comfy between the States. Her con-
victions on the vital questions which
have agitated the public mind ere veil
understood at home, and should not be
misunderstood abroad. Her verdicts
have been as uniform Is they have been
decisive, in favor of the dignity, the pros
perity and the progress of her free indus
try, and support OF the principles of lib
erty on which the government is founded,
and menace or rebellion cannot reverse
them. They have passed into history as
the deliberate Judgment of her people ex
pressed in peaceful, fraternal and con-
stitutonal manner; and when they shall
have been administered in the govern
ment, as soon they will be, the madness
that now rules the hour will subside, as
their patriotic, faithful and national aims
bring ample protection and peaceful pro-
gress to all sections Of the Republic.
In the grave questions which now agi-
tate the country, no State has more pro
found concern than Pennsylvania. Occu-
pying geographical position between the
North and the South, the East aud the
West, with the great avenues of travel
and trade passing her borders, carrying
on an extensive commerce with her neigh
bors, 10 the vast and varied productions
of her soil, her mines and her manufac-
turing industry, and bound to to them by
the ties Of kindred aad social Intercourse.
the question of disunion involves momen'
tous consequences to her people. be
second OF the thirty three States 10 poPu
lation. and the frat in material resources,
it is due both to ourselves and to the 9th
er States, that the position and sentiments
of Pennsy ylvania on the question should