Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1861-01-23

shall not be disappointed. Now that the debt
Of the State is in the course of steady liquida-
tion, by the ordinary means OF the treasury,
all unnecessary expenditures of the public
money must be firmly resisted, so that the
gradual diminution of the Indebtedness shall
not be interrupted.
To promote the prosperity of the people and
the power of the Commonwealth, by increas-
ing her financial resources, by liberal recog-
milton Of the vast interests of our commerce,
by outstanding our means and diminishing the
burdens of taxation and of debt. will be the
highest object of my ambition, and all the en-
ergy of my administration will be directed to
the accomplishment of these results.
The pardonng power is one of the most i'm
portant and delicate powers conferred upon
the Chief Magistrate by the Constitution, and
it should always be exercised with great eau
tion, and never except on the most conclusive
evidence that it is due to the condemned and
that the public security will not be prejudced
by the act. When such applications are pre-
sented to the Executive it is due to society, to
the administration of justice, and to all inter-
| ested, that public notice should be given.
By the adoption of such regulation imposi-
tion will be prevented and just efforts will be
strengthened.
The association of capital and labor, under
acts of incorporation, where the purposes to
be accomplished are beyond the reach of indi-
vidual enterprise, has long been the policy of
the State, and has done much to advance the
prosperity of the people. Where the means
of the citizens are moderate, as they general
ly are in new and growing country ,and where
the concentration of the capital of many is
necessary to development ard progress, such
associations, when judiciously restricted, con-
fer large benefits on the State. The vast re-
sources of Pennsylvania, and the variety of
her mechanical and other industrial pursuits,
invite capital and enterprise from abroad,
which, on every sound principle of political
economy, should be encouraged. Much of the
time of the Legislature is consumed by appi-
cations for special chartered privileges which
might be saved by the enactment of general
laws and by such amendment to our general
mining and manufacturing law as will remove
needless and burthenSome restraints, and at
the same time afford ample protection to capi-
tai and labor, and to the community at large.
Our statute books are full of acts of incorpo-
ration comforting special privileges as they ale
numerous, dissimilar in their grants of power,
and unequal in their liabilities and restrictions.
Well considered and judicious general laws to
meet all classes of corporations, would reme-
dy the evil,economise time and money relieve
The Legislature from the constant pressure
for undue privileges, and be just and equal to
all in their administration.
The veto power conferred upon the Execu-
tive was given with much hesitation, and not
without serious apprehensions as to its abuse,
by the, trainers of our organic law. 1t is, in
my judgment, to be used with the greatest
caution, and only when Legislation is mani
festly inconsiderate, of more than doubtful
constitutionality. The legislators, chosen as
they are directly by the people, in such
manner that fair expression of their views
of the true policy of the government can al
ways pc had, give to all well considered meas
ures of legislation the solemn sanction of the
highest power of the State, and it should not
s,Nr, N
shrink from no duty involved by the sacred
trust reposed in me by the people of the Com
monwcalth, l would have all other depart
ments OF the government appreciate the full
measure of responsibility that devolves upon
them.
The position of mutual estrangement in
which the different sections Of our country
have been placed by the precipitate action
and violent denunciation OF heated partizans,
the apprehension of still more serious compli-
cations of our political affairs, and the fearful
uncertainty of the future, have had the effect
of weakening commercial credit aud partially
interrupting trade; and as natural conse-
quence, deranging onr exchanges and crrrency.
Yet the elements of general prosperity are
everywhere diffused amongst us, and nothing
is wanting but, return of confidence to en-
able US to reap the rich rewards of our diver
slfled industry and enterprise. Should the
restitution of confidence in business and COM
mercial circles be long delayed, the Legisla.
ture, in its wisdom, will, l doubt not, meet
the necessities Of the crisis in generous and
patriotic spirit.
Thus far our system of Government has full
ly answered the expectation Of its founders,
and has demonstrated the capacity of the peo-
pie for self-government. The country has ad-
vanced in wealth, knowledge and power, and
secured to all classes of its citizens the bles-
sings of peace, prosperity and happiness. The
-,x,ryC C<f
organizations have given direction and ener-
gy to individual and associated enterprise,
maintained public order, and promoted the
welfare OF all parts of our vast and expanding
country. No one who knows the history of
Pennsylvania and understands the opinions and
feelings of her people. can justly charge us
with hostility to our brethren of other States.
We regard them as friends and fellow country
men, in whose welfare we feel kindred inter-
est and we recognize, in their broadest ex-
tent,all our constitutional obligations to them.
These we are ready and willing to observe
generously and fraternally in their letter and
spirit, with unswerving fidelity.
The election Of President of the United
States, according to the forms of the Consttu-
tion, has recently been made pretext for dis
turbing the peace of the country by delber-
ate attempt to wrest from the Federal Govern
ment the powers which the people conferred
on it when they adopted the Constitution. BY
this movement the questlon Wnether tHe gov
ernment of the United States embodied the
prerogatives, rights and powers of sovereign
ty, or merely represents, for specific purposes,
q multitude of independent communities, con-
federated in league which any OF them may
dissolve at will, is now placed directly before
the American people. Unhappily this ques-
tion is not presented in the simple form OF po-
litical discussion, but complicated with the
passions and jealousies of impending or actu-
al conflict.
There is nothing in the life of Mr.. Lincoln,