Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-01-24

purpose of securieg reciprocal benefits. 1t acts
directly on the people, aud they owe it per-
sonal allegiance. No part of tho people, no
State nor combination of States, can voluutar-
lily secede from the Uuion, nor absolve them
selves from their obligations TO it. To permit
State to withdrew at pleasure from the
Union, without the consent of the rest, is to
confess that our government is failure. Penn
sylvania can never acquesce in such conspi-
racy, nor assent to doctrine which involves
the destruction of the Government If the
Government is to exist, all the requirements Of
the Constitution must be obey ed; and it must
have power adequate to the enforcement of the
supreme law of the land in every State. 1t is
the first duty of the National authorities to
stay the progress of anarchy and enforce the
laws, and Pennsylvania with united people,
will give them an honest, faithful and active
support. The people mean to preserve the
integrity or the National Union at every haz
ard
The Constitution wnicn was originally franz
ed to promote the welfare of the thirteen States
and four millions of people, in less than three
quarters of a century has embraced thirty-threc
States aud thirty millions of inhabitants. Oar
territory has been extended over new climates
including people with new interests and wants
and the Government has protected them ALL
Everything requisite to the perpetuity of the
Union aud its expanding power, would seem
TO have been foreseen and provided for by the
wisdom and sagacity of the trainers of the Con-
Stitution.
1t is all We desire or hope for and all that
our fellow-countrymen who complain, can rea-
sonabiy demand. 1t provides that amendments
may be proposed by Congress; and whenever
the necessity to amend shall occur, the people
of Pennsylvania will give to the amendments
which Congress may propose, the careful and
deliberate consideration which their import
aIce may demand Change is not always pro
gress, and people who have lived so long and
enjoyed so much prosperity. who have so many
sacred memories Of the past, and such rich leg
acies to transmit to the future, should deliber-
ate long and seriously before they attempt to
alter any Of the fundamental principles of the
great charter Of our liberties.
| assume the duties of this high Office at the
most trying period of our national history. The
public mind is agitated by fears, suspicious and
jealouSieS. Serious apprehensions Of the fu-
ture pervade the people. A preconcerted and
organized effort has been made to disturb the
stability of Government, dissolve the union Of
the States, and mar the symmetry and order
Of the noblest political structure ever devised
and enacted by human wisdom. 1t shall be my
earnest endeavOr to justify the confidence which
you have reposed in NE, aud to deserve your
approt alton. With a consciousness OF the
rectitude Of my intentions, with no resent
ments to cherish, no enmities to avenge, no
wish but the public good to crafty. and with
profound sense of the Soemuity of my posi-
ton, l humbly invoke the assistance of our
Heavenly Father, in whom alone is my depen-
dence, taat His strength may sustain and His
wisdom guide me- With His divine aid shall
apply myself faithfully and fearlessly to my
responsible duties, and abide the judgment Of
a generous people
Invoking the blessing Of the God of our
fathers upon our State and nation, it shall be
the highest object of my ambition to contri-
butte to the glory Of the Commonwealth main
tain the civil and religious privileges of the
people, and promote the union, prosperity and
happiness OF tie country.