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

ciliation have been expressed or entertained
by the constitutional majority which elected
him; and nothing has occurred to justify the
excitement which seems to have blinded the
judgment of q part Of the people, and is pre-
cipitating them into revolution.
The supremacy of the National Government
has been so fully admitted and so long cherish
ed by the people of Pennsylvania, and so COM
pletely has the conviction of its nationality and
sovereignty directed their political action, that
they are surprised at the pettinacity with which
portion OF the people elsewhere maintain the
opposite view. The traditions of the past, the
recorded teachings of the Fathers of the Re-
public, the security of their freedom and pros
perty, and their hopes for the future, are all
in harmony with an unfaltering allegiance to
the National Union, the maintenance of the
Constitution and the enforcement of the laws.
They have faithfully adhered to the comprom-
ses of our great National compact, and will
lingly recognized the peculiar institutions and
rights of property of the people Of other
States. Every true Pennsylvania admits that
his first civil and political duty is to the gen.
eral government, and he frankly acknowled-
ges his obligation to protect the constitution
al rights of all who live under its authority
and enjoy its blessings.
have already taken occasion to say public
ly, and l now repeat, that if We have any laws
upon our statute books which infringe upon
the rights of the people of any of the States,
or contravene any law of the Federal Govern
ment, or obstruct its execution. they ought to
be repealed. We ought not to hesitate to ex-
hibit to other States that may have enacted
laws interfering with the rights, or obstruc-
tive of the remedies which belong constitu-
tiOnally to all American citizens. an example
of magnanimity and of implicit obedience to
the paramount law, and by prompt repeal
OF every statute that may even, by implica-
ton, be liable to reasonable objection, do our
part to remove every just cause of dissatsfac-
tion with our legislation.
Pennsylvania has never faltered in her re-
cognition of all the duties imposed upon her
by the national compact, and she will, by ev-
cry act consistent with her devotion to the in
terests of her own people, promote fraternity
and peace, and liberal comfy between the
States. Her convictions on the vital questions
which have agtated the public mind are well
understood at home, and should not be mis-
understood abroad. Her verdIcts have been
as uniform as they have been decisive, in fa-
vor of the dignity, the prosperity and the pro-
gress of her free industry, and support of the
principles of liberty 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 consti-
tutonal manner; and when they shall have
been administered in the government, as soon
they will be the madness that now rules the hour
will subside, as their patriotic, faithful and ma
tional aims bring ample protection and peace
full progress to all sections Of the Republic.
In the grave questions which now agitate
the country. no State has more profound con-
Germ than Pennsylvania. Occupying geo.
graphical position between the North and the
South, the East and the West, with the great
avenues of travel and trade passing through
her borders, carrying on an extensive CON-
merce with her neighbors, in the vast and va
ried productions of her soil, her mines and her
manufacturing industry, and bound to them
by the ties of kindred and social intercourse,
the question of disunion involves momentous
consequences to her people. The second of
the thirty-three States in population, and the
first in material resources, it is due both to
ourselves and to the other States, that the po
sition and sentiments of Pennsylvania on the
question should be distinctly understood.
All the elements of wealth and greateess
have been spread over the State by kind
Providence with profuse liberality. Our tem-
perate climate, productive soil, and inexhaus-
tible mineral wealth, have stimulated the n-
dustry of our people and improved fhe skill of
our merchants. To develop, enlarge and pro-
tect the interests which grow out OF our natu-
raj advantages, have become cardinal brinci-
piles of political economy in Pennsylvania, and
the opinion everywhere prevails among our
people that development, progress and wealth
that labor, and the interests sustained by it,
sh oud be adequately protected against foreign
competition. The people of Pennsylvania
have always favored that policy which aims to
elevate and foster the industry of the country
in the collection of revenue for the support of
the General G overnment; and whenever they
have had the opportunity, in fair election,
they have vindicated that policy at the ballot
box. When their trade was Frustrated and
their Industry paralyzed by the legislation of
the General Government, which favored ad
verse interests, they waited patiently for the
return of another opportunity to declare the
public will in a constitutional manner. In the
late election of President of the United States,
the principle of protection was one of the
prominent issues. With the proceedings of
Congress at its last session fresh in their men,
ories, a large majority of the people of Penn
sylvania enrolled themselves in an organza-
ton, which, in its declaration of principles,
promised, if successful, to be faithful to their
suffering interests and languishing industry.
Protection to labor was one of the great prin-
cipIes of its platform it was inscribed on its
banners; it advocated by its public jour
nails /; and throughout the canvass it was lead
ing text of the orators oil the successful party.
This is a propitious moment to declare that
while the people of Pennsylvania were not in
different to other vital issues of the canvass,
they were demanding justice for themselves in
the recent election. and had nc design to inter-
fere with or abridge the rights of the people
of other States. The growth of our State had
been retarded by the abrogation of the princi-
pie of protection from the revenue laws of the
national government; bankruptcy had crushed
the energies of many of our most enterprising
citizens but no voice of disloyalty or treason
was heard, nor an arm raised to offer vio-
lence to the sacred fabric of our national MON.
Conscious of their rights and their power, our
people looked to the ballot-box alone as the
legal remedy for existing evils.
In the present unhappy condition of the