Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-05-09
The Governors Message.
EXEuTTYE CHAMBER,
Harrisburg, April 80, 1851.

To the Senate and House Of Rcpresentatires Of The
Commonwealth Cf Penns ylrGHiI:
GENTLEMEN Tile present unparalleled exi-
gency in the aiflirs of our country, has induced
me TO call you together at this time With an
actanl aud armed rebellion in soue of the
States of the Union, momeutous questions
have been thrust upon Us which call for your
deliberations, aud that you should devise means
by legislation for the maintenance, of the au-
thorty of tie General Government, the honor
and dignity of our State, the protection Of our
citzeus and the erly establishment of peace
aud order throughout the land.
On tie day of my induction into the EXecu-
tive office, took occasion to utter tue follow
Ing sentiments
" No oHe who knows the history cf Penn,
sylvauia, 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 aud fellow countrymen,
in whose welfare we feel a kindred interest; and
we recognize, IN their broadrst extent all our
constitutional obligations to them. These VIC
are ready and willing to oh3erve generously and
fraternaiIy in their letter aud spirit, with IN.
swerying fidelity.
ours is a National Government. 1t has
within the sphere Of its action all the attri
hutcS Of sovereignty, and among these are the
right and duty Of selfpreservaron. 1t is baS-
ed upon compact to which all the people Of
the United States are parties. 1t is the result
OF mutual concessions, which were made for
the purpose Of securing reciprocal heuehrS-
Ii acts directly Oh the peopie aud they owe it
a personal allegiance. No part of the peop!e,
l., 81. >
unfairly seccde from the Union, nor absoiyc
themselves from their obligations to it. To
permit q State to Withdraw at pleasure from
the Union, without the consent Of the rest, is
to confess that our Government is a failure
Pennsylvania can never acquiesce in such
conspiracy nor assent 10 doctrine which in
wolves the destruction Of the Government II
the Government is to exist, all the require
ments Of the Constitution mast be obeyed and
it must have power adequate to the enforce
meHt Of the supreme law of the land in every
State. 1t is the first duty OF the national au-
th0ritieS to stay the progress Of anarchy and
enforce the laws, aad Pennsylvania, with a
eulted people, will give them an honest faith
ful aud active support. The people mean to
preserve the integrity Of the national Union
at every hazard"
1t could scarcely have been anticipated at
that time, that we should SO soon he cal4ed
upon for the practical application of these
truths in connection with their support and de-
fence by the strong arm Of military power.
The nncxampled promptness and enthusiasm
with whicn Pennsylvania aud the other loyal
States have responded to the call Of the Pres
ident, and the entire unanimity with which our
nd hot ba int Of
ernment shall be preserved, Illustrate the duty
Of the several State and National Governments
with a distinctness that cannot be disregarded
The slaughter OF northern troops in the city
Of Baltimore, for the pretended offence OF
marching Mt the call Of the Federal Govern
ment, peaceabIy, over soil admittedly in the
Union, and with the ultimate o. iect OF defend
ing our common Capital against any armed and
rebelliOnS invasion, together with the ob-
structOn of our Pennsylvania troops when
despatched on the same patriotic mission, im-
pose new duties and responsibilities upon our
State administration. At last advceS the
General Government had military possession
of the route to Washington through AnnapO.
lis; but the transit OF troops had been greatly
endangered and delayed, and the safety of
Washington itself immiuently threatened
This cannot be submitted to- Whether Mary
land may profess to be loyal to the Union or
otherwise, there can be permitted no hostile
soil, no DISTRACTED thoroughfare, between the
States that undoubtedly are loyal and their
national seat OF government There is reason
10 hope that the route through Baltimore may
be no longer closed against the peaceab!e pas
sage of our people armed and in the service of
the Federal Government. But we must be
fully assured of this, and have the uninterrup-
ted enjoyment Of a passage to the Capitol by
any and every route essential to the purposes
of the Government. This must be attained,
peaceaby if possible, but by force of arms if
net accorded