Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1861-01-09

in the schools of the State is, 647 Ala being
an increase since 1857, of A, ,422 The en-
tire expenditures during the last year inclu-
ding expenditures of the School Department
Is 50. .63S, $50 so. Normal Schools for the
training of teachers are recommended. An
institution of the kind is now in full and sue
cessful operation in the South eastern part of
the State The Farmers High School, stu
ate IN Centre County, is also recommended to
the favorable consideration of the Legislature
1t is intended to supply want which has
long been felt in our agricultural community;
the education of the Sons of farmers at once
to scientific knowledge, habitual industry. and
practical skill, to fit them for the association
of rural life. and the occupation chosen for
them by their fathers, and therefore the ne-
cessary appropriations to complete and sus-
tain it, should be promptly and cheeIfully
made by the Legislative He speaks in COM
mandatory terms of the free banking law,
passed by the last Legislature, and thinks
that no further necessity exists for legislative
action on the subject, either in creating new
banks or re-chartering old ones He recon-
mends the passage Of law taxing private
banks. Several charitable institutions are
recommended to the favorable consideration
of the Legislature.
The extraordinary and alarming condition
of our national affairs, is then referred to BIZ
the Governor at great length He goes into
an elaborate argumen; to prove that State
does not possess the right under the Constitu-
ton to secede from the Union, whenever she
sees proper to do SO. Any movement of the
kind, he maintains, IS revolutionary in its
character ana tendencies, aud can only be
justified on the well settled principle, that a
wronged and oppressed people possess the
right, by force, to overthrow or abolish the
government that Expresses them. He ac-
knowledges that the passage by certain Nor
thern States of laws. styled personal liberty
bills, Intended to obstTuet or prevent the ex-
ecution of the fugitive Slave law, cannot be
deuied, and constitute grievance, of which
the South has just reason to complain He
Is of The opinion, however, that Pennsylva-
MIA is not one of the n1dIJying States. The
law which is cited by those who endeavor to
sustain the charge, is strictly Constitutional,
according to the decision ofthe U. S. Supreme
Court in the celebrated case of Prigg VS., The
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The law
objected to was passed in 1S47. He says:
These sections were re-enacted in the revised
penal code of Pennsylvania, at the last ses-
sion of the Legislature, and are still the law
of the State; bit they are not now of any
practical importance, and their retention
on our statute book is calculated TO create the
impression that the people Of this State are
unfavorable to the execution of the fugitive
SLAVE law, and the discharge of their confede-
rate duties. and with the view of removing
this sabject Of reproach, [ earnestly recon-
mend their unconditional repeal.
He then gives his views with regard to the
power of Congress and Territorial Legisla-
lures over Slavery in the Territories, but he
says he is not SO welded to them as to sum-
marily reject all measures conflicting with
them, which are intended to restore harmony
to the country. He adds
Now that the sectional issue is again presented,
by the dominant party in the North, claiming
that slavery canrot legally go into the Terri
tories. sven if sanctioned by Congress, or the
Territorial Legislature and that it is the
right and the duty of Congress to prohibit its
existence. While the doctriEe which obtains
with 4 majority of the people in most of the
Southern States, is, that under the Constitu-
ton, the Territories are all open to slavery !;
that neither Congress nor the Territorial Leg
islature lawfully prohibit its existeece
and that it is the duty of Congress to provide
for it all needful protection. May We not
wisely follow the example of our fathers, by
re- e-enacting the old compromise line of 1920, i,
and extending it to the boundary of Califor-
MIA? Not by the means of legislation OF the
doubtful constitutioDality, but By an amend
ment to the Constitution itself, and thus per-
manently fix the condition of the Territories,
so that those who desire to occupy them, may
find d home, at their discretion, either where
slavery is tolerated, or where it is prohibited.
If the adoption of such an amendment would
peacefully settle the difficulties which now
surround US, am satisfied that it would be
sanctioned by the people of Pennsylvania =
At all events, they should have an opportuni-
ty to accept or reject it, if made as peace
Offering. | would, therefore, recommend to
the General Assembly to instruct and request
our Senators and Representatives in Congress
to support a proposition for such an amend
ment of the Constitution, to BE- submitted for
ratification or rejection, to a convention o!
delegates, elected directly By the people OF
the State.
In the event of Congress failing speedily TO
propose this or similar amendments he re-
commends the calling of Convention of the
people of the United States, to prepare and
propose amendments. The Message is by
far the ablest that has been issued by Cover
nor Pasker during his administration, and