Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1861-01-24
LEWIS 10
THURSDAY, JANUARY "a, 1861.

consequence, deranging our exchanges and
currency. Yet the elements of general pros
] perity are everywhere diffused amongst US,
aud nothing is wanting but return Of con
Edence to enable US to reap the rich rewards
/ of our diversified industry and enterprise.
| Should the restitution of confidence in b,,si-
| ness and commercial circles be long DELAYED.
! The Legislature, in its wisdom, will, doubt
not, meet the necessities of the crisis in a gen
eral and patriotic spirit.
/ Thus far our system of government has full
/ ly answered the expectations Of It's founders,
and has demonstrated the capacity of Che 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 workings of our simple and natural po
litical organizations have given direction and
energy to individual and associated enter
| prise, maintained public order, and promoted
| the welfare of all parts of our vast and ex-
pandlng country. No one who knows the
/ history Of Pennsylvania and understands the
opinions and feelings of her people, can just
ly charge us with hostility to our brethren of
other States. We regard them as friends
and fellow countrymen, in whose welfare we
feel a kindred interest: and we recognize, in
their broadcast extent all our constitutional
obligations to them. These we are ready and
| willing to observe generously and fraternaly
| IN their letter and spirit. with answering Fl
deity.
! The election of President of the United
States according to the forms of the Const-
tuition, has recently been made pretext for
disturbing the peace of the country by de-
llberate attempt to wrest from the Federal
Government the powers which the people con-
ferred on it when they adopted the Constitu-
ton. BY this movement the question wheth-
| er the government of the United States en-
bodies the prerogatives, rights and powers of
sovereignty, or merely represents, for specif-
ic purposes, multitude of independent COM
munities, eonfederated in league which any
one of them may dissolve at will, is now pla
ced directly before the American people. Un-
happily this question is not presented in the
simple form of political discussion, but COM
| plicated with the passions and jealousies of
impending or actual conflict.
| There is nothing in the life of Mr. Lincoln,
nor in any of his acts or declarations before
or since his election, to warrant the apprehen-
sion that his Administration will be unfriend-
! ly to the local institutions of any of the States
No sentiments but those of kindness and con-
| 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 part of the people, and is pre-
cipitating them into revolution.
! The supremacy of the National Govern.
ment has been So fully admitted and so long
cherished by the People of Pennsylvania, and
so completely has the conviction of its nation
atty and sovereignty directed their political
action, that they are surprised at the pertina-
city with which portion Of the people else
| where MAINTAIN the opposite view. The ira
| ditions of the past, the recorded teachings of
the Fathers of the Republic, the security of
their freedom and prosperity, and their hopes
for the future, are all in harmony with an un-
| faltering allegiance to the National Union,
the maintainehce of the Constitution, and the
enforcement of the laws. They have faith
fully adhered to the compromises of our great
national compact, and willingly recognized
I the peculiar institutions and rights of proper.
| ty OF the people of other States Every true
Pennsylvania admits that his first civil and
political duty is to the general government,
and he frankly acknowledges his obligation
to protect the constitutional rights of all who
live under its authority and enjoy its blessings.
have already taken occasion to say pub
hccly, and now repeat, that if we have any
laws upon our statute books which infringe
upon the rights of the people of any States,
or contravene any law of the Federal Gov
ernment, or Obstruct its execution, they ought
to be repealed. We ought not to hesitate to
| exhibit TO other States that may have enacted
laws interfering with the rights, or obstruc-
tive of the remedies which belong constitu-
tlonaliy to 2E 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 relieve every just cause of dissatsfac-
ton 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
interests OF her own people, promote frater-
ternity and peace, and liberal comfy be-
tween the States. Her convictions on the vi
tai questions which have agitated the public
mind are we'll understood at home, and
should not be misunderstood abroad. Her
verdicts have been as uniform as they have
been decisive, in favor of the dignity, the
prosperity and the progress of her free indus
try, 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 deliber-
ATE judgement of her people, expressed in
peoo0lul. lTdteFHdl anu cOnSCIullOndl HAL
ner; and when they shall have been admins
tered IN the government as soon they will
be, the madness that now rules the hour will
subside, as their patriotic, faithful and ma
tlonal aims bring ample protection and peace
tul progress to all sections of the Republic.
In the grave questions which now agitate
the country, no State has o more profound
concern than Pennsylvania. Occupying a
geographical position between the North and
the South, the East and West, with the great
avenues of travel and trade passing through
her borders, carrying on en- extensive COM
merce with her neighbors, in the vast and var
led productions of her soil, her mines and
her manufacturing industry, and bound to