The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1861-02-07

The veto power conferred npon the Tx
ecutive was given with much hesitation
and not without serious apprehenslons as
to its abuse, by tie trainers Of orr organic
Jaw. 1t is, in my judgment, to be used
with the greatest caution, and Only when
Legislation is manifestly incorsiderate, O,
of more than doubtful cons;itutionality
s. The legislators, chosen as they are direct
y by the people, in such a manner that
fair ex preston Of their views of the truc
policy Of the government can always be
had, give to all well considered measures
+ Of legislation the solemn sanction CT the
highest power of the State, aud it should
not be Arbitrarily intcrfcred with. While
| shall shfink from 10 daty involved by
the sacred trust reroscd in me by tie
people OF the Commonwealth, | would
have all other departments Of the govern.
ment appreciate the full measure Of lc.
sponsibilty that devolyes upon them.
The position of Mutual arrangement
in which the different sections of our
country have been placed by the prceip-
itate action and violent denunciatiou Of
heated partizans, the apprehension Of still
more serious complications Of our political
affairs, and the fearful uncertainty Of tho
future, have had The effect Of weakening
commercial credit and partially interrupt
ing trade and, as & na,ural consequence,
derangiuG our exchanges aud currency.
Yet the clements Of general prosperity
are everywhere d1used amongst Us, and
nothing is wanting but return Of conf
denco to enable US to reap the rich re.
wards of our diversified industry and en-
terprise. Should the restitution Of con-
fdence in business and commercial circles
be long delayed, the Legislature, in its
wisdom, will ! doubt not meet the ne,
cessities of the crisis in Il generous and
patriotic spirit.
Thus far our system Of Government has
fully answered the expectations OF its
founders, and has demonstrated the ca
pacity Of the people for sclf-goyernment
The country has advanced in wealth,
knowledge and power, and secured to all
cla ses Of its citizens the blessings IF
peace prosperity and happiness. The
workings of our simple and natural pol,-
ical organizations lave given direction
and energy to individual and associated
enterprise, maintained public order. and
promo.ed the welfare Of all parts Of our
vast and expanding country No one
who knows the history Of Pennsylvania
and understands the opinions and feelings
Of her people can justly charge US with
hostility to our brethren Of clhcr States
We regard them as friends aud fellow
countrymcn, in whose welfare We feel q
kindred interest; and we recognize, in
their broadrst extent, all our coust:tu-
tional Obligations to them. These we arc
ready aud wiling TO observe generously
and fratcrnally in .hcir letter AID spirit,
with answering fidelity.
Jtc election Of President Of the
United States, according to the foruts Of
the Constitution, has recently been made
a prctext for disturbing the peace Of the
county by deliberate attempt to wres:
from the Federal Government the powers
which the people conferred on II when
they adopted the Constitution. BY this
movement the question whether the gov
crument of the United States enbudi
lhe prcrocatiyes, rights and powers Of
sovereignty, or merely represents. ftrspc-
eifc purposes. multitude Of indcpcndeut
communities, confcderatcd in a league
which any one Of them may dissolve at
will, is now placed directly before the
American people. UuhanpiIy this cues,
tiou is not presented IN the simple form
of political discussion, but complicated
with the passions aud iealousics Of im-
pending or actual conflict.
There is nothing in the life of Mr. Lin
colu, nor in amy Of lis acts or decara-
alton before or since his election, to war
rant the apprehension that his Adlunis-
tFation will be unfricndly to the local iG-
stitu,ions Of any of the States. No sen.
tlmen}s but these Of kindness and CON
citation have been expressed or enter
tanned by the constitutional majority
which elected lin and nothing has oc-
CURED to justify the excitement which
seems to have blinded tie judgemeu. of
a part of the people, and its precipitating
them into revolution.
The supremacy Of the National Gov
ernmcnt has been SO fally admitted and
SO long cherished by the people of Penn
syIvanIa, and SO completely has the con
vciion Of its nationality and sovereignty
directed their political action that they
are surprised at the pertlnaciiy with
which portion Of the people elsewhere
maintain the opposite view. The tfadi-
tions Of the past, the recorded teachings
of the Fathers of the Republic, tie sceu-
rity of their freedom and prosperity and
theiy hopes for the future, are all in har-
mony with an unfaltering allegiance to
the Nationa, Union, the maintainence OF