Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-08-18
SATURDAY MORNING, AUGUST 1S, 1866.
OF THE NEW
COURT HOUSls--CHAHeG OF
JUDGE JORDAN.

uREIuDMNAAAVN VE NEW
| COURT HOUSls--CHARGE OF
JUDGE JORDAN.
Gentlemen Of the Grand Jury Meeting,
as we do to-day, for the first time, in this
building, which for beauty, convenience and
comfort, will compare favorably with any
| in the State, it is proper that the occasion
| should not pass, without some remarks from
| the court, expressive of their great satisfac-
| tion, and the pleasure the court, the men,
| bers of the bar and the citizens of the county,
who have judicial business to transact, will
derive from the change. To those Grand
Jurors, who for three SUCCESSIVE sessions of
the court, recommended new Court House,
! that would not only be an ornament, but
credit to the county, are we mainly indebted,
for this beautiful building, now opened for
| the dispatch of business and administration
of Justice. Their recommendations received
| the hearty appreciation of the court, and
| the then Commissioners of the county, and
they with promptness and firmness highly
creditable to them, entered into a contract for
its erection and completion, with gentle
man of acknowledged honesty and capsbili-
ty, but who was not permitted to live, to
witness its completion. His son, young
man, and excellent mechanic prosecuted the
work, and finished what his father had
commenced. Besides the beauty, convenience
and comfort of the building, it was planned
and constructed so Us to preserve our public
records from fire. In their preservation,
VIC are all, more or less interested.
I The Commissioners who contracted for
the erection of the building, encountered
violent opposition from some of the tax
payers of the county. It was deemed by
them unjust and oppressive, to incur SO
heavy debt, and increase the public bur-
den, already exceedingly onerous. This
opposition was not surprising, when We re-
member the enormous taxes we were CON-
PEELED to pay, to meet the expenses necessary
to put down the rebellion then raging in our
country, threatening the destruction of our
government and the separation of our Union,
that would have been as disastrous to our
peace, happiness and propcitry as nation,
as the motives that melted and carried on
the rebellion were wicked and unjustifiable.
Although our public debt is enormous, and
almost beyond computation, and our taxes
heavy, and will continue to he 80 for many
years, the country has been saved from ruin
our admirable form of government pre-
served, and the national emblem still waves
in triumph over the land; and to day no
nation upon earth occupies so proud and
commanding position, as we do. No ma
tion can boast of a form. of government go
, just-resources 30 boundless, soldiers and
sailors so brave-a country SO rich in agri-
+ cultural and mineral productions, Indeed
in everything that is necessary for our safety,
comfort and happiness population SO en-
tcrprising, Industrious, talented and inven-
tive, as we can boast of. We have indeed,
gentlemen, reason to be proud of our coun-
try, her form of government and her laws,
. and truly thankful to God, for delivering US
from the fearful gulf that threatened our
i destruction that has enabled us to triumph
over our enemies, and preserve the beautiful
, structure reared by men who loved their
, Countrywide hated oppression, and adopt
,, ed form of government that left US free to
q worship God, according to the dictates ol
our own consciences, giving ample protection
to all our citizens, and removing every obsta
y Gle in the way of the poor, but meritorious
a man of reaching the highest office in the
d gift of free people.
Perhaps, gentlemen, brief history of the
n time when Northumberland county was
n erected when and where our first courts
n were held, and the divisions and subdivisions
n that have taken place, will not, at this time
u = be uninteresting. This county was formed
n on the 2lst of March, 1772, out of parts Of
n Lancaster, Cumberland, Bedford, Berks ant
II Northampton. 1t was named Northumber
+ land, in honor of the Duke of Northumber
land, an English nobleman. On the 25tl
n of September, 1886, Luzerne county wa!
l. formed out of part of Northumberland. Or
y the 9th of September, 1854, Mifflin count.
= :. was formed out Of parts of Cumberland ant
q Northumberland. On the 18th of April
= 1906, Lycomirg was formed out of part o
Northumberland. On the 18th of February
1900, Centre was formed out of parts o
}. Mifflin, Northumberland, Lycoming an(
| Hnnt;nnlnp O, tl,a Of 1919
J. Columbia and Union counties were formed
10 out of Northumberland, thus reducing Nor
1. thupberlaud to its present limits. Reduced
as the territorial limits of this county nov
is, the population and wealth of the count,
far exceed her population and wealth il
t772.
In 1772 we were dependent colonies Q
Great Britain, subject to her tyrannicai laws
and oppressive legislation; taxed at the vii
and pleasure of her parliaments, withou
,d the right of representation, in her councils
en- We continued, as you know, to be the sui
jects of Great Britain, until the 4th of July
1776,a day dear to every true American, ,whe
rk the chain that bound us was broken, by
declaration of independence, proclaiming t
rs. the world the great truth that all men ar
'ss created equal, and setting forth the reason
ts that impelled us to separate from the motht
t., country. When we think Of our conditio
at that time, our want of men and mean
no regularly organized army, no navy, an
the great wealth aud naval and militar
power of England, we cannot but admir-
and venerate the memory of men, wh'
with perfect knowledge of our situatio:
rt. determined upon measure, that gave Dirt
to nation Of freemen free now, and wi
a continue to be free, till Kingdoms and M
" tions shall have passed away, in the world
in, general confagration. The treatment
the colonies by Great Britain, was unjus
tyrannical and oppressive. A separate
"a from her was demanded by every just col
~ ~ sideration for the happiness ano welfare
s. the American people, and they, relying {
80 the justice of their cause, and looking
10 Him who not only controls the destiny
az individuals but of nations, resolved to
40 free from British tyranny. The resolutit
Is was followed, by an attempt on the part
IS Great Britain, to coerce her colonies in
10 submission. The effort was fruitless 4
~ % struggle fol- freedom was successful. 1t W
,gs. long, bloody and painful; the issue was frs
] at dom or subjection to British oppression.
Right and Justice tnumphed over wrol
ns ~ ard injustice. Great Britain lost forever !
~ Al..s. n.