The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1867-01-24


pard, ned, but introduced to yet stronger
privileges, because of its guilty failure,
seems to have been insisted upon, as If to
strengthen the better and the contrasting
doctrine, that nation, having conquered
its freedom, is its own best guardian, and
that those who were defeated in honor
able battle should be constrained to sub |
NIT to all the terms of the conqueror.
The violators of the most solemn obli-
cations, the perpetrators Of the most afro
cious crimes iu the annals of time, the
murderers Of our heroic soldiers on fields
Of battle, and in loathsome dungeons and
barbarous prisons, they must not, shall
not, reappear in the council chambers OF
the nation to aid in its legislation, or con-
troll its destinies, unless it shall be on con-
ditions which will preserse our institu-
tions from their baeiul purposes and in
fluence, and secure republican forms of
government, in their purity and yigor, in
every section of the country.
That they are indisposed to accept such
conditions is manifest from their recent
and even arrogant rejection of the pro-
posed amendments of the national Con-
stitution-amendmen which are believed
by many true aud patriotic citizens and
statesmen to be too mild and generous
They have, however, been fully consi-
dered by the people during the late elect
tions, and approved by majorties so large
as to give them sanction which it would
be improper to either overlook or disregard.
And certainly, in view of this fact, none
of the late Rebel States should be admit
ted to their former practical relations"
to the General Government while they
continue to oppose these amendments.
To the Congress of the United States
the heartfelt sympathies and overwhelm-
ing sufrages of the people have been gen
ereusly given. They have fearlessly pro-
claimed their unequivocal verdict -"Well
done good and faithful servants" Upon
the deliberations and actions of Congress
our present interests and future welfare
all depend. In its firmness and courage
the whole experiment of genuine republi-
canism is indssolubly involved. That
this frmness and courage will be fully
exhibited by its controlling majorities, in
the origination and adoption of measures
of wisdom and discretion, even more rad
ical nnddecisive, Unnecessary, than those OF
the past, [ entertain no doubt. Such
measures will meet with my cordial ap-
proval And may well add, that while
Pennsylvania will con6de in loyal Con
gress, she will not hesitate to sustain il
with her entire influence and power.
That in the administration of the Gov
ernnent may err, is only what should
be expected from the infrmities of the
human mind but as [ enter upon the dis
charge of nay responsible duties with a
firm resolution to act with honesty and
impartiality, [ trust my errors will be re
garded with charity and treated with the
gentleness of magnanimous forgiveness.
And l earnestly hope that my inter
course with my fellow citizens of the Sen
ate and House of Represe ntatives will be
SO frank and cordial that our duties to a
COMMON constituency will be pleasantly
and faithfully discharged. Different bran
ches Of the Governments as We are, with
distinctive duties, we are, nevertheless
parts OF one organized and well regulated
system, and as we cooperate or disagree
the interests of the State will probably be
promoted or retarded. Elected by the
people, desirous to promote the welfare Of
every citizen, mere party differences should
not be allowed to interfere with the main
tenances of a generous, true and com
prehensive public policy.
Itwas the illustrious Washington, equal
| y distinguished as warrior and states
man, who gave utterance to the declara
ton, "that the propitious smiles of Heav.
en- cannot be expected on nation tha
} disregards the eternal rules of order anC
right :" and Jefferson, who asserted tha
"whatever ismorally wrong cannot be poll
: tically right" These utterances expires.
my deepest convictions of the rules and
principles which should permeate and con
troll all governments. Let US, fellow cit
zens, adhere to them, be governed BY
them, and our efforts will be happily uni
ted in surrounding the institutions of oul
State, as well as those of our nation, with
a rampant oftrush that will repel the mad
ness Of ambition, the schemes of usurpa
ton, and successfully resist the change,
and agitations of all coming time.