Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-01-24

purposes and influence, and secure
republican forms Of government, in
cheir purity and vigor in every see
ton Of the country
That they are iudisp9sed tD accept
/ such conditiOns,is manifest from tlielf
recent and even arrogant friction of
the proposed amendments Of the
national Constitution - amendments
| which are believed, by many true and
patriotic citizens and statesmen, to be
too mild and generous.
They have, however, been fully con
sidered by the people during the late
elections, and approved by maiorities
so large as to give them sanction
which it would be improper to either
overlook OF disregard And certain.
! ly in view of this fact, none of the
| late rebel States should be admitted
to their former practical relations
to the General Government, while
they continue to oppose these amend
ments
To the Congress- Of the United
States the heartfelt sympathies and
overwhelming suf1rages of the peo-
pie have been generously given
They have fearlessly proclaimed their
unequivocal verdict -" WELL DONE
GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS" Upon
the deliberations and actions Of Con-
gress our present interests and fn.
ture welfare all depend In its firm
ness and courage the whole expert
ment of genuine republicanism is i'll
dissolubly involved. That this firm
ness and courage will be fully exhib-
tied by its controlling majorities, in
the origination and adoption of meas
ures of wisdom and discretion, even
more radical and decisive, if necessa-
~, than those of the past, entertain
no doubt. Such measures will meet
with my cordial approval. And |
may we'll add, that while Pennsylva-
MIA will confde in loyal Congress,
she will not hesitate to sustain it
with her entire influence and power.
That in the administration of the
government | may err, is only what
should be expected from the infirmi-
ties of the human mind but as | en-
ter upon the discharge Of my respon-
sible duties with firm resolution to
act with honesty and impartiality,
trust my errors will be regarded with
charity and treated with the gentle.
ness of magnanimous forgiveness
And ! earnestly hope that my in
tercourse with my lellow-citizens of
the Senate and House of Representa-
tives will be so frank and cordial,
that our duties to a common constitu,
ency will be pleasantly and faithfully
discharged. Different branches Of
the government as we are, with dis
tinctive duties, we are nevertheless
parts of one organized we'll regulat-
ed system, and as we cooperate or
disagree, the interests of the State
will probably be promoted or retard-
ed. Elected by the people, desirous
to promote the welfare of every citi-
zen, mere party differences should
not be allowed to interfere with the
maintenance of a generous, true
and comprehensive public policy
1t was the illustrious Washington,
equally distinguished as a warrior
and a statesman, who gave utterance
to the declaration that the propi.
tious smiles of Heaven cannot be ex-
pected ON a nation that disregards
the eternal rules of order and right"
and Jefferson, who asserted that
whatever is morally wrong cannot
be politically right" These utter
ances express my deepest convictions
Of the rules and principles which
should permeatc and control all gov
ernments. Let US, fellow-citizens, ,ad-
here to them, be governed by them,
and our efforts will be happily united
in surrounding the institutions of our
State, as well as those of our nation,
with rampant Of truth that will re-
pei the madness Of ambition, the
schemes of usurpation, and success
fully resist the changes and agita-
tions of all coming time.