Juniata sentinel. [volume] (Mifflintown, Pa.) 1846-1873, 1871-08-02
Address Of the Republican State
Commilte Of Pennsylvania.

The Republican party. in appealing
once more to the people of this State fol
their support, points with just pride to its
record. and it fearlessly claims the re.
newed confidence of the people because
it has been faithful to its trust, and is
committed to the only line of policy thai
can secure continued prosperity to the
State and Nation -............-
The Republicans of this State first
carried both branches of the Legislature
in 1859. and first elected Governor in
1860. Since then it has held control Of
the legislative and executive branches OF
the Government until last winter. when
the Democrats obtained control, temper
arily, of the Senate. 3. -.. 4..
In 1861, when Gov. Curtin came into
Office. the State debt, in round numbers,
was 4O.OOOOOO. Shortly afterwards
the Southern rebellion broke out, and the
State was compelled to borrow $780,
900, to arm the troops and protect our
borders. thus adding that much to the
State debt ........... ......
In the ten years that have since passed
away. this war loan of S3,5O0,oo0 has
been paid off; the State debt has been
reduced FROM $40, 100000 to little over
S29, 900 900; the three mill tax which
was levied for State purposes on real
estate prior to 1861 has been repealed i;
the tax on professions and occupations
has been taken off the annual contribu-
ton of the State to the public schools
has been greatly enlarged system of
schools has been built up for the educa-
tion and support Of the orphans of SOL
ders who died in the war-a noble bene-
faction, costing over half million year
ly; and the affairs of the State, gener-
ally, have been so managed as to secure
prosperity to the people.
The Republicans of the nation elected
their Presidential candidate in 1860, and
succeeded, against many angry threats
from the opposition, in putting him in
Office in March. 1861. Almost immedi-
ately aftelward the government was con-
fronted by an armed rebellion in the South
(openly as well as secretly encouraged
by many Democrats in the North. whose
sympathies still remain with those who
then took up arms to overthrow the Gov
ernment). and was compelled to maintain
the honor of the National flag and the
integ, ity of the country at whatever cost ;
and the four years war which followed
necessarily entailed heavy debt and
burdensome taxation upon the people.
Since the suppression of the rebellion,
the country has not only returned to
peace but to prosperity. The fears of
many that the nation would be bank
rupred. her industry paralyzed, and her
people ruined, have not been realized.
No people ever recovered so soon, 50
steadily and so surely, from the conse-
quences of war. as we have done and
from this recovery from the destructive
influences of civil strife we are mainly
indebted to the fostering hand held out
by the national government to the indus
tries of the people.
Among the necessities growing out of
the Rebellion the National Government
found itself compelled to submit to the
States for their ratification, three amend
ments to the Constituiion-one known
as the thirteentb) abolishing slavery /;
another (the fourteentbl securing the
rights of citizens to the enfranchised
slaves. and prohibiting the repudiation of
any part of the National debt, or the
payment of any part of the Rebel debt !;
and another (the fifteenth) prohibiting
the States from excluding any one from
the right of suffrage on account of race,
color, or previous condition Of servitude
These three amendments having all
been duly ratified in the method pointed
out by the Constitution. are now a com
ponent part of that instrument. Their
adoption stands as the grandest peaceful
achievement of ancient or modern times.
No party ever before undertook so great
task, and its accomplishment, in 30
short space of time, is work Of which
the Republican party may well feel
proud. . --
To secure the complete protection Of
these emancipated and enfianchised peo
pie is now one of the unquestioned du-
ties of the nation: and no party is 80 fit
to be entrusted with tha. duties as the
party Slich has done the preliminary
work. The party which has hitherto
continuously resisted the policy thus
established, is not one. now, to carry it
out. -..v ..f
During the war for suppressing the
Rebellion, and in carrying out the great
measures which have necessarily flowed
from Il, the Democratic party has con-
tinuously been in the opposition. 1t op'
posed the adoption of stringent mea-
sures to put down the rebellion the
levying of troops to suppress it; the