The Potter journal and news item. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1872-1874, 1873-05-09

The above action is too vital to pass
unuuticed, for it strikes at the founda-
ton on which the superstructure of the
American government rests. Religious
tyranny in the Old World resulted in
driving some Of its choicest spirits from
their homes, across the ocean to find a
resting place from the pursuit of the
relentless opprcsSOr in the wilderness of
the New World, where finally national
compact was formed, the corner stone
Of which had inscribed upon it, ReliglouS
Liberty 10 0H Every beating pulse Of
this newborn child among the nations
was quickened and made strong by the
Inspirations of the spirit Of liberty and
equality. But this spirit alone haf not
possession Of this country. fOI sluy-lT
and oppression were here. and by their
artful management. subsidized the gov
ernment, and so obtained its unnatural
support But thank Heaven slavery is
dead, though in its death it nearly cost
the nation its life. And yet the strife
is not ended, for although the slave is
free and by law enjoys the rights of citi-
zenship and political equality, religious
tyranny still lives and is fostered by
law, Notwithstanding the clear and
righteous utterances Of the organic law
Of the nation and this tyranny finds
support in the action of an overwhelm-
ing majority of the House Of Represen-
tatives Of tie great Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, April Sd, 1873 And yet
in that dignilied and powerful body are
found twenty-scven Representatives.
who have syeS and hcurtS and moral
hcroism. Let their names be enShrincd
in your loving hearts, friends of free
dom, and teach your children to utter
them with reverence and affection I
These men are strangers to us, but we
this day inscribe their names upon the
pillar of fame, and write them upon the
sacred roll where are recorded the names
of those who, loving theright, have dared
to do ii
OF the iifty-six who have placed them
selves upon the side of oppression and in
justice, we will say but little, for with
some of them at least we doubt not
that want of light was their misfortune
and their want of light was misfortune
to those upon whom they have laid the
heavy hand of oppression. For some of
them we know not what apology to
make. for those whom they wrong are a
part of their constituency; and how
they can under such circumstances be
without guilt, either from prejudice or
neglect, we cannot see. A man who
accepts the responsibilities of Office.
should seek to possess himself of the
requisite qualifications for the honorable
discharge OF the trust committed to
him. 1t is a public calamity for man
to accept office and then fail of meeting
his responsibilities, either for want of
intelligence or candor.
That some of these men acted from
imperfect knowledge is clear. Mr.. Lane
said, The recognition of any other than
the first day of the week would be dan
gerous, and tend to vice and crime. ;"
and this in the face of the fact that Sev-
enth-day people form communities that
rank with the very best in his state.
There are none more virtuous and law
abiding; aud his imputation is a slander,
having ITS origin in ignorance or preiu
dice, or something else equally discred-
liable to him as legislator. Mr. Lane
should inform himself concerning these
persons whom he thus wrongs, both in
his speech and legislative acts.
MIR. Elliot (Speaker) pronounced
this the most iniqnitous bill of the pres
ent session, and wanted IL voted down" "