Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-01-14


issue the proper proclamation.
The New Constitution having been
approved bv a very decided majority Of
the people, it is expected that all citi-
.ens vii: yield cheerful obedience to its
behests, and unite to strictly and faith
fully enforse its provisions.
As Zach days experience reveals the
meiAods Of administration, the convic-
tion grows stronger in my mind thar
gcod government depends not so much
upon written laws as upon the disposi
tion Of the people to comply Wits the
demands of the laws, and tue determi-
nation of those delegated to execute
them, to see that their mandates are
enforced. Reform, it VII be conceded,
cannot be obtained BY mere constitu-
tionaI enactment, nor b; surrounding
Offices and trusts with additional re
/ straints.
Th. worlds history from the earliest
ages has shown tina. no code OF laws,
however comprehensive or restrictive,
will evade mans ingenuity if bent
upon overstepping their bounds, and
wise aud necessary As the provisions OF
the new Consultation NAV be they will
never secure the ends designed unless
sustained By strong, active, health:ul
and intelligent sentiment that will in
terest itself in public afaiis. 1t will
not suffice to enact that integrity aud
fitness are essential qualifications for
Office, unless the people see to it that
none without these qualifications are
selected. 1t is the indifference and
inattentio, Of electors to their primary
Political duties. connected with nomi
nations and elections, that despoil the
law of its sanctity, aud afford security
to those who ~ilfully disobey its re-
quirenents. Men do not fulSll the OBJ
legations Of citizenship hy nsrely en-
joying the protection our institutions
afford. To perform his whole duty to
the State every citizen shosld actively
engage in political concerns when the
recurring elections invoke his attention
and interference. In our system Of
government every man entitled to vots
is invested with a grave public trust,
and if, through indifference or neglect,
he fails to discharge the sacred duties
it imposes, be is almost SIS culpable as
the other who deliberately violates the
law. With this nes departure in our
organic law, let there also be an ae-
companyiog resolution on tae part Of
all good citizens that they will attend
diligently and conscientiously to the
selection Of wen for Office whose digni-
I, of character and intellect will be an
adequate guaranty that the new Con-
stitution will be safe in their keeping
Upon the present Legislature de-
voles duty involving great care and
labor, and which if discharged, a,
believe 1t will be, with proper regard
for the public interest, will rebound to
its credit and honor. To you Is COM
mitted the important trust Of moulding
existing regulations into conformity
with the change about to be inaugura-
ted IN the fundamental law Of the State.
Bring to the performance of this high
and responsible duty all the wisdom
you possess, Givest yourselves Of oil
selfish considerations, devote time and
thought to the work, aud with the New
Constitution as your constant guide,
build up good and symmetrical sys-
ten of laws. and let US so far as it lies
in our ability start the State forward
upon her future career, clothed with
ample powers to extend her enterprise,
and fulfil her great destiny.
TO another consideration l invite
public attention. All special enact
ments are not necessarily bad laws,
while it may be equally accepted as
true that all general enactments are
not good laws. epjoiu upon the peo-
pie Of the whole State increased vigi-
lance in their watch over all legislation.
Attempts win doubtless be made to
obtain special objects through the iu-
strumsntality Of General laws, which,
while they may benefit one interest or
locality, might prove very oppressive to
others. Let every citizen who has the
Intere,. Of the State at heart lend his
assistance to the Legislature and Exec
utive, to detect and Illustrate such
schemes.
A considerable portion of the mes
sage is taken up in the consideration Of
schools, "Common Schools and sSol-
diers' Orphans Schools" The only
clause therein that contains the merest
intimation of compulsory education is
contained in the following:
More thorough examination of the
subject strengthens me in the couvic-
tion that the State must adopt seme
mode to compel the attendance of those
children whose parents are unwilling or
unable to allow their offspring to avail
themselves Of the benefits our school
system affords. The solution of tb;s