The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-02-06

December 5, 1917, opened with the
following words, viz:
Fellow Citizens
:" At this auspicious moment, when
our country has reached the goal of
her wishes and obtained the objects
for which she has twice contended and
so ably struggles.
And closed as follows, viz:
Having discharged as well the con-
stitutional injunction as those duties
assigned by law, and recommended
what in my judgment would promote
public veal, it remains for me to add
that it has given me the purest pleas
ure to cooperate with the General AS
sembly in such measures as were cal
culated to perpetuate the happiness of
our constituents, and in the discharge
OF executive functions L was ever So
lieitous to collect my duty from Just
appreciation Of every circumstance by
which it might be affected. 1 heard
with attention and endeavored to de-
eide with integrity. l had a wish, it
is true to regard the public voice, and
confess myself to have been ambi-
tious to conciliate and enjoy the public
confidence. But 1 could never abandon
the superior claims of self-approba-
tion and conscious rectitude. Satisfied
on these points (and ever aware that
in the performance of executive duties
by a merely practical man it is diff
cut, if not impossible, to avoid error)
| have ever acted without in the least
regarding what the world might saw
about it, and those who know me best
can bear witness that / have borne
with patience the consequences which
to me have casually resulted from
them. For the errors l may have COM
mitted l am eonsoled with the reflec-
tion that perhaps no important good
was altogether free from alloy and
that my fellow citizens WILL l trust,
eharitably find palliation in the mo-
tive which at any time may have mis-
led me-
"The confidence and support which
have experienced from my fellow
citizens, for the greater portion of my
active life, has impressed my mind with
deep and lasting gratitude. A con-
sciousness of having with diligence and
fidelity endesvored to discharge the du-
ties which partial public has On vari-
GUS occasions assigned me, and of the
liberality which has been evnced to-
wards me by succession of the Legis-
latures during an arduous administra-
tion, heightens the satisfaction l have
in surrendering it to an able sue
cessor.''
Compare, if you please, this record
and these sentiments with those of
later day Governors.
Estimate of Gov. Snyder by Senator
Simon Cameron
Senator Simon Cameron had a high
appreciation of the character and vir-
tues of Governor Snyder. as the fol-
lowing letter, written to Mary X. Sny-
der, granddaughter, will show:
Harrisburg, Pa, Nov. rs, 1885.
'.My Dear Miss Snyder
cit is not possible for me to en-
dure the labor of penning all l know
about Governor Snyder as well as an
obscure man of Is could know one as
distinguished as himself, for l had
made the acquaintance of his third
wife, through her sister, Mrs. Peacock.
Both of these ladies treated me with
great consideration, and were very su-
perior women.
Governor Snyder was greater in all
the qualities that make statesman
than any of the Governors we have
had since, as you will find by examining
his state papers.
He was the early advocate of all
the internal Improvements which the
State perfected during his term, includ
ing turnpikes, bridges and canals. One
OF his great ideas was to make a canal
from Chesapeake bay to Lake Ontario,
so as to connect the Susguehanna with
the Great Lakes. He was personally
man of fine address, spoke remark
ably well in public and with great
ease. I knew your father more inti-
mately than your grandfather, and he
was one of, the handsomest men Of the
day, sprightly, full of good intentions
end great favorite with everybody.
Very truly yours,
"SIMON CAMERON