Year: 1861

invite them to join us in the fuflment of all
our obligations under the Federal Constitution
anu laws. Then we eau cordially unite with
them in claiming like obedience from those
states which have renounced their allegiance.
Ii the loyal States are just and moderate,
without any sacrifice of right or self-respect
the threatened danger may be averted.


| Ours is National Government. 1t has with
In the sphere of its action all the attributes of
| sovereignty, and among these are the right and
! DUTY OF self-preservation. 1t is based upon a
compact to which all the people of the United
| States are parties. 1t is the result of mutual
| concessions, which were made for the purpose
OF securing reciprocal benefits. 1t acts direct
! ly on the people, and they owe it personal
allegiance. No part of the people, no State
nor com bination of States can voluntarily
secede from the Union, nor absolve themselves
from their obligations to it. To permit State
to Withdraw at pleasure from the Union, with
out the consent of the rest, is to confess that
our government is failure. PennsyIva
can never acquiesce in such a conspiracy, nor
assent to doctrine which involves the des
truction of the Government. If the Govern
ment is to exist, all the requirements of the
Constitution must be obeyed; and it must
have power adequate to the enforcement of the
supreme law of the land in every State. 1t is
the first duty of the National authorities to
stay the progress of anarchy and enforce the
laws, and Pennsylvania, with united people,
will give them an honest, faithful and active
support. The people mean to preserve the
integrity of the National Union at every
hazard.


The Constitution which was originally franz
ed to promote the welfare of thirteen States
and four millions of people, in less than three
quarters of century has embraced thirty
three States and thirty millions of inhabitants.
Our territory has been extended over new CHI
mates, including people with new interests and
wants, and the Government has protect ed them
all. Every thing requisite to the perpetuity
of the Union and it's expanding power, would
seem TO have been foreseen and provided for
by the wisdom and sagacity Of the trainers of
the Constitution.


1t is all we desire or hope tor, and all that
our ellow-countrymen who complain, can rea-
sonably demand. 1t provides that amendments
may be proposed by Congress and whenever
the necessity to amend shall occur, the people
of Pennsylvania will give to the amendments
which Congress may propose, the careful and
deliberate consideration which their import
ance may demand. Change is not always pro-
gress, and people who have lived SO long,
and enjoyed so much prosperity, who have so
many sacred memories of the past, and such
rich legacies TO transmit to the future, should
deliberate long and seriously before they at
tempt to alter any of the fundamental princi-
Piles of the great charter of our liberties.


/ assume the duties of this high office at the
most trying period of our national history.
The public mind is agitated by fears, suspi-
cions and jealousies. Serious apprehensi0ns
of the future .pervade the people. A precon-
certed and organized effort has been made to
disturb the stability of the Government, dis
solve the union of the States, and mar the
symmetry and order of the noblest political
structure ever devised and enacted by human
wisdom. 1t shall be my earnest endeavor to
justify the confidence which you have reposed
in me, and to deserve your appreciation. With
consciousness of the rect,tude of my inten-
tions, with no resentments to cherish, no en-
mites to avenge, no wish but the public good
to crafty, and with a profound sense OF the
solemnty of my position, l humbly invoke
the assistance of our Heavenly Father, in whom
alone is my dependence, that His strength may
sustain and His wisdom guide me. With His
divine aid shall apply myself faithfully and
fearlessy to my responsible duties, and abide
the Judgment of generous people.


Invoking the blessing of the God of our IA
Tiers upon our State and nation, it shall be
the highest object of my ambition to contrib
ute to the glory of the Commonwealth, main
tain the civil and religious privileges of the
people, and promote the union, prosperity and
happiness of the country. A. u. CURTIN.