Jenks's Portland Gazette

MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES.

GOVERNOR M'KEAN.

From a Philadelphia paper—Jan. 24.

Gov. M'Kean's intemperate abuse is producing its natural effect, disunion and turbulence in the Legislature, and enmity between the citizens. After branding 35,000 free electors with every currilous epithet his irritated Taney could invent, he has no claim to confidence, dignity or respect.—The Senate of this State have properly resented his abuse; and are determined to mete to the Governor the measure he has meted to them:—The following is their answer to his Speech at the opening of the Session:

"SIR,

"THE sentiments you announce, and the motives which you profess in relation to the high and responsible trust committed to your administration, are such as have afforded satisfaction, and claimed the respect of the Senate of Pennsylvania.

"With principles thus correct, and views thus laudable, we had a momentary hope that a corresponding conduct would have followed; and that by a manly and noble policy, the spirit of party and political discontent which now divides our State and threatens its peace, would have been removed, and tranquility again restored. Under these impressions, and with dispositions to relinquish personal considerations when the public good required, we were willing to forgive and if possible to forget the language used by you in your answers to sundry addresses on your election as Chief Magistrate—You there bestow on those who opposed your election the most approbious epithets, and ascribe to them the most wicked designs. We sincerely lament, that the same spirit which dictates these answers has marked your official conduct. A great number of respectable characters have been removed from office against whom no other blame rests than the exercise of their rights, as freemen, in opposition to your wishes: amongst these are a number of the most meritorious officers and soldiers engaged in the establishment of our independence—

They were elected by our patriotic predecessors as deserving their country's favour and gratitude." The small rewards bestowed have, for the exercise of a right, which their lives were risked to secure, been by a single breath destroyed.

"Affecting as these considerations are, the operation which a system of this kind must have on the principles of our republican government, has produced still greater concern. Our Constitution secures the right of suffrage; and it will be to no purpose that our Laws are framed to guard against undue influence in our elections, if fear on the one hand, or hope of reward on the other, be suffered to govern in the exercise of this right. If opposition to a successful candidate be considered a sufficient ground for the removal of an officer, and zeal in his favour regarded as the chief qualification in a successor, there is much reason to believe that this evil exists.

"Whilst our oaths, our honor and our interest impose on us the sacred duty of co-operating in all measures tending to the interest and happiness of our constituents, they also impel us to bear this public testimony of our disapprobation of a measure which in its consequences will be destructive and ruinous to republican principles."