Phenix Gazette

COMMUNICATIONS.

PENNSYLVANIA.

This great and important member of the Union, notwithstanding its vast resources, accumulating funds, and overflowing Treasury, called forth and established on wise and firm foundations, while men of patriotism, virtue and talents were entrusted with the reins of government, seems to be falling into a state of confusion, with want of revenue and loss of credit. The government has lately made an extraordinary, and, apparently, dangerous effort to disentangle itself; acting somewhat like the rider of a powerful horse, who, after having imprudently plunged him into a bank of quicksand, attempts to spring the noble animal forward on its top, where he has observed some dry sand and gravel; but where he may either find safe footing, or sink deeper, and be involved more dangerously. It is most astonishing to behold how far envy and prejudice will seduce mankind to act contrary to their true and best interests. In the most learned and enlightened nations of antiquity, when power was in the hands of the people, the most wise and the most just were occasionally banished from their country. This is not permitted in the United States; but a system equally pernicious is substituted, that of libelling them down and banishing them from the public councils, and those prominent situations for which Providence seems to have designed them.

There are, at the present day, in Pennsylvania many men of eminence and worth, who, if placed in the legislature and executive chair, might redeem the State. There is one man in particular, of firmness and experience, too upright and independent to fawn, flatter and deceive the people, and possessing more sound sense, acute discrimination, sagacity and wisdom, than the present President of the United States and all the Heads of the Departments of the General Government taken together, who, if the people would elect him, and he would accept the office of Chief Magistrate, might exalt the Commonwealth to its former state of splendor and credit, and place its future prosperity on a firm and immovable basis. This man is James Ross, of Pittsburgh.

Had he been elected twenty-nine or thirty years ago, the improvements then commenced in the State might have taken the lead of those in New-York, and every other State in the Union. The most valuable improvements, during this long period, might have proceeded safely on, while the capital of her funds remained untouched, and her system of revenue prosperous and productive. I almost persuade myself that if the people of Pennsylvania would seriously consider their situation, they might be inspired to elect such a man for their governor at this serious crisis. When I here speak of the people, I mean the private citizens—the great body of the people in private station, whose views are directed to the general good, which of course embraces their individual interests.

Let them come forward in their strength, regardless of the deceptive fawnings of demagogues, office-holders, and office-seekers. Honor and justice call upon the democrats of Pennsylvania for some generous effort to wipe away the wrongs done to one of the most eminent of their native citizens. Democrats, though fickle, are not without generosity. They burnt Thomas McKean in effigy, and afterwards supported him for governor: in both cases they were wrong. McKean was a patriot and a lawyer; but he was not well qualified for a governor.

Why should not the democrats, at this time, prefer Mr. Ross, when his services are wanted? If Mr. Wolf is entitled to be elected governor, it will be time enough to elect him at a more distant day; let him, for the present, discharge other duties assigned him, and gain experience and wisdom. Nominating men in high and responsible offices as candidates for other offices, before the term for which they have been elected or appointed has expired, has too great a tendency to corruption, and ought never to be encouraged. The election of Mr. Ross would not only be productive of signal service to Pennsylvania, but give her a standing in the Union to which she has been long a stranger.

A NATIVE SON.