USA > Pennsylvania > Mifflin County > History of Mifflin County : its physical peculiarities, soil, climate, &c. ; including an early sketch of the state of Pennsylvania Volume I > Part 38
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HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY
1802, FOURTH DISTRICT, DAUPHIN, CUMBERLAND, MIFFLIN AND HUNTINGDON COUNTIES.
1802, David Bard. 1806, Robert Whitehill.
1804, David Bard.
1804, Robert Whitehill.
1806, David Bard.
1808, David Bard.
1808, Robert Whitehill.
1810, David Bard and Robert Whitehill.
1812, NINTH DISTRICT, MIFFLIN, HUNTINGDON, CENTRE, CLEARFIELD AND MCKEAN COUNTIES.
1812, David Bard. 1818, William P. Maclay.
1814, Thomas Burnsides.
1820, John Brown.
1816, William P. Maclay.
1822, TWELFTH DISTRICT, HUNTINGDON, MIFFLIN, CENTRE AND CLEARFIELD COUNTIES.
1822, John Brown.
1828, John Scott.
1824, John Mitchell.
1830, Robert Allison.
1826, John Mitchell.
1832, FOURTEENTH DISTRICT, HUNTINGDON, MIFFLIN, CENTRE AND CLINTON COUNTIES IN 1839.
1832, Joseph Henderson. 1842, James Irwin.
1834, Joseph Henderson. 1838, W. W. Potter.
1836, W. W. Potter.
1840, James Irwin.
1839, George McCulloch.
W. W. Potter died in 1839, October 28th, and at a special elec- tion held on the 20th of November, the same year, George Mc- Culloch was elected for the unexpired term. From 1852 to 1860 we have no data.
1862, SEVENTEENTH DISTRICT, MIFFLIN, HUNTINGDON, BLAIR AND CAMBRIA COUNTIES.
1862, A. McAlister. 1868, D. J. Morrell.
1864, A. A. Barker. 1870, R. M. Speer.
1866, D. J. Morrel .. 1872, R. M. Speer.
It is with pleasure that we refer the reader to biography of Dr. Joseph Henderson above named in the proper department of this work as one of whom Mifflin county may well be proud, of his valuable services as a citizen and a soldier in the two wars.
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HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
State Senators.
The Constitution of 1790 provided that the General Assembly of this Commonwealth, which had previously consisted of but one House should consist of a Senate and a Honse of Representatives. It fixed senatorial districts that were to remain until the first enu- meration of taxable inhabitants and an apportionment thereunder, and made the term of office four years. Districts were first formed by an act of the Assembly in 1794, and an act has been passed mak- ing an apportionment every seventh year since that time. We give below the districts to which the county of Mifflin has belonged and the representatives therefrom as far as has been obtainable. From 1790 to 1801 we have no data, but in 1808 the district was com- posed of
HUNTINGDON AND MIFFLIN.
1808 Ezra Doty. 1812 Wm. Beale.
1816 Alex. Dysart.
1820 M. Wallace.
1822 W. R. Smith.
1824 Christian Garber.
1828 Thos. Jackson. 1832 Geo. McCulloch.
1836 David R. Porter.
1838 R. P. McClay.
1838 James M. Bell.
1840 James Mathers.
1842 Henry C. Eyer.
From thence we have no records until 1864 when the district sent two senators and was composed of the counties of
PERRY, JUNIATA, MIFFLIN, CENTRE, BLAIR AND HUNTINGDON.
1864 L. W. Hall and Kirk Haines.
1867 J. K. Robison and C. J. T. McIntyre.
1870 R. B. Petrikin and D. M. Crawford.
1873 Joseph S. Wearem.
More recent data we have not at hand, and the members of the House of Representatives we have not been able to ascertain.
Constitutional Convention, 1776.
Four Conventions have been held in Pennsylvania for the pur- pose of changing or revising the Constitution of the State.
They first met in pursuance of the call of the Provincial Confer- ence the members of which were "depnted by the committees of the several counties of this Province ," and who assembled in Car- penter's Hall, Philadelphia, June 18, 1776, sixteen days before the Declaration of Independence and continued their sessions daily until 26
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HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
June 25th. The delegates to this Convention were elected July 8, 1776, met July 15 and passed and confirmed the Constitution and signed it September 28, of the same year.
The second Constitutional Convention of Pennsylvania convened in Philadelphia November 24, 1789, and framed a new Constitution. Having completed it and provided for its publication they ad- journed on the 26th of February, 1790, to meet in the August fol- lowing. After re-assembling they continued in session twenty-four days carefully revising, amending and altering the Constitution.
The third convention met at Harrisburg, May 2, 1837, and after several adjournments re-assembled at Philadelphia November 28, 1837, and adjourned finally February 22, 1838. The Constitution as amended was submitted to a vote of the people at the October election, 1838, and adopted by a majority of twelve hundred and thirteen votes. This Convention was composed of senatorial and representative delegates. This district was composed of Mifflin, Huntingdon, Juniata and Union counties, and was represented by James Merrill, Wm. P. Maclay, Samuel Royer and C. Crum.
The fourth aud last Constitutional Convention met in the Hall of Representatives at Harrisburg, November 12, 1872. On the 27th of the same month they adjourned to meet in Philadelphia on the 7th of January, 1873. The result of their labors was submitted to the people at a special election on the 16th of December, 1873, and adopted by a large majority. There were in this Convention 133 delegates, 28 from the State at large and 105 from senatorial districts.
The Twenty-second district was composed of Juniata, Mifflin, Centre and Huntingdon, and was represented by J. McCulloch, J. M. Baily and Andrew Reed, the latter from Mifflin county.
Noted Men of Mifflin County.
One of the marked features of the inhabitants of Mifflin county is the great number of their men who have arrived at distinction and made their mark in the State and nation. Among them we note the following names :
General Houston, of Texas fame. Judge Kelly, of Oregon, a member of Supreme Court of the United States. Bishop Wiley, of the M. E. church. General McCoy, (see biography). General J. P. Taylor, (see biography). Captain McNitt, (see biography). Dr. Joseph Henderson, (see biography). Judge Maclay, (see biog- raphy). Com. Connor of U. S. Navy.
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HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
From the Juniata Gazette.
MESSRS. EDITORS :- Having lately received letters from different gentlemen on the subject of volunteering, and the necessity thereof at present, with the opinion that an association of the kind might be formed as extensive as the county of Mifflin, I am induced to lay before you the following, which you are at liberty to give a place in your useful paper, and by so doing will oblige a sub- scriber.
It is an almost universal and uncontradicted opinion that the citizens of Mifflin county have always supported republican princi- ples in a degree beyond that of any other county in this State in proportion to its population. Since the Revolution which termi- nated in the happy independence of America, no period of time has arrived which more ardently demands an exertion of those princi- ples than the present important and momentous crisis.
By the conduct of the two great belligerents of Europe, (France and England), we are brought to the brink of war; the unjust and impolitic system of the latter so steadily persevered in we may rea- sonably blame as the cause of the situation in which our govern- ment is placed with respect to our foreign concerns.
To comment upon the tyrannical conduct of England might be looked upon as useless ; it is however hoped that a brief sketch thereof may not be deemed improper. Her unhappy and much to be lamented subjects, and the different nations of the world with whom she has had intercourse, have deeply felt her tyrannical and oppressive power ; and none more so nor more unmerited than these United States. Her solemn covenants and engagements have been repeatedly broken ; her commissioned public vessels of war have infested our waters, have formed a cordon along our sea-board, and blockaded our harbors; they have robbed our citizens of their pro- perty and dragged them into slavery. She has compelled them to join with her myrmidons to fight her battles against their country, and their brethren, and thus causing brother to imbrne his hands in brothers' blood.
Our government has been repeatedly mocked by the insolence impertinence, and gasconading of her ministers. With her present plenipotentiary, engaged in the pretended negotiations of an amica- ble adjustment of the differences between the two governments, (vain delusion !) her delegated emissaries have been attempting to sow the seeds of treason and foment discord in the bosom of our happy Republic.
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HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
She has caused the Indians of our country, with whom we were cultivating peace and friendship, to raise against us the whoop of war, and cruelly and inhumanly to butcher our friends on the frontiers of our country. The murderous tomahawk and scalping kuife have been batlied in the blood of our peaceful and industrious fellow- citizens ; and with the gold which she robs of our merchants and the pockets of her own distressed subjeets, she pays for the sealps of our brethren ; thus bartering her plunder with the Indians, for the precious blood of Americans. The savage yells of death and destruction are still resounding throughout the land ; the yet reek- ing wounds of our brethren calls for revenge, imperiously, and with a voiee that should arouse the most indolent and supine, demands vengeance. Vengeance on that nation and government that ean thus wantonly and treacherously sport with the rights and feelings of others.
Americans ! our wrongs have reached their climax, it is time to gird on the habiliments of war, to grasp with nervous arm the avenging sword of justice, and with a steadfast purpose prepare to meet in the field of battle (when called on) this common enemy of the rights and liberties of mankind. To be longer inactive would be degrading, would be criminal, would evince a want of that national pride, that love of country and justice which should per- vade the breast of every true American. To all such is humbly suggested the propriety of entering into a Volunteer Association in this county, for the purpose of tendering our services to the general government in support of the rights, the laws and liberty of our country.
It is hoped that should this hint meet with public approbation and advertisements for the purpose appear the citizens of this county who are possessed of courage and patriotism will make that display of republicanism which has always been their charac- teristic. Expectations are formed that in the townships' below the Long Narrows, not a few will enter into the measure, and there is not the least idea that the upper end of the county will be behind hand.
A CITIZEN SOLDIER.
TUSCARORA, June 6th 1812.
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HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
CONCLUSION.
The Citizens duty to his Government.
N OUR COUNTRY all government emanates from THE PEOPLE, and on their sense of moral right, and on their education and their intelligence rests the pillars of our civil and religious, as well as our educational institutions, hence the importance of every citizen's duty, not to a political party, but to his Government.
The Bible is the foundation of all government. Without this we could have no civil government. We refer the reader to the fol- lowing teachings of that authority : Romans, xiii, 1-7 :
" Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers ; for there is no power but of God; the powers that are be ordained of God. Whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God ; and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Wilt thou, then, not be afraid of the power, do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same, for he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid, for he beareth not the sword in vain, for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. Wherefore ye must needs be subject not only for wealth, but also for conscience sake. For this cause pay ye tribute also, for they are God's ministers, attend- ing continually upon this very thing. Render, therefore, unto all their dues, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom is due, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor."
Titus, iii, 1 : " Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and power to obey magistrates."
First Peter, ii, 13-16; " Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake, whether it be to the king, as supreme, or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punish- ment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well, for so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men."
Acts iv, 18-20 : " And they called them and commanded them not
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HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
to speak nor teach in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said unto them, whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye, for we cannot but speak of the things we have seen and heard."
Acts v, 26-29: " Then went the captain with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared THE PEOPLE, lest they should have been stoned. And when they had brought them, they set them before the Council, and the High Priest asked them, saying, did we not straitly command you that you should not teach in this name ? and behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine and intend to bring this man's blood upon us. Then l'eter and the other apostles answered and said, we ought to obey God rather than men."
I purpose to write on the citizen's duty to his Government; not on the general subject of patriotism ; not on any particular or gen- eral act of legislation, but distinctly on the topic set forth at the heading of this section. The duties of the citizen to his govern- ment, founded on Bible principles, and has accomplished in the cen- tury last past, that which commends it to future generations. The texts I have cited, and many others might be cited of the same im- port, will satisfy the reader as to what prominence is given this sub- ject in the inspired code of duty. Its importance will be admitted by all. Those who wish to order their life and conduct in all its relations with the world, and upon all occasions, on correct princi- ples, will read with interest, to an exposition of our duty, in that specific relation which is so vital to human welfare. The texts quoted are of two classes, and appear somewhat opposed in princi- ple to each other. One set requires an implicit obedience to the ruling power, and the other records that certain apostles on a cer- tain occasion met the magistrates with a point-blank disobedience and defiance. Every man admitting the necessity and duty of obeying the civil authority, knows that somewhere, at some time and in some way, there is the right-the religious right of diso- bedience, otherwise he puts the brand of infamy on the apostles of Christ, on the whole army of martyrs and upon the noble patriots who shed their blood in opposition to despotism and rebellion, and thus attaches a bond of illegitimacy to our coat armorial. Ask these very persons for a statement of the principles by which courses so apparently incongruous, can be reconciled to the teach- ings of the scriptures, and they will confess themselves perplexed.
This is the object of our present section, to explain our thoughts
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HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
and ideas of the rules that should govern our conduct towards the civil powers. We are no theorist, speculator nor political econo- mist, but simply give our thoughts deduced from our own know- ledge, experience and reading as to the rule and standard of Su- preme authority. So copious are the thoughts that pertain to this subject that it would be easier to write a volume than a single brief article, but will, as briefly as is possible, endeavor to set forth our views without reference to anything local or temporary, without subservience to political partisanship, will endeavor to group to- gether those principles that should ever govern the Christian citi- zen in his relations to civil matters, that should be understood and practiced by none more than by the people of our own republic. The first assertion of the New Testament on this subject is that the government is of divine ordinance and as such to be honored and obeyed. This principle is asserted so frequently, so explicitly, so emphatically, that there is no room for donbt. " The powers that be are ordained of God, whosoever, therefore, resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of God." We are told to submit our- selves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake.
This language was used, bear in mind, when Nero was the in- cubent of the imperial throne. Tiberius, Caligula and Claudius with their abominable cruelties and oppressions were his immediate predecessors. In what sense then are we to understand that a government of this description was God's ordinance? Is God the patron of wrong? Was Nero God's representative and minister in such a sense that all his acts were approved of God ? Far from it. The teaching of the scriptures are that government without describing its forms, its limitations, its defects, its errors, or its improvements, but government itself is of divine origin. Not that those who represent, and who execute it may not do that which is wrong, or may not hold their office by a wrong tenure, but govern- ment is a necessity, and as such is to be recognized as a divine ordinance. The very worst government that ever existed is better than no government at all. Even despotism- is preferable to anar- chy. There must needs be in the very nature of things, a govern- ment of some kind, which will hold the individual will in restraint and limit human passions. Human nature has deflected from that which is right, and thus the necessity for such a restraint is in- creased. Surely there is nothing in the New Testament that informs us that any one form of government alone is of divine sanction, or that one form of government which is defective may
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HISTORY OF MIFFLIN COUNTY.
not be changed for another which is better. The New Testament puts forth no statute affirming the legitimacy of one form compared with another. It makes not one allusion to any of those theories which political writers have propounded concerning the organiza- tion of government as a social compact or otherwise.
In short, the simple and direct assertion is that the necessities of civil government lies in the ordinances of God, and not that it merely exists in his providences as all things good and evil came to pass, but things were so constituted by the Supreme Ruler, that a government of some kind, some ruling power shall bear the sword, a power armed with the means of protecting and coercing is an absolute necessity in its relations to human existence and human welfare.
Without it society could not exist. Without it the weak could not live in the presence of the strong. Without it, it were impos- sible to lead quiet and peaceable lives. Allow that the manifold wrongs and sufferings inflicted by despotic governments, by unjust and cruel rulers, they are not to be mentioned beside. those of uni- versal and innumerable ills that fill the earth in the absence of all government.
The flames of the pit itself would not symbolize the horrors of the scene if every ruling power were abolished, and the passions and will of every individual were let loose, without restraint, and property, life and person were held only by him who should prove himself the mightiest. Admitting that the true idea of government has not yet realized perfection, that the law of development has not yet reached its climax, as we shall yet realize it, more and more in the advance of truth and enlightenment, yet government as a re- straint on individual passions is a necessity, and its existence is based on Divine benevolence ; it looks to human welfare; there un- derlies it the great law of love. It is not the property of those who administer it. It is solely for the good of those who live un- der it. Based on this benevolent provision for human happiness, it will be easy to explain in the right place the only instances in which disobediences or revolution are to be justified. So many are the occasions on which individuals dislike the persons, or the mea- sures of those who administer the government, that the habit has acquired great prevalence of " speaking evil of dignities." Men talk flippantly, slightingly of government, until they lose out of mind the benign idea that the word imparts.
. It seems to many an actual necessity that is to be tolerated, in-
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stead of a divine blessing which ought ever to regarded with loyalty, with honor, with respect and with obedience. If this was the teachings of inspiration, in reference to Nero's cruel and despotic government, how much more pertinent and proper is the principle now that christianity has diffused so much of the spirit of justice, and liberty, and love into the civil government, sccuring us the power of civil laws-Constitutional law-the voluntary compact of intelligent freemen, representing a new style and development of the educated mind, improving, as they have thought, on other meth- ods of government, with prescribed forms for yet further improve- ment, change introduced where change were needed, redress accom- plished where wrong prevails. Constitutional law. What mortal can measure the ineffable blessings which are inclued in the meaning of these two words? We have enjoyed the light and the warmth of the sun so long that we pause not to consider our indebtedness to that glorious orb. Consider what occurred in the silence and darkness of the past night. A vast and heterogeneous population laid down and slept in peace and safety. Gentle women, young and tender children, without one thought of fear, with not so much as one apprehension of peril, committed themselves to the oblivion of sleep.
It was not because there were no clements of danger in the land.
Did it never occur to you when your eyes were held waking in the hours of night, what powers of mischief were in city, town and country, like bloodhound would they spread carnage and woe through the land. And what holds the robber and murderer in restraint? That invisible thing which we call law-that very thing. Constitutional government, which the Bible bids us reverence and obey, is one of the substantial, practical dispensations of that All- wise Ruler above.
Such, then, the necessity and importance of government. So needful, so benignant, justifying its claims to be ordained of God, a necessity to humanity, every citizen should be proud to regard it with loyalty, honor and obedience, never to be spoken of disre- spectful or disparagingly ; let no man ever trifle with it, or count it a vain thing, or despise it. In the general requirements of obedi- ence to the civil power the New Testament specifies several things ; such as the payment of tribute, or taxes, and the rendering, on our part, of all things necessary for the sustenance of the government. Some have considered it a feat of shrewdness to defraud the post
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office, the custom house, or any other department of government; who would shrink from dealing unjustly with an individual. Look at the several acts comprising our duty to the civil power. They may all be expressed in the term loyalty, that combination of fidelity with respect, which express the high estimate we place on the ruling power, as ordained of God, for our protection. Our Saviour paid tribute to a Roman governor. How easy it would have been for him to have declared that the children were free, to have disputed the right of a foreign power to exact a tribute, and to have kindled a spirit of mutiny throughout Judea, which would have accomplished no good, but have involved all in mischief.
Who that has read the Acts of the Apostles with a careful eye, has failed to notice the dignified courtesy of the Apostle Paul be- fore the civil magistrates. When arraigned before them he did not question or resist their civil jurisdiction, but his speech and manner evinced his respect for the ruling power. He appealed his own case by the proper process, even to a heathen emperor.
So strong was his sentiment of loyalty that he in words, the pertinancy of which is not obsolete in our day, declares : " If any man teach otherwise, he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and words of strife, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings with men of corrupt minds and destitute of truth." We are accustomed to smile at the grotesque customs of the Chinese in the ministration of govern- ment, but those requirements of court etiquette, which seems to us occidental, so absurd, and which thus far have succeeded in keeping aloof the proudest nations of European civilization; these things, at which the ignorant and superficial laugh, lays bare the principle which lies at the foundation of that immense empire, which has given such amazing strength to the government of one- third of the human family: No man is qualified to judge of oriental life who does not admit this primal, fundamental law is re- spectful subordination. The authority of the father is supreme, filial disobedience is a capital crime, their gods are their deified ancestors, and so complete is their sense of graduated respect for authority, that no number or degree of bowings, kneelings or prostrations can adequately express their reverent deference for supreme power. We have much to learn from these oriental customs, which to the unthinking seem to afford only material for merriment.
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