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propitious situation in which it is now placed; and I avail myself of the occasion it affords of repeating my fervent prayers to the Almighty Ruler of the Universe, under whose superintending influence it has attained to its present eminence, that he may continue to cherish it with his fostering care, preserving its citizens in the free enjoyment of their just rights and republican institutions, until all earthly governments shall be terminated by the consummation of time."

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JOHN ANDREW SHULZE,

GOVERNOR UNDER THE CONSTITUTION OF 1790.
December 16, 1823, to December 15, 1829.

POLITICAL organizations underwent a radical transforma

tion during the administration of Governor Shulze. The discussions in the convention which framed the Constitution of the United States gave birth to two parties in that body. When the conventions met in the several States to ratify it, discussions of the same purport were repeated, the members ranging themselves on opposite sides as in the originating assembly. The newspapers were likewise divided, and through them the people. The one party believed that the Constitution gave the States too much power, and favored a greater degree of strength and centralization in the National Government, while the other with equal zeal argued that the States were shorn of their sovereignty and despoiled of their rights. Washington was, however, elected with great unanimity the first President, though he was known to strongly favor the Constitutional party. His Cabinet was divided, and as the terms Federal and Republican came into use as the designations of the two parties, Adams and Hamilton allied themselves with the former, while Jefferson led the latter. For a quarter of a century these parties combated each other with great ability, and often with acrimony. At the end of that period, a degeneracy, which had for some time been perceptible, culminated in a general dissolution, and the two old parties were known no more.

In the election of a Governor in 1823, Andrew Gregg was supported by the independent Republicans and Federalists,

which had twice before triumphed, the latter party in convention at Lancaster, over which James Buchanan presided, resolving that "We, as Federalists, will support Andrew Gregg, of Centre County, for Governor of Pennsylvania. The Republicans nominated John Andrew Shulze, and were again successful.

Mr. Shulze was born on the 19th of July, 1775, in Tulpehocken township, Berks County, Pennsylvania. His father was a clergyman of the German Lutheran Church, and had several congregations to which he ministered. The son received his early instruction in English and German from his father. He was afterwards put to an institution in Lancaster, and while there was under the immediate care of his uncle, Dr. Henry Muhlenberg. He completed his preparation for college in York County, under the instruction of the Rev. Mr. Melsheimer.

He received a finished classical education in the city of New York, and afterwards studied theology there with his uncle, Dr. Kunze, a celebrated divine of that day. In 1796, he was admitted as a member of the German Lutheran Synod, and was shortly afterwards ordained a minister in that church. For a period of six years he officiated as pastor of several congregations in Berks County, and was esteemed and loved by all who knew him.

In 1802 a rheumatic affection from which he had long suffered obliged him to suspend his labors in the ministry, and two years later, finding no improvement in his condition, he was induced to seek other occupation. He accordingly entered upon mercantile business in the village of Myerstown, then Dauphin County, in which he continued for several years, accumulating a small fortune.

In 1806 he was elected a member of the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, and was re-elected for the two succeeding years. He was urged by his constituents to accept a nomination for a fourth term, but declined. The journals show that during the period in which he was in the House, there was no more active or efficient member than Mr.

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