Southern telegraph., 1836-01-01


indignant regret az, conduct SO destructive
Of The harmony and peace Of the country,
and so repugnant TO the principles Of our
national compact and TO the dictates of hu-
maniiy and religion. Our happiness and
prosperity essentially depend upon peace
within our borders; and peace depends upon
the maintenance, in good faith, Of those
compromises ofthe Constitution upon which
the Union is founded.
I. IL is fortunate for the country, that the
good sense, the generous feeling, and the,
deep-rOoted attachment Of the People Of the
non-slaveholding Suites to the Union, aud
to their fellow-cilizens Of the same blood in
the South, have given so strong and impress
sive tone 10 the seOtiments entertained
against the proceedings of the misguided
persons who have engaged in these uncon-
stitutiOnal and wicked attempts, .Id espe-
cially against the emmissaries from fbreigu-
parts, who have dared 10 interfere in this
matter, as to authorize the hope that those
fattempts willno longer be persisted in. But
If these expressions of the public will shall
not be sufficient to effect SO desirable re-
suit, not doubt can be entertained that the
non-slaveholdhg States, so far from counte-
nancing the slightest nterferencesw with the
constitutional rights of the South. will be
prompt to exercise their authority in sup
pressing, so far as in them lies, whatever is
calculated to produce this evil.
In leaving the care of other branches of
this interesting subject to the State authori-
ties, to whom they properly -'beloHg, it is
nevertheless proper for Congressaaa
such measures as will prevent the
Department, which was design
an Omicable intercourse and cor
between all the members of.the coA
from being used as an instrument Of lA Op-
posite character. The general government
to which the great trust is confded of pre-
serving inviolate the relations created a.
mong the states, by the constitution, is espe-
cially bound to avoid in Its own aNs'Np ar
thing that may disturb them. FasNo
therefore call the special attention of G
gress to the subject, and respectfully suge4
the propriety of passing sdch'a law as VII
prohibit, under severe penalties, the cirula-
i ton in the southern states Through the mail,
= Of incepdiary publications intended to insti-
gate the slaves to insurrection.
| felt it to be my duty, in the first message
, which communicatedfo Congress, to urge
: upon its attention the propriety of amend
ing that part of the Constitution which pro.
} vides for the election of the, President and
, Vice President of the United States. The
t leading object which ! had in view, was the
! adoption4 Of some new provisions which
: would secure to the People the performance
: of this highdgtss without any intermediate
e agency. In my annual communication!
D since, | have enforced the same views
e from sincere conviction thattlse best in
t terests of tic. co,,!ry would " pomoteC
J, by their .adoaon. If the subject We're Al
n ordinary one, | should have regarded III,
f failnrNA Congress to act upon it as an in
t dicatiol Of their judgement that disaaEpnta
k ges Y ich beljng to sle present system
wer1 pot sosSreat as those which would re
f sult%rQm any attainable substitute iha
/ had been submitted to their considerable
= ~-Reealeeting, -ha%Se~er, that .propusittiisa
: 10 introdu new feature in oursftmdameG|
It tai laws cannot be too patiently examined
h and ought not to be received with favor I'M
# Ill the greatbo1y of the people are thorough
o. ly impress sed with their necessity and value
= rs remedy for real evils, | feel that in re
newing the recommendation have hereto
r fore made on this sihiect, am not tran
: s. ending the bounds Of a just Difference t
:. the sense of Congress, or to the disposition
; Of the People. However much we ma,
J, differ in the choice Of the measures whc
G should guide the administration of Govern
+ ment, there can be but littlo doubt in tn
h minds of those who are really friendly /
Q the republican featliias Of our system, tina
IF one of its most impa ecurities consist
4 in the separation of egislatiye and Es
e-I ecutive powers, at the same time that eac
d is held responsible to the great source /
N authority which is acknowledged to be 81
preme in will Of the People constitutional
ut expressed.
n My reflection and experience satisfy me
le that the f,smers of the Constitution, "a
is thOug II they we're anxious to mark this fes
er ture of the government did not adopt all tn
le precautions thatwere necessary to, secur
IN its practical observance; ard thatwe cannt
lg be said to have carried into complete efe'
n their intentions until the evils which aris
,e from this organic defect are renedled.
Considering the great extent of sConfet
in eracy,rapid increase, its population, and tn
t. diversity ofinterests and pursuits, it cann
es be disguised that the contingen ~ by whie
IN one branch of the Legislature is to form
n self into an Electoral College cannot becoa
ne one Of ordinary occurrence without produ
on ing incalculable mischief What was il
o. tended as the medicine of the Constitute
II, on extreme'cases, cannot be frequently use
lie without changing its character alss SOON
b. or later producing incurable disorder.
On Every election by the House Of Repr