Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1837-03-16

il; but, among ourselves, all doubt upon this
great point has ceased. while a salutary en-
iperience will present contrary opinion from
inviting aggression from abroad.
Certain danger was toretold from the cX-
tension Of our territory, the multiplication OF
States, and the increase of population. Onr
system was supposed to be adapted only to
boundaries comparatively narrow. These
have been wdcncd beyond conjecture; the
members of our confrderacy are already
doubled; and the numbers Of our people are
incredibly augmented. The alleged causes
of danger have long surpassed anticipation,
but none OF tie cons, quenccs have followed.
The power and influence of the republic have
risen to height obvious to all mankind; re-
spect for IFS authority was not more apparer'
at lis ancient, than it is at It's present limits:
new and ineXhausible sources OF general
prosperity have been opened; the effects of
distance have been averted by the inventive
genius Of our people, developed and ioStered
by the spirit OF our Institutions; and the en-
larged variety and amount Of interests, pro-
ductions and pursuits, have strengthened the
chain of mutual dependence, and formed a
circle of mutual benefits, too apparent ever to
be overlooked.
! In Justly balancing the powers OF the Fed
cral and State authorities, difficulties nearly
lnsurmountabe arose at the outset and sub
sequent collisions were deemed inevltablc.-
Amid these, it WAS scarcely believed possible
that scheme Of government, so complex IN
construction, could remain uninj njured.-From
time to time embnrrassments have certainly
occurred; but how Just is the confluence of
future safety impaired by the knowledge that
each in succession has been happily removed.
/ Overlooking partial and temporary evils as
linseparablc from the practical operation of all
human institutions, and looking only to the
general result. every patriot has reason to be
satisfied. While the Federal Government
has successfully performed its appropriate
! functions in relation to foreign affairs, and
concerns evidently national, that Of every
State has remarkably improved in protecting
and developing local interests and individual
welfare; and if The vibrations ofauthority have
occasionally tended too much towards one or
the other,i it is uuIucsionaby certain that the
Ultimate operation Of the entire system has
been to strengthen all the existing lnstitu-
tions, and to elevate our whole country In
\ prosperity and rcnown.
4 The last.perhaps the greatest, of the prom
inent sources of discord and disaster suppos-
ed to lurk in our political condition, was the
institution of domestic slavery. Our forefa-
! theirs were deeply impressed with the delica-
cy of this subject, and they treated 1t with
/ forbearance so evidently wise, that IN spite OF
| every sinister iorbodng, 1t never, until the
/ present period disturbed the tranquility OF
our common country. Such result is suc-
lent evidence oithe justice and the patriotism
Of their course; il is evidence not to be mis-
II Al Il ntat q
embarrassment from this as well as from eve
lry other anticipated cause of difficulty ana
danger. Have not recent events made 1t OBJ
vious to the slightest reflection. that the least
deviation from this spirit Of forbcarance Is in-
furious to every interest, that of humanity in
cluded? Amidst the violence of exciting pas
sions, this generous and fraternal feeling has
been sometimes disregarded, and, stanGing
as now do before my countrymen IN this
high place Of honor and trust, ] cannot re-
, fran from anxiously invoking my fellow citi-
zens never to be deaf to its dictates. Per
ceiving, before my election, the deep interest
this subject was beginning 20 excite, bcliev-
| ed it solemn duty fully to make known my
!, sentiments in regard to il: and now, wher
i every motive for Misrepresentation has pass
i ed away, trust that will be canddly weigh
7 ed and understood. At least they wiLbe my
/ standard of conduct in the path before me-
! then declared that if the desire Of those oi
! nv countrymcn who were favorable to my
election was gratifed, 81 must go into the
| Presidential Chair the iniicXlble and uncom-
promising opponent Of every attempt, on the
part of Congress, to abolish slavery IN the
District of Columbia, against the wishes oi
the slaveholding States; and also with de-
termination equally decided to resist ,the
slightest interference with it in the States
J where it exists" | submitted also to my fell
! low citizens, with fulness and frankness, the
reasons which led me to this determination
The result authorizes me to believe that they
/ have been approved, and are conided1n, by
i majority of the people of the United States
1 including those whom they most immedatel,
affect. 1t now only remains to add, that NJ
bill conflicting with these views can ever re
ccivc my constitutional sanction. These
opinions have been adopted in the first belle
, that they are in accordance with the spin
: that actuatcd the veneratud fathers Of the re
!, public, and that succeeding experience has
proved them to be humane, patriotic, eNpe
dent, honorable, and just. 1.-THE agitation
: this subject was intended to reach the staoiI
ity of our institutions, enough has occurred
) TO show that il has signay failed; and thai
in this, as in every other instance, the appre'
tensions of the tmd and the hopes of The
wicked for the destruction of our Govern
| mont arc again destined to be disappointed
. Here and there, indeed. scenes of dangerous
, excitement have occurred; terrifying instan
, ces of local violence have been witnessed
and reckless disregard of the consequence
of their conduct has exposed individuals t'
popular Indignation; but neither masses Of th'
people, nor sections of the country, have beef
swcrved from the devotion TO the bond Of un
ion, and the principles it has made sacred
n, ali L., Suo att nj AZ N