Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1848-12-15
Presidents Message.

comprises, Of course, a great deal that our
readers would not care TO see-much that not
one in ten thousand Of the people will read.
We extract three passages, one in relation TO
California and New Mexico, another in re-
gard to the Treasury department, and the
third in reference 10 the Post Office affairs.
New Mexico AND CALAFoRNIA.
1t is our solemn duty to provide, with the
least possible delay, for New Mexico, and
California, regularly organized territorial gov
ernments. The causes Of the failure to dc
this al the las, session OF Congress are wei
known, and deeply to be regretted. With
the opening prospects Of increased prosperity
and national greatness which the acquisition
Of these rich and extensive territorial posses
sions afford, how irrational it would be 10
forego or to reject these advantages, by the
agitation Of a domestic question which Is
coeval with The existence Of our government
itself, and 10 endarger by internal %strlfes,
geographical divisions, and heated contests
for political power, or for any other cause,
the harmony Of the glorious union Of our con-
federated States ; that union which binds us
together as one people, and which for sixty
years has been our shield and protection a.
gainst every danger.
In the eyes OF the world and Of posterity,
how trivial and Insignificant will be all our
internal divisions and struggles compared
with the preservation of this Union Of these
states in all its vigor and with all its count
less blessings! No patriot would foment
and excite geographical and sectional dlvi-
sions. No lover of his country would DELHI
%erately calculate the value Of the Union
Future generations would look in amazement
on the folly Of such a course.
Other nations at the present day would
look upon us with establishment; and such
of them as desired to maintain and propagate
thrones and monarchical or aristocrailcai prln-
%ciples, will view il with eXultation and de-
light, because in it they will see the elements
of faction, which they hope must ultimately
~ovorturn our system. Ours is the great eX-
ample Of a prosperous and free self-governed
republic, commanding the admiration and
imitation Of all the lovers Of freedom through
nut the world. How solemn, therefore, is
the duty, how impressive the call upon us
and upon all parts of our country. to Guilt
vate a patriotic spirit Of harmony, OF good
Of compromise, and mutual con-
~cession in the administration of the incompa-
rable system of government formed by our
ldInPTS IN tne mluSl " III luoupCIupiC
difficulties, and transmitted 10 US with the in
Junction that we should enjoy its blessings
ind hand il down unimpaired TO those who
nay come after US.
In view of the high and responsible duties
we owe TO ourselves and 10 mankind,
trust YOU NAV be able at your present ses-
to approach the ad iustment of the only
question which seriously threatens
- ,roboLl, ovox 49, ,braatnp IN disturh the
and successful operations Of our
system.
The immensely valuable possessions Of
New Mexico and California are already in
by a considerable population. At
racted by their great fertility, their mineral
their commercial advantages, and the
of the climate, emigrants from the
older States, in great numbers, are already
preparing TO seek new homes In these inyl-
ling regions.
Shall the dissimilarity Of the domestic in
of the different States prevent us
rom providing for them suitable govern
Inents These institutions existed at the
Of the Constitution, but the obsta-
cles which they interposed were overcome by
that spirit Of compromise which is now lnvo-
ked. 10 a conflict of opinions, or OF inter-
ests, real or imaginary, between different Sec
lions Of our country, neither can justly de-
Inand all which it might desire 10 obtain
Each, in the true spirit Of our institutions
should concede something 10 the other.
Our gallant force in the Mexican war, by
whose patriotism and unparalleled deeds Of
arms we obtained these possessions as an In
demnily for our just demands against Next
CO, were composed of citizens who belonged
TO no one State or section of our Unlon.-
They were men from slaveholdlng and nom
slaveholding States, from the North and the
South, from the Eas, and the West. They
were all companions in arms and iellow-citl-
zens of the same common country, engaged
in the same common cause. When prosecu-
ting that war they were brethren and friends,
and shared alike with each other common
tolls, dangers and sutferings. Now, when
their work is ended, when peace Is restored,
and they return again to their homes, put of
the h%abiliments of war, take their places in
society, and resume their pursuits in civil
life, surely a spirit Of harmony and conces'
sion, and of equal regard for the rights OF all
and Of all sections Of the Union ought to pre-
vail in providing governments for the aequir
ed territories-the fruits Of their common ser
vice. the whole people Of the United States
and Of every State contributed 10 defray thu
expenses of that war; and 1t would not bt
Just for any one section 10 exclude another
from all participation in the acquired terrific
~. This would not be in consonance with
the just system Of government which the fra
Iners Of the Constitution adopted.
The question is believed TO be rather alb
stract than practical, whether slavery eve
can or would exist in any portion of the &C
quired territory, even if 1t were left to ih'
option of the slaveholding States themselves
From the nature of the climate and produc
ton, in much the larger portion of it, it il
certain it could never exist; and in the re
mainder the probabilities are that it woulC
not. But however this may be, the question
involving, as it does, a principle Of equality
of rights of the separate and several States
as equal copartners in the confederacy, shoul'
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