Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1850-12-06

the propopositions submitted they were to have been
acted upon or before the first day of the present
month.
1t was hardly to have been expected that the &c.
ries of measures passed at your last session with the
view of healing the sectional differences which had
sprung from the slavery and territorial questions.
should at once have realized their benefceut purse
All mutual concession in the nature of compromise
must necessarily be unwelcome to men of extreme
opinions And though without such concessions our
Constitution could not have been formed and cannot
be permanently sustained, yet we have seen them
made the subject of bitter controversy in both Sec
tons of the Republic. 1t required many months of
discussion and deliberaon to the concurrence
of majority of Congress in their favor. 1t would
be strange if they had been received with immediate
appreciation by people and States, PreJudiced and
heated by the exciting controversies OF their repre-
sentatives. | believe those measures to have been
required by the circumstances and condition of the
country. believe they necessary to allay as
pertes and animosities that were rapidly alternating
section of the country from another and destroy
ing those fraternal sentiments which the strong
est supports of the Constitution. They were adop-
ted in the spirit of Cancellation and for the purpose
of conciliation | believe that great majority of
feewcitizens sympathize in that spirit and that
purpose, and in the main approve, and are prepared
in all respects, to sustain these enactments l
not doubt that the American people, bound together
by kindred blood and common traditions, still cher
ish paramount regard for the Union of their ia
theirs and that they ready to rebuke any attempt
!
which it is based, to resist the laws which have
! been enacted under its authority.
The series of measures to which have. alluded are
regarded by settlement, in principle and sub
stance-a final settlement of the dangerous and ex-
citing subjects which they embraced. Most of these
bjects indeed, are beyond your reach, the leg
islation which disposed of them was its character
final and irrevocable. 1t may be presumed from the
opposition which they all encountered that of
those measures free from imperfections, but in
their mutual dependence and cOnnexion they form
ed system of compromise the most conciliatory and
best for the entire country, that could be obtained
I from conflicting sectional interests and opinions
| For this reason | recommend your adherence to
the adjustment established by those measures, until
time and experience shall demonstrate the necessity
of further legislation to guard against evasion
abuse.
By that adjustment we have been rescued from the
wide and boundess agitation that surrounded us, and
have firm, distinct, and legal ground to rest upon.
And the occasion, trust will justify me in exhort-
ting my countrymen to rally upon and maintain that
ground as the best if not the on MEANS of restor
ing peace and quiet to the country, and maintaining
inviolate the integrity of the Union.
And now, fellow citizens, cannot bring this
munication to a close without invoking you to join
me in humble and devout thanks to the Great Ruler
of nations, for the multiplied blessings which he has
graciously bestowed upon His hand, so often
visible in preservation has stayed the pestilence,
saved from foreg and domestic distur-
Dances and scattered plenty through out the land.
Our liberties religious and civil, have been MAIN
tanned the fountains of knowledge have all been
= kept open. and means of happiness widely spread
and generally enjoyed greater than have fallen to
the lot of any other nation. And while deeply pcne
trated with gratitude for the past let hope that
: his all-wise Providence will so guide counses,
that they shall result in giving satisfaction to
constituents, securing the peace of the country and
adding strength to the united Government under
: which we live.
It WILLARD FILLMORE.
e WAsEISGToN. December Cd. 1850