Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1850-01-25
Governor Crittenden's Message.

Governor Crittenden's Message.
The following extract from the annual mes
sage of the Governor of Kentucky, undoubtedly
speaks not only the sentiments of Mr.. Criiten-
den on the subject of union and disunion, but
those of a large proportion Of the people Of
Kentucky. 1t will lie read with interest and
pleasure in all parts Of the country
"The preceding remarks have been confined
to the domestic affairs of our own State, but as
nothing that concerns the union can be alien to
us, am unwilling to close this communica.
ton without SONG reference TO our relations
and duties to the Constitution and Government,
Of the United States.
| This seems to be made more imperti"cly my
duty, by the deplorabe agtaIions and political
excItements which have recently been but too
manifest in the proceedings of one brauch of
Congress, and which, if they do not threaten
and endanger the tranquility and integrity of
the Union, have excited soctude for its safety
The Constitution Of the United States wa,
made by the whole people, and no compact
among men, was ever made with more dcliber-
ate soemnty. lnvioab'e respect and obedience
10 that highest law OF tine people, in all its con-
sequences, is the bounden duty of all While
It confirms all our State institutions. i, unitos
great Republic. 1t is in that Union alone that
we exist as naiiqH, and have our bond of broth.
erhood. From II, as from a rich fountain. pub
lie prosperity has streamed over our whole land
and ffom the bosom of our great n ltional Re.
public g spirit has gone forth throughout the
world to quicken and raise Up the oppressed to
teach them a new lesson of freedom, and, by
pointing to our example, show them the way to
scli-governmenf.
The heart Of man must swell with conscious
pride at being the free citizen of such Re-
public.
Dear as kentucky ia TO us, she is not our
whole country. The Union, the whole Union,
is our country, and proud as we Justly are OF
the name of hentuckicn we have a oftier and
more far famed title-that of American citizens
IA name known and respected throughout the
world, and which, wherever we may be- has
power to protect US from the despotsln of en-
peror or king.
As party to the Constitution, Kentucky, in
terchangeably, with the other States, pledged |
himself to abide by and support that Constitu |
ton and the Union which it established. I'll
that pledge were her only obligation, it ought |
to be inviolabe But the seal of Washington
stamped upon 1.-THE thousand glorious rrcol. |
Iections associated with its orgin-tIIe bene.
tits and blessings it has COZ fsrrcd-he grande |
hopes it now inspires have, day by day, increas
ed our attachment, until the mere sense OF
pighted faith and allegiance is lost in proud
grateful and afftctionate DEVOTION
can entertain no apprehension for the fat,
of such Union.
The approach Of any danger to It would BE-
the signal for rallying To its def'nce-the frs
moment of its peril would be the moment OF it,
rescue. persuade myself that there will bt
found in Congress, on ihe exciting sublec,
which has given rise to the late agitation and
alarm, 1cISe fOrbeardnce, and a piSe p0iienc, |
that will secure us from danger and that the
very man who, in the heat and contention OF
debate. have spoken most boldly the language
Of defiance and menace TO the Union, viii moi
be hindmost in making sacrifices for its preser- |
vation.
The Union has further security, in the paren-
tai care and guardianship OF its present i,lus.r
Gus Chief Magistrate; and far above all other
securities ii has the aIl-powerful public opinion
and affection of the people.
To kentucky and the other western States
in the valley OF the Mississippi, the Union is in.
diSpensabe to thcr commercial interests. They
occupy the most fertile region OF the world, eli. |
oquently described by celebrated foreigner AZ
the most magnificent abode that the Almighty
ever prepared as dwelling place for man -
These States, already populous and productive |
are Rapidly increasing, and in no long time must
become the most populous and productive pur- |
ton Of the United S'ates. They are remote
from the sea ; and to enable them, with any ad- |
vantage, to dispose OF their boundess produc.
tions and purchase their supplies they will re.
quire the use of all the channels aud avenues
of commerce, and of all the markets, ports, and
harbors, from b ,ston to New Orleans. Under
our present Union we enjoy all these facilities,
with the further advantage Of a maratime force |
capable to protect, and actually projecting our
commerce in every part of the world.
Disunon would deprive u.s. certainly, to some
extent, and most probably ,9 great extent, Of
those advantages and Of that protection. ]
cannot enlarge on the subject. A moments
reflection will show the ruinous consequences
Of disunion to the commerce OF Kentucky and
the ether western States. The most obvious /
considerations of interest combine, therefore,
with all that are nobler and more generous, to
make the Union not only an object OF attach |
ment, but of necessity TO us.
Kentucky is not insensible to the causes
which have produced so much sensb|ity and
irritation with her brethren of the Southern
States, nor is she without her sympsihies with
them. But she does not permit herself TO har-
Dor against the Union. She deprecates disunion
as the greatest calamity she can see no rene
cy III U--Hohe, Se'tqiHly, Iol any s'leteHIo as
yet complained of or TO be apprebended.
Kentucky will stand by and abide by the
Union to the last, and she will hope that the
same kind Providence that enabled our fathers
TO make it will enable us TO preserve it. Our
whole history has taught US consoling con-
fdence in that Providence.
It becomes us, as a people, to acknowledge.
with grstitud, and thsnkfulness, the many