The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1850-12-07


your last session, with the view of heal
ing sectional differences which had
sprung from the slavery and territorial
questions, should at unce have realized
their beneticent pnrpose. All mutual
conccsstos, IN the nature of compro.
mise must necessarily be unwelcome to
men of extreme opinions. And though
without such concessions our Congress
could not have been formed, and cannot
be permanently sustained, yet we have
seen them made the subject of bitter
controversy in both sections of the Re.
public. 1t required many months OF
discussion and deiberation to secure
n concurrence of majority of Congress
in their favor.
1t would be strange if they had been
received with immediate approba tioaa
boy people and States, prejudiced and
heated by the exciting controversies OF
their Representatives. | believe those
measures to have been required by the
circumstances and condition ofthe coun-
try be1iewe they Were necessary to
allay asperities and animosities that
were rapidly alternating one section ct
the country from another, and destroy
ing those fraternal sentiments which are
the strongest supports of the Constitu-
ton. They were adopted in the spirit
of Cancellation, and for the purpose of
Cancellation.
4 believe that a great majority of our
fellow citizens sympathise in that spirit
and that purpose, and in the main APP
prove, and are prepared in all respects
to sustain these enactments. | canAot
doubt that the American people
bound together by Kindred blood and
Conllnon traditions, still cherish a para
mount regard for the Union of their
fathers: and that they arcrcady tor ebuke
any attempt to its violate its integrity,
TO disturb the compromise on which it
been enacted under its authority.
The series of measures to which
have alluded are regarded by me as a
settlement, in principle and substance
"a final statement of the dangerous
and exciting subjects which they embra-
ced. Most of these subjects indeed,
are beyond your reach, as the legisla-
tion which disposed of them was in its
character final and irrevocable. 1t may
be presumed from the opposition which
they all encountered that none of those
,neasures was free from imperlections,
hut in their mutual dependence and
ronnexin they formed a system of
compromise, the most conclliatory, and
best for the entire country, that could
be obtained from conflicting sectional
interests and opinions.
For this reason | recommend your
adherence to the djnstment established
by those measures, until time and eX-
peTience shall demonstrate the necess-
ty of further legislation to guard against
evasion or abuse.
By that ad jus'men we have been res
cuei from the wide and boundless agi-
tation that surrounded us, and have a
firm, distinct, and legal ground to rest
npon. And the occasion, trust, will
justify me in eXhortug my comtrymen
10 rally upon and maintain that ground
as the best, if not the only means of re-
storing peace and quiet to the country
and maintaining inviolate the integrity
of the Union.
And now, items, cannot
bring this communication to a close
without invoking you to join me in
humble and devout thanks to the Great
Huler of nations, for the multiplied
bl 'ssiags which he has graciously be.
slowed upon us. His hand, so often
visible in our preservation, has stayec
the pestilence, saved us from foreign
wars and domestic disturbances, anc
scattered plenty throughout the land.
Our liberties, religious and civil, have
been maintained; the fountains O
knowledge have all been kept open, anc
means of happiness widely spread ani
generally enjoyed, greater than have
fallen to the lot of any other nation
And while deeply penetrated with graf
itude for the past, let us hope that hi'
all wise Providence will so guide on,
clunsels, as that they shall result il
giving satisfaction to our constituents
securing the peace of the country, ano
adding new strength to the united Gov
eminent under which we live"
WILLARD FILLMORE.
WASHINGTON, December I'd, 1850.