The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1850-12-19

consideration, with full confidence that you will
treat them not only with justice, but with EbeT-
atty, Il should be borne in mind, that In thus
city, laid out by Washington, and consecrated by
his name, il located the Capitol Of the Nation,
the emblem Of our Union, and the symbol Of our
greatness.
Here also are situated all the public buildings
necessary for the use Of the Government, and all
fthese are exempt from taxation. 1t should be
the pride Of Americans TO render this place at
tractiYe to the people Of the whole Republic, aud
convenient and safe fog The transaction Of the
public records.
| The government, therefore, shoald bear a lib
eraL portion Of the burthen of al necessary and
useful Improvements, and as nothing can contrib
ute more to the health, comfort and sa fety Of the
city, and the security Of the public buildings and
records. than an abundant supply of pure water,
respectfully recommend that yon make sach pro-
visions for obtaining the same as in your wisdom
you may deem proper.
The act passed al your last session. making
such propositions to Texas for settling the disputed
boundary between that state and New Mexico,
was immediately on its passage transmitted by
express TO the government Of Texas to be laid
by him before the General Assembly for its agree
ment thereto.
Its receipt was duly acknowledged, but Meth
ing official has yet been received Of the action Of
General Assembly thereon. II may, however,
be soon expected, as by the terms Of the PROPOSE
tons submitted they were to have been acted
upon before The first day Of the present month.
Ii was hardly TO have been expected that the
series of meas ures passed at yeur late session,
with view of healing the sectional differences
which had sprung from the Slave and Territorial
questions should at once have realized tbeK be-
nehcent purpose.
All mutual concessions, IN the nature of COM
promise, must necessarily be unwecome TO men
of extreme opinions. Without such concessions
this Government could not have been framed,
and cannot be permanently sustained; vet we
have seen them made the subject of bitter con-
trovsrsy in the Republic. 1t required many
months of discussion and deliberation to secure
even the concurrence Of majority Of Congress
in their favor.
1t would have been strange if they had been
received with immediate appreciation by the peo-
pie and States, prejudiced and heated BY the ex-
citing controversies Of their Representatives
believe they were necessary to aIlay ssperiiies
and animosities that were rapidly alternating one
section Of the country from another, and Destroy
ing the fraternal sentiments which were the
strongest supports Of the Constitution. They
were adopted in spirit Of concessions, and for
the purpose Of Cancellation. believe that great
majority Of our feow-citizens, sympathi7ing in
that spirit and that purpose, in the main, approve
Of and are prepared, in all respects, TO sustain
these enactments. cannot doubt that the Amer
lcan people, bound together by kindred blood
and common traditions, still cherish paramount
regard for the Union OF their fathers, and that
they are ready to rebuke any attempt to violate
its integrity; to disturb the compromise, upon
which it was based; or to resist laws which have
been enacted uuder its authority
The series of measures TO which have alluded,
are regarded by me as in principal and substance
a final settlement Of the dangerous and exciting
subjects which they embrace. Nest of these
subjects, indeed, are beyond your reach, as the
legislation which disposed Of them was, IN its
character, final and immutabe. II may be pre-
sumed, from the opposition they all encountered,
hat none Of these measures were free from i'm
Projections, but in their dependence and connec
ion they form the system of Compromise most
and the best for the country. that
could be obtained from conflicting sectional inter-
ests and opinions.
For this reason l recommend your adherence
o the adjustment by those measures, until time
md experience shall demonstrate the necessity
u further legislation to guard against evasion or
abuse. by tins adjustment we have been rescued
rom the wild and boundless agitation that sur
ounded us and have firm and distinct ground to
est upon and the occasion, l trust, Will justify
ne IN expecting my countrymen to rally on and
ma intain that ground, the best If not the only
means, of restoring peace and quiet to the coun-
ny, and OF maintaining myiolase the integrity Of
be Union.
And now fellow-citizens, cannot draw this
to close without inviting you to
DIN In humble and devout thanks 10 the Great
Ruler Of the Nation, for the multiplied blessing,
which He has graciously bestowed upon us. His
iand, so often visible in our preservation, has
taycd the pestilence, saved us from foreign wars
md domestic disturbances, and scattered plenty
throughout tie land.
Our liberties, religious and civil, have been
the fountains of knowledge have
'een kept open, and the means Of happiness
widely spread and generally enjoyed, greater
han have fallen to the LOT of any other nation:
nd while deeply penetrated with gratitude for
he past, let rs hope that an alI-wise Providence
will so guard our counsels that they shall result
n giving satisfaction TO our Constituents, securing
he peace of our country, and adding new strength
o the United Government IN which we live
WILLARD FILLMORE.
Washington, Dec. 3, 1859.