The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1850-12-03

we should consider Ourselves as celebrating and
acting for one and the same country, and bear con-
stantiy in mind, that our regard and our duty are
due, not TO a particular part only, but to the
whole. A
i therefore recommend that appropriations be
made for completing such works as have been al
ready begun, and for commencing such others as
may seem TO the wisdom of Congress TO be OF pub
lie and general Importance.
The difficulties and delays, incident TO the set
Element of private claims by Congress, amount IN
many cases to a denial of justice. There is reason
TO apprehend that many unfortunate creditors OF
the Government have thereby been unavoidaby
ruined. Congress has so much business OF a pub
lie character, that it is impossible it should give
much attention to mere priye claims, and their
accumulation is now SO great that many claimants
must despair of ever being able 10 obtain hear
ing. 1t may well be doubted whether Congress,
from the nature of its organization, Is properly
constituted TO decide upon such cases, 1t is I'M
possible that each mennber should examine the
merits of every claim on which he is compelled to
vote and il is preposterous TO ask judge TO de-
eide case which he has never heard. Such deci-
sions may and frequently must, do injustice either
to the claimant or the Government, and perceive
no better remedy for this growing evil than the
establishment OF some tribunal TO adjudicate upon
such claims. beg leave, therefore, most respect
fully, to recommend that provision be made by
law for the appointment Of a commission to settle
all private claims against the United States and,
as an er parie hearing must in all contested cases
be very Unsatisfactory, also recommend the APP
pontment ola Solicitor, whose duty it shall be to
represent the Government before such commission,
and protect it against all Illegal fraudulent or un
Just claims, which may be presented for their adj
publication.
This District which has neither voice nor vote
in your deliberations, looks to you for protection
and aid, and commend all its wants to your ia
vorable consideration, with full confidence that
1you onI v will Wi
hberality. 1t should be borne in mind that in this
city, laid out by Washington, and consecrated by
his name, is located the Capitol of our 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 these are exempt from taxation. 1t should
be the pride of Americans to render this place at
tractive to the people Of the whole republic, ard
convenient and safe for the transaction of the pub
lie business, and the preservation of the public
records. The Government should, therefore, bear
liberal proportion of the burdens of all necessary
and useful improvements And, as nothing could
contribute more to the health, comfort, and safety
of the city, and the security of the public build
ings and records, than an abundant supply ofpure
water, respectfully recommend that you make
such provisions for obtaining the same as in your
wisdom you may deem proper.
The act passed at your last session, making
certain propositions to Texas for settling the dis
puted boundary between that State and the Terri
tory of New Mexico, was Immediately on its
passage, transmitted by express to the Governor
Of Texas, to be laid by him before the General
Assembly for its agreement thereto. It's receipt
was duly acknowledged, but no Official informa-
ton has yet been received Of the action Of the
General Assembly thereon it may, however, be
very soon expected, as, by the terms of the pro-
positions submitted, they were to have been acted
upon, on or before the first day of the present
month. #
1t was hardly to have been expected that the Sc
ries of measures passed at your last session, with
the view Of healing the sectional differences which
had sprung from the slavery and territorial ques-
tons, should at have realized their benefcent
purpose. All mutual concession in the nature of
a 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 sus-
tanned, yet we have seen them made the subject of
bitter controversy in both sections OF the Repub-
lie. 1t required many months of discussion and
deliberation to secure the concurrence of a ma
jority OF Congress in their favor. 1t would be
strange ifthey had been received with Immediate
appreciation by people and States, preudiced 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 were necessary to allay
asperities and animosities that were rapidly alien
ating section Of the country from another, and
destroying those fraterna sentiments which are
the strongest supports of the Constitution. They
were adopted in the spirit of Cancellation, and for
the purpose Of Cancellation. believe that great
majority Of our fellow-citizens sympathize in that
spirit, and that purpose and in the main approve,
and prepared, in all respects to sustain these
enacments. | cannot doubt that the American
people, bound together by kindred blood and COM
mon traditions, still cherish a paramount regard
for the Union Of their fathers; and that they are
ready to rebuke any attempt to violate its integri
ty, to disturb the compromised on which it is based
or to resist the laws which have been enacted un-
der its authority.
The series of measures to which have alluded
regarded by me as a settlement, in principle
and substance-a final settlement, Of the danger
GUS and exc ting subjects which they embraced.
Most of these subjects, indeed, are beyond your
reach, as the legislation which disposed of them
was, in its character, final and irrevocable 1t
may be presumed from the opposition which they
al encountered, that none of those measures was
free from imPerfections, but in their mutual de-
pendence and connexion they formed system Of
compromise, the most conciliatory, and best for
the entire country, that could be obtained from
conflicting sectional interests and opinions.
For this reason recommend your adherence to
the adjustment established by those measures, un-
til time and experience shall demonstrate the ne
cessity of further Legislation to guard against
sion abuse. =. .t + ~ r
BY that adjustment we have been rescued from
the wide and boundless agitation that surrounded
us, ana nave nrm, distinct, and legal ground to
rest upon. And the occasion, trust, will Justify
me in exhorting my eountrymen to rally upon and
maintain that ground as the best, if not the only
means, ofrestoring peace and quiet to the country,
and maintaining inviolate the integrity of the
Union.
And now, feow-citizens, | cannot bring this
communication to 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 us. His hand,
so often visible in preservation, has stayed the
pestilence, saved from foreign wars and domes-
tic disturbances, and scattered plenty throughout
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 |
penetrated with gratitude for the past, let us hope
that his al-wise Providence will guide our
as that they shall result in giving salts
faction to our constituents securing the peace Of
the country, and adding new strength to the uni
ted Government under which we live.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
WASHINGTON, December Cd, 1850.