Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1850-12-09

And though without such concessions our Con
stltutlon could not have been formed, and can
not be permanently sustained, yet we have seer
them made the subject OF bitter controversy il
both sections of the Republic. 1t required many
months of discussion and deliberation TO Sc
cure the concurrence of a majority of Congress
i'll their favor.
1t would be strange ifihey had been received
with immediate appreciation by people of states
prejudlced and heated by the exciting contro
verses of their representatives. believe thost
measures to have been required by the circum
stances and condition of the country. | believe
they were necessary TO aliay asperities and ami
moslties that were rapidly alternating one sec
ton of the country from another, and destroying
those fraternal sentiments which are the strong
est supports Of the constitution. They were a
dopted in the spirit of Cancellation, and for The
purpose Of Cancellation.
believe that a great ajori!y of orr fellow.
citizens synpathiZe in that spirit and that pur.
pose and in the main approve, and are prepared
in all respects, 10 sustain these enactments.
cannot doubt that the American people, bound
together by kindred blood and common tradi-
lions, still cherish paramount regard for the
Union of their fathers, and that they are ready
to rebuke any attsmptto violate its integrity, to
disturb the compromise en- which il is based, or
to resist the laws W hieh have been enacted I'M
der it.
The series efmeasufes to which / alluded are
regarded by me as . settlement, in principle and
substance-a settlement Of the dangerous and
exciting subjects which they embraced. Most
| Of the subjects indeed, are beyond your reach,
as the legislation which disposed of them was in
its character final ard irrevoeable. 1t may be
presumed from the opposition which they all
encountered that none Of those measures was
free from imperfections, but in their mutual de-
pendeEce and conneXion they formed a system
Of compromise, the most conciliatory and best
fol the entire country, that could be obtained
from conflicting sectional interest and opinion.
For this reason recommend yonr adherence
10 the adjustment established by those measures
until time and experience shall demonstrate the
necessity Of further legislation TO guard against
, evasion or abuse.
BY that adjustment we have been rescued from
the wide and boundless agitation that surround
ed Us and have firm, distinct and legal ground
TO rest upon. And tae OCCASION | trust, Will
Justify me in exhorting my countrymen 20 rally
upon and maintain that ground as the best, if
not the only means Of restoring peace and quiet
to the country and maintaining inyiola.e the
integrity Of the Union.
And now felow-citizeEs, cannot bring this
communication to a close without invoking you
TO Join me in humble and deyout thanks to the
Great Ruler of nations, for he multiplied bless
ings which he has graciously bestowed upon US.
His hand SO often visible in cur preservation, has
stayed the pestence, saved US from foreign wars
and domestic disturbances, and scattered plenty
throughout the land.
Our liberties, religious ard civil, have been
maintained the fountains of knowledge have
all been kept open, s. means CT 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 all wise Providence will so
guide our counsels, as that they shall result in
giving satisfaction to our constituents, securing
the peace OF the country, & adding new strength
to the united government under which we live
WILLARD FILLMORE.
WASHINGTON, Decen Der 9, 1850.