The republic., 1850-12-03


1t was hardly to have been expected that the So.
es Of measures passed at your last session. with the
view of healing .he sectional differences which had
sprung from the slavery and territorial questions,
should at once have realized their benefcent pur-
pose All mutual concession in the nature of
compromise must necessarily be unwelcome to
men Of extreme opinions. And though without
such concessions 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 Republic.
It required many months of discussion and deliber-
,ton TO secure the concurrence of a majority of
Congress in their favor. 1t would be strange If
they had been received with immediate appproba-
ton by people and States prejudiced and heated by
the exciting controversies OF their Representatives
believe those measures to have been required by tho
circumstances and condition of the country. be-
cve they were necessary to aay asperitiesand ami
nosiies that were rapidly alternating section of
The country from another and destroying those fra
-ernal sentiments which the strongest supports
If the Constitution. They we're adopted in the sp-
cit Of cancellation, and for the purpose of concilia
ton. believe that great majority of our fell
ow-citizens symPathize In that spirit, and that pur
pose, and in the main approve, and are prepared,
all respects, to sustain these enactments. cam
not doubt that the American people, bound to-
yether by kindred blood and common traditions,
still cherish paramount regard for the Union Of
their fathers; and that they ready to rebuke
my attempt to violate its integrity, to disturb the
compromises on which it is based or to resist the
laws which have been enacted under its authority
The series of measures to which have alluded
IRE regarded by me as settlement, in principle
md substance-a final settlement, of the dangerous
md exciting subjects which they embraced Most
OF these subjects, indeed, beyond your reach as
the Legislation which disposed of them was, in its
character, final and irrevocablc. 1t may be pre-
sumed from the opposition which they all encoun-
tered that none of those measures was free from
imperfections. but in their mutual dependence and
connexion they formed system of compromise.
the most conciatory and best for the entire ooun-
try, that could be obtained from conflicting Sec
tional interests and opinions.
For this reason recommend your adherence to
he adjustment established by those measures, until
time and experience shall demonstrate the neces
sity of further legislation to guard against eva.
sion abuse.
BY that adjustment have been rescued from
the wide and boundless agitation that surrounded
u.s. and have firm, distinct and legal ground to
rest upon. And the occasion, trust, will Justify
me in exhorting my countrymen to rally upon and
maintain that ground the best, if not the onlv
means, of restoring peace and quiet to the country
and maintaining inviolate the integrity of the
Union.
And now, fellow citizens, cannot bring this
communication to a 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
oftes visible in preservation, has STAYED tho
pestilence, saved us from foreign wars and do
mestc disturbances, and scattered plenty through
out 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 penc-
trated with gratitude for the past let hope that
his all wise Providence will guide our counseis
as that they shall result in giving satisfaction 70
our constituents, securing the peace of the country
and adding new strength TO the united Govern
ment under which we live.
WILLARD FILLMORE
WAsHISoToS, DECEMBER %, 1850.