North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1852, 1850-12-04
pREsIpENT,s MEssAGE

tiers, be handed out as soon as thew were Tel
graphically informed of its delivery in the House,
we received from Mr.. Postmaster hite of this City,
copy Monday last at about three o'clock. This
document would make some seven columns in our
paper, and it is therefore impossible that we should
give it at length to-day. We shall present, however
the main points.
The President speaks of the measures of stsCom-
promise approves them as whole, but does not
specifically mention the fugitive slave law He SAYS
generally, in the commencement of his Message:
" The Government of the United States is a limited
Government. 1t is confined to the exercise of pow
ers expressly granted, and such others as NAV be
necessary for carrying those powers into effect and
1t is at all times especial duty TO guard against
any Infringement on the just rights of the States.
Over the objects and subjects intrusted to Congress-
Its legislative authority is supreme. But here that
authority ceases, and every citizen who truly loves
the Constitution, and desires the continuance of its
existence and its blessings, will resouteiy and firm
ly resist any interference in those domestic affairs
which the Constitution has clearly and unequivocal-
ly left to the exclusive authority of the States. And
every such citizen will also deprecate useless irrita-
ton among the several members of the Union, and
all reProach and elimination tending to ALLEVIATE
portion OF the country from another. The beauty of
our system OF Government consists, and its safety
and durability must consist, in avoiding mutual COL
lslons and encroachments and in the regular separ
ate action OF all, while each is revolving in its
distinct orbit.
The Constitution has made it the duty of the Pres
ldent to take care that the laws be faithfully executed
In government like ours, in which all laws are
passed by majority of the representatives of the
people, and these representatives chosen for such
short periods, that any injurious obnoxious law
can very soon be repealed, it would appear unlikely
that any great numbers should be found ready 10 resist
the execution of the laws. But it must be borne in
mind that the country is extensve that there may be
local interests preudices rendering law odions in
one part, which is not so in another; and that the
IHnraf cd hvy hair
ions, or their imaginatons may be induced madly to
resist such laws they disapprove. Such persons
should recollect that without law, there be real
practical liberty that, when law is trampled under
foot tyranny rules, whether appears in the form of
military desPotism or of popular violence. The
law is the only sure protection of the weak and the
only efficient restraint upon the strong When impair
TALLY and faithfully administered, IS beneath its
protection and none above its CONTROL You, gentle
men, and the country may be assured, that TO the ut
most of my ability, and to the extent of the power
vested in me, shall all times, and in all places,
take that the laws be faithfully executed. In the
discharge of this Duty soemny imposed upon me by
the Constitution, and by my oath of Office, l shall
shrink from responsibility, and shall endeavor to
meet events as they arise, with firmness we'll
with prudence add discretion"
The President thus speaks of the Compromise
measures OF the last session:
IS The act passed your last session, making
tain propositions to Texas for settling the disputed
boundary between that State and the Territory of
mitted by express to the Governor Of Texas, to be
laid by him before the General Assembly for its agree
ment thereto. Its receipt was dull acknowledged
bnt official information has yet been received OF
the action of the General Assembly thereon; 1t may,
however, be very expected, as, by the terms of
the propositions submitted, they to have been
acted upon, before the first day of the present
month.
1t was hardly to have been expected that the
res of measures passed at your last session, with
the view of healing the sectional differences which
had sprung from the slavery and territorial quetons
should at have realized their beneicent purpose.
All mutual concession in the nature of compromise
must necessarily be unwelcome TO men of extreme
opinions. And though without such concessions our
Constitution could have been formed, and cannot
be permanently sustained, yet We have seen them
made the subject of bitter controversy in both sections
of the Republic. 1t required many months Of dis
cussion and deliberaton to secure the concurrence
of majority of Congress in their favor. 1t would
be strange if they had been received with immediate
appreciation by people and States, prejudiced 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 necessary to allay as
perities and anmostes that were rapidly alternating
section of the country from another, and Destroy
ing those faernal sentiments which the strongest
the spirit of conciation and for the purpose of con-
ciIiaton. 1 believe that great majority of fell
low-citzens sympathiZe in that spirit, and that pur-
pose, and in the main approve and are prepared, In
all respects, to sustain these enactments.
l cannot doubt that the American people, bound
together by kindred blood and common traditions.
still cherish paramount regard for the Union of their
fathers and that they ready to ebuke any attempt
violate its integrity, to disturb the compromises
which it is based, to resist the laws which have
been enacted under its authority.
The series of measures to which l have alluded
are regarded by me as a settlement, in principle and
bstance-a final settlement, of the dangerous and
exciting subjects which they embraced. Most of
these Subjects indeed, beyond your reach, as the
legislation which disposed of them in its char
acter final and irrevocable. 1t may be presumed from
the opposition which they all encountered that none
of those measures was free from imperfectons, but
in their mutual dependence and connexon they form
ed system of compromise, the most concIliatory,
and best for the entire country, that could be obtain
ed from conflicting sectional interests and opinions.
For this reason recommend your adherence to the
adjustment established by those measures, until time
and exerience shall demonstrate the necessity OF fur
Their Legislation to guard against evasion or abuse.
This is all he says on the Slavery question. The
other portions of the Message devoted to Foreign
RELATIONSHIP the Tariff and Internal Improvement
ouestions-to tho Indian tribes-to Caifornla-to
the Army and Navy and Post Office Department, &c.
&c. Speaking of the public debt and revenue, the
President says:
The total receipts into the Treasury, for the year
ending 3Oth June last were forty-seven millions four
hundred and twenty-one thousand seven hundred and
fory.eight dollars and ninety cents, go
The total expenditures during the same period
were forty-three million two thousand one hundred
and sxty-eight dollars and ninety cents, (S4S'oo2'-