Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-12-13

| The gieat oil ct 10 be accomplished was
| 10 make such au addition as would affoid
ample and convenient halls for the delibera.
| tions of the two Houses OF Congress- with
sufficient accommodations for spectators aud
suitable apartments for the committees and
officers of The two branches of the Legsla-
ture. II was also desirable not TO mar the
harmony and beauty Of the present struc-
| iure, which. as a specimen of architecture,
is so universally admired. Keeping these
objects in view. | concluded to make the
addition by wings detached ftom The present
| hnilding, yet connected with il by corridors
| This mode of enlargement viii leave The
present Capitol uninjured, and afford great
advantages for ventilation and the admission
Of light, and will enable the work 10 progress
without nleuup'ing The deliberations of
Congress. To carry this plan into effect,
! have appointed an experienced and compe-
tent architect. The corner stone was laid on
the 4lh day of July last, with suitable cerp-
monies, since which time the work has ad.
vanced with commenda6le rapiduy, aud The
foundations Of both wings are now neatly
complete.
again commend 10 your favorable regard
the interests of the District of Columbia. aud
deem II only necessary 10 remind you, that
| although lis inhabitants have no voice in the
! choice Of representatives in Congress- they
are not The less entitled to a Just and liberal
consideration in your legislation. My opin-
ions on this subject wete more fully. eXpres-
sed in my last annual communication.
Ohsr subjects were brought 10 the aiien-
ton Of Congress in my last animal message,
to which | would respectfully refer But
there was one of more than ordinary inter
est, to WHICH | again invite your special al
iention. | alude 10 the recommendation for
the appointment of a commission TO settle
private claims against the United Slates.--
Justice TO individuals as well as TO the Gov
eminent imperalively demands that some
more convenient and expeditions mode than
an appeal TO Congress should be adopted
1t is deeply 10 be regretted that in several
instances officers of the Government, in al.
tempting 10 execute the law for the return Of
lngilives from labor, have been openly re-
sisted. and their efforts frustrated and de-
eatcd by lawless and violent mobs, that in
one case such resistance resulted IN the death
OF an estimable citizen, and in Others serious
injury ensued TO those officers and 10 indi-
vduais who were using their cndeavors 10
sustain the laws. Prosecutions have been
Instituted against the alleged offenders, so
far as they could be identified, and are still
pending. have regarded it as my duty, in
these cases TO giva all aid legally in my pow
pr 10 the enforcement of the laws. aud | shall
continue to do so wherever and Whenever
their execution may be resisted.
The act of Congress for the return Of fugi-
lives from labor is one required aud demand.
ed by the express words OF the Constitution
The Constitution declares, "Thai no person
held to service or labor in one Stale, under
the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall,
IN consequence of any law or regulation
therein, be discharged from such service or
labor, but shall be delivered up on claim "i
the party TO whom such service or labor may
be due.n This constilona provision il.
equally obligatory npon the Legislative, the
Executive, and Judicial Departments of The
Government, and upon every citizen of the
United States.
Congress, however, must, from necessity,
first act upon The subject, by prescribing the
proceedings necessary 10 ascertain that the
person is Il fugitive, aud the mean. TO be
nSpd for his restoration TO the clamant.-
This was done by an act passed duriu@ the
first term of President Washington, " hich
WAS amended by that enacted by the asl
Congress. and it now remains !or the ENrCu-
tive aud Judicial Departments TO lake care
that these laws be faithfully executed. This
; Injunction Of the Constitution is as pcrcmp.
tory and as binding a any other II stands
exactly on the same foundation as ihal clause
/
from ins,icr, or that which declares that no
bill OF atlainder or &C post tacto law shall be
passed, or that which provides for an equality
of taxation, according TO the census or the
clause declaring that all duties shall be uni
form throughout the United States or the
important provision hat the trial of all crimes
shall be by nrv. These several articles and
clauses Of The Constitution, all resting on the
same authority, mnst stand or fall together
Some objections have been nrged agalns, The
details Of the act for The relnrn of iug,iveS
from labor bni il Is worthy of remark that
the main opposition * aimed against the
Constitution itself, and proceeds from persons
and classes of persons, many OF whom de-
clare their wish 10 see IhaI Constitution over.
turned They avow their hostility TO AIRY
law which shall give a full and practical cI.
feet 10 this requirement of the Constitution
Fortunately, the number of these persons i
comparatively small, and Is believed 10 bt
daily diminishing, tat the issue which They
present is one which involves the supremacy
and even the existence OF The Constitution
Cases have heretofore arisen in which in
, dyiduals haze denied IGe binding authority
Of acts OF Congress, and even States have
proposed 10 nullify such acts, upon the
ground that ihe Constitution was iae Supreme
law of the land, and that those aeis OF Con
f gress were EePugnani 10 that instrument: bni
: notification is HOw armed, not so nlucl
: against pauicular laws as being inconsistent
with the Constitutions, as against the Consl
!, lulion itself and it if not 10 be disguised
+ that u spirit exists and has been actively a
work To rend asundef this Union, wRlch i,
a our cherished inheritance ltOm our regGlu
! tionary fathers.
E In my last anuua' message | stated that
4 considered the series of measures which hat
beeR adopted al the preyions session in refer
r ence 10 The agitation growing out OF the Ter
s riorlal and Slavery questions, as final sci
: llemeut in principle and in substance of lh'
e dangerous and exciting subjects which ihel
i embraced; and | recommended adherenc,
y to The Adjustment established BY those mra
v sures uutH time and experience should de
e nonsirate The necessity Of further Legislation
e 10 guard against evasion or abuse. | was no
is induced 10 make this recommendation be
Is cauSe thought those measures perfect, 70
a no human legislation can be perfect. WiG
Y differences and jarring opinions eau only b
}. recOncled by yielding something on all sides
and this result has beer reached after an an
i cry coufict Of many months, in which on
: paIt OF the country was arrayed against an
:. olher, and violent convusions seemed TO b
! 4 lnnl. nj hi init e,