The North-Carolinian. [volume] (Fayetteville [N.C.]) 1839-1861, 1851-01-11
INAUGURAL ADDRESS
OF GOV. REID,

OF GOV. REID,
Delivered before the two Houses Of the
General Assembly of North Carolina,
the 1st day Of January, 1851.
Senators and Members ofthe House of Commons:
Impressed with deep sense of gratitude
to my fellow citizens, l enter upon the
duties of the station to which their kind
partialty has called me, with the earnest
invocation to Almighty God SO to direct
my official conduct as to promote the
prosperity. and the happiness of the peo-
pie of the State. The duties of the Ex
ecutive, at all times delicate and respon
sible, are magnifed by the Importance of
| fearful task assigned me with great reluc-
| tance. were it not for the fact that find
myself surrounded by the Legislative
authority of the State, confded to gen
tiemen whose wisdom and patriotism, |
doubt not, will be found equal to the
emergency.
The misguided fanticisms Of Abolition
lists at the North threatens the overthrow
of the Constitution and a dissolution of
the Union. The Slavery question is one
Of mOmentous Importance to the Southern
States of the Confederacy, involving an
inca!culable amount Of property, as we'll
as the domestic peace and security of our
people In the formation of the federal
Constitution the institution of Slavery
was recognized and provided for in a man
ner Just and satisfactory to all the States.
Subsequently, this question deeply agitat
ed the country. and the South made con-
cessons to the North and submitted to the
Missouri compromise, with the assurance
and expectation that this exciting element
of political strife was to be forever put to
rest. After availing herself OF all the adj
vantages derived under that compromise,
the North urged exorbitant demands.
which led to the enactment of the series OF
compromise measures passed by the pre-
sent Congress. by which the South lost
important rights BY again making conces
sions to the North. The North, having
availed herself of all the advantages under
this compromise. does not cease to ag'tate
the subject and now threatens to repca
the only one of the measures which enur
ed to the benefit Of the South, accompani
ed, in many instances, by violent threats
to disregard the Constitution and the laws
and to forcibly resist their execution.
Il We bave not been Indifferent to the en-
croachments that have been made on ou
rights. yet we have patiently suffered then
with the hope they would not be again re
newed We now have just cause to fea
that this hope was Elusive. North Caro-
lima, one of the last States to enter tn
Confederacy. yields to none of her sister
in ardent alta chment to the Union. Sh
would regard its dissolution as an awfu
calamity, which she would avoid at an
sacrifice consistent with her rights and he
safety. She came into the Union to
governed bv the federal Constitution. an
to secure herself against tyranny and OF
preston and so long as the Const'tut'o
is faithfully adhered to and her rights re'
pected. she will be among the last of til
. States to desert the Union. But she ne'
w. er gave her consent to enter into Onlo
which would overthrow the Constitution
violate her dearest rights. and manac
her with the fetters of oppression. !
such "a Union she owes no allegiance.
solemn sense Of public duty impels me
declared that the e,acroachmenfs offhenorl
on the domestic institutions OF The SoH'
n hnue already proceeded to thet etarfhest ailow'
t." ble point. Entertaining this OPINION,
to regard it as due to candor that we shoul
~ ma Ike that fact known, that our brethre
-. at the North may be fully informed tn
1--WE know our rights. and knowing. da
nd maintain them -; and that it they procee
meet the consequences.
In view Of all the circumstances. re
or pect(ully recommend to the General
of sembly to provide-in the event OF co
. tingency arising to justify it-for taki'
he the necessary steps to maintain the Co
sttution of the United States and t
ay rights of this State that we may co-opera
lie with such other States as may determl
'ry to stand by Union governed by the COZ
as promises of the Constitution. Pursul
les this course, we shall feel a proud CO
ice scousness of the rectitude of our caus
a and be justified in the estimation OF
bic impartiai minds and then. if the awi
raj calamity must come-which God forb
,ed let the consequences fall upon tho
whose madness and foil have provided
,s1- That the rights of the States may
respected, the Constitution preserved, a
the Uuion. according to the Constitute
perpetuated, is my ardent wish and
ted Legislature and the people of the ST
es' may rely upon my hearty cooperation
hs' such measures as may tend to the G.
r a su summation of these desirable objects.
an Itis we'll worthy of consideration whe
hat err our police regulations in relation
ION slaves and free persons Of color are su
and cient and also. whether the public
ted terest does not require further legislat
ing to more effectualIy ensure the appreh
His sion and conviction Of persons who
lme deavor to excite slaves to rebellion or
and surrectiop, or who kidnap or Persu;