The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-28

And shall we follow in the same career,
aud furnish similar example Of national der
luson, 10 the ages that will succeed w., Prov
ing ourselves unworthy Of the blessings
acquired by the wisdom and valoE al our fa-
Tiers, and unable to maintain them No,
no, it cannot be. This Union and Constr
tuition are rooted in the hearts Of the AmerI-
can people, and they will protect both, as
they would protect their affairs and their fire.
sides. k
The experience Of the last few months,
though there is in it much to regret, contains
much also TO console and encourage US. II
it brought dangerous questions, and with
these sectional discomfort and excitement,
results, it finally brought an arrangement Of
the difficulties, originating in spirit Of COM
promise, and which by natural concession
gave no Just cause of offence 10 any section
or party, and left inviolate the constitutional
rights OF al But though it has done much
towards restoring the public tranquility, and
will yet, trust, and ere long, complete the
good work still il is not to be disguised, that
in extensive portions Of our country, there is
yet a feeling of discomfort, and that measures
are advocated, ard are assuming indeed an
imposing character, utterly inconsistent with
the unity of the republic, and the duration Of
the government.
rejoice, therefore, that the public voice,
though It has loudly spoken and rebuked dis
union, is speaking yet and hope it will
be heard III powerful tones from every city,
town and village, from every prairie, hill or
valley, and will be borne onward by every
breeze, which sweeps our fathers flag and
our own through tie immense region COM
mitted to our care. Time and reflection are
great elements Of safety in popular govern
ment They form that sound public opinion,
more powerful than physical force, which
pronounces a final judgment on men and
measures, and these stand or fall as it APP
proves or condemns. The compromise laws
of the last session Of Congress are now upon
the statute books There let them remain,
in all their essential features, as inviolable as
the Constitution itself. Let them be CON
sidered as the great national arrangement Of
the various objects they embrace, at once q
monument Of mutual concession, ard q
| pleuSe, tnll SuOulu sllillIdI icciINSS arse Dc
tween various portions Of our country, they
will be met in a similar spirit, and harmony
aud tranquility restored by iorbearancc and
moderation.
If such counsels prevail, the American
people, Tor generations to follow, will come
together as you do now, upon this hallowel
day, and while in the iullness Of their hearts
they interchange rejocngs upon their polltl.
cal condition, they will invoke blessings upor
the memory Of those, who, struggling with
difficulties, laid the foundations OF their pros
peri,y and greatness in the equal rights o
man, and finished their work by fabric o
freedom and Of power, cemented together by
ties of interest and affection, and bidding de-
fance to time and trial, ,chen The rains de-
scended, and the floods come, and the ,rind
blow, and beat upon it, IL oiH not fan, bu
still more glorious with age, protecting ant
protected by a mighty community, it vii
extend its benefits far and wide, like III
shadop Of a great rock in a weary land.
am, gentlemen, with great respect, you
friend and ieIlow-ctlzen,
IENIS CASS