Hannibal journal and western union. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1851-1852, 1851-12-11

teen sruea against tiv uetaiIs o. 'he act
10, the return of iugtiyes from labor, but
IL is worthy Of remark that the main OPP
nositicn il aimed against the constitution
iiseif and proceeds from persons and elas-
ses Of persons, many Of whom declare
their wish 10 sec that Constitution overturn-
ed. They avow hostility to canV law
which shall give full and practical effect
to this requirement Of the Constitution
Fortunately, the number of these persons
is comparatively small, and vs. believed to
be daily diminishing; but the issue which
they present is one which inAOlves the SUI
prcmacy, and even the existence OF the
Z Constitution Cases have heretofore arl-
sen in which individuals have denisd the
( binding authority of acts OF Congress, and
even Slaiss have proposed to nullily such
acts, upon the ground that the Constitution
was the supreme law OF the land, and that
those acts Of Congress were repugnant 10
that instrument. Bot nullihcation If not
aimed so much against particular laws, as
being inconsistent with the constitution,
az against the Constitution itself; and it 10
not to be disguised, that a spirit exists,
and has been actualyat work, 10 rend a.
sunder this Union--the cherished inherit
lance Of our revolutionary fathers.
In my last annual message, ! stated that
| considered a series of measures which
ka6 been adopted ate PseEioaS session IN
reference TO che agitation growing out OF
the territorial and slavery questions, az
I final settlement, in principle and substance,
of tie dangerous and exciting subjects
I wbch they embraced; and recommended
adherence to the adjustment established
( Iy those measures, until time and expert.
fence should demonstrate the further neces-
sity OF legislation to guard against eve
sion or abuIe. Twas not induced to make
this recommendation because thought
those measures perfect, for nc human le-
I gislution CAME perfect. Wide differen-
ces end Earring OF opinions can oily DO
reconciled BY yielding on all sides; and
this resut has bern reached aft er an angry
conflict Of many Bnths, in which one part
OF the country wasarrayed against anoths
eF, and violent coTulsions seemed to be
/ imminent. Lookin at the interests OF
the whole country, feH ii to be my duty
( to selze upon this cmpromise, as the best
that could DE obtaind amid conflicting in
terests, and 70 insistupon it as u final set
Element, to be adherd to BY all who value
the peace and weliur OF the country A
year has now elapsd since that recon-.
mendution WAS made To that recommen-
dation ! still adhere and congratulate
you and the country lpOn the general Gc-
I qniescence in these measures Of peace,
which has been exhibited in all parts Of
the republic And not 'nly is there this
general acquiesence n lRse measures. but
the s3irit Of concilistiou which has been
manifest in all parts { the country has
removed doubts and uncertainties in the
minds Of thousands of god men. concern
ing the durability of or popular ins,itu.
lions, and given renewd assurance that
our Liberty and our Unin may eubsist to.
gethrr, for the benefit this and all sue
ceeding generations.
MILLARB FILLMORE.
| Washington, Dec, 2, l6l.