Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1851-12-13

the Constitution perempory and as binding as any
other it stands exactly the same foundation as that
clause which provides for the return of fugves from
Justice or that which declares that no bill OF attainder
or ex post faco law shall be passed, that which pro-
vides for an equality OF taxation, according to the CEN
ss or the clause declaring that all duties shall be uni
foim throughout the United States or the important
provision that the trial OF all crimes shall be by jury
These several articles and clauses of the Constitution
all resting on the authority, must stand or TALL to-
gether. Some objections have been urged against the
details of the for the return of fugves from labor
but is worthy of remark that the man oPPostioh Is
aimed against the Const tuition Itself and roceeds from
persons and classes of PERSONS many OF whom declare
their wish to that Constitution overturned Ihey
avow their hostility to any law which shall give u
and practical effect to this requirement OF the Constr
tuition Fortunately the number of these persons Is
comparatively SMALL and is believed to be daily dimn-
ishng but the issue which they present is one which
involves the supremacy and even the exstance OF the
! Constitution.
] Cases have heretofore arisen in which individuals
have denied the binding authority of acts of Congress,
and even States have proposed to nuly such acts up
on the ground that the Constitution was the supreme
law of the land and that those acts OF Congress were
repugnant that instrument but nullIhcaton is now
aimed not SO much against particular laws as being
inconsistent with the Constitutions against the Con-
stuon ITSELF and is not to be disguised that spr-
it exists and has been actively work to rend asunder
this Union which is cherished inheritance from our
revolutionary fathers.
/ In my last annual message stated that consider
ed the serious of measures, which had been adopted at
the previous session. in referance to the agitation
growing out of the Territorial and slavery questions,
final settlement in principle and substance of the
dangerous and exciting subjects which they embrace
and recommend adherence to the Adjustment estab-
shed by those measures, until time and experience
should demonstrate the necessity OF further legislation
to guard against evasion or abuse.
\ was not induced to make this recommendation be-
cause thought those measures perfect, for human
legislation can be perfect Wide differences and jar
ring opinions only be reconciIed by yielding some
thing on all sides, and this result had been reached
after an angry conflict af many months, in which one
part of the country arrayed against another and
violent commissions seemed to be imminent Looking
at the interests of the whole country, felt it to be my
duty to seize upon this Compromise the best that
could be obtained amid conflicting interests and to in
sist upon final settlement, TO be adhered to by all
f who value the peace and welfare of the country.
A year has elapsed since that recommendation
was made. To that recommendation | still adhere,
and congratulate you and the country upon the gen.
era acquescence in these measures of peace, which
has been exhibited in all parts of the Republic. And
not only is there this general acquiescence in these
measures, but the spirit of Cancellation which has been
manifested in regare to them in all parts of the
try has removed doubts and uncertainties in the minds
OF thousands of good concerning the durability of
popular Institutions and given reward that
Liberty and Union may subsist together for the
) benefit of this and all succeeding generations.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
Washington, Dec. ., 1881.