The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-12-12

{ c,o law shall be passed, or that which
provides for an equality Of taxation. &C
cording TO the census, or the clause declar
inc that all duties shall be uniform through,
out 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 same authority, must stand or fall
together. Some objections have been urged
against the details of the act for the return
OF iugitives from labor; but il Is worthy OF
remark that the main oppos iIon is almost
against the Consti tuition itself, and proceeds
from persons and classes OF persons. many
Of whom declare their wish 10 see that
Constitution overturned. They a1ow their
hostility TO any law which shall give full
and practical effect to this requirement OF
the Constitution. Fortunately, the mum.
Der Of these persons is comparatively small,
and IS believed 10 be daily diminishing. but
the issue which they present is one which
involves the supremacy and even the exis.
tence of the Constitution.
Gases have heretofore arisen In which
individuals have denied the binding au.
thorit; of acts Of Congress, and even States
have proposed to nuify such acts Upon
the ground that the Cons'i ution was the
supreme law Of the land. and that those
acts Of Congress were repngnant 10 ihaI
instruments; but notification Is now aimed.
not 50 much asains particular laws as
being inconsisten, with the Constitution,
as against the Constitution itself; and it is
not 10 be disguised that a spirit exists. and
has been actively at work, 10 rend asundeT
this Union. which is our cherished inheri-
lance from our revolutionary fathers.
In my last annual message, | stated that
! considered the series OF measures which
had been adopted al the previous session
in reference TO the agitation growing out OF
the territorial and slavery questions, as a
final settlement in principle and substance
Of the dangerous and exciting sun ecs
which they embraced, and recommended
adherence 10 the adjustment established by
those measures. until time and experience
should demonstrate the necessity CT further
legislation TO guard against evasion or abuse
! was no, induced to make this recommen
dation because | thought those measures
perfect, for no human egslatIOn can be
perfect. Wide differences and jnrring
opinions can only be rrcoucI!-d by vie ding
SOttleluIUS VII All SUES duu IFSuh
been reached after an angry conflict OF
many months, IN which one part of the
country was arrayed against another, and
violent convulsion seemed to be imminent.
looking at the interests of the whole
country, felt It to be my duly TO se'z1
upon this Compromise as the best that
could be obtained amid conflicting interests,
and to insist upon it as final settlement.
TO be adhered TO by all who value the peace
and welfare Of The country. A yenr has
Row elapsed since that recommendation
was made. To that recommendation ! sill
adhere, and congratulate you and the
country upon the general acqulescence in
these measures Of peace, which has been
exhibited IN all parts Of the Republic. And
not only is there this general ac1ulescence
ia these measures, but the spirit Of cOncili-
alton which has been manifested in regard
10 them in III parts Of the country, has
removed doubts and uncertainties in ihr
minds OF thousands OF good men, concern,
ing the durability OF our popular institute
-tions, and given renewed assurance that
our Liberty and our Union may subsis'
together Tor the teneft Of this and sue
ceeding generations.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
Washington, December 2, 1851.