The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-08-02

RALEIGH, July 26, 1851.

RALEIGH, July &c, 1851.
GRNTLEAgN deeply regret that the necessity
of pursuing my journey, my return to Wash
ington, with all convenient despatch, denies the
pleasure of accepting your very kind and obliging
invitation, in behalf of my friends in Raleigh, to
| public dinner. !, however, beg those by whom il
s rendered to be assured that received it as a new
manifestation of their friendly regard, and of the
| hospitality of community towards which shall
ever cherish grateful recollection, not merely on
account of the kind offices Of good neighborhood
experienced during my residence among them,
but Of social intercourse which dates back almost
to my boyhood. and enrols among the citizens oil
Raleigh many of my most esteemed and trusted
friends. To retain their good opinion will be to
me always among the comforts of life, as well as
an assurance that whatever my fortune may be-
stow has been obtained by no derogatory or .un-
worthy means.
| You have been pleased, gentlemen, to refer in
terms more complimentary than deserved, to my
humble services in the administration of depart
ment the Government, and in the cause of the
| Constitution and the Union. Called suddenly and
unexpectedly, from the retirement of private life,
to an important and responsible trust at time of
mnch excitement on national affairs, / did not hest
tate to accepta distinction which conceived to be
rendered in my person to the steadfast and loyal
character of my native State rather than to the
qualifications of the individual And if there has
been any thing in the manner of discharging the
| duties of my post which ia at all worthy of the
| commentator in which you indulge, it is attribu
table mainly to the lessons learned in her schools
and some little experience in the conduct of her
affairs.
My leisure will not allow such a presentation of
my views on the present state of the country ms
would be agreeable to me, were it in my power to
meet you as proposed by your invitation. cannot,
however, forbear to say, that in my opinion the
settlement of the vexed questions arising out of the
acquisition of territory from Mexico, and the rea-
tons between the slaveholding and slavehold-
ing States, commonly called the Compromise acts
of 1850, ought to be regarded in all sections as
hnal adjustment, as upon it's faithful Observance
muet mainly depend the peace and quiet of the
country. Wallet Il haE 800 siieeted every thing
which our own section might have insisted on, or
desired, it still, In my Judgment places our pecu-
liar interests under protection than they
have enjoyed for the last twenty years Not to
mention the rejection of the Wilmot proviso from
the Territorial bills Of Utah and New Mexico, by
decisive vote of the House of Representatives after
the long protracted contest year after year, upon
abolition petitions, it was acquisition Of no tri-
the Fugitive Slave law. True il does nothing
more than enforce the covenant of the Constitution
But tits legislative acknowledgment of our righs,
and the provision of sanction for their observ-
ance, such as fear could not have been procured
for many years preceding.
But this is but part Of the benefit. The Judi
cinry of the United States sustains this law in
spirit and intent. The justices and judges, both
of thn oh md inf
where met the responsibilities imposed upon them
by 1t in manner, and with an ability, learn
ing, and fortitude worthy of the disciples and
successors of John Marshall. They have not
only maintained it in execution, but INDICATED il
in elaborate charges to the jures, which they have
caused to be published for general information
we are people of precedents and of habi,ual
reverence for the opinions of the judiciary, under
the high sanctions of official oaths. These judicial
addresses will do far to correct vitated pub
Tic opinion at the North than all the arguments of
statesmen or politicians on the floor of Congress
Nor ID this all. The Executive of the United
States stands ready, in every legally requiring
1t, to bring the military power to the aid of the
civil officer in the execution Of this law. And here
shall not be restrained by any apprehension of
being thought guilty Of adulation by the censorious
few from doing act of justice to the Chief Ma
gistrate Of nation, in bearing my testimony to
The "clearness in his great office, with which he
has trodden the path of duty, in regard to this
statute, without usurpation, ostentaton, or eva
sion, without vanity, fear or reproach. Such CON
current action on the part of every Department of
the Federal Government not only gives to us the
protection of public authority, but cannot but
have salutary effect in bringing back the people
OF the non saveholding States to a sense Of their
abl H. Al
those vino sincere that instead of conscience re-
curing their aid in the escape Of the slave, or a
passive indifference in regard to him, it demands
that they shall give their assistance in all proper
cases for his recapture and surrender. Need add
that large part Of the press, the pulpit, and the
public men of the North at the head of whom stands
the great expounder of the Constitution, are also
on our side in this contest?
While these good influences are at work on our
behalf in the non slaveholding States, and the
Government throws over US the shield Of its pro.
lection, in maintaining the Compromise, it is with
unfeigned regret that perceive in our own sec
ton Of the country some who, while protesting
willingness to abide by it, disparage it in such
terms as to persuade all others do 30; others
who regard it as Of no effect and ready TO re-
agitate the whole subject of slavery Gd intinitln;
while others denounce il most intolerable
grievance, making real casus belii, and iustfyng
revolution of the Government under the name Of
accession.
cannot now discuss these various positions
But 1t cannot escape observation, that the advo-
Gates Of all three of them are most anxious to OBJ
tain recognition of the doctrine that State may
at pleasure secede from the Union, and that after
such declaration Of secession, there is no longer
any power in the Government Of the United
States 10 enforce the laws Of the United States
within our limits. Their anxiety and zeal for this
doctrine in theory places the two classes of per-
sons frat adVerted to in the same category with
the practical secessonist. If the fact be undeni-
able, that one is for immediate secession and ano-