Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-12-11

foundation As that clause which provides for the
return OF The fugitive from Justice, or that which
declares that no bill Of attainaer, or ex-post
iae'o law, shall be passed, or that which pro.
saass tor an equality Of taxation to the census,
or the clause declaring that all duties shal be
uniform throughout the United States, or The
important provision. that the trial Of all crimes
shall be by jury.
These several articles and claims Of tho Con.
stltnt'on, all resting on the same authority, must
s'ana or TAU together Some objections have
been urged against the details Of the act for the
return OF tag'llves from labor, but it is worthy
OIL remark that the main opposition is aimed
asa'os. tue consultation itself aud proceeds from
persons, and classes of persons, MANY Of whom
declare their wish to see that Constitution over
turned they ayow their hostility to any law
which shall give full and practical effect 10 this
requirement of the Constitution. Fortunately.
the number of these persons is comparatiyeIy
sma,i, and Is believed to be daily diminishing:
OUT ,he issue which they pressAt is one which
Oh the Constitution.
Gases have heretofore arisen in which indiyd
asis have denied the binding authority of acts
OF Congress, aud even States have proposed 10
MUMMY such acts, upon the ground that the Con.
sttution was the supreme law of the land, and
mat those acts Of Congress We're rcpucnant to
that instrument. But qualification is not aimed
consistent with thu Constitution. as against the
Constitution itself; and il is not to be disguised,
that spuu exists, and has been actually at
Work. 10 rend assunder this uaiou-the cherish
Ell inheritance OF our Revolutionary Fathers.
III my last annual message, stated that con.
sidsrea series OF measures which had been
adopted at a previous session, in reference To
the agitation growing out of the Territorial and
Slasery questions, as final settlement in prnci-
pie and substance, OF the dangerous and exciting
SUBJECTS which they embrace aud recommends
ed a herence to the adjustment established by
these measures, until time and experience should
demonstrate the necessity Of further legislation
70 guard against evasion or against abuse. was
not induced to make this recommendation be-
cause thought those measures perfect. for no
human legislation can be perfect. Wide differ.
snces aud Earring OF opinions can only DO recon-
cted By yielding on all sides; and this result had
been reached after an angry conflict of many
months, IA which one part OF the country was
arrayed against another, and violent CONFUSION
seemed to be imminent. Looking at the inter-
ests OF the whole country; felt il to be nv
duty 10 seize upon this Compromise, as the best
that could be obtained amid conflicting interests,
anu TO insist upon it as a final settlement. to be
adhered to, by all who value the peace aud vel
fare OF the country.
yeM has now elapsed since that recon-
mendahon was made. To that recommsnaa-
ton, still adhere, and congratulate you aud
the country upon the general acqulesence in
thess measures of peace, which has been ex-
h'hited in all parts of the Republic. And no,
only is there tins general aeqaiescence in these
measures, but the spirit Of cancellation which
has been manifest in all parts OF the country.
has removed doubts aud uncertainties in the
minds oil thousands OF good men, concerning
the durability of our popular Institutions, and
given assurance that our Liberty aud our Union
may suhsist together, for the benefit oil this aud
all succeeding generations.
WILLARD FILLMORE.
WASHINGTON, Decemaer J, 1851.