Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-12-11

and Judicial departments of the govern
ment. and upon every citizen of the Uni
ted States Congress, however. from neces-
sity, first acted upon this subject, by pres
cribiDg the proceedings to ascertain that
the person claimed is fugitive, and the
means TO be used for his restoration TO
the claimant
This was done done by an act passed
during the first term of President Wash
ington. which was amended by that enac-
ted BY the last Congress, and 1t LOW re-
mains by the Executive and Judicial de-
partments to be faithfully executed. The
injunction of the Constitution is as per-
emptory and as binding as any other
1t stands exactly on the same foundation
as that clause which provides for the re-
turn of fugitives from justice, or that
which declares that no bill of attainder
or er post tact0 law shall be passed, or
that which provides for equality in the
taxation according to the census, or the
census. or the clause declaring that duties
shall be uniform throughout the United
States. or the important provision that the
trial of all criminals shall be by jury
These several articles and clauses of the
Constitution, ali resting on the same au-
thority, must stand or fall together.
Some objections have been urged a
gainst the details of the act for the return
of fugitives from labor, but is worthy of
remark that the main opposition is aimed
against the constitution itself, and pro
ceeds from persons and classes of persons.
many OF whom declare their wish to-see
that constitution overturned They avow
their hostility to any laws which shall give
full and practical effect to the require
ments of the constitution. Fortunately
the number of these persons is compare
lively small, and is believed to be daily
diminishing; but the issue which they
present is one which involves the supre-
macy, and even the existence of the CON
stitution
Cases have heretofore arisen in which
individuals have denied the binding au-
thority of acts Of Congress, and even have
proposed to nullify such acts, upon the
ground that the Constitution was the SUI
preme law of the land, and these acts Of
Congress were repugnant to that instru-
ment But notification Is net armed so
consistent with the Constitution as against
the Constitution itself. aud it is not to be
disguised that spirit exists and has been
actively at work, TO rend asunder the Uu-
ion, which is our cherished inheritance
from our revolutionary fathers
In my last annual message | stated that
l considered the series of measures which
had been adopted at the previous session.
In reference to the agitation growing ont
Of the Territorial and Slavery questions.
as a final settlement, in principle and SUB
stance. of the dangerous and exciting sub
ject which they embraced. and / recon-
mended adherence to the adjustment es-
tablished bv those measures, until time
and experience should demonstrate the
necessity of further legislation to guard
against evasion, or abuse
| was not Induced 20 make this recon-
mendation because those measures were
perfect, for no human legislation can be
perfect Wide differences and Earring
opinions can only be reconciled By yield
ing something on all sides, aud this result
had been reached after an angry conflict
Of many months, III which one part
Of the country was arrayed against an0th-
er, and violent commissions seemed TO be
imminent
Looking at. the interest OF the whole
country. | felt it TO be my duty 10 sicze
upon this compromise rs the best that
could be obtained among conflicting inter
ests. and to insist upon 1t as final one. 10
be adhered to by ali who value the pros
perity and welfare Of the country.
A year has now elapsed since that re-
COMMUNICATION was made To that recon-
incubation | still adhere. and I congratu-
late you and the country upon tie geuer-
al acquiesence in these measures Of peace
which has been exhibited in all parts Of
the Republic and not only is there a gen
eral acquiescence in these measures, but
the spirit Of Cancellation. which has been
manifested in regard to them. in all parts
Of the country, has removed doubts and
uncertainties in the minds Of thousands
Of good men, concerning the durability of
our popular institutions. and given renew
ed assurance that our liberties and our
Union may subsist together, for the bene-
fit of this and all succeeding generations
WILLARD FILLMORE.