The Nevada journal., 1852-01-15

and in transmitting the certificates re-
quired By law.
The Indians in California, who had
previously appeared of peaces bio cha
racter' and disposed to cultiynto the
friendship of the whites, have recently
committed several acts Of hostility. Az
large portion Of the reinforcemens
sent to the Mexican frontier were drawn
from the Pacific, the militrNy force now
stationed there is considered entirely
inadequate 10 its defence. 1t cannot be
increased, however, without an increase
Of the army; and again recommend
that measure as indispensable 70 the pro-
lection of the frontier
The act of Congress for the return of
fugitives from labor 10 one required and
demanded BY the express words Of tho
constitution.
Some objections have been urged
against the details of the act for the
return of fugtives from labor, but it 10
worthy Of remark that the main opposi-
tion is aimed against the constitution
itself, and proceeds from persons many
Of whom declare their wish to see thas
constitution overturned. They avow
their hostility to any law which shall
give full and practical effect to this re-
quirement Of the constitution. Fortu-
na.rly, the number Of these persons il
comparatively small, and is believed to
be daily diminishiAg, but the issue
which they present is one which in
wolves the supremacy and even the ez-
istence Of the constitution.
Gases hsvo heretofore arisen in which
individuals have denied the binding
authority Of acts Of Congress- and even
States have proposed to nullify such
acts, upon the ground that the consii
tuition Was the supreme law OF the land
and that those acts Of Congress were
repugnant to that instrument but null
lihcation is now aimed, not so much
against particular laws as being incon-
sistent with the constitution, MS agains,
the constitution itself; and it is not to
be disguised that spirit e1isfs and has
been actively at work to rend asunder
this Union, which is our cherished in
heritance from our revolutionary tn-
theirs.
In my last annual message stated
that considered the series Of measure.
which had been adopted at the pscviou.
session, in reference to the agitation
growing out of the territorial and sln-
very questions, rs q final settlement in
principal and substance Of the danger.
GUS and exciting subjects which they
embraced; and | recommended adhe--
renee to the adjustment established by
those measures, until time and eXpc-
rience should demonstrate the necessity
of further legislation to guard against
evasion or abuse. was not induced 10
make this recomm endation because |
thought those measures perfect, f,r M
human legislation can be perfect. Wide
differences and jar'ing opinions can onl V.
be reconciled by yielding something on
nil sieds, and this result bad been
reached after an angry conflict ci many
months, in which one part Of tho coun-
try was arrayed against another. and
violent convulsion seemed to be immi-
nent. Looking nt the interests of the
whole country. felt it my duty to seizc
upon this compromise as the best shas
could be obtained amid conflicting in.
terests, and to insist upon it NJ n final
settlement to be adhered to by ell who
value the peace and welfare of tho
country. A year has now elapsed since
that recommendation wns made. To
that recommendation still adhere, ana
congratulate you and the country upon
the general acquiescence in these n,-n =
sures of peace, which has been exhibit
ed in all parts Of the republic. And nor
only is there this general acquiescencs
in these measures, but the spirit Of con.
ciliation which has been manifested in
regard to them in all parts Of the coun-
try, has removed doubts ard uncertain
ties in the minds of thousands of g,v,.l
men concerning the durability of our
popular institutions, and given renewed
assurance that our liberty and our
Union may 'ubsist together for the ben.
eft of this and all succeeding genera
tions.