The Aliened American., 1853-04-09

ton of the UnitedsStates.
The great schene of our constitutional
liberty rests upone proper distribution of
power between theState and Federal au-
thorities, and experience has shown that the
harmony and happiness of our people must
depend upon US discrimination between
the separate rights and responsibilities of
States and your common rights and respon
sibilities of States and your common rights
and obligations urKer the general Govern
ment; and here inmy opinion, are the con.
slderations which should form the true
basis of future cNcord in regard to the
| questions which hive most seriously dis
turbed public tranquility. If the Federal
Government will 0nfne itself to the exer-
else of powers clearly granted by the con-
stitution, it can hlrdIy happen that its ac-
ton upon any question should endangcr
the institutions oi the States, or interfere
with their right to manage matters strictly
domestic according to the will of their own
people
In expressing briefly my views upon an
important subject which has recently agita-
ted the nation to almost fearful degree, |
am moved by no other impulse than the
most earnest desire for the perpetuation of
that Union which las made Us what we are
| showering upon ssings, and conferring
power and influsse, which our fathers
could hardly have anticipated even with
their sanguinc hopes directed to far off
future. The sentiments | now announce
were not unknown before the expression
of the voice which called me here. Ny
own position upon this subject was clear
and unequlvocal upon the records of my
words and my acts, and it is only rccurred
to at this time, because silence might per-
haps be misconstrped. With the Union
my best and dearest earthly hopes are en-
deared Without it, what are they, indi-
vidually or collectively? What becomes.
of the noblest felp ever opened for the
advancement of our race IN religion, in
government, in thesarts, and in all that Dig
nifes and adorns mankind'
From that radiant constellation which
both illumines our Way and points out to
struggling nations ther course let but a
single star be lost, aid if there be not utter
dark ness, the lustrd of the whole is dim
: Do my countrymen aeed any assurance that
such a catastrophe IS not to take place while
| possess the powertto stay it? 1t is with
me an earnest and Vital belief that AS the
Union has been the source, under Proyl-
dence, Of our prosperity to this time, so il
is the surest pledge of a continuance of the
blessings we have enjoyed and which we
are sacredly bound to transmit to our chill
dren. The field of calm and free discussion
in our country is open and will always be
so, but it never has been, and never can be
traversed for good in a spirit of sectonalisn
and uncharitableness. The founders of th
republic dealt with things as they were pre-
sented to them, III aspirlt Of self sacrificing
patriotism, ana as time has proved, with
comprehensive wisdom, which ii wiIlalway
be safe for us TO consult.
Every measure tending to strengthen
the fraternal feelings of all the members c
our union has had my heart felt appreciation
To every theory Of society or government
whether the offspring Of feyerish ambition
or morbid enthusiasgAcaf fcnlated b dissoss
the bonds Of law and affection, | shall in
terpose ready and stern resistance
believe that involuntary service as it exist
in different States Of the confederacy i
recognized by the constitution ! beEey
that it stand3 HkE any other admitted right
and that the States where it exists are en-
titled to efficient remedies to enforce tn
constitutional provisions. | hold that tn
laws of 1850, commonly called the compro
mise measures are strictly constitutional
and should be carried into effect | believ
that constituted authorities of this republic
are bound to regard the rights Of the Soutl
in this respect as they would view an,
other legal and constitutional right, ant
that the laws to enforce them should b.
respected and obeyed, not with reluctance
encouraged by abstract opinions as to thei
proprety in different state of society, bu
cheerfullv and according 10 the decision
of the tribunals 10 which their exposition
belongs. Such have been and are my
convictions and upon them | shall ACT
! feryently hope that the question is a
rest, and that no sectional, or ambitious, o.
fanatical excitement may again threaten the
durability of our institutions, or obscure
the light of our prosperity. But let not tho
! foundations Of our hopes rest upon man:
wisdom. 1t will not be sufficient that the
rash councils Of human passion are rejected
1t must be felt that there is no security bu
in the nations humbly acknowledged de-
pendence in God and bis over-ruling prQvi
dence. We have been carried in safety
brought perilous crisis by wise council,
like those which gave us a constitutional
privilege to upheld it. Let the period be
remembered as an admonition, and not as
an encouragement in any section of the
Union to make experiment where expert
ments are fraught with such fearful hazard
Let it be impressed upon all hearts that
beautiful as our fabric is, no power or WIS
dom could ever re-unite its broken frag.
rnents. Standing assI-7'Sl0 almost within
view Of the green slopes OF Monticello, and
as it were within reach of the tomb OF
Washington, with all the choicest memo
ries of the past gathering r0unu me like so
many eloquent voices of exhortation from
Heaven, | can express no better hope for
my country than that the kind Providence
which smiled upon our fathers may enable
their children to preserve the blessings they
have inherited.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.
| CoRBETT IN Nxw YoRK,-"I rambled
about the city, in order that I might not
neglect seeing every phrt Of it; and in
passing through Pearl street a stationer's
/ cbpt, than 1ol r. Al. Il - y