Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1853-03-10

garded You have a right therefore a right to
expect from your agents III every department 10
regard strictly the limits imposed upon them by
the constitution. The great scheme of our con
stituonal liberty rests upon proper distribution
OF power between the State and Federal author
ties, and experience has shown that the harmony
and happiness of our people must depend upon
strict disconnecton between the separate rights
and responsibilities OF the states, and your com
mon rights and obligations under the General
Government; and here in my opinion are the
considerations which should form the basis of
future concord, in the questions which have most
seriously disturbed public tranquility. II the Fed
eral Government will conine itself 10 the exer-
else of the powers clearly granted by the consti-
tuition, II hardly beiall that its action upon
any question should endanger the interests OF the
States, or interfere with their rights to manage
matters strictly domestic, according to the wish
of their own people.
In expressing briefly my views upon an impOr-
tant subject which agitated the nation TO almost a
fearful degree, / am moved by other impulse
than the most earnest desire for the perpetuation
of that union which has made us what we are -
shOwering upon US the blessings and comforting
I power and influence which fathers could
hardly have anticipated, even with their most
sanguine hopes directed to a tar off future
The sentiments | now announce were not I'M
known before the expression of voice which call
ed me here. My own position upon this subject
was clear and unequivocal, upon the record OF my
words and my acts, and is required to at this
time because silence might perhaps be miscon-
strued. With the Union, my best and dearest
earthly hopes are entertained Without 1t, what
they individually collectively What be-
comes of the nobest field ever opened for advance
ment of our race in relation to Government, in
the Arts, and in all that dignhes and adorns man
kind. From that radiant constellation which
both ilumes our way, and points out to
struggling nations their course, let but a single
star be lost and if there be not then darkness the
lustre of the whole is dim. Do my countrvmen
need any assurance that such a catastrophe Is not
to overtaSe them, while / possess the power to
stay it 1t is with me, an earnest and vital be-
lief, that as the Union has been the source under
Providence, OF our prosperity 10 this time 1t is
the surest pledge of continuance of the blessings
we have enjoyed, and which we are sacredly
bound TO transmit undiminished to cur children.
The field of calm and free discussion in our couu-
try is open and will always be so, but it never
has been and never can be traversed nor governed
in a spirit Of sectonalism and uncharitableness
The founders OF the Republic dealt with things
as they presented to them in a spirit of self
sacrifcir patriotism, and as time has proved with
a comprehensive wisdom which ii will ALWAYS be
safe for us TO consult Every measure tending
to strengthen the raternal feelings OF all the mem
bClS VI tttC Ctloti Has lsil NY
ton. To every theory of society or government.
whether the offspring Of ieverish ambition, or of
morbid enthusiasm, calculated TO dissolve the
bonds of love and affection, which unite US shall
lnterpose a ready and stern resistance ] believe
that involuntary seryitude as il exists in different
States of this country, IS recognized by the Con
stitution. believe il stands like any other adj
ministEatiye right and that the States where it
exists entitled to efficient remedies to enforce
the Constitutional provisions | hold that the
. law of 1880, commonly called the compromise
mC asure IS strictly Constitutional and should be
carried into effect l believe the constituted au-
thorities OF this Republic are bound to regard
the rights OF the South in this respect as they
would view any other legal and Constitutional
right, and that the laws to enforce them should
be respected and obeyed, not with eluctauce
encouraged by abstract opinions as 10 their pro
prety in different state of society, but cheerful
ly ana according to the tribunal to which their
exposition belongs. Sucl have been and are my
convictions, and upon these | shall act ! fondy
hope that the question is at rest and that section
al, or ambitious, or ianatiCal excitement may not
again threaten the durability of our Institutions
or obscure the light of our prosperity But let
not. the foundation of our hopes rest on mans
wisdom. 1t will not be sufficient that sectional
prejudices find no place in the public deliberations
it will not be sufficient that the rash coun-
ellis of human passions are rejected it must be
humble acknowledgement of dependence upon
God and his oyerruling Providence.
We have been carried in safety through great
crisis. Wise councils, like those which gave us
Constitution, will enable US to uphold it. Let
the period be remembered as an admoniton, and
not as an encouragement in any section of the
Union 10 make an experiment fraught with such
fearful hazard Let II be impressed upon all
hearts, that beautiful as Union Is, no earthly
power or wisdom could ever re-unite its broken
fragments.
Standing, as I do, almost within view OF the
Green Slopes of Monticello, and, as it were, with
in reach of the tomb of Washington, with all
the cherished memories of the past generation
around me, like so many eloquent voices OF ex-
hortation from Heaven, can express no better
hope for my country, than that the kind Provi-
dence which smiled upon our Fathers, may enable
their children to preserve the blessings they have
inherited. FRANKLIN PIERCE
From, tho CaIapa A1y-rrtisar