Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-03-10

all that dignifies and adorns mankind?-
From that radiant constellation, which both
illumines our own way aud points cut to
struggling nations their course, let but a sim
gle star be lost, and, IL there be not utter
darkness, the lustre of the whole is dimmed.
DO my countrymen need any assurance that
such catastrophe is not 10 overake them,
while possess The power 10 stay IL?
| IL is with me an earnest and vital belief,
that as The Union has been the source, under
Providence Of our prosperity. 10 this time, so
II is the surest pledge Of a continuance OF the
| blessings we have enjoyed. and which we
are sacredly bound 10 transmit undIminlshed
| 10 our children The field Of cain and free
discussion in our country is open, and will
always be so, but il never has been and new
er can be traversed for good in spirit OF
sectsOnaiism and Observation-Disclosures. tt
The founders Of the Republic dealt with
things as they were presented 10 them, IN
spirit of self-sacrificing patriotism, and as
time has proved, with a comprehensive WIS
dom, which il will always be safe for us 10
consult. Every measure tending 10 strength
en- the traternal feelings of all the members
OF our Union has had my heartfelt approba-
ton. 10 every theory or society or govern
ment, whether the offspring Of ieverish ambi-
ton or Of morbid enthusiasm, calculated TO
dissolve tho bonds Of law and affection which
unite us, shall interpose ready and stern
resistance.
l believe the involuntary servitude, as It
exists in different States of this confederacy,
is recognized by The Constitution. believe
u stands like any other admitted right, and
that the States where il exists, are entitled 10
efficient remedies 10 enforce the constitution
al provisions. | hold that the laws of 1850,
commonly called the 'cOmpromse meas
ures," are strictly constitutional, and 10 be
unhestanngly carried into effect.
believe that the constituted authorities
of this Republic are bound 10 regard the
rights of The South in this respect, as they
would view any other legal and constitution
al right, and that the laws to enforce them
should be respected aud obeyed, not with n
reluctance encouraged by abstract opinions
as to their proprieIy in different state Of So
ciety, but cheerlully and according TO the de-
cisiOn of the tribunal 10 which their exposi-
ton belongs. Such have been, and are, my
convictions, and upon them | shall act. j
fervenlly hope that the question is al rest,
and that no sectional, or ambitious or ianat-
cal excitement may again threaten the dura-
billty OF orr institutions, or obscure the light
OF our prosperity.
But let not the foundation Of our hope rest
upon mans wisdom. Ii will not be su(li-
cienr uhae sectional prejudices find no place
in the public deIiberation. 1t will not be
sufficient that the rash counsels Of human
passion are rejected. Il must he felt, that
there is no national security but in the ma
TONS humble, acknowledged dependence
upon God and Ills overriding providence.
We have been carried safely through
perilous crisis. Wise counsels, like those
which gave us The Constitution, prevailed to
uphold il. Let the period be remembered
as an ndmonilion, and not as an encourage
ment, i'll any section of The Union, TO make
experiments where experiments are fraught
with such fearful hazard. Let il be i'm
pressed upon all hearts, that beautiful as our
fabric is, no earthly power or wisdom could
ever re-unlte its broken fragments. Stand.
ing as do, almost within view Of the green
slopes of Monticello and, as it were,
within reach of the tomb Of Washington,
with all of the cherished memories of the
past gathering around me, like so many elo-
quent voices Of exhortati1n from Heaven, |
can express no better hope for my country
than shat the kind Providence which smiled
upon our Fathers, may enable their children
10 preserve the blessings they have inherited.