The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-03-10
NO. 1913.

=, ,ot inter darkness, the lustre OF the whole
y. W Jmmed. Do my countrymen need any as
i .sonce that such catastrophe is not TO over
s"ls them while possess the power to stay il {!
70 = With me an earnest and vital belief that
~ tho Union has been the source, under Provi
80 of our prosperity 10 this time, 10 il ia the
Isl nledge of a continuance of the blessings
s s~a have enjoyed, and which we are sacredly
S w. TO transmit undiminished to our chill
Ian The field of calm and free discussion in
onr country is open, and will always be 30; but
!, never has been and never can be traversed
Gar good in spirit of sectionalism and un-
cLaritableness The founders of the Republic
dsalt with things as they were presented to
chem. in spirit Of self-sacrifcing patriotism,
and as time has proved, with comprehensive
wisdom. which it will always be safe tor US 10
consult. Every measure tending to strengthen
Tho fraternal feelings Of all the members Oh our
Union has had my heartfelt appreciation 1
seerv theory Of society or government, wnetne, !,
ths 5ffspring of feverish ambition or OF morpla
"ntbus;asm calculated to dissolve the bonds oil
lac and affection which unite us, ! shaii inter-
nose a ready and stern resistance ! Deneve
hat involuntary servltude, as IL exists IN Jul,
c,rant States of this Confederacy, Is recognised
To- ho Consultation. | believe that 1t stands
ny snv other admitted right, and that the
So ybere IL exists are entitled 10 ehcien'
'o5;os m enforce the constitutional Prov
80 I hold that the laws OF 1850, commonly
oaIIsd the q Compromise measures, are strict
- constitntiopal and to be unhesitatingly
.;od into effect. | believe that the con-
Os;,ntsd authorities of this Republic are bound
o. rarard the rights of the South in this respect
a. thew would view any other legal and constl
t,,;onsl right, and that the laws to enforce
tbsm should be respected and obeyed, not with
reluctance encouraged by abstract opinions
- % their propriety IN different state of so
o;stv hut cheerfully, and according to the de-
o;s;ops Of the tribunal to which their exposition
holougs Such have been and are my convic
.ons and mon them shall act. | fervently
hone that the question is at rest, and that n,
aoot;onal or ambitious or fanatical excitement
nav again threaten the durability Of our insti
tut;ons or obscure the light Of our prosperity.
Rut let not the foundations of our hope rest
man mans wisdom 1t will not be sufficient
that sectional prejudices find no place in the
nnbEe deliberations 1t will not be sufficient
that the rash counsels Of human passion are
ra;seted Ii must be felt that there is no ma
t6na security but in the nations humbled, &C
knowledged dependence upon God and Hi
oVeruling Providence.
We have been carried in safety through q
perilous crisis Wise counsels, like those which
gave US the Constitution, prevailed to uphold it
Let the period be remembered as an admoni
ton, and not As an encouragement, in any sec
ton of the Union, to make experiments where
experiments are iraught with such fearful haz
ard. Let it be impressed upon all hearts, tina
beautiful as our fabric il, no earthly power oil
wisdom could ever reunite its broken fabrics
Standing, as | do, almost within view of thu
green slopes of Monticello, and, as it were
within reach of the tomb of Washington with
all the cherished memories Of the past gather
ing around me, like 80 many eloquent voices o
exhortation from Heaven, can express no bet
ter hope for my country than that the kline
Providence which smiled upon our fathers may
enable their children to preserve the blessing
they have inherited.