Southern standard. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1851-1856, 1853-03-12

In expressing my views on an Important SUBJECT
which has recently agitated the nation 70 almost
fearful degree, / am moved by no other Impulse than
most earnest desire for the pepetuatlon Of that Un-
ion which has made us what we are; showering upon
as blessings and comforting power and influence
which our fathers could hardly have anticipated, even
with their most sangune hopes directed to It in the
fur of future. The sentiments now announce were
not unknown before the expression of the voice which
called me here Myown position upon the subject
was clear and unequiyoca upon the record-my words
and my actsand it is only required to at this time be-
cause silence might perhaps be misconstfued. With
the Union, my best and dearest earthly hopes
listed. Without it what are we, individually or col
ectively! What becomes of the noblest field ever
opened for the advancement of our race in religion in
in the arts and in all that dignihes and
adorns mankind From that radiant constellation
which both umes our way, and points out to
struggling nations their course, but let single star
be lost and if there be not utter darkness the lustre of
the whole is dimmed. Do my countrymen need any
assurance that such catastrophe is not to overtake
them while possess the power to stay it, 1t is with
me an earnest and vital belief that the Union has
been the under providence OF our prosperity to
this time, so is it pledge of continuance of the
blessings we have enjoyed and which we are sacredy
bound to transmit undimnished to our children. The
field Of free and calm discussion in country is Open
and will always be So but it has never been and
er can be traversed for good in spirit of sectional
! ism and unchartableness. The founders of the Re-
public dealt with things as they were presented to
time has proved with comprehensive wisdom, which
it will always be safe for to consult Every meas
ure tending to strengthen the raternal feeling of all
the members of our Union, has had my heartfelt ap-
probation.
To every theory of society or government, whether
the offspring of feverish ambition, of morbid enthu-
sasm calculated to dissolve the bonds Of love and a
lection which unite US, shall nterpose ready and
stern resistance believe that involuntary servtude
as it exists in different States of this conederacy is
nv fha I bpli
like all other admitted rights and that the States where
it exists entitled to efficient remedies to enforce
the constitutional provisions believe that the laws
commonly called the Compromise of 1850, strictly
CONSTITUTIONAL and to be carried into effect be-
eve that the constituted authorities of this Republic
bound to regard the rights of the South in this
spect they would view any other legal and constitu
tonal rights and that the laws enforce them should
be respected and obeyed not with reluctance encour
aged by abstract opinions to their proprety in diff
ferent state of society," but cheerfuy and according
the decisions of the tribunal to which their exposition
belongs. Such have been, and now, my convic
tons, and upon themI shall act. l ervently hope
that the question is at rest, and that sectional
ambitious fanatical excitement may again threaten thu
durability of Institutions obscure the light
our prosperity But let the foundation of our hope
rest upon mans wisdom.
q 1t will not be sufficient, that sectional preudces fn
place in the public deberation twill not be SUI
fcent that the rash counses of human passion are re
jected 1t must be felt that there is no national secu
rty but in the nations humble acknowledgment upol
God and his everything Providence. We have BEEF
carried in safety through perious crisis. Wise coun
sels like those which gave the constitution, prevail
ed to uphold it. Let the period be remembered as al
admonition, and not encouragement i'll any sec
ton of the Union to make experiments where expert
ments fraught with such fearful hazard. Let it b
impressed upon all hearts that beautiful our fabri
is, no earthly power wisdom could reunite it
/ broken fragments. Standing as do almost in viev
of the green slopes of Monticello and it were with
in reach of the tomb of Washington, with all tn
cherished memories of the past gathering around IN
like so many eloquent voices of expostulation fror
Heaven, can express no better hope for my countr
! than that the kind Providence which smiled upon GU
fathers may enable their children preserve the bless
ings they have inherited.