Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-03-09

Of these objects and as occu-
pancy can confer no prerogatiye, nor lmpor-
tunate desire for prefeInent any claim, the
public interest imperativeIy demands that they
be considered with sole reference to the duties
to be performed. Good citizens may well
claim the protection of good laws and the be-
nign influence of good government; but
claim for Office is what the people of a repub-
lie should never recognize. No reasonable
man of any party will expect the Admins
tration to be soregardless of its responsibility,
and of the obvious elements of success, as to
retain persons, known to be under the lnfiu-
ence Of political hostility and partisan preJu-
dice, in positions which will require not only
severe labor, but cordial cooperation. Hav-
ing no implied engagements to Iatify, no re-
wards to bestow, no resentments to remem-
Der, and no personal wishes to consult, in Sc
lections for official station, shall fulfill this
difficult and delicate trust, admitting no mo-
tive as worthy either of my character or po-
sition which does not contemplate an efficient
discharge of duty and the best interests Of
my country. / acknowledge my obligations
to the masses Of my countrymen, and to them
alone. Higher objects than personal aggran-
dizement gave direction and energy to their
exertions in the late canvass, and they shall
not be disappointed. They require at my
hands diligence, integrity ,and capacity, where
ever there arc duties to be performed. With
out these qualities in their public servants,
more stringent laws for the prevention or pun
shment of fraud, negligence, and speculation
will be vain. With them, they will be un-
necessary. =
But these are not the only points to which
you look for ,igilant watchfulness. The dam
gers ola concentration of all power in the
General Government of confederacy so vast
az ours are too obvious to be disregarded.--
You have right, therefore, to expect your
agents. in every department, to regard strict
tly the limits imposed upon them by the Con
sitution Of the United States. The great
schemes ofour constitutional liberty rests up
on proper distribution of power between the
Stata and Federal authorities aud expert
ence has shown that the harmony and happi
ness Of our people mus. depend upon just
discrimination between the seperate rights
and responsibilities of the States ans your
common rights and obligations under the
General Government. And here, in my cpin-
ion, are the considerations which should form
the true basis Of future concord in regard to
the questions which have most seriously dis
turbed public tranquility If the Federal
Government will confne itself to the exercise
of powers clearlo granted by the Constitution.
it Gan hardly happen that its action upon any
question should eneanger the institutions Of
the States, or interfere with their right to
matters strictly domestic according
to the will of their own people
In expressing briefly my views upon an i'm
portant subject which has recently agitated
the nation to almost fearful degree. l am
moved by no other impulse than most earn
est desire for the perpetuation of that Union
which has made US what we are, showeriny
upon us blessings, and comforting power
ard influence which our fathers could hardly
nave anticipated, even with their most san
yuine hopes directed to far off future. The
sentiments now announce~S=sSe Vot unknown
,efore the expression of the voice which called
ne here. My own position upon this subject
vas clear aud unequivocal, upon the rec ord
If my words and my acts; aud it is-ohly re-
cured to at this time because silence might
DO misconstrued. With the Union my best
earthly hopes are entwined. Without it,
what are we, individually or collectively p
w hat becomes Of the noblest field ever opened
for the advancement of our race, ia religion,
in government, in the arts, and in all that
digui6es and adorns mankind? From that
radient constellation, which both illumines
our own way and points out to struggling ma
tions their course, let but single star be lost
and, if there be not utter darkness, the lus-
tire of the whole is dmmed. Do my coun-
trymen need any assurance that such ca
is not to oyertake them while pos
sess the power to stay it p? 1t is with me an
earnest and vital belief, that ss the Union
has been the source, under Prov dence, of
our prosperity to this time, SO it is the surest
pledge OF the continuance Of the blessings we
have enjoyed, and which we are sacredly bound
to transmit unhminished to our children
The field of calm aud 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 spirit of sectionalism and un-
The founders of the Repub
lie dealt with things, as they were presented
to them, in spirit Of self sacrificing patriot
Ism, and as time has proved, with compre
heusivc wisdom which it will always be safe
for US to consult Every measure tending to
strengthen the fraternal feelings of all the
members of our Union has had my heartfelt
appreciation. 10 every theory of society or
government. whether the offspring OF feverish
ambition or of morbid enthusiasm, calculated
to dissolve the bonds of law and affection
which unite US. shall in.erpose ready and
stern resistance believe that involuntary
servitude, as it exists in different States Of
this confederacy, is recognised by the Con-
stitution. | believe that it stands like any
other admitted right, aud that the States
where it exists are entitled TO efficient reme-
dies to enforce the constitutional provisions.
hold that the laws OF 1850, commonly called
the Compromise Measures, are strictly con-
stitutional, and to be unbesitaptly carried iu-
to effect. believe that the constituted au-
thorities of this Republic are bound to re.
gard the rights Of the South in this respect
as they would view any other legal and con-