Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-03-12

wuiIe L POSSESS Tue power 10 stay III IL
is with me an earnest aud vital belief, that
as the Union has been the source, under
Providence, of our prosperity to this time,
SO it Is the surcst pied ge Of u continuance
ofthc blessings We have enjoyed, ,and which
We are sacredly bound to transmit undi-
mlnlshed to our children. The field of
calm and free discussion in our country is
open, aud will always be so, but never has
been and never can be traversed for good
in a spirit Of sectiOnalism and uncharita-
blcness. The founders of the republic
dealt with things as they were presented
to tht III, in spirit of self-sacrlticing pa
triotism, and, as time has proved, with a
comprehensive wisdom, which it will al
ways be safe for US to consult. Every
measure, tending to strengthen the frater-
nal feelings of all the members of our
Union has had my heartfelt appreciation.
To every theory of society or government,
whether the offspring of feverish ambition
or Of morbid enthusiasm, calculated to dis
solve the bonds of law and affection which
unite us, l shall inter, ose ready and
stern resistance. | believe that involun-
tary servitudc, as it exists in different States
of this contederacy, is recognised by the
Constitution. / believe that it stands like
any other admitted right, aud that the
States where it exists are entitled to eff
cient remedies to enforce the constitution
al provisions. hold that the laws of
1850, commonly called the compromise
measures" are strictly constitutional, and
to be unhesitatingly carried into effect. |
believe hat the constituted authorities of
this Republic are bound to regard the
rights of the South in this respect, as they
would view any other legal and constitu-
tiOnal right, and that the laws to enforce
them should be respected and obeyed, not
with reluctance encouraged by abstract
opinions as to their propriey y in a different
state of society, but cheerfully, and ac-
cording to the decisions of the tribunal to
which their exposition belongs. Such have
been and are my convictions, and upon
them | shall act. | ferven;ly hope that
the quesiian is at rest, aud that no section
al, or ambitious, or fanatical excitement
may again threaten the durability of our
institutions, or obscure the light of our
prosperity.
But let not the foundation of our hope
rest upon mans wisdom. 1t will not be
sufficient that sectional prejudces find no
place IN the public deliberations. 1t will
not be sufficient that the rash counsels Of
human passion are rejected. 1t must be
felt that there is no national security but
in the nations humble, acknowledged de-
pendcnce upon God and his overruling
Providence
We have been carried in safety through
pcriious crisis. Wise counsels, like those
which gave us the constitution, prevailed
to uphold it. Let the period be remem-
bercd as an adnoniton, and not as an en-
couragemen', in any section of the Union,
to make experiments where experiments
are fraught with such fearful hazard Let
it be impressed upon all hearts, that beau
tiful as our f4bric is, 30 earthly power or
wisdom could ever re-uni;e its broken frag-
rents. Standing as | DO almost within
view Of the green slopes of Monticello, and,
as it were, within reach Of the tomb Of
Washington, with all the cherished mem
ores of the past gathering around me, like
81 many eloquent voices of cxhortation
from Heaven, | can express no better hope
for my country, than that TIE kind Provi-
dcnce which smiled upon our fathers may
enable their children to preserve the bles-
sings they have inherited
FRANK. PIERCE.