, 1853-04-30

lwinsd. Without il, what are we, individ-
uilly or collectively! What becomes OF
thenoblest field ever op ned for the advance
meat Of our race, in religion, in cavern
ment, in the arts, and in all that dignfes
and adorns mankind; From that radiant
constellation, which both illumines our own
way, ard points out 10 struggling nations
their course, let but star be lost, and II
th.re be not utter darkness, the lustre Of
The whole Is dimm d. Do my oounlrymen
ne d any such as;urlncc that such calas-
trophe is not to o,rltakc them, while ! Toss
srSs the power 10 stay il! II is with me
an earnest and vital belief, that as the Un-
ion has been the source, under Providence,
OF our prosperity 10 this time, so il is the
surest pledge of a continuance Of the bles-
sings We have enjoyed and which we arc
sacreJly bound 10 transmit undiminshcd 10
our children. The field Of calm and FREE
discussion in our country is open. and will
always be 50, but it never has been and
never can be traverscd for good in a spirit
Of seclionalsm and uncliarilabltnesS. The
founders of the Republic dealt with thiugs
as they were presented TO them, in a spirit of
sell-sacri6cing patriotism, and, as time has
proved, with a comprehensive wisdom,
which il will always be safe for US to con-
suit Every measure, lending 10 strength-
on the fraternal feelings of all the members
Of our Union, has had my heartfelt appro-
baton. To every theory of society or gov
ernment, whether the offspring Of feverish
ambition or of morbid enthusiasm, calcula
ted 10 dissolve the bonds OF law and sfEec-'
ton which unite us, | shall interpose a rea-
dy and stern resistance. ! believe that in
voluntary servitudc, as it exists in different
States Of this Confederacy, is recognized by
the Constitution. believe that it stands
like any other admitted right, and that the
States where il exists are entitled to eff
cient remedies to enforce the Constitutional
provisions. hold that the laws Of 1850,
commonly called the "Compromise Meas
ures,'' are strictly Constitutional, and 10 DO
unhesitatngly carried into effect IbelieVei
that the constituted authorities Of tbs Re-
public are bound 10 regard the rights of The
South in this respect, Os they would view
any other legal and Constitutional right, and
that the laws 10 enforce them should be re-
specled and obeyed, not with reluctsnce
encouraged by abstract opinions as to theft
proprieiy in different stale Of society, bot
cheerfully, and according 10 the decisions Of,
the tribunal 10 which their exposition be-
longs. Such have been, and are, my con-
victions, and upon them ] shall act. / fer.
venlly hope that the question is a! rest, and
ihat no sectional, or ambitious, or fanalical
excitement may again threaten the durabil-
ity of our institutions, or obscure the light
Of our prosperity.
But let rot the foundation Of our hop1
rest upon mans wisdom. II will not bo
suficisht that sectional prCjudces find no
place in the public deliberations. II will
not be sufficient that the rash counsels OF
human passion are rejected. ltmust be felt
that there is no national security but in the
nations humble, acknowledged dependence
upon God and his overriding Frogidenee.
We have been carried in safety through
a perilous crisis. Wise counsels, like those
which gave us the Constitution, prevailed
to uphold It. Let the period be remember
cd as an admonition, and not as an encour-
agement 10 any section Of the Union, TO.
make experiments where experiments are
rraught with such fearful hazard. Letitbe.
impressed upon all hearts, that beautiful as
our fabric Is, no earthly power or wisdom
could ever re unite its broken Gsgmen,s.--
Standing, as | do, almost within view Of
the green slopes of Monticello, and, as il
were, within reach of The tomb Of Wash
ington, with all the cherished memories Of
the past gathering around me, like so many
eloquent voices of exhortatiop from Heaven,
] can express no better hope for my country
than that the kind Providence which smiled
upon our Fathers, may enable their children
10 preserve the blessings they have inheri-
ted. n-..i r' nl-H's-s 10
Coon AS PRrArHJxG.-- The Troy Wing