Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1853-03-11

appointed.
They require at my hands, diligence, in
tegrity and capacity. Wherever there are
duties to be performed, without these quail
ties IN their public servants, more stringent
laws for the prevention and punishment of
fraud, negl ect and peculation, will be vain.
The danger Of concentration of all pow
er in the General Government of confeder-
acy so vast as ours, is too obvious to be dis
regarded You have a right, therefore, to
expect your agents in every department to
regard strictly the limits imposed upon them
by the Constitution of the United States
The great scheme of our constitutional libeI-
ty rests upon proper distribution of power
between the State and Federal authorities,
and experience has shown that the harmony
and happiness of our people must depend
upon strict disconnection between the sep
arate rights and responsibilities of the States,
and your common rights and obligations UNI
der the General Government; and here, in
my opinion, are the considerations which
should form the basis of future concord, in
the questions which have most seriously dis
turbed public tranquility. If the Federal
| Government will confine itself to the exer-
else of the powers clearly granted by the
Constitution it can hardly fail that its
action upon any question should endanger
institutions of the States, or interfere with
. their rights to manage matters strictly do
mestic, according to the wish of their own
people.
In expressing briefly my views upon an
important subject which agitated the Nation
to almost fearful degree, am moved by no
other impulse than the most earnest desire
for the perpetuation of that union which has
made us what we"are; showering upon us
blessings and comforting power and infiu-
ence which our fathers could hardly antici-
pate even with their most sanguine hopes
directed to far-of future.
The sentiments now announce were not
unknown before the expression of voice
which called me here. NJ own position up
on this subject was clear and unequyocal,
upon the record of my words and my acts,
and is referred to at this time because 81
lencS might perhaps be misconstrued. With
the Union, my best and dearest earthly hopes
are entertained. Without it, what are they,
individually or collectively? What becomes
Of the noblest field ever opened for advance
ment of our race, in relation to Government
i'll the Arts, and in all that dignities and
adorus mankind. From that radiant constel-
lation, which both ilumines our own way,
and points out to struggling nations their
course, let but single star be lost and if
there be not then darkness, the lustre of the
whole is dim. Do my countrymen need any
assurance that such a catastrophe is not to
overtake them, while | possess the power to
stay it!
1t is with me an earnest and vital belief
that as the Union has been the source, under
Providence, of ouESEQsperity to this time, so
it is the surest pledge sfsa.eo ntinuance of the
blessings we have enjoyed, andwhich we are
sacredly bound to transmit undnninished TO
our children.
The field Of calm. and free discussion in
our country is open, and will always be so,
but it never has been and never can be tray
ersed nor governed in spirit of sectionalism
and uncharitableness.
The founders Of the Republic dealt with
things as they were presented to them, in
| spirit of selt-sacriicing patriotism, and as
| time has proved, with comprehensive wis
dom which it Will always be safe for us to
consult. Every measure, tending to strength
en- the fraternal feelings of all the members
of the Union has had my heartfelt approba-
ton. To every theory of society or govern
ment, whether the offspring Of feversh am
Oition, or Of morbid enthusiasm, calculated to
dissolve the bonds of love and affection which
unite us, | shall Interposo steady and stern
resistance. ! believe that involuntary servi-
| tude, as 1t exists in different States of this
country, Is recognized by the constitution
believe it stands like any other administra-
tive right, and that the States where it exists
are entitled to efficient remedies to enforce
the constitutional provisions.
| hold that the law of 1850, commonly
called the compromise measure, is strictly
constitutional, and should be carried into eff
! feet. | believe the constituted authorities of
this Republic are bound TO regard the rights
Of the South in this respect, as they would
in any other legal and constitutional right,
and that the laws to enforce them should be
respected and obeycd not with a reluctance
encouraged by abstract opinions as to their
/ proprety in different state of society, but
checrfully, and according to the tribunal to
which their exposition belongs. Such have
been, and are my convictions, and upon these
shall act / iondly hope that the question
Is at rest, and that sectional, or ambitious, or
tanatical excitement may not again threaten
the durability Of our Institutions, or obscure
the light Of our prosperity. But let not the
/ foundation Of our hopes rest on mans wis
| dom. 1t will not be sufficient that sectional
/ preiUdiccs find no place in the public deIibe-
rationS-it will not be sufficient that the rash
councils of human passions are rejected =
It must be felt that there is no security but
in the nations humble acknowledgement of
dependence upon God and his over-ruling
providence.
We have been carried in safety through a
great crisis. Wise councils, like those which
gave us constitution, will enable us to up
hold it. Let the period he remembered as
an admonition, and not as an encouragement
IN any section Of the Union, to make an ex-
pertinent fraught with such fearful hazard
Let it be impressed upon all hearts, that
beautiful as our Union is, no earthly power
I /