Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1856-01-09

lation of an express compact between tie lnde-
pendent sovereign powers Of the United States
and Of the republic Of Texas, as we'll as oil The
older aud equally solemn compacs, when assure
the equality of all the States.
But, depiorable rs would be such violation OF
compact in itself, and in all lis direct consequences,
that is the very least of tho evils involved
When sectional agitators shall have succeeded IN
forcing on this issue, can their pretensions ial 10
be net by counter pretensuns VIII not dltier-
eul States be compelled respectively. to meet ex-
tremes with extremes? And, if either extreme
carry its point, what is that so far forth but dIiso
luton Of the Union If new State, formed
from the territory of the Uuited States, be abSo
lutely excluded from admission therein, that fact
oftself constitutes the disruption OF union between
it and the other States But the pracess Of dlsso-
luton could not stop there. Would not 4 section
al decision, producing such result by majority OF
votes, either northern ar southern, of necessity
drive out the oppressed and aggreyed minority,
and place in presence Of each other two lfrecon-
cileabIy hostile considerations!
1t is necessary to speak thus plainly OF projects
the offspring of that sectional agitation now pre-
yailny in some of the States, which are as I'M
practicable as they are unconstitutional, ana
which, If persevered in, must and VIII end calain
itously II is either diSunion and civil war, or 1t
is mere angry, idle, aimless disturbance OF puoic
peace aud tranquility. .Disunion for what! II
the passionate rage of fanatcism and partisan sPlr-
it did not force the fact upon our attention, IL
would be difficult to believe that any considerable
portion of the people of this enlightened country
could have so surrendered themselves TO tanati-
cal devotion the supposed interests of the reIa-
lively few Africans in the United States, as total
ly to abandon and disregard the interests OF the
twenty-five millions of Americans to tranple.dn-
der foot the injuucous Of moral and constitutional
obligation, and to engage in plans of vindlctlve
hostility against those who are associated with
them in the enjoyment of the common heritage OF
our national Institutions.
Nor is it hostility against their fellow-citizens
Of one section of the Union alone. The interests.
the honor, the duty, the peace, and the prosperity
Of the people of all sections are equally involved
and imperiled in this question. And are patriotic
men in any part Of the Union prepared, on such
issue, thus mady to invite all the consequences
Of the forfeiture Of their constitutional engage
meuts? 1t is impossible. The storm of phrensy
and faction must inevitably dash itself in vain "a
gainst the mistaken rock of the Constitution.
shall never doubt it. know that the Union is
stronger thousand times than all the wild and
chimerical schemes of social change, which are
generated, enc after another, in the unstable minds
of visionary sophsts and interested agtators.
rely confidently on the patriotism Of the people,
on the dignity aud self-respect Of the States, on
the wisdom of Congress, and, above all, on the
continued gracious favor of Almighty God, to
! maintain, against all enemies, whether at home or
| abroad the sanctity of the constitution and the
integrity Of the Union.
FRANKLIN PIERCE.