Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-12-30

say again, therefore, for myself and Az far a,
know the opinions ut my people, We take DO interest
IL Northern opinion this subject 10 any lines
of denarka;ion beyond which FEEDERS! power over
the Institution may not extend except 40 far as re-.
spec and loyalty 10 the contract will lead them in
union with the South to preserve and perpeua,e the
Constitution, which otherwise must be destroyed
Ii is only because Of the earnest and ANXIOUS hope
which entertain, that fabric of Government which
has bad no predecessor in the world, which, if hon.
| estly and legtimstely administered, would make Us
tue greatest people that has ever yet existed both in
moral and physical power. should be preserved and
perpetuated that have said thus much.
The honorable Senator from New Hampshire fe-
dictates himself that this is the last message which il
to cmanaie from the present Executive, and there.
fore he il disposed to let il pass with less severity of
comment. He may we'll felicitata HIMSELF for il |
do not mistake humanity, the bold truths, the psri.
otto and manly tone of that message, will penetrate
the northern heart and cause to brob with pH'sa-
tons and purposes not exactly in unison with those
of the Senator and the party with which he is acting.
| do not doubt, and avail myself Of the occasion
to declare II as my Judgment, that the sentiments and
the reasoning of that message will find responsive
"yea" wherever, throughout the world, the grea;
principles of civil liberty are known and appre-
Ciated.
Sir, am inspired with new hope in the result of
the late election, to fud that the Northern mind in
four of the most important States OF the Union, where
this institution does not prevail concurring with the
views now given in the message, dill unite with the
South in keeping out Of power party whose success
must necessarily have torn this Union into Fragments
Two Middle States, Pennsylvania aud Nsw Jers.y,
and two Western States, Indiana and Iilinois repu.
dated, upon drec, issue IN the cnnYals made
naked, uncovered, open, any power IN the F.drrai
Government 10 interfere with the extension Of .lsvc
ny into Territory the common property Of all the
States, by mnjorlties which carried the Presdeusi
election against that party. ] trust there will te
found on ali future occasions, II are ever 10 un.
dergo the ordeal from which We hev. recently
emerged, Northern sentiment sound upon hi.
question Of constitutional po~er-sound We Of N.
South esteem it. who in union with the soah, vii!
have It in their power for ages TO come 70 perpeuale
Union that must otherwise be destroyed.
can well understand, therefore, why the hoDora.
BILE Senator says, as q matter of graduation 10 those
who think with him, that this IL tho lrs. message
which is TO emana,s from its source. should hope
that the truths which eDanate from that paper will
reach the Northern mind, aud that they will unite,
in common, patriotic interest and purpose 10 come
back To the Constitution which our fathers framed,
aud to which we are parties-to come back 20 that
Constitution, and TO administer ii legiimstely ard
give TO the South what the South 10 entitled %. While
the North and West Obtain what they entitled TO
Or il it be that they really entertain an honest snd
conscientious conviction that they cannot rsmsin 10
union with W, let them propose separation fairly
and openly; but while the contract is there keep II.
bold the most essential part Of that contract 70 the
South, now falling into minority, TO be hs. il shell!
be kept toward the minority, III honorable faith and
tina. every element Of political power il gusrsced 10
them shall be fairly and honorably conceded.
Now, cir have said not word Of di-respect,
of dlscourtesy, toward the party which has been
rayed against the South in the late election. do
mem to do 90; il would not become me. They con
sue part OF the American people, with whom We |
are in bonds of association, and have no right 20
question their motives. do not question them; bot
do question their political purpo.es. say that,
when the passions of the day have subsidized. this |
country, and the world looking on, will pay tribute
t.
.nge, aud to the great principles which he has there
propounded.