The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1857-03-12

PRESIDENT BUCHANAN.

Ho" OaAiAHNs' appear UeiCTe you
this day to take the solemn oath "that
will faithfully execute the office of Presi
dent Of the United States, and will, to the
best OF my ability. preserve, protect, and
defend the Constitution of the United
States" In entering upon this great Of
nee, | most humbly invoke the God OF
our Fathers for wisdom and firmness to
execute its duties in such a manner as to
restore harmony and ancient friendship
among the people of the several States,
and to preserve our free institutions
through many generations. Convinced
that owe my election to the inherent
love for the Constitution and the Union,
which still animates the hearts OF the
American people, let me earnestly ask
their powerful support in sustaining all
Just measures calculated to perpetuate
these, the richest political blessings which
heaven has ever bestowed upon any ma
ton. Having determined not to become
candidate for reelection, / shall have no
motive to influence my conduct in admin
istering the Government, except the de-
sire ably and faithfully to serve my coun-
try, and to live in the grateful memory OF
nv countrymen. We have recently pass
ed through Presidential contest in which
the passions of our fellow citizens were
excited to the highest degree ty ques-
tions Of deep and vital Importance. But
when the people proclaimed their will, the
tempest at once subsidized, and all was
calm, The voice of the majority, speak
ING in the manner prescribed by the Con-
st;tution. was heard, and an instant sub
mission followed. Our own country
could alone have exhibited SO grand and
striking spectacle of the capacity OF man
for self government. What happy con-
ception, then, was it for Congress to ap
ply this simple rule, "that the will OF the
majority shall govern" to the settlement
of the question of domestic slavery in the
Territories. Congress is neither to leg
;s,ale slavery into any Territory, nor to
exclude it therefrom," but to leave the
people thereof perfectly free to form and
regulate their domestic institutions in then
own way, subject only to the Constitution
of the United States. AS a natural con
sequence, Congress has also prescribed
that when the Territory Of Kansas shall
be admitted as State, it shall be receiv
ed into the Union with or without slave
nv. as their own Constitution may pre-
scribe at the time of their admission. A
different opinion has arisen in regard t.
the point Of time when the people of I
Territory shall decide the question TO
themselves. This is happily matter Q
but little practical Importance, besides,
is a judicial question which legitimatel,
belongs to the Supreme Court of tn
United States, before whom it is nov
pending, and will, it is understood, b.
speedily and finally settled. To thei
decision, in common with all good citi
zens, shall cheerfully submit, whateve
this may be, though it has ever been NJ.
individual opinion that, under the Ne
braska- Kansas act, the appropriate periot
will be when the number of actual resi-
dents in the territory shall justify the for
nation of Constitution with view t.
its admission as State into the Union
But, be this as it may, it is the impera
tive and indispensable duty Of the Gov
ernment of the United States to secure t
every resident inhabitant the free and in
dependent expression of his opinion b
his vote. This sacred right Of each ind
vidual must be preserved. This 5ein
: accomplished, nothing can be fairer tina
to leave the people of territory fire
from all foreign interference, to decid
their own destiny for themselves, subjet
only to the Constitution of the Unite
States. The whole Territorial questio
being thus settled upon the principle {
popular sovereignty-a principle as at
cient as free government itself-every
thing OF practical nature has been de
cided. No other question remains f
adjustment, because all agree that, unde
the Constitution, slavery in the States
beyond the reach of any human powe
except that of the respective States then
selves wherein it exists. May we no
then, hope that the long agitation on th
subject is approaching its end, and tn;
the geographical parties to which it hi
given birth-so much dreaded by tt
Father of his country-will speedily b.
come extinct? Most happy will it be ft
the country when the public mind sha
he diverted from this question to othe
of more pressing and practical ilnpor
auce. Throughout the whole progress
this agitation, which has scarcely know
auy intermission for more than twen
wears, whilst it has been productive of l
positive good to any human being, it b
been prolific source of great evils to IL
master, to the slave, and to the who
country. 1t has alienated and estrangt
the people of sister States from each ot
er, and has even seriously endanger'
the very existence of the Union. Nor h
the danger yet entirely ceased. Und
our system M there is remedy for all NE
political evils in the sound sense and S
ber Judgment OF the people. Time is
great corrective. Political subjects whit
but a few years ago excited and exasp
rated the public mind, have passed avs
and are now nearly forgotten. But t
question of domestic slavery is of {
greater importance than any mere poll
cal question, because, should the agit
tien continue, it may eventually endang
the personal safety of large portion
our eountrymen where the institution e
ists. In that event, no form OF COVER
ment. however admirable in itself, ho'
ever pro,,' ,'uctive of material benefits, ei
compensate Cor the loss of peace and d
mestsc serur;tv around the family alta