Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-03-13


Prusidens Of no United States, and viii
sothe kest Of my ability preserve. protect
and defend she Constitution Of the Uni
I'd slalss IN entering upon Ibis great
once most humbly invoke the God Of
our Fathers for wisdom aud flrmness to
execute IL high and responsible duties Ia
such = manner As 70 restore harmony and
the ancIcut friendship among tho people Of
the seveml States and to preserve our
fsss institutions throughout many genera
ten2 onvineed that I owe my election
10 The inherent love for tho Constitution
and the Union which still anlmates the
hearts Of the American people, lot me
earnsstly ask their powerful support In
sustaining all Just measures calculated to
psrpstuate these, the richest political bless
sInss which Heaven has ever bestowed
upon any nation.
Having determined not to become a
candidate for reelection, shall have no
motive TO influence my conduct IN adj
ministcring tho government except the
desire. ably and faithfully, to serve my
oountrv. and 10 live IN the yra,esol men,
DRY Of my countrymen. Wehayo recent
" nasscd through a Presidential contos1 4,
which tho passions Of our fellow.citlzens
were excited to the highest degree BY
ousrs,ons of dam and vital iuno,,.nes
but when the pcople proclaimed THAR viii
the tsmpest Al once .ubsIdea and All WA.
calm. The voice Of the majority sneak.
ina IN ths mapper prs.er;bed bv Tho Com
ssitusion was heard and instant submls.
son fbllows
s Our own country could alone haye OK
hibited 40 arand and striking n soeetaele
az tbs .. pacitv Of man for self.goyer.
mept what harpv conception then
wss Il for Congress 10 apply this simnle
rule. that tho will OF the majority shall
govern In tho settlements Of the question
Of domestic slavery In tho TcrrltorIes.--
0onersu. "a neither 10 IegisIate slavery In.
10 any Territory or State, nor 10 exclude Il
thsrefrom. but 70 leave tho people thereof
perfectly FREQ TO from and rcglato their
domsssio institutions In their own way,
subIeol only 10 tho Constitution OF the
United States.
A. q natural conascauencc. Conercsa has
also prescribed that when tho Territory Of
Kansas shall be admitted AZ a State. Il
shall DO rsccivcd into the Union With or
without slavery, as their constitution may
prescribe a. tho timo Of their ad omission.
A different opinion has arisen In regard
to tho time when tho people Of Terri.
tory shall decide this question for them
selves. This, 10 happily matter Of bu,
littls practical importance. and besides Il Il
Judicial question, which logltlmately be.
lonss to the Supreme Court Of the United
statas, before whom II Il now pendinr.
and viii, II Is understood, DO speedily and
finally settled. To their decision. in COM
mon with al good citizens, | shall cheer.
fully submit whatever this NAV b. though
Il has been my individual opinion that,
under tho Nebraska Kansas Act tho ap.
prepriass period win be when tho number
Of actual residents In tho Territory shall
justify tho formation Of constitution
With Wow to It's admission as State IN
70 the Union; bat be this as it may, it is
the imperative and indispensable duty Of
the Government Of the United States to
secure to every resident inhabItant the froe
and independent expression Of ais opinion
BY his vote. This sacred right Of each in
dividual must DO preserved. This being
accomplished, nothing can be fairer than
to leave the people of Territory free
from all foreign influence to decide their
own destiny for themselves, subject only
10 the Constitution Of the United States.