Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-08-25
WASHINGTON NEWS AND.GossIP.

will be found brief synopsis of the impromptu
speech delivered by Secretary Jacob hompson
at Oxford, Mississippi, to his immediate neigh
bors and personal friends Of all parties This
is the first copy of it that has reached Us among
our exchanges, though it, author some time ago
returned to the Federal Metropolis. Wegiveit .
place in the Stars columns not only because 1t
illustrates capitally the relations Of Mr. Thomp-
son with his fellow-citizens at home, which are
evidently such as that any public man might
well be proud Of them in his own case; but be-
cause being replete with excellent sense, it is a
very model in its way; and, also, because it
most forcibly points out various leading char
acteristics of the administration of President
Buchanan which serve to win for it the public
confidence in an extraordinary degree, and
bids fair to render it in after-times one OF the
most popular known to the history of our Gov
ernnent as that now exists.
There can be no doubt that but two former
American Presidents have exhibited evidence
of self reliance, such as those which character
ize the Administration of Mr.. Buchanan-Jef-
ferson, and jackson; neither of whom, by the by
so completely conducted in person every affair
of State, foreign or domestic for the proper con-
duct of which the law designs that they should
be duly responsible. More than any other
American Executive ever did, President Bu-
chanan discharges his every official duty in
person, and thus really knows far more of the
details Of governmental affairs, great and small,
than was ever before known by one in his posi-
ton. His province is to watch over the public
interests and to guard them and the rights of all
with whom the Government Of the United
States has dealings; and he ful6lls, in person,
his obligations of that sort as they were never
before fulfilled. The consequence is, that he
is gradually earning the public confidence,
irrespective of party, as he richly deserves to
enjoy it, though it was never before so achieved
by one in his position.
But to the speech of Secretary Thompson,
which is as follows:
SECRETARY THOMPSON AT OxFoRp.-Tbe Hon
Jacob Thompson visited his old friends at Ok
ford (Mississippi) last week, on the occasion of
university. He was received In the most cordial
manner by the people, without distinction OF
party; In reply to the very appropriate welcom.
speech Of Col f. r. Belchsr, he made the fol.
lowing repl,:
Gentlemen Of the Artillery Guard, Ladies' and
Gentlemen thank you for this unex pecfed de.
i u,
Belcber, for the handsome manner in which Won
have expressed the feelings of those whose organ
You are on this occasion. The very sight of YOUR
familiar faces fills my heart to OVERLOOKING, and
md my utterance fails me. An abSeLce Of nearly
eighteen months has not diminished but deem
ened and strengthened and invigorated nv at
tachment for home. When the labors incident to
nv present position are ended, expect to return,
ard here, in this soil, after lifes ftful fever is
over, desire my body to repose; and YOU Of all
others, are near my heart, because you will be
the vigils over my grave.
You suggest that good report has come to you
from all quarters, of the satisfactory manner In
which have discharged the important duties
Entrusted to me by the President. 1t is most
gratify1ng to me to learn that ] am Thus well
spoken Of. cannot claim that have Justly mer.
tied this good opinion from my fellow cltizens:
but one thing will say, have relaxed no effort
10 discharge my duty-my whole duty. And If
integrity Of purpose, continued application and
an unshaken will to maintain RICH and truth and
disca I'd error and Injustice among all the citizen,
OF the United states, irrespective OF section or
creed, where business is acted on by nv De
ment, entitle me TO this favorable opinion, SO
strongly stated by you, then shall not shrink
from the compliment, but thank you for It,
But, feliow-ci;izens, in the position now hold,
L have not sought to make any separate name for
myself. l am member Of the oficial family of
that venerated and able patriot and statesman who
Is now your Chief Magistrate. NY ambition is
to contribute my mite in UNFOLDING his rms
while he is engaged in an arduous Struggle 10
maintain the integrity Of our institutions TO M
hold truth, to enforce law and to secure to every
section and every individual citizen i'm tb, broad
Land, the full measure Of his rights under our
Constitution. In everything he has done in eyerv
position he has taken, | have concurred and feel
ready to indorse 1t all, and to defend and iustifv
him in every particular. l ask no encomiuIl; am
entitled to no confidence which you cannot extend
with equal Propriety to that pm man, James
Buchanan. When left you to MI the post now
occupied by me, my knowledge of the President
was very meagre. My contact with him and with
his Cabinet has tang ht me how to appreciate him
and know you, my neighbo!s, will believe my
testimony, when l assure you that i'm INV iudg.
ment, God, in his great mercy to this proud pro.
pie, has raised up James Buchanan for this crisis
and endowed him with all the necessary auaIin
cations to lead this country tbJoug b the Imminent
perils which beset our pathway and to save the
Constitution and the Union from the assaults of
all their enemies. You may therefore sleep in
quiet and contentment, and feel assured that there
Is no danger which can threaten our country and
its institutions which shall escape his vigilant
watch.
The great evil OF the times, on which we are
thrown, is the disposition which has pervaded
large classes and communities to disregard law
and to defy its execution. Ii has the same pater-
nifty IL all proceeds from the spirit of the hiyb
law doctrine which mas been inculcated from
high places-a doctrine which leads a community
or an individual to defy law and to DISREGARD
its requirements whenever the interests the pre-
JUDGES, the plans, or the desires Of that class
may De thwafted by Its enforcement. When
James Buchanan swo:e, as the Chief Magistrate
OF this Union, that he would faithfully execute
the laws, II was no idle repetition of an unmean
ing phrase. With decision and frmness he ba.
moved straight forward in the discharge of his
duty. Let me recur to a few incidents as iilustra.
lions In an impromptu manner The FIRST oc-
Cured through my Department: In the State Of
Ohio, soon after his inauguration some IndIyid-
uals were arrested by the United States Marshal
for harboring and concealing fugitive slave. A
mob arose and delivered the cul prit. out Of the
hands Of the officers Of the law The Deputv
MaIshals were arrested, great excitement ORE.
vailed, and amidst the struggle, the Marshal tel
egraphed he to know what was TO be done With
this dispatch called on the President to know
what answer should be returned Without hest
tation, quick as thought and Arm as adamant he
replied, Say to the Marshal, the laws must be
executed, the President expects every officer 10
do his duty, and he will do bis f" This dispatch
was sent, the laws were enforced and peace was
restored, and since that day there has been no re-
currence Of such tumult In executing the fugitive
slave law.
In cation to kansas-take this key and you
will comprehend his whole policy In that Ter
ritory two parties existed one insisted the Ter
ritory had laws and they must be observed the
other denied the existence Of any Territorial laws
and undertook to disregard them. The Presi.
dent assumed there was law and IL should be en-
forced. The people had a right to meet in con-
vention and form their own Institutions They
did meet in regular convention, they formed a