The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1859-12-31
Presidents S Message
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a .,1 nnfu
-. Ths General health Of the country has bee
.r-ai,.,,. onr barvests have been unusually plent
tnI ,nI prosperity smiles throughout tae land. In
deed Notwithstanding oGr dement's we have muc
rsscn =, believe frcm the past IN our histc
rv that We have enjoyed the special protection U
Divine Providence ever since our origin n nation
We have been exposed 10 many threatening an,
alarming difficulties in our progress; but eacl
,nceessivc occasion the impending cloud has beei
dis ipated at the moment it appeared ready burs
upon head. and the danger our institutions
has passed away. May We ever be under the piyini
Guidance and protection
Whilst i; is the duty OF the President from time
10 time TO give to Congress information of the siat
ofthe Union, shall not refer in detail 10 the pres
enf sad and bloody occurrence NJ Harpers Ferry
Stll. IL Is proper TO observe that these events how
ever bad and cruel themselves. derive their ehie
Importance from the Apprehension that they are ou
symptoms of an incurable disease in the public mind
which may break out in still more dangerous out
RACES and terminate IT last IN an open war by the
North 10 abolish slavery in the south Whilst. for
myself entertain such apprehension, they ought
20 afford solemn warning TO US all 10 beware OF
the approach of danger. Our Union Is a stake o;
such incstimable value as TO demand our constant
and watchfnl vigilance for its preservation. In this
view let me implore my countrymen. North and
South. cultivate the ancient feelings of mutual for
bsarance and good will toward each other and strive
70 aIlay the demon spirit OF sectional hatred and
strife now alive in :he land. This advice pro-
cseds from the heart of old public functionary,
whose services commenced in the last generation.
among the wise and conservative statesmen of thlt
day, now nearly all passed away, and whose nrst
and dearest earthly wish is 10 leave his country
tranquil. prosperous. united and powerful.
We ought TO reflect that in this age and especial
E in this country, there is incessant fux and re-
fux Of public opinion Questions which IN their
DAY assumed n most threatening aspect. have now
nearly gone from the memory of men They are
volcanoes burnt our, and on the lava and ashes
snd squalid scorin of old eruptions grow the
peaceful olive, the cheering vine and the sustaining
cora" Such, in my opinion. will prove TO be the
fate Of the present sectional excitement shopld those
who wisely seek TO aIpy he remedy, continue al
ways 10 conhne their efforts within the pale OF che
Constitution. Ii this course be pursued the exist
rg agitation on the subject of domestic slavery, like
every thing human. will have its day and give place
q other and less threatening controversies. Public
opinion IN this country is all powerful and when II
reaches q dangerous excess upon any question the
good OF the people will furnish the corrective
and bring il back within safe limits Still hasten
this ausnicous result. ut the present crisis, we
o,rt 70 REMEMBER that every rational creature
must be presumed TO intend The natural conse-
ouences OF his own teachings.
Those who announce abstract doctrines suhver-
awe Of the Constitution and the Union, must not b.
surprsed should their heated partzins advance one
,tp further and attempt by violeace 10 carry these
doctrines into practical effect In this view of the
ubiect ought never to be forgotten that, however
crrst NAV have been the political advantages result
iny from the Union to every portion of our common
country these would all prove 10 be rs nothing
shoud the time ever arrive when they can not be en-
loved without serious danger 10 the personal safety
Of the people of fifteen members of the Contedera-
cy II the peace of the domestic fire side through
out tkse States should ever be invaded-f the moth
ers of families within this extensive region should
not be able to retire to rest night without suffer
ing dreadful apprehensions of what may be their
own and that of their children heforc the morn
ing-t would be vain t. recount TO such people
the political benefits VIII ch -csuli 10 them from the
Un!on Seli-prescryA,.ln is the FIRST instinct OF
nlre; anil therefore ANY state o: society in which
Toe sword is all the time suspended over the heads
me people must at last become intolerable. But
/ ndu
contrary, Arnliy believe that the events at Har
pers Ferry, by causing the people to pause and re-
ascsupon the possible peril 10 their cherished insti
iutons will be the means, under Providence, of al
laying tie existing excitement and preventing future
outbreaks OF similar character They will resolve
tha,the Constitution and the Union shall not be
dlngered by rash counsels, knowing that should
the silver cord be lcosed the golden bowl be
broken Mt the fountain" human power
could never reuntc the scattered and hostile fraS-
uena
cordially congratulate you upon the final settle
meni BY the Supreme Court of the United States of
The qsestion OF slavery in the Territories which had
pesnied aspect truly formidable ut the com
menemeut of my administration. The right has
been established of every citizen to take his prop
ery Of any kind, including slaves into the common
Territories belon ,ng equally TO all the States of the
Coniederacy, and to have it protected there under
the Federal Constitution. Neither Congress
territorial legis AZURE nor any human power has any
authority to annul or impair this vested right. The
supreme judicial tribunal of the country, which is
AGO ordinate branch OF the Government, has sane
toned and affirm these principles of constitution
law. so maniestly just in themselves, and so well
calculated to promote peace and harmony among
the States IL is striking proof of the sense OF JUS
tee which is inherent in our people that the prop
Gy in slaves has never been disturbed, To my
nowledge in any of the Territories. Even through
the late troubles in Kansas there has not been
any attempt, as am credibly informed, 10 Interfere
ha single instance, with the right of the master.
Had any such at empt been made the judiciary
would doubtless have afforded an adequate remedy.
IL ha
ane enough to strengthen their hands by further
bFslation. Had it been decided that either Con
rsaor the territorial legislature possess the pow
ute annul impair the right 10 property in slaves
Aaevl would be intoerable. In the latter event
here would be a struggle for a majority OF the
smbers OF the legislature at each successive elec-
san and the sacred rights of property held under
he Federal Constitution would depend for the time
beng the result. The agitation would thus be
rndered incessant whilst the territorial condition
rmaned and its baneful influence would keep alive
siangerous excitement among the people OF the
sreral States.
thus has the statutes of Territory. during the
nsrmedia.e period from its first settlement until
Eshan become a State. been irrevocably liked by
be a-a decision of the Supreme Court Fortu-
ae has this been fer the prosperity OF the Terri
tes as well rs for the tranquility of the States.
Nw, smigrants from the North and the south the
ut and the West, will meet in the Territories on a
urnon platform, having brought with them that
ecies Of property best adapted. in their own opin-
n promote their welfare. From natural causes
nssavery question will in each case soon virtual
settle itself; and before the Territory Is prepar-
dior admission as n State into this Union the de-
sxou. one way or the other. will have been fore.
June conclusion. Meanwhile the settlement OF
be new Territory will proceed without serious
herruption and its progress and prosperity VIII
abe endangered or retarded by violent poiteai
fslggles.
When in the progress OF events the inhabitants
dany Territory shall have reached the number
rquired to form u State. they will then proceed IN
ingular manner, and in the exercise OF the rights
apopnlar sovereignty. to form constitution pre-
rraiory TO admission into the mon -Nter ti,1s M
Asbcen done. 20 employ the language OF the
bsas and Nebraska act, they shall be receiv-
y into the Union with or without slavery, rs
cir constitution may priscrbe at the time ot tner
rmlsslonH This sound prHciplc has happily
n recognized IN some form or other by an al
unanimous vote Of both houses of the last
yress,
lawful mcans a. my compIni have been en-
d. and shall continue to he employed. 10 exc
she laws against the African slave trade Al
most careful and rigorous examination OF our
g. and a thorough investigation OF the suh)ect'
I. have not been able TO discover that any slaves
we been imported into the United states except
4. cargo by the Wanderer, numbering between
tree aud four hundred. Those engaged IN tins un-
awful enterprise have been vigorously prosecuted
,ut not with as much success as their crimes have
Reserved. \ number of them are still under pros
ecuton.
Our history proves that the Fathers of the Re
public in advance VI al other nations condemned
~. AtrIcIn slave trade. IL was notwithstanding
G--.asI r<pelleHt by the trainers OF the cOnstitu'
$500 - drpriv. IonSresa the power 10 prohibit
t.s nisraapa or importation of such persons as
tnv OF the states now existing shall think proper
q admit prior 70 ths Year one thousand e'sh
a,.adred and eight
II will be seen that this restriction on the power
of Congress was confined 10 such States only as
might think proper admit the Importation OF
slaves. 1t did not extend 10 the States TO the
trade carried on abroad Accoshnglyw find that sc
early rs the 2ed of March. 1894 Congress- passed III
act imposing severe penalties and slnishments upon
ctizens and residents of the lnaed States who
should engage in this trade betweea foreign nation,
The provisions of this act were exen nded and en-
soreed by the act of 10th May, tA
Again: The States thsmselNehad clear righ
TO waive the constitutional prlvaeye intended fol
their beneht, AMI 10 prohibit, " heir own laws
this trade ., any time they 'houS 9prOper. prevlon
to 1905. SeNe-alof them exercise uit r;oht befor
that period, and among them soae cntainiur IN
greatest number OF slaves. This yase,n ConSrrs
the immediate power TO act in Nsasa =, u snr
states because they theu,sclyes kd = a " 81 -,
constitutional barrier. Congress aseo,sS mo- - =.
an act on 18th February lso2 Ito Pr! p - j
nortation of certain perNons inu es.i 'te - -
where by the laws thereof their sn;'-n :; - '.,
,sss..l - In this manner the unt,-AAOH = pr