The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1859-12-14

last are assai,ed in denying the rights Of
protection itself. A new sovereignty and a
new law is set up over the old, and we are
denied protection under both. Where the
Federal Government has no power TO OPP
press, il is assumed and where ii has the
power and it is its duty TO protect, it is not
allowed to intervene. And the non-slave-
holding States are in nearly solid array ops
posed 10 US. We, united, may contend for
awhile by the aid Of pluraities, but for a
shSrt time only, and uncertainty at any time,
and at best have no maiorities OH which we
can rely in at least sixteen States, having
the power in the Union. The active has
overcome the passive elements: fanatcism
has subdued conservatism in all these States,
and these can now, in our present condition.
practically WELD our destinies for veal or
woe. Will they come back to the constitu-
ton and abide its covenants or not: What
those covenants are have fully discussed
in reply to the resolutions of Vermont.
which are herewith submitted, with my re-
spnnse appended, as part Of this message.
Y | put it upon the archives Of State as the
most elaborate study OF the subject of which
am capable.
By our laws, the plea of insanity could a
vail at any tune, IN any stage Of trial, and
after conviction, before sentence ufthe court;
aud after the ju,iictaI tribunals were done
/ with the prisoners aud they we're turned over
4 to the exeentunfr, the executive authority
\ could tnrefend the laws sentence upon the
insane. lfeither could show or prove insan-
Iity, either now or on trial. he could not be
2 A So III,
commonwealth. until cured in an asylum;
and, If insane at the time of committing the
offence, be could not be executed, cured or
mot cured, at all. But these men needed no
mental cure; theirs was moral malady OF
devils, which n power blt divine could cast
4 oft. They were deliberate, cunning. malig-
nant malefactor,, desperately bent an mis-
chief with malice afcre,hnught gangrened BY
sectional AMI social habitlal hatred 10 US and
ours. TIER vengeance was whetted BY pre-.
yiaus collisions hundreds of miles from u,
and its whstted jagged edge spears which it
brought tile hundreds Of miles for our des-
! tructlUn. They Came few, like thieves in
/ the night, did their deeds Of death, and we're
easily crushed; bat they were prompted by
~ evil spirit Of ncendiarism which Gemoial.
ICES A Numerous hos; 0f enemies behind them.
WIN now blalauigy sympathze with their
deeds ia open day before tie world. These
hired them to be assassins, rnbbers, murder
ers, and traitors. without themselves incur.
ring the risk nf their crimes and It'll no won.
der that they now sympathiLe with them even
to madness. and that John Brown despisel
the i. pacrtical cant Of their prerence that
he was insane.
Such sre nv views Of the constitution and
laws. The views &c the President. il seems.
are different hotifed hin of just appre-
hen,inn that this State wa. threatened with
"inUasion" b. predatory border war, 10
rescue prisoners convicted Of high crime 5
and fclunies, and to seize our citizens as
hostages aud victims in case Of execution
OF the criminals, proceeding from several
surrounding States.
lie answers, that "it would seem almost
incredible that any portion Of the people 81
the States mentioned, should be guilty Of the
atrocious wickedness as well a. folly Of at
tempting TO rescue convicted traitors ard
murdcrers from The penalty due To their
crimes under the outraged laws Of Virginia
reply 70 him, through you, gentlemen
that II IS strange THIS should seem 50 incredi-
bic, when the yery convicted traitors and
marlcrcr." we're portions Of the people oI
the Stsi-s mentioned, ,Cs0 had just been con.
uistsd Of iarddiag our border, and seizigg /,
United States arsenal. and Of perpeiatins
treason and murder sgalnst both the State
and the United States authority. And sure.
iy msv be- allowed latitude for acting on Tie
mass u reformation have received. u re-.
ne.sd INVASION. WHEN, perhaps. parionabls
nattentipn az Warrington IL warning Of the
murder ami treason Al Harper's Ferry, LEI
an arsensl aud ! PEOPLE deleHcelss. against
ihst invasion
did not call on the President to protect
virginia, aai would not DO 80. | apptisrd
him Of apprehensoas :" II order thai be nigh
lake steps 70 preserve peace between tie
States" | hail called nut Our own militia
ard thew are thousand fold ample 10 defend
their state. They have had not only q
guard their owu border, but 10 guard. in paF,
,ae arsenal ofthe Uniled sates. The Prest.
debt has. however, manifested "cheerig
and coriialn disposition 10 defend the plae,
cedsi % lie United states I; Harper. leF.
rs he s+bt small guar. 4, sDon - inform
cd . W. ghguarded. aud has reinforced thai
guard. not my II prDteet The public pro.
psrty clearly within federal iari.diction, bu
10 prevent lie irsnrsenf. from seizing ths
afms 10 ttie arsenal Il tbs, place, and usiu.
/; them a-ainst The troops 1f Virginia" BE
sides" be save. II j. possible the adii,iuns
: traps inag be required To act ~ a posse can
itafUs pa t9s rrq.issti,H ii Tie marshal o
tbs Inie .,atts tor the western district .
d virginia. ia prevent the re.rUe Of stevens
t UnR ~ MI. ros',rIy. cbafgsd with The Grim
d igh ireo.aB."
. Then fgs lbesr uhircts-ist, 10 keep arm
j. II Inc buiitd Sistes OF II the hands oI iii
i. invaders ii yngns; anI ~. d. act j
!. " fs.sss somiiai,t Il, the United States mar
d shat the lad fnt,ss 81 tie Tinted States ma
q 1e u.rd but 81. not to prevent invasion i
on= state by The people 81 another State
T.. Md be .afs iis eah discover nothing in an
+. uras..iun ID tie constitution u ihr Lnde
i sftfs alicb would authuriLe hin u I" TAX
. STEPS iyr tie purpose vfprsssrsing peace be
Il tween tie states. aby guarding places i