Des Arc citizen., 1859-12-21
The Presidents Message.
Fsllols- Ciiis ems Of the Send.e

Fsllols- Ciiis ems Of the Send.e
 and the House of Representatives Our deep an heartfelt gratitude is due to that Almighty Power which has be- slowed upon us such varied and numer- ous blessings throughout the past year. The general health of the country has been excellent: our harvest have been mr. usually plentiful. and prosperity smiles throughout the land Indeed, notwith- sta nding our deme it's, we have much req son to believe, from tbe past events n our history, that we have enjoyed the spe- cial protection of Divine Providence ever since our origin as nation. we nave been exposed to many threatening and alarming difficulties m onr progress; but on each successive occasion the impend- ing cloud has been dissipated at the mo- ment it appeared ready to burst upon our institutions has passed away. May we ever be under the Dlvince guidance and protection. While it is the duty of the President "from lime to tiale to give to Congress in- formation of the state of the Union," shall not refer in detail to the recent sad and bloody occurrence at Harper's Ferry. Still, it is D. oper to oHserve that these events, however bad and cruel in them- selves, derive their chief importance from the apprehension that they are but symp- toms of an incurabie disease in the public mind, which may break out in still more dangerous outrages and terminate at last in an open war by the North to abolish slavery in the South. While, for myself, I entertain no such apprehension, they ought to afford solemn warning to us all to beware of the approach of danger. Our Unio Is a stake of such inestimable value as to demand our constant and watchful vigilance for it's preservation. Tn tb1s view, let me implore my country men, North and South, to cultivate the an- cient feelings 1f mutual forbearance and cood-wiIl towards each other, and strive to aIlay the demon spirit of sectional ha- tired and strife nov alive in the land. This advice proceeds from the heart of an old public frnctonary whose services commenced in the last generation, among the wise and con ervative statesmen of that day, now nearly all passed away, and whose fl st and dearest earthly wish is to leave his country tranquil prosper ous, united and powerful. We ought to reflect that in this age, and esneciallv in this country, there is an in- cessant Aux and refux of public opinion. Questions which in their day assumed a most threatening aspect, have now nearly gone from the memory of men. They are "volcanoes burnt out, and on the lava and ashes and squalid score of old erup- lions grow the peaceful olive, the cheering vine, and the sustaining corn" Such, in my opinion. will prove to be the fate ot the present sectional excitement, should those who wisely see to apply the remedy continue always to coniine their efforts within, the pale of the Constitution. If this course be pursued, the existing agita- ton on the subject of domestic slavery, like everything human, will have it's day and give place to other and less threaten ing controversies. Public opinion in this country is all powerful, and when 1t reaches a dangerous excess upon any question. the good sense of the people will furnish the corrective and bring it back within safe limits. Still, to hasten this suspicious result, at the present cri- sis. we ought to remember that every ra- tional creature must be presumed to in- tend the natural consequences of his own teachings.
 Those who announce abstract doctrines subservive of the Constitution and the Union, must not be surprised should their heated partisans advance one step further, and attempt by violence to carry these doctrines into practical effect. In this view of the subject it ought never to be forgotten that, however great may have been the political advantages resulting from the Union to every portion of our common country, these would all prove to be nothing should the time ever arrive when they cannot be enjoyed without SC I> | EEo oI att of he people of fifteen members of the Confed- eracy. If the peace of the domestic fire aide throughout these States should ever bt inyaded-f the mothers of families with in this extensive region sh osld not be able to retire to rest at night without suf. fering dreadful apprehensons of what may their own fate and that of their ehil- dren before the morning-it would be vain to recount to such people the political ben efts which result to them from the Union Self-presarvation is the first instinct ol nature; and therefore any state of society in which the sword is all the time suspen- deG over the heads of the people, must al last become intolerable. But indulge 1T no such gloomy forebodings.
 On the contrary, I firmly believe that the events at HaIper's Ferry. by causing the people 10 pause and reflect upon th' possible peril to their cherished institu, iiuus, wtli lIr tlss. ttudor nrovidsnec of allaying existing excitement and pre- venting future outbreaks of similar character. They will resolve that tn' Constitution and the Union shall not b' endangered by rash counseis. knowing that "should the silver I'd be loosened a the fountain" huma power conld neve1 rcunte the scattered and hostile forces.
 cordially congratulate you upon thu final settlement by the Supreme Court O the United Sta es of the question of slav cry in the Territories, which had present ed an aspect so truly formidable at th' commencement of my administration The right has been established of ever' citizen to take his property of any kind including slaves, into the common Territo rios Aelonging equally to all the States O the Confederacv, and to have it protected there under the Federal Constitution Neither Congress nor he territorial legis iature nor any human power has any au thority to annui or impair this ves'et right.
 The supreme judicial tribunal of tn, country, which is q coordinate branch O the Government, has sanctioned and at frmed these principles of constitutions law, so manifestly just in themselves ant so well calculated to promote peace an, harmony among t States. It is strik ing proof of the sense of justice which I inherent Tn our people, that the propert, in slaves has never been disturbed, to m knowledge. in any of the Territories Even lhro nghout the late troubles in Kan sas there has not been any attempt, as
 am crediblv informed, to interfere, in
 single instance, with the right oe th master. Had any such ai ismpt be- made, the iudicIary would e7 tss har afforded an adequate rer "a seas they fail 10 do th}s hereaft @ili be time enorgh to streH fhs efa8 by further legisiati been cided hat either CA@s iie esfise rial legislature pos the soxe aans or impair the rig' property Save the evil would srsble. hs tha lai ter event, th ssh be a struggle fC majori,, i.a meiBhers of shs Iegisls ture at e saccessive elect. |, and th sacred Ii properly helQ under tn
 hederal tian would depend fC
 tne nme Ae result The agits
 tion Vi, feodered incesssr
 wh,lsSs nndition remainet ana would keep aliy aN among the peop
 ,s. Ar n. ss~sas Tesasory. durip apriis e.6g@r gSrSbs Ssc6ms T1 IS sss fFst be,
 revocaoly hNcceur cour Fortunate Las tn
 inc Supreme orosrity of the Territorie
 S S"en for the P bs tnquillity of inc ssatt - xyeN as uts nm the North and f Nv, emi1 ,,ssst | the West, will inert So0ss he b;esn a common plsforr the isrWoshtth them that srecies havihs s'st pted, in their s~n opi
 proPe.'s oaeir welfare. From nat
 ion' ~ trlavery quetion will
 Iai e@e esS ,Srtuaily settle itself q
 sssu s s,'a Hforv is prslsred for sdm
 oslote ' ,N,tS the Union this de
 s,on es q the ohAer. will have be
 sion, oue Exclusion Meanwhile,
 s.sshe new Territory will p
 S ,..dtfserions Interruption, and
 Seeu l<ess prosperity will not be end
 - bssSa oFrted by violent political str
 gies- q, .. .ho
 ssz ss::sSs S:s:; ;s::s. ;Ss x: