Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1859-12-31

PRRslDRNqg M8&leG. |
Fszlov. e;tissns u shs Grats -
and Hosss Of RAtnaasics:
Our deem and heartfelt s,Ititade IS due to that
Almighty Power which his bestowed upon US such
varied and numefoas blessings throughout the past
year. The general health Of the country mas "eee
excellent; oar hsrvests have been unusually pdent
full ana prosperity smiles throughout the is1M-~
Indeed notwithstanding our dement's, We nave
much reason to believe from the past events IN our
history that have enjoyed the special protecton
of Divine Providence ever since our origin rs ma
ton. We have been exposed to many threatening
and alarming difficulties in our progress; but on
each successive occasion the impending cloud has
been dssipated at the moment it appeared ready to
burst upon our head and the danger to our insttu-
tons has passed away. May we ever be under the
divine guidance and protection!
Whilst it is the duty of the President from time
to time to give to Congress information Of the state
of the Union" shall not refer in detail to the re-
cent sad and bloody occurrences at Harpers Ferry.
Still it is proper to observe that these events, how
ever bad and cruel in themselves derive their Chief
importance from the apprehension that they are but
symptoms Of an incurable disease in the public
mind, which may break rut in still more dangerous
outrages and terminate at last in open war by the
North to abolish slavery in the South Whilst, for
myself entertain no such apprehension. they ought
to afford solemn warning to US all to beware Of the
approach of danger. Our Union is stake of such
incstimable value as to demand our constant and
watchul vigilance for its preservation. In this view,
let me implore my countrymen, North and South,
to cultivate the ancient feelings of mutual forbear-
ancc and good will towards each other, and strive to
aay the demon spirit of sectional hatred and strife
now alive in the land This advice proceeds from
the heart of an old public funetionary whose ser
vice commenced in the last generation among the
wise and conservative statesmen of that day, now
nearly all passed away, and whose first and dearest
earthly wish is to leave his country tranquil pros
porous, united, and powerful.
We ought to reflect that in this age, and especial
" in this country there is an incessant 1ux and
fux of public opinion. Questions which in their
day assumed most threatening aspect, haye now
nearly gone from the memory of men. They are
volcanoes burnt out and on the lava and ashes
and squalid scorie of old eruptons grow the peace
full olive the cheering vine and the sustaining corr"
SUCH in my opinion will prove to be the fate of the
present sectional excitement should those who
wisely seek to apply the remedy, continue always
to conne their efforts within the pale of the const
tution If this be pursued the existing agi-
tation on the subject of domestic slavery, like every
thing human, will have its day and give place to
other and less 1hr atening controversies. Public
opinion in this country is all-powerful, and when it
reaches 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 crisis, We
ought 70 remember that every rational creature
must be presumed to intend the natural consequent
ces of his own teachings. Those who announce alb
slact doctrines submissive of the Constitution and
the Union must not be surprised should their heat
ed partsans 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 he 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
rive when they cannot be enjoyed without serious
danger to the personal safety of the people of ff
teen members Of the confederacy. If the peace Of
the domestic reside throughout these States should
ever be invaded-if the mothers of families within
this extensive region should not be able to retire to
rest at night without suffering dreadful apprehen.
sions of what may be their own f,te and that Of
their children before the mornng-it would be vain
to recount to such people the political benefits
which result to them from the Union. SelGpreser
walton is the first instinct of nature and therefore
any state of society in which the sword is all thu
at last become intolerable. But l indulge in M
such gloomy forebodings On the contrary, firmly
believe that the events at Harper's Ferry by cans
ing the people to pause and reflect upon the possible
peril to their cherished institutions, will be tn,
means, under Providence, of allaying the existn,
excitement and preventing future outbreaks of
simil # character. They will resolve that the Con
stitution and the Union shall not be endangered b,
rash counsels, knowing that, should 1.-THE silve
cord be loosed or the golden bowl be broken
at the fountain" human power could never reunit
the scattered and hostile fragments
cordially congratulate you upon the final settl,
ment by the Supreme Court of the United States
the question of slavery in the Territories, which ha
presented aspect SO truly formidable at the con
mel,cement of my administration. The right hs
been established of every citizen to take his properi
of any kind including slaves, into the common TIE
ritories belonging equally to all the States of Il
Confederacy, and to have it protected there und
tic Federal Constitution. Neither Congress nor
territorial legislature nor any human power has ar
authority to annul or impair this vested right. tt
supreme judicial tribunal of the country, which is
coordinate branch of the Government, has sanction
ell and affirmed these principles of constitutional la,
manfesty just in themselves, and so well calcul
ted to promote peace and harmony among the State
1t is striking proof of the of justice which
inherent in our people, that the property in slav
has never been disturbed, to my knowledge, in any
the Territories Even throughout the late troubl
in Kansas there has not been any attempt as 1 a
crediby informed, to interfere, in single instane
with the right of the master. Had any such attem
been made, the judiciary would doubtless have :
forded an adequate remedy. Should they fail
do this hereafter, it will then be time enough
strengthen their hands by further legislation. H,
it been decided that either Congress or the territ
rial Legislature possess the power to annul impa
the right to property in slaves, the evil would
intolerable. In the latter event, there would be
struggle for majority of the members of the leg
lature at each successive election, and the sacr
rights of property held under the Federal Constit
ton would depend for the time being on the resu
The agitation would thus be rendered incessa
whilst the territorial condition remained, and
baneful influence would keep alte dangerous ,
element among the people Of the several States.
Thus has the status Of a Territory, during the