Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1859-12-31
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
FELLOW CITIZENS OF THE SENATE


such varied and numerous blessings throughout
the past year. The general health of the country
mas 1een excellent; our harvests have been un-
usually plentiful, and prosperity smiles through
out the land. Indeed, notwithstanding our dc.
merits, we have much reason to believe from the
past events in our history, that we have enioved
me special protection of Divine Providence ever
since our origin as nation. We have been ex.
posed TO many, threatening and alarming diff
culties in our progress; but on each successive
occasion the impending cloud has been dissipated
AT the moment II appeared ready to burst upon
our heads, aud the danger to our Institutions has
passed away. May we ever be under the divine
guidance aud protection.
THE uARPER's FERRY RAID.
Whilst it is the duty of the pre- sident from
time 10 time TO give to Congress information of
the state of the Union," shall not refer in de.
Isil 10 the recent sad and bloody occurrences at
Harper Ferry Sill, IL is proper to observe that
THESE events, however bad and cruel in them.
selves, derive their chief importance from the
apprehension that they are but symptoms of an
incuraole 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. Whilst for myself.
entertain no such apprehension, they ought to
aiiord solemn warning 10 all to beware of
the approach of danger. Our Union is stake
OF such inestmable value as TO demand our coo.
slant and watchfu vigilance for its preservation
Ia this view, let me impore my country men,
Norm ana SOUTH to cultivate the ancient feelings
OF mutual for6aarance and good will towards
each other, aud 10 strive to aay the demon spirit
OF sectional hatred and strife alive In the
land. This advice proceeds from the heart of an
OLD puohc functonary, whose service commenced
IN the last generation, among the wise and con-
sentative statesmen of that dav, now nearly all
passed away, and whose first and dearest earthly
WISE IS to leave his country tranquil, pros porous,
united and powerful.
We ought to reflect that in this age and az.
peslally in this country, there is ncessaut aux
and rehux of public opinion. Questions which
IN their day assumed most threatening aspect
w n rlu nom fr..,. A.
They are volcanoes burnt out and on the lava
anc ashes and squalid scorie OF old eruptons
grow the peaceful olive, the cheering vine, and
me sustaining corn. Such, in my opinion, will
prove to be the fate of the present sectional ex-
cltement, should those who wisely seek TO apply
the remedy continue always to coniine their ef-
forts within the pale of the constitution. II this
course be pursued, the existing agitation on the
subject of domestic slavery, like everything
human, will have its day and give place to other
and less threatening controversies. Pablo opin-
ION IN this country is all powerful and when 1t
reaches dangerous excess upon any question,
the good sense of the people will furnish the cor
receive and bring it back within safe limits. Still,
TO hasten this suspicious result, at the present
crisis, we ought to remember that every rational
creature must be presumed to intend the natural
consequences OF his own teachings. Those who
announce abstract doctrines subyersye of the
constitution and the Union, must not be
prlseo 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 1t ought never to be forgotten that
however great may have been the political ad.
vantages resulting from the Union TO every por-
ton of our common country, these would all
prove to be as nothing should the time ever ar.
i've when they cannot be enjoyed without serious
danger to the personal safety of the people of
fifteen members OF the confederacy. If the peace
Of the domestic fireside throughout these states
s WSn h 5s rss s should or a%
able to retire to rest at night without suffering
dreadful apprehensions OF what may be their
own fate and that of their children before the
morning-it would be vain to recount TO such
people the political benefits which result to them
from the Union. Self-preservstion is the first
Instinct OF nature; and therefore any state of
society in which the sword is all the time sus-
pended over the heads of the people must at last
become intolerable. But l indulge in no such
gloomy forebodngs. On the contrary, firmly
believe that the events at Harper's Ferry by
causing the people 10 pause and reflect upon the
possible peril TO their cherished institutions will
be the means, under Providence, of aliayiDg the
existing excitement and preventing future out
breaks of a similar character. They will resolve
that the constitution and the Union shall not be
endangered by rash counses, knowing that
sheuld the silver cord be loosed or the golden
bowl be broken at the fountain,
human power could never reunte the scattered
and hostile fragments.
THE RIGHTS OF THE SOUTH IN THE TERRI
TORIES.
cordially congratulate you upon the final
settlement by the supreme court of the United
States of the question of slavery in the terrific
res, which had presented an aspect truly for
midable at the commencement OF my admins
tration. The right has been established of every
citizen to take his property of any kind, incud-
ing slaves, into the comm on territories belonging
equally to al the states of the confederacy, and
TO have it protected there under the federal consti
tuition. Neither Congress nor II territorial legis-
latufe, nor auy human power, has any authority
TO annul or impair this vested right. The SUI
preme Judicial tribunal of the country which Is
coordinate branch of the government, has
mad mad ehaaa ns.la
tutonal law, SO manifcstly just in tAemsel, es,
and So well calculated to promote peace and har-
mony among the states. 1t is a striking proof of
the sense of justice which is inherent IN our
people, that the property in slaves has never been
disturbed, to my Knowledge, in any OF the terri
tories Even throughout the late troubles in Kansas
there has not been any attempt, as am credibly
informed, to interfere, in a sihgle instance, with
the right of the master. Had any such attemp pit
been made the judiciary would doubtless have
afforded an adequate remedy Should they ia
to co this hereafter, 1t will then be time enoug h
to strengthen their hands by further legislation.
Had it been decided that either Congress or the
territorial legislature possesses the power TO annu
or impair the right to property in slaves, the evil
would be intolerabe. In the latter event, there
would be struggle for majority of the mem.
bers OF the legislature at each successive election,
and the sacred rights of property held under the
federal constitution would depend for the time
being on the result. The agitation would thus be
rendered ncessant whilst the territorial condition
remained, and It's baneful influence would keep
alive dangerous excitement among the. people
of the several states.
Thus has the status of territory, during the
intermediate period from its first settlement until
1t shall become state, been irrevocably fixed by
the final decision of the supreme court. Fortu
nate has this been for the prosperity of the terri
tories, as well as the tranquility of the states
Now, emigrants from the North and the South
the East and the West will meetin the territories
on common platform, having brought with
them that species of property best adapted, in
their own opinion, to promote their welfare
From natural causes the slavery question will in
each case soon virtually settle Itself and before
the territory is prepared for admission as a state
into the Union this decision, one way or the
other, twill have been foregone conclusion. Mean.
while the settlement of the new territory will
proceed without serious interruption, and Its pro
gress and prosperity will not be endangered OF
retarded by violent political struggles.
When in the progress of events the inhabitants
Of any territory shall have reached the number
required 10 form a state, they will then proceed
IN regular manner, and in the exercise of the
tIi,glts of popular sovereignty, to form constitu
tlOn pfoparatory IN admission int0 tha ITnion