The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1859-12-28
WEDNESDAY MORNING. :. DEC. -. 1859
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE


-----~-~----~---~
Filler csiissns Of tAt Senate aad Hoass Of Rep
fesfsfaftrsS:
Oar deep and heartfelt gratitude is due TO
that Almighty Power which has bestowed
upon us such varied aud numerous blessings
throughout the past year. The general health
of the country las been excellent; our har-
vests have hHen unusually plentiful, and pros.
perity smiles throughout the land Indeed
Notwithstanding car dement's, we have much
reason TO believe, from the past events in our
history, that we have enjoyed the special pro-
teclion of Divine Providence ever since our
origin as nation. We have been exposed 10
many threatening and alarming difficulties in
onr progress: hut on each successive occasion
the impending cloud has been dissipated at the
moment 1T appeared ready to burst upon our
head. and the danger to our institutions has
passed away. May we ever he under the Di-
Vine guidance and protection,
Whilst at Is the duty of the President from
time 10 time TO give to Congress information
OF the state OF the unicn,'' shall not refer in
detail 10 the recent sad and bloody occur
rcnees At Harper's Ferry. Sill, it is proper 10
observe that these events however bad and
cruel in themselves. derive their chief impor-
lance from the apprehension that they are bat
symptoms OF an incurable disease In the pub
lie mind, which may break out in still more
dangerous cdtrages and terminate AT last in an.
open war by the North TO abolish slavery NsA
the Sonth. Whilst, for myself, entertain no
such apprehension, they ought 10 afford Il
solemn warning 10 us all TO beware of the ap-
proach OF danger. Our Union is stake of
such inestiTaabie value rs to demand our con-
slant and watchful vigilance for its preserya-
tion. In this view, les me implore my
coun trymeu, North and South, to cultivate
the ancient feelings of mutual forbearanee and
goodwill towards each other, and strive TO al
lay the demon spirit of sectional hatred and
strife now alive in the land. This advice pro-
ceeds from the heart of an old public func-
tfenary whose service 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 10 leave his country tranquil, prosperous,
united, and powerful.
We ought 10 reflect that in this age and es-
pecially in this country, there is an incessant
lux ana reiiux OF public opinion. Questions
which in their day assumed most threaten
ing aspect have now nearly gone from the
memory of men. They are "voIcanoes burnt
out, and on the lava and ashes and squalid
scori1 of old eruptions grow the peaceful
oiiNe, the cheering vine, and the sustaining
cora" Such. IL my opinion, will prove TO he
the fate OF the present sectional excitement,
should those who wisely seek TO apply the
remedy, continue always TO confne their ef-
forts within the pale of the Constitution. If
1hiS course be pursued, the existing agitation
on The sus)ect of domes tic slavery, like every
lhing human, VIII have its day and give place
10 other and less threatening coutroyersies-
Public opinion in this country is all powerful,
and when ii reaches a dangerous excess upen
any qnestion. the good sense of the people will
furnish the corrective and bring it back with
in safe limits. Still, 10 hasten this auspicious
rcsnlt, az the present crisis. we ought to remem-
Der that every rational creature must be pre-
sumed 10 intend the natural consequences of
ms own teachings. those who announce ab-
stract doctrines subyersiye of the Constitution
and the Union, must not be surprised should
their heated partizans advance one step fur
ther, and attempt by violence TO carry these
doctrines into practical effect In this view OF
the subject II ought never TO be forgotten that.
however great may have been the political
advantages res suIting from the Union to every
nlrflOn no mi
all prove TO be no. thing should the time ever
arrlye when they cannot be enjoyed without
serious danger TO the personal safety of the
people OF fifteen members of the onfederacv,
If the peace of the domes tic fireside through
out these States should ever be invaded-if The
mothers of families within this extensive re-
gian should not he able TO retire 10 rest at
night without suffering dreadful apprchen-
sions of what may be their own fate and that
OF their children before the morning-it would
be vain TO recount 10 such people the political
benefits which result 10 them from the Union
Self-preseryatlon is the first instinct of ma
ture; 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 be-
come in tolerable. But l indulge in no such
gloomy forebodings. On The contrary, l firm
ly believe that the events at Harper's Ferry.
by causing the people 10 pause and reflecI
upon the possible peril 10 their cherished in
s1tutions, will be the means under Provi-
dence of ailaying the existing excitement and
preventing future outbreaks of similar char
acter They will resolve that the Constitution
aud the Union shall not be endangered by rash
couusels, knowing that should the silver cord
be loosened or the golden bowl be broken X 4s
at the fountain,'' human power could never
reunite the scattered and hostile fragments.
l cordially congratulate you upon the final
settlement by the Supreme Court of the Uni
ted States of the ques tion of slavery i'll the
Territories, which had presented an aspect SO
truly formidabfe at the commencement of my
administration. The right has been establish
ed of every citizen to take his properly OF any
kind, including slaves, into the Common Ter
ritories belonging equally TO all the States of
the Confederacy, and 10 have ii protec ted there
under the Federal Cons tltu ton. Neither Con-
gress nor the territorial legislature nor any
human power has any authority TO annul or
impair this vested right. The supreme iudi-
cial tribunal of the country, which is a CO.
ordinate branch of the Government, has sane
TONED aud affirmed these principles of consti-
tutional law, so manitesily justin themselves,
and we'll calculated 10 promote peace ana
harmony among the States. 1t is a striking
pSoof 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 Territories. Even throughout the
late troubles in Kansas there has rot been any
attempt. as / am credibly informed, TO in ter
fere, in single instance, with the right of the
master. Had any such attempt been made,
the judiciary would doubtless have afforded
an adequate remedy. Should they fail to do
this hereafter, il Will then be time enough 10
strengthen their hands by further legislation.
Had it been decided that either Congress or
the territorial legislature possess the power
TO annul or impair the right 10 property in
slaves, the evil would be intolerabie. In the
latter event. there would be a struggle for
majority of the members of the legislature al
each successive election, and the sacred rights
of properly held under the Federal Constitu-
Iion would depend for the time being on the
result The agitation would thus be rendered
incessant whilst the territorial condition re-
mained and its baneful influence would Keep
alive a dangerous excitement among Inc peo-
pc of the several States.
Thus has the status of a Territory, during
ihe intermediate period from its first SETTLE
ment until il shall become State, been IRE
vocabiy fixed by the final decision OF the Su-
ureme Court. Fortunate has this been for tho
prosperity Of the Territories, as well as tho
TRANQUILITY of the States. Now, emigrants frem
the North and the South, tie East and the
West, will meet in the Territories on Il COM
mon platform, having brought Win tnen that
species OF property best adapted, instheir own
opinion, TO promote their welfare. From nal
ural causes the slavery question will In each
case soon virtually settle itself; and before the
Territory is prepared for admission AS state
Il 10 the Union this decision. one way or the
other will have been Il foregone conclusion
Meanwhile, the settlement of the new Terri
tory will proceed without serious Interrupt
ton and its progress and prosperity will moi
be endangered or retarded by violent political
struggles.
When in the progress of events the inhabit- |
ants of any Territory shall have reached the |
Eumber required to form a State, they will |
then proceed in a regular manner, and in the |
exercise of the rights OF popular sovereignty, |
10 form Constitution preparatory to admis-
sion into the Union. After this has been done,
10 mpioy The language Of the Kansas and Ne /
braska act. they 'shaI be received into the
Union with or without slavery. us their Con-
stitution may prescribe a. the time OF their ad-
mission. This sound principle has happily
been recognized, in some form or other, by an
almost unanimous vote Of both Houses of the
asst Congress. ~