Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1859-12-19
NJ ESSAG E
i The Senate and House Of Representatives

r ,:su d The Senate and House Of Representatives.
o,r deep ami heartfelt gratitude is due t. that AL
gntv Power which has bestowed upon Us such varied
nj numerous blessings throughout the past year The
neral health of the country has been excellent our
I4rysts been unusually plenttu and prosperity
,n;les throughout the land Indeed, Notwithstanding
mn lr,aets. we have much reas n to believe from the
INST events in history, that have enjoyed the
,-,iIl protection of Divine Providence since our
t,:,ia as a nation. We have been exposed to many
threatening and alarming difficulties in progress but
n, each successive occasion the impending cloud has
I.u dissipated at the moment it appeared ready to
hurst upon our head, and the danger to institutions
mas passed away. May we ever be under the divine
guidance and protection
Whilst it i, the duty Of the President from time to
fine t. give Congress information Of the state of the
Tgion :" shall refer in detail to the recent sad
.ud bloody at Harpers Ferry, Still, it is
rropcr II observe that these events, however bad
mi clue in themselves derive their chief impol-
lance from the apprehension that they but SYM
toms al IN incurable disease i'll the public mind,
which nav break out in still more dangerous out.
r..es and terminate at last in an open war by the
Moth 10 abolish slavery in the South. Whilst, for
my,rlf entertain such apprehension they ought to
M solemn warning to US all beware of the APP
rroteh OF danger. Our Union is stake Of such incs
Iu.bc value demand constant and watchfu Wig
;4nce its preservation In this view, let me impure
nv couutrymcn North and South, to cultivate the
each other and strive to aay the demon spirit Of Sec
yud hatred and strife alive in the land, This al.
vice proceeds from the heart OF old public tunctionary
whose service commenced i'll the last generation, among
tie wise and conservative statesmen of that day,
neatly ali passed away and whose first and dearest earthly
wish is to leave his country tranquil prosperous united
and powerful
We ought to reflect that in this age and especially III
ns country there ncesSant iux and lctux ut pub
lie opinion. Questions which in their day assumed 4
threatening aspect have nearly gone from the
memory of They ''volcanocs burnt out, and
On the Lava and ashes and sluad scoe OF old eruptions
zrgw the peaceful olive the cheering vlne and the sus
tanning corn Such in my opinion, will prove to be
tue e OF the present sectional excitement should those
who wisely seek to appy the remedy continue always to
C0nue their efforts within the pale OF the Constitution
l. this 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
uroycsics Public opinion in this country is all pow
rul and when it reaches dangerous excess upon any
question: the good of the people will furnish tie
Corrective and bring il back within safe limits. Still, 10
this suspicious result at the present crisis, We
ought 10 remember that rational creature must be
presumed intend the natural consequences OF his own
teachings Those who announce abstract doctrines sub
e,syr Of the Constitution and the Union, must not lie
surprised should their heated artisans advance one step
frther and attempt By violence to carry these doctrines
lnto practical effect In this view o. the subject it
ought 10 he forgotten that, however great may
have been the political advantages resulting from The
Cuion 10 every portion OF our common country these
wuui all prove To he as nothing should the time ever
rivc when they clnilot he enjoyed without serious
,uger the personal safety Of the people OF fifteen
hers the confedcacy. Ii the peace OF the domestic
gcsilc throughout these States should be invaded
il the mothers OF families within this extensive region
should not be able to retire To rest ut night without sui
letting ilelful app Extensions Of what may he their own
ate and that Of their children before the morning
would be vain to recount to such people the political
benefits which result to them from the Union Sell
reservation is the first instinct of nature and there
yre any state of society III which the sword IS all the
time suspended the heads Of the people must at last
become intolcrable But indulge in no such gloomy
,eboainss On the contrary, firmly believe that the
Harper Ferry, by causing the people To pause
ll reflect upon the possible peril to thor cherished IN
-tGtuns will be the means unuer Providence, OF aay
iu the existing excitement and preventing future out
breaks Of similar character They will resolve that the
Constitution aud the Union shall not be endangered 10y
lash counseS knowing that should 1.-The silver cord he
loosed or the golden bowl be broken at the foun-
tain human power could reune the scattered and
hostile fragments.
cordially congratulate you upon the final settlement
10y the Supreme Court Of the United States of the ques-
ton o: slavery the Territories which had presented
IN aspect truly formidable 1T the commencement OF
nv administration. The right has been established OF
every citizen to take his property of any kind including
slaves into the common Territories belonging equally to
there under the Federal Constitution Neither Congress
uur territorial legislature nor any human power has
any authority To annu impair this vested right The
supreme judicial tribunal OF the country which is CO.
ordinate branch Of the Government has sanctioned and
affirmed these principles of constitutional law, 50 maui
testify Just in themselves and well calculated to pro-
uictc peace and harmony among the States. 1t Is II
striking proof OF the OF justice which IS inherent III
people that the property IN slaves has never been ds
:urbed t. my knowledge in any Of the Territories Even
throughout the late troubles in Kansas there has not
Teen any attempt as lam credbly informed to interfere
III single Instance with the right of the master Had
such attempt been made, the Judiciary would doubt
less have afforded adequate remedy Should they til
iudo this hereafter it will then be time enough to
strengthen their hands by further legislation Had peeh
eIcd that either Congress the territorial Legislature
POSSESS the power to annul impair the right to property
slaves the evil would he Noticeable In the latter
@yc there would be struggle for majority OF the
members OF the legislature at each successive election
aud the sactcl rights of property held under the Federal
Constitution would depend for the time being on the re-
sg, The agitation would thus he rendered inceSsant
whilst the territorial condition remained and Its baeiui
influence would keep alive dangerous excitement among
the people OF the several States.
Thus has the status Of Territory, during the inter
mediate period from its first settlement until II snail De-
State been irrevocably fixed by the final decision
u the Supreme Court Fortunate has this been t"r the
Prosperity OF the Teriitosies, well as the tran
IG,iy Of the States Now, emigrants from The
Moth and the South, the East and the West, Will
meet IN the Territories on common platform,
having brought with them that species of property best
adapted in their opinion, to promote their welfare
siom natural causes the slavery question will IN each
aSc virtually settle itself and before the Territory
prepared for admission q State into the Union thls
decision or tie other, will have been foregonc