The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-01-11
The Presidents Message.

1t will be Justly esteemed one of the most
interesting, most able, and most important
State papers which have ever been communi-
Gated to Congress.
Al no time since the foundation of the Gov
eminent did the people of the United States
look with so great anxiety as now Tor the Sin
formation" which it is the duty of the Chief
Magistrate of the Republic to greet Congress,
concerning "the state of the Union" At no
time were the so3e.An and author
itative statements of the President more need
ed than now to inform the people OF the true
condition of national affairs-domestic as well
as foreign and never was there an occasion
when the voice of wisdom, truth, of patriotism,
and of conservatism could be more potential
for good than in the present momentous Crisis
in our country's history.
Who is there within the limits of this vast
continent, whose soul is not dead to all sense
of patriotic duty, and who is not totally bereft
of feeling for the welfare and happiness of his
country, who will turn a deaf ear to the appeal
which the President addresses to his country
men, North and South, imploring them "to
cultivate the ancient feelings of mutual for
bearance and goodwill toward each other, and
strive to allay the demon spirit of sectionalha
tired and strife now alive in the land?" Every
body must admit that this demon spirit is
salive in the land )" hat it is sapping the foun-
uIllOLS vi liz lhC bAuuduAAiDJ IL PNO0PNAf
ty of the Union reposes and that it it Is not
to be crushed out by the no 'est-hearted, con-
misunderstanding masses of the American people,
it will ere long overthrow the fairest fabric of
free government that was ever reared by NOR
tai hands or ever conceived by inspired minds.
The Presidents remarks with reference to
the Harper's Ferry invasion are worthy of
their author and the lofty position he occapies.
They ought to be read and pondered by query
Il
Rio Grande. They are the embodiment of
patriotic devotion to the Constitution and the
Union. They are the words of one who has
passed a long and stainless life in the faithful
service of his ccuatry, and who, from step to
step-from one high trust to another-has
risen to the highest Office in the gift of the
people-the proudest position in the world
the Chief Magistracy of the United States of
America. We would hope that these eloquent
words may reach every heart; that they may
cause the popular mind to reflect on the dan
gers which must inevitably ensue if the pres
emit fierce sectional excitement be not allayed,
and the constitutional rights of the several
States be not respected in spirit and in truth /;
and that the popular resolve may be announced
in thunder tones throughout the length and
breadth of the land, striking terror into the
hearts of disorganizers and traitors, that the
FConstitution and the Union shall not be en-
dangered by rash counsels."
On the vexed question of slavery in the
Territories, which during the last year has
been such a fruitful subject of controversy
among politicians, the Presidents views COM
mend themselves to the approval and endorse
ment of every man, North and South, who is
willing to abide by the constitution and the
law of the land. That question has been au-
thoritatively settled by the highest judicial
tribunal in the country, created by the found
ers of the Government for the express purpose
of finally settling all disputes concerning the
force and reach of the provisions of the Con-
stitution. That august tribunal has decided
that the public domain is open to the citizens
of all the States that they may settle there
with their property of every kind recognized.
as such by the Constitution; and that they are
entitled to the fullest and most complete pro-
lection for their lives and property That
| court has decided that Congress, and a Jortiort
no territorial legislature created by Congress,
las any power to divest any American citizen
Of this inherent right, or to IN IA
vor of or against any portion of the people. 1t
has decided that the slave owner with his slaves
has the same rights in every portion of the
public territories as the citizen Of any free
State and that slavery cannot be prohibited
or established in any Territory otherwise than
by the people of that Territory when they at
tain a sufficient number to entitle them to
frame a constitution and ask admission into the
Union as a State. This adjustment of the
question is final, and must be so considered by
all who do not deny the binding force of the
Constitution, and who do not, under the clap
trap name of "higher Law" consider individual
caprice, prejudice, passion, or self interest, of
Superior power to the express mandate of the
Federal Compact.
With reference to the question of "protec-
tion 10 slavery in the Territories" the Prssi-