The Van Buren press., 1860-12-21


since the world began. 1t has been consc-
Grated by the blooi OF our fathers, the glo-
ries of the past and the hopes OF the future.
The Union ha, already made us the most
prosperous and. ere long, will, if preserved,
render us the most powerful nation on the
face of the earth. In every foreign region
Of the globe the title of American citizen
is held in the highest respect, and when
pronounced in foreign land. it causes the
hearts of our countrynen to swell with
honest pride.
Surely when we reach the brink Of ths
yawning abyss, we shall recoil with horror
from the awful p,unge. By such a dread
catastrophe the hopes 81 the friends of free
dom throughout the world would be de-
stroycd, and long night Of leaden despo-
tism would enshroud the nations. Our ex-
pie for more than eighty years would
not only be lost. but it would be quoted as
n conclusive proof thatman is unht for self
government.
"The slavery question. like everything
human, will have its day. firmly believe
that it has already reached and passed the
eliminating point, bu, if. in the midst Of
the existing excitement, the Union shall
perish the evil may then become irrcpara-
1
by proposing and recommending to the leg
isiatures of the several States the remedy
for existing evils. which the Constitution
has itself provided for its own preserva-
ton
lhe President proposes that his explain
atoTy amendment to the Constitution b.
adopted by Congress for the final settle
inent of the true construction OF the Con-
i'm.
press recognition OF the right OF property
in Slaves in the States where it now exists
or may, hereafter exist the duty of pro-
tectins this right in all the common terri.
toric, throughout their territorial existence,
and until they shall he admitted as States
into the Union, with or without slavery as
their Constitutions may prescribe /; like
recognition oi the rights OF the master to
have his slave. who has escaped lr,m on,
State to another, restore aud delivered up
to him, AMI Of tn, vail .ity of the Fnstive
Slave Law, enacted for this purpose. to-
SetHer with declaration that ali State laws
ilhpairing or defeating this right, ar, vio-
iatIons OF the Constitution, and are conso-
quenty null and void.
Suci an explanatory amendment would,
1t Is believed, forever terminate the existing
".>SShniou anu ito.otc peace AMI HiVIlOuy
among the States.
The President thea discussed our foreign
relations.
Oar relations with Spain have been COM
plicatei by the rold,ai OF the Senate to
ratiiy the convention for the adjustment of
the Cuban claim, 50 called. The Presiden:
reite.ates his Recommendation for the acqui-
sition OF CuAa by fair purchase. With the
exception OF Msxico, our relations with for
eiSn powers are of satisfactory character.
! In rc!atiou to knnsas, the presil>n. says
The desperate band recently Assem- bed un-
de. notorious outlaw, in the Sout hcrn
portion of the Territory to resist the exc
cution Of the laws, and to plunler the peace
able citizens. viii, lou5t not, be speedily
subdued ani brought to justice" He rec
ommends :. Pacific Railroad /; congratula:cs
the country upon the apparent diminution
! OF the slave-trade, and the extinction of the
iiiiousterinS sentiment and in view of tho
des;itution in Kansas. recomm ends to Con
yrcss that Ii any constitutional measure Of
relief he devised. that the subject should
be daily considered.